dixnary
nounUK /ˈdɪks(ə)nəɹi/ · US /ˈdɪks(ə)ˌnɛɹi/
Etymology A syncopic form of a pentasyllabic pronunciation of dictionary (approximately /ˈdɪksɪ.ʊˌnæːrɪ/); compare the development of merlin from Middle English merlioun.
1
Obsolete, Pronunciation spelling Pronunciation spelling of dictionary.
- de-ſi-er deſire / dix-na-ry dictionary / di-viſ-yun diviſion[1696 [1676], Edward Young, “The difference of Writing”, in Compleat English Scholar […] , 12th edition, London: Thomas Guy, page 78:
- "MISS JEMIMA!" exclaimed Miss Pinkerton, in the largest capitals. "Are you in your senses? Replace the Dixonary in the closet, and never venture to take such a liberty in future.".1847 January – 1848 July, William Makepeace Thackeray, “Chiswick Mall”, in Vanity Fair […], London: Bradbury and Evans […], published 1848, →OCLC, page 2:
3 more examples
- But it is well for him to get away from the Dixery. I hate to think of his giving his life for the lives of fellows of whom we were blessedly ignorant ; they were most of them dead or damned , and we hoped we were rid of 'em.1891 February 11, James Russell Lowell, “To Mrs. L. Stephen”, in Charles Eliot Norton, editor, Letters of James Russell Lowell, volume II, New York: Harper & Brothers, published 1894, page 433:
- An' her tull'th me these yer Debben talk is a prapper langwige, an that all tha gentlevoks ust ta spaik like us do now, that "thicky" an "nort" wiz quite prapper wurds, and her zed her zeed "orts" in a ole dicksnary she wiz raydin.1905 May 5, A Constan' Rayder, “More Postcards: The Southmolton Division”, in Devon And Exeter Gazette, volume CXXXIII, number 18238, Exeter: G.F. Gratwick, page 11:
- Yes, but then the triumph of learning is that it leaves something done solidly for ever. Everybody knows now about dialect, owing to his dixery [Joseph Wright's English Dialect Dictionary].1932 July 13, Virginia Woolf, edited by Anne Olivier Bell, The diary of Virginia Woolf, volume 4, New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, published 1980, page 116:
2
India, Misspelling Misspelling of dictionary.