dictionary
Let an agent handle dictionaries by type, publisher, edition, reliability and use for definitions, translation and language learning.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent handle dictionaries by type, publisher, edition, reliability and use for definitions, translation and language learning.
A reference work listing the words of a language or specialised field, usually alphabetically, with definitions, pronunciations, etymologies, translations or usage notes, in print or digital form, including bilingual dictionaries and phrasebooks.
What it is for: Looking up meanings, spellings, pronunciations and translations.
It can be choose a suitable dictionary; read entries and usage labels; check spelling and pronunciation; cite dictionary entries.
Distinguishing features
Word-based reference work
Many types
Descriptive or prescriptive
Regularly updated
What it looks like
Printed volumes, apps and websites with alphabetical entries.
How it is recognised
Headwords, definitions and labels
Monolingual and bilingual types
Thesauruses group synonyms instead
Related models
is a kind of - category
lists - content
is compiled by - author
is related to - related work
In practice
Families and kinds
monolingual dictionaries
bilingual dictionaries
specialised and technical dictionaries
learner dictionaries
phrasebooks and pronouncing dictionaries
Identifiers
ISBN 13 digits print editions
Standards and regulation
ISO 1951 lexicographical symbols
Copyright and database rights
Failure modes and hazards
Using outdated editions
Treating one dictionary as authoritative for all usage
Unreliable free word lists
Also called
+145
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Choice Which dictionary.
Purpose decides choice.
Type
Kind.
Type
Dictionary type.
- Which kind of dictionary suits this need? action
- Which languages or field does it cover? definition
Edition
Currency.
Edition
Edition.
- Which edition is it, and when was it updated? provenance
- Who publishes it? provenance
Entries Reading entries.
Entries hold information.
Labels
Usage labels.
Labels
Usage labels.
- What do labels such as informal, offensive or dated mean? definition
- How should they guide usage? action
Pronunciation
IPA.
Pronunciation
Pronunciation.
- How is the pronunciation shown, such as IPA? definition
- Are regional variants given? provenance
Approach Descriptive or prescriptive.
Dictionaries differ.
Descriptive
Usage-based.
Descriptive
Descriptive approach.
- Does the dictionary record usage or prescribe correctness? definition
- What does that mean for this word? definition
Compare
Multiple sources.
Compare
Comparison.
- Do major dictionaries agree on this definition? provenance
- Which is more current? provenance
Use Citing and access.
Access routes vary.
Cite
Citation.
Cite
Citation.
- How should a dictionary entry be cited? action
- Which style guide applies? provenance
Access
Libraries and apps.
Access
Access.
- Is it available free or through a library? provenance
- Is there an accessible format? provenance
What the second pass must settle
- Should dictionary types be separate entries?
- How should dictionary APIs be linked?
- How should usage labels be standardised?