Dic"tion*a*ry (?), n.; pl.
Dictionaries (#). [Cf. F. dictionnaire. See
Diction.] 1. A book containing the words
of a language, arranged alphabetically, with explanations of their
meanings; a lexicon; a vocabulary; a wordbook.
I applied myself to the perusal of our writers; and
noting whatever might be of use to ascertain or illustrate any word
or phrase, accumulated in time the materials of a
dictionary.
Johnson.
2. Hence, a book containing the words
belonging to any system or province of knowledge, arranged
alphabetically; as, a dictionary of medicine or of botany; a
biographical dictionary.