Lexikon

See also: lexikon

German

Alternative forms
  • Lexicon (archaic)

Etymology

Ultimately from Ancient Greek λεξικόν (lexikón, “dictionary”), from λεξικός (lexikós)

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈlɛksikɔn/
  • Audio(file)

Noun

Lexikon n (strong, genitive Lexikons, plural Lexika or Lexiken or (nonstandard, rather rare) Lexikons or Lexikas)

  1. reference book; a book, usually alphabetically ordered, in which definitions and facts can be looked up, such as an encyclopaedia, dictionary, etc.
    Synonyms: Nachschlagewerk, schlaues Buch (informal)
  2. a lexicon, in other words the vocabulary of a language, field, or individual person.

Usage notes
  • The plural forms Lexikons and Lexikas are sometimes found, but are nonstandard and rather rare.
  • The use of this word for a dictionary specifically, as in ein französisch-deutsches Lexikon (“a French-German dictionary”), is considered dated by some authorities including Duden. However, the inclusion of dictionaries in the broader term Lexikon can hardly be considered dated.

Declension
Declension of Lexikon [neuter, strong]
singular plural
indef. def. noun def. noun
nominative ein das Lexikon die Lexika, Lexiken, Lexikons1, Lexikas1
genitive eines des Lexikons der Lexika, Lexiken, Lexikons1, Lexikas1
dative einem dem Lexikon den Lexika, Lexiken, Lexikons1, Lexikas1
accusative ein das Lexikon die Lexika, Lexiken, Lexikons1, Lexikas1

1Nonstandard, rather rare.

Hyponyms
  • Reallexikon
  • Sachlexikon
  • Sprachlexikon

Further reading
  • “Lexikon” in Duden online
  • “Lexikon” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
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