lexicographer
nounUK /ˌlɛksɪˈkɒɡɹəfə(ɹ)/ · US /ˌlɛksɪˈkɑɡɹəfɚ/
Etymology From French lexicographe + -er, from Ancient Greek λεξικός (lexikós, “of words”) + γράφω (gráphō, “write”). By surface analysis, lexico- + -grapher.
1
One who writes or compiles a dictionary.
- Lexico′grapher. […] A writer of dictionaries; a harmleſs drudge, that buſies himſelf in tracing the original, and detailing the ſignification of words.[1755 April 15, Samuel Johnson, “Lexico′grapher”, in A Dictionary of the English Language: […], volume II (L–Z), London: […] J[ohn] and P[aul] Knapton; […], →OCLC, column 1:
- Pitt has furnish'd us a word or two / Which lexicographers declined to do.1811, George Gordon Byron, Hints from Horace:
2 more examples
- The best lexicographer may well be content if his productions are received by the world with cold esteem.1860, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Biographies contributed to the Encyclopædia Britannica:
- Would-be lexicographers beware: this job comes with a health warning – you will never look at words in the same way again.2007 May 10, Emily Ford, “How do I become… a lexicographer?”, in The Times, London:
- Derived terms
- metalexicographer
- Related terms
- lexicography, lexicon, lexicologist