WIKTIONARY Meaning and
Definition
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Wiktionary is a collaborative, multilingual online dictionary that provides definitions, etymologies, pronunciations, translations, and usage examples for words in various languages. It is a sister project of Wikipedia and follows a similar wiki-based format, allowing anyone with internet access to contribute and edit its content.
With a focus on linguistic information, Wiktionary aims to encompass a comprehensive collection of words and their meanings from all languages, dialects, and jargons. Users can search for a specific word, phrase, or concept, and are presented with a variety of information related to that term. Its vast database consists of entries created and maintained by volunteer editors, who ensure accuracy, clarity, and consistency throughout.
Wiktionary not only provides definitions but also includes supplementary details such as part of speech, synonyms, antonyms, translations, and usage notes. Moreover, it offers phonetic transcriptions and audio pronunciations for many words, facilitating the learning and understanding of proper pronunciation.
One of the notable features of Wiktionary is its dedication to etymology, offering insights into the origins and historical development of words. Its extensive etymological entries trace the linguistic roots across different languages and provide information about cognates, derived terms, and related concepts.
As an open and collaborative project, Wiktionary encourages contributions from individuals who have expertise in languages or specific fields of knowledge. This allows for a continuous expansion and improvement of the dictionary's content, making it a valuable resource for language learners, translators, academics, and general users seeking accurate and accessible linguistic information.
Common Misspellings for WIKTIONARY
Etymology of WIKTIONARY
The word "wiktionary" is a portmanteau of "wiki" and "dictionary".
- The term "wiki" comes from the Hawaiian language and means "quick" or "fast". It was used by the computer programmer Ward Cunningham, who developed the first wiki software in 1994. A wiki is a website or a software application that allows collaborative editing and updating of its content by users.
- "Dictionary" comes from the Latin word "dictionarius", meaning "a book containing words". It refers to a reference book or an online resource that provides definitions, pronunciations, translations, and other information about words and phrases in a particular language.
So, combining these two terms, "wiktionary" signifies a collaborative, user-edited dictionary, which ultimately became the name of a freely editable online dictionary project launched by the Wikimedia Foundation in 2002.
