Dictionary Assignment for ESL 1020

The dictionary is an essential part of the materials needed for effective writing and communicating. We usually use a dictionary to look up correct spellings and definitions of words. There are, however, many other useful types of information contained in a good dictionary. The following dictionary assignment is designed to help you explore some of the often-overlooked areas of the dictionary. You will find that your dictionary probably does not have all the information required to complete this assignment; however, the reference section in the university library has many different sizes and types of dictionaries, including many specialty dictionaries.

Assignment:

A.                 Many good dictionaries contain a list of standard abbreviations and their meanings. Provide the correct meaning of the following standard abbreviations:

1.      hdqrs. ____________________________

2.      O.H.G. ___________________________

3.      Rwy. ____________________________

4.      St. ______________________________

B.                 Some dictionaries contain a copy of the Constitution of the United States. Find which Amendment deals with:

1.      the right to keep and bear arms ___________

2.      the abolition of slavery _________________

3.      the repeal of prohibition. _______________

C.                 Of course, dictionaries are commonly used to locate the definitions of words. Give the definition of each of the following words:

1.      the word ‘arm’ as it is used in question B above:

     ____________________________________________________________

2.      the word ‘abolition’ as it is used in question B above: _____________________________________________________________

3.      the word ‘prohibition’ in question B:

        _______________________________________________________________________

D.                 Translating from one language to another can sometimes cause problems because the literal meaning doesn’t necessarily have the intended meaning. Using a dictionary that has a section on ‘Foreign Words and Phrases’ [NOT a foreign language dictionary], give intended meaning for each of the following phrases:

1.      audentes fortuna juvat

    ________________________________________________________

2.      in hoc signo vinces

    _________________________________________________________

3.      la belle dame sans merci

    _________________________________________________________

4.      vivere est cogitare

    _________________________________________________________

E.                  Sometimes teachers, especially English teachers, will use special terms to refer to studies in language. Find the definitions of the following terms:

1.      etymology is the study of ___________________

2.      orthoepy is the study of _____________________

3.      orthography is the study of __________________

F.                  Since many types of poetry require that words at the end of a line rhyme, there is a special type of dictionary [or sometimes a special part of large dictionaries] that contains groups of words that rhyme. List six words that rhyme with the word ‘seat’:

1.      __________________

2.      __________________

3.      __________________

4.      __________________

5.      __________________ 

6.      __________________

G.                 Dictionaries also give other words that can be substituted for a word.

1.      Give a synonym of the verb recollect: ______________

2.      Define synonym:

   ______________________________________________________

3.      Give an antonym of the verb unite: ________________

4.      Define antonym:

_____________________________________________________

H.                 Many words in the English language are easily confused because they sound alike but have different meanings and different spellings. These words are called homonyms or homophones. Give two homonyms of the word ‘hem.’

1.      _________________

2.      _________________

I.                    There are a great many other types of information to be found in dictionaries. Using the dictionaries available to you in the university library, answer the following questions:

1.      Who were the Brontës? _______________________

2.      What is the plural form of alumnus? ______________

3.      What is the population of Nashville, Tennessee? ________

4.      What was the writer Mark Twain’s real name? __________

5.      How tall is Mt. Everest in feet? ______ in meters? ______

6.      How large is Lake Superior

in square miles? _______ in square kilometers? _______

7.      Which is larger, the Atlantic Ocean or the Pacific Ocean? _____

8.      Which is larger, the Red Sea or the Black Sea? ___________

9.      What is the difference between an Autoharp and a Zither? __________________________________________________________

      _________________________________________________________

10.  Define slang _______________________________________________

11.  Define jargon: ______________________________________________

J.                   When a word has more than one definition entry in the dictionary, the most common meaning of the word appears first. How many meanings are listed for each of the following words? What is the most common meaning?

1.          term: ________      _______________________

    2.         nice: ________       _______________________

    3.         point: ________      _______________________

    4.         slope: ________      _______________________

    5.         count: ________      _______________________

K.                Give the comparative and superlative forms of the following dictionary forms:

1.      silly: ______________        _______________

2.      kind: _____________        _______________

3.      rusty: ____________          _______________

4.      good: ____________          ______________

5.      bad: _____________          ______________