10月16 Fun Holiday – Dictionary Day
Dictionary Day is on October 16. The unofficial holiday celebrates the birth anniversary of American lexicographer, Noah Webster.
Learn a few new words to celebrate Dictionary Day.
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Born on October 16, 1758, Webster is best known for publishing An American Dictionary of the English Language, the precursor of the now famous and widely used Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
Reference Book
A dictionary is a reference book that lists words in a language and provides the meaning, origin and pronunciation of each listed word. The book also informs users on how to use a word in different circumstances.
Semasiological, of Course
Dictionaries are semasiological. Semasiology is the branch of linguistics that deals with the definition of words and phrases in a language. This is different from onomasiology, which deals with what things and concepts are called. A thesuarus is an onomasiological reference book because it provides users the different terms that can be used to express a specific idea.
How to Celebrate?
- Pick up a dictionary and try to learn the meanings of at least 5 new words.
- Learn more about the history and science behind publishing dictionaries.
Did You Know...
...that pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is the longest word in the Merriam-Webster dictionary? At 45 letters, the word refers to a lung disease.
Dictionary Day Observances
| Fun Holiday: Dictionary Day Observances | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Weekday | Date | Name |
| 2025 | 木曜日 | 10月16日 (木) | Dictionary Day |
| 2026 | 金曜日 | 10月16日 (金) | Dictionary Day |
| 2027 | 土曜日 | 10月16日 (土) | Dictionary Day |
| 2028 | 月曜日 | 10月16日 (月) | Dictionary Day |
| 2029 | 火曜日 | 10月16日 (火) | Dictionary Day |
| 2030 | 水曜日 | 10月16日 (水) | Dictionary Day |
| 2031 | 木曜日 | 10月16日 (木) | Dictionary Day |
| 2032 | 土曜日 | 10月16日 (土) | Dictionary Day |
| 2033 | 日曜日 | 10月16日 (日) | Dictionary Day |
| 2034 | 月曜日 | 10月16日 (月) | Dictionary Day |
