2015-08-21
1777
The first big explanatory dictionary "A Dictionary of the English Language in Which the Words are Deduced from Their Originals and Illustrated in Their General Significations by Examples from the Best Writers: In 2 vols." was complied by Dr Samuel Johnson and published in 1755.
The most important innovation of S. Johnson's Dictionary was the introduction of illustrations of the meanings of the words by examples from the best writers (around 114,000 quotations).Pronunciation was not marked, because S. Johnson was sure of the wide variety of the English pronunciation and thought it was impossible to set up a standard there. He paid attention only to those aspects of vocabulary where he believed he could improve linguistic usage. S. Johnson's influence was tremendous. He remained the unquestionable authority for more than 75 years. When it came out the book was huge, not just in scope but also in size. Johnson himself pronounced the book “Vasta mole superbus” (“Proud in its great bulk”).
