What is the definition of a lexicon?

What is the definition of a lexicon?

• A. An encyclopedia
• B. A vocabulary list
• C. A dictionary
• D. A language study

Answer: (C)

A lexicon refers specifically to the vocabulary of a language, which includes words and their meanings, as well as information about their use in context. It is often thought of as a type of dictionary, although a lexicon can sometimes refer to the vocabulary used in a particular field or by a specific group. Therefore, selecting the answer that states it is a dictionary aligns perfectly with this definition, as dictionaries provide definitions, pronunciations, and usages of words, covering the elements that comprise a lexicon. Other options, such as an encyclopedia, suggest broader subject matter beyond word definitions; a vocabulary list might imply a more limited selection of terms without the comprehensive explanations found in a dictionary; and language study refers to the academic pursuit of understanding a language rather than the compilation of its vocabulary. Hence, a dictionary encapsulates the concept of a lexicon most accurately.

A lexicon refers specifically to the vocabulary of a language, which includes words and their meanings, as well as information about their use in context. It is often thought of as a type of dictionary, although a lexicon can sometimes refer to the vocabulary used in a particular field or by a specific group. Therefore, selecting the answer that states it is a dictionary aligns perfectly with this definition, as dictionaries provide definitions, pronunciations, and usages of words, covering the elements that comprise a lexicon.

Other options, such as an encyclopedia, suggest broader subject matter beyond word definitions; a vocabulary list might imply a more limited selection of terms without the comprehensive explanations found in a dictionary; and language study refers to the academic pursuit of understanding a language rather than the compilation of its vocabulary. Hence, a dictionary encapsulates the concept of a lexicon most accurately.