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