glossary

American  

[glos-uh-ree, glaw-suh-] / ˈglɒs ə ri, ˈglɔ sə- /

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.

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glossary British  

/ ɡlɒˈsɛərɪəl, ˈɡlɒsərɪ /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• glossarial adjective
• glossarially adverb
• glossarist noun

Etymology

Origin of glossary

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

Example Sentences

Mr. Brooke-Hitching provides no way for the reader to fact-check his assertions, but he does offer a glossary to clear up the meanings of such terms as buoyant, pseudonym and venom.

From The Wall Street Journal

A glossary of technical terms is updated regularly with new entries.

From Barron's

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

Related Words

• dictionary
• vocabulary