ENGLISH 10

Distinguish technical
terms used in research
Using Dictionary
 Lesson Outline
01 MEANING OF DICTIONARY

02 USING DICTIONARY

03
OTHER IMPORTANT ENTRY
ELEMENTS

04 SAMPLE DICTIONARY ENTRY

 DICTIONAR
- aY
reference book that lists
words in alphabetical order. It
gives meaning and other
details of the listed words.
Using the DICTIONARY
- If you are unable to understand
the meaning of an unfamiliar word
by using context clues, then you
should look up the word in a
dictionary. Here are tips for proper
dictionary usage.
Using the DICTIONARY
- Look at the preface and notes in
your dictionary. The preface contains
explanations about the various
symbols and abbreviations. Find out
what your dictionary has to offer.
Using the DICTIONARY
- Good dictionaries include all known
definitions of a word. When you are
looking up a word, do not stop after you
have read the first meaning! Keep
reading, and look for the meaning that
best fits the context of your sentence.
Using the DICTIONARY
- If the difficult word has a prefix such
as un- or mis-, you may have to look up
the root word.
 Other Important Entry Elements
1.1. Guide Words
• The words listed in a dictionary are listed in alphabetical order,
letter by letter. Pairs of guide words are usually at the top of each
set of facing pages. Guide words list the first and last defined
word to appear on a page (or facing pages).Using guide words
help you quickly locate the word you seek.
• If the guide words on facing pages are symbolic and sympathy,
you will have to turn to the next page to find symphonic.
 1.2. Main/Word Entries
Main entries are the words that are explained in a
dictionary. These words appear in boldface (dark)
type.

Main Entries
may be single words, compound words,
abbreviations, affixes, or phrases.
 1.3. Parts of Speech
•The dictionary uses nine abbreviations for the
parts of speech.
n. noun v.t. transitive verb adj. adjective pron.
pronoun interj. interjection adv. Adverb v.i.
intransitive verb conj. conjunction prep.
preposition
 1.4. Restrictive labels
Subject labels tell you that a word has a special
meaning when used in a particular field ( mus. for
music,
med. for medicine, zool. for zoology, etc. ) Usage
labels tell you how a word is used (slang, colloq, for
colloquial, dial. for dialect, etc.) Geographic labels
tell you in which region of the country (N.E. for
New England, West, South, etc.) the definition
applies
 1.5. Spelling
•Not knowing how to spell a word can make it
difficult to find in the dictionary, but not
impossible. You will be surprised at how quickly
you can find most words by following the
sounded-out spelling.
 ACTIVITY 1: Parts of a Dictionary Entry
Direction:
Determine the part of a dictionary entry by using the
jumbled letters of the term and the provided meaning.
You may also use dictionary from online sources or
mobile applications to accomplish this activity.
1. An TRENY WORD, listed alphabetically, shows how a word is spelled and how
words of more than one syllable is divided.
2. The CIAROPNOITNUN has symbols to show how to say the words.
3. A TRAP-OF-SCHEEP label gives the function or functions of a word.
4. LATERED FORMS, such as plurals, or the comparative forms are often given.
5. ULTIMPLE DEFINITIONS or meanings are numbered.
6. An ILLUSTIVERAT SENTENCE or phrase shows how a word is used.
7. An EMOTYLOGY, or word history, tells the origin of a word.
8. An ENTACC shows which syllables are said with special force.
9. Sometimes a MYSYNON STUDY shows shades of meaning.
10. A MOGRAPHHO is spelled the same as another word but has a different origin
and meaning.
Thank you for attentive
listening!
Resource Page