Dic"tion*a*ry (?), n.;
pl. Dictionaries (#). [Cf. F.
dictionnaire. See Diction.]
1. A book containing the words of a language, arranged alphabetically, with
explanations of their meanings;
a lexicon; a
vocabulary; a wordbook.
I applied myself to the perusal of our writers; and noting whatever might be of use to ascertain or illustrate any word or phrase, accumulated in time the materials of a dictionary.
Johnson.
2. Hence, a book containing the words belonging to any system
or province of knowledge, arranged alphabetically; as, a dictionary of medicine or of botany;
a biographical dictionary.
Hear it pronounced