Entry Structure
Each dictionary entry has many different components. Hover your mouse over areas of the example entry page to the right, or over the contents list to the left. When a part of the example page becomes highlighted, click for information about the relevant component.
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Headword
The headword represents the central form of the word which is the subject of the entry.
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Part of Speech
Each headword is categorised according to its part of speech, e.g. noun, verb, adjective or adverb.
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Pronunciation
The pronunciation of a headword is given in International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) notation.
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Labels
Labels are used to indicate information about the definition.
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Forms
Variant spelling forms of a headword are listed alphabetically before any subdivision of the entry.
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Plurals
If a word does not follow a standard English pattern of plural formation, the plural form is given before any subdivision of the entry.
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Origin
The origin of a word is given below the headword before any subdivision of the entry.
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Definition
The definition is a description of the meaning or sense of a headword.
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Senses
Each entry is made up of one or more senses. Each sense represents a particular meaning of the headword.
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Compounds
Compounds are composed of two or more words which include the headword. There are no compounds in this example entry.
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Derivatives
Derivatives are new words formed typically by the addition of a suffix (e.g. -al, -ly or -ness), to the headword form.
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Cross-references
Cross-references indicate that further information relating to a particular headword can be found at another entry.
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Notes
Notes are used to expand on any item of information given.
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Quotations
Sets of quotations illustrate the historical use of each word from its earliest recorded occurrence and form the basis for the definitions provided.
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Compounds
Compounds are composed of two or more words which include the headword. There are no compounds in this example entry.
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Cross-references
Cross-references indicate that further information relating to a particular headword can be found at another entry.
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Definition
The definition is a description of the meaning or sense of a headword.
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Derivatives
Derivatives are new words formed typically by the addition of a suffix (e.g. -al, -ly or -ness), to the headword form.
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Forms
Variant spelling forms of a headword are listed alphabetically before any subdivision of the entry.
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Headword
The headword represents the central form of the word which is the subject of the entry.
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Labels
Labels are used to indicate information about the definition.
-
Notes
Notes are used to expand on any item of information given.
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Origin
The origin of a word is given below the headword before any subdivision of the entry.
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Part of Speech
Each headword is categorised according to its part of speech, e.g. noun, verb, adjective or adverb.
-
Plurals
If a word does not follow a standard English pattern of plural formation, the plural form is given before any subdivision of the entry.
-
Pronunciation
The pronunciation of a headword is given in International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) notation.
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Quotations
Sets of quotations illustrate the historical use of each word from its earliest recorded occurrence and form the basis for the definitions provided.
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Senses
Each entry is made up of one or more senses. Each sense represents a particular meaning of the headword.