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glossary

glossary

9 4.4
A list of important words in a book with short explanations
  • noun
  • /ˈɡlɔːsəri/
translation icon : glosario
  • Second, an Excel file was created that included all glossary terms from each text along with accompanying definitions.

It also has a glossary because they keep changing the terms.

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Examples

  • For easy reference, have students contribute to a digital glossary or classroom display.

    Academic text (2012)
  • At the end of the report, there is a glossary with definitions of key terms to help readers understand the content.

  • Users can explore additional information, including a glossary for background information, before making a decision.

    Academic text (2015)
  • There is also a glossary and an index, which is very nice to have.

  • I have a whole glossary of terms in my files back at home.

  • Appended is a glossary, a list of phenomena by area, and an index.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Children can enhance their vocabulary skills as they use the website's glossary of keywords from the articles.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Even the EU itself acknowledges the problem by including an extensive glossary on its website, www.europa.eu.int.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Conversion charts, tables, test procedures, and a glossary of ABMA definitions are included.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Topics include composting science, mixes for best results, methods, monitoring, experiments, and a glossary are featured.

    Academic text (1998)

Synonyms

dictionary
vsglossary
165 1.0

A book or website that lists words and shows their meanings

is limited to a particular subject's terms and short explanations
gloss
vsglossary
  • Specialized
20 7.0

An explanation for a difficult word or phrase

is an organized subject list of terms often at a book's end
lexicon
vsglossary
4 6.6

A book or database that lists words and their meanings

focuses on one field's terms rather than whole language entries
vocabulist
vsglossary
  • Archaic
9.9

An old book that lists words and their meanings

is modern and usually focused on one subject's terms
wordbook
vsglossary
4.8

A book that lists words and their meanings

is aimed at one topic's terms rather than all words

How Comprehensive

OED
4 5.4
dictionary
165 1.0
glossary
9 4.4

Surface Forms

glossary singular
glossaries plural

Morphology

glossary = gloss (transparent) = gloss + ary

The word is a standard formation meaning a collection/place of 'glosses' (explanatory notes), which learners can deduce from 'gloss' + '-ary'.

Etymology

Glossary comes from the Greek word glossa, which means 'tongue' or 'language'. Long ago, readers wrote short notes called glosses next to difficult words to explain them, and people later collected these notes. So today a glossary is a list that explains special or hard words.