Dictionary of synonyms
A dictionary of synonyms (also: dictionary of synonyms ) is a dictionary that specifies other expressions ( synonyms ) for the keywords listed that have the same or at least a similar meaning.
Linguistic problem
It is based on the concept of synonymy . The linguistics understands that synonymy only exists when a word in any context with another, completely a synonym can be replaced. In such a case there is a so-called total synonymy . However, this condition cannot be met in the strict sense, since different words, due to their different form, have at least a different stylistic value and trigger different ideas. Synonym dictionaries therefore list meaning-like words for their keywords, i.e. words that can be selected as a substitute for the keyword in question, but not in every context. Such words do not have a total synonymy with the keyword, but a partial synonymy .
Task of synonym dictionaries
Synonym dictionaries have a practical objective: They should be an aid in the formulation of stylish texts. They enable an author to find a more suitable word in a meaningful area than he himself has thought of; They also help with the problem of not having to use the same words in too short intervals in a text, which is usually considered stylistically inept - except under certain conditions in academic works.
Examples of synonym dictionaries
Synonym dictionaries for the German language:
- Erich Bulitta , Hildegard Bulitta : Dictionary of synonyms and antonyms. 18,000 keywords with 200,000 word explanations . Krüger Verlag, Frankfurt am Main 1983, ISBN 3-8105-0225-1 .
- Erich Bulitta, Hildegard Bulitta: The Krüger Lexicon of Synonyms. Over 28,000 key words, over 300,000 related terms . Krüger Verlag, Frankfurt am Main 1993, ISBN 3-8105-0237-5 .
- Duden. The synonym dictionary: a dictionary of synonymous words. 4th, revised edition. Dudenverlag, Mannheim et al. 2007. ISBN 978-3-411-04084-1 .
- Truly synonym dictionary. The reliable reference work for the appropriate expression and for varied texts. 6th edition, completely revised and expanded by Ulrich Adolphs. Wissen-Media-Verlag, Gütersloh / Munich 2008, ISBN 3-577-09121-5 .
Synonym dictionaries for the English language:
- Hans-Wilhelm Klein and Wolf Friederich: English synonyms: for students and teachers. 4th edition. Hueber, Munich 1975, ISBN 3-19-002032-9 .
- K. Kloepper: Englische Synonymik - Larger edition for teachers and students. Wilhelm Werther's Verlag, Rostock 1881.
literature
- Helmut Glück (Ed.), With the collaboration of Friederike Schmöe : Metzler Lexikon Sprache. 3rd, revised edition. Metzler, Stuttgart / Weimar 2005, ISBN 3-476-02056-8 (article: “Synonymous dictionary”).
- Theodor Lewandowski: Linguistic Dictionary . 4th, revised edition. Quelle & Meyer, Heidelberg 1985, ISBN 3-494-02050-7 (article: “ Synonym dictionary ”).
Web links
- Synonyms in OpenThesaurus
- Vocabulary portal with synonym dictionary of the University of Leipzig
Individual evidence
- ↑ K. Kloepper: English Synonymik - Larger output for teachers and students . Wilhelm Werther's Verlag, Rostock 1881 ( digitized from archive.org [accessed on 23 August 2020]).