glossary

[glos-uh-ree, glaw-suh-]

noun

plural

glossaries 

1. a list of terms in a special subject, field, or area of usage, with accompanying definitions.

2. such a list at the back of a book, explaining or defining difficult or unusual words and expressions used in the text.

glossary

/ ɡlɒˈsɛərɪəl, ˈɡlɒsərɪ /

noun

1. Sometimes called: gloss. an alphabetical list of terms peculiar to a field of knowledge with definitions or explanations

Other Word Forms

• glossarial adjective
• glossarially adverb
• glossarist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of glossary¹

1350–1400; Middle English glossarye < Latin glōssarium difficult word requiring explanation < Greek glōssárion, diminutive of glôssa tongue, language; later taken as a collection of such words, by construing suffix as Latin -ārium -ary; gloss ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of glossary¹

C14: from Late Latin glossārium; see _gloss ²

Example Sentences

There’s the obvious proof: a detailed glossary, and a notes and bibliography section that runs over 30 pages.

From Los Angeles Times

Health risks and other information contained in this glossary come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

My editor appreciated the authenticity right from the start, including the nuanced Hawaiian Pidgin English some of my characters speak, and the value-added glossary I provided at the end.

From Los Angeles Times

The title, pulled from the pastime’s rich glossary, refers to an arced throw of such deliberately underwhelming velocity that it confounds the batter.

From Los Angeles Times

In his first confirmation hearing on Jan. 30, Patel denied that the roster of names was an enemies list, describing it as "just a glossary."

From Salon

Related Words

• dictionary 
• vocabulary