lexis

[ lek-sis ]

noun

, Linguistics.

1. the vocabulary of a language, as distinct from its grammar; the total stock of words and idiomatic combinations of them in a language; lexicon.

lexis

/ ˈlɛksɪs /

noun

1. the totality of vocabulary items in a language, including all forms having lexical meaning or grammatical function

Word History and Origins

Origin of lexis¹

1955–60; < Greek léxis speech, diction, word, text, equivalent to lég ( ein ) to speak, recount (akin to lógos account, word, Latin legere to read; logos, lection ) + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of lexis¹

C20: from Greek lexis word

Example Sentences

The FBI claimed the Lexis-Nexis searches cost the Times $300,000 and Lamo faced 15 years in jail for the breach.

From The Daily Beast

For in the view of the Greeks the words (lexis) were an integral part of the whole composition.

From Project Gutenberg

But there was a separate dispute far less notorious as to the quality of the lexis.

From Project Gutenberg

Porson was accustomed, meanly enough, to ridicule the Greek lexis of this ode; which was to break a fly upon the wheel.

From Project Gutenberg