A “headword” is a fundamental term or word in a lexicon or dictionary for which definitions, translations, or other linguistic information is provided. It serves as the central entry point in a lexicon, and entries in the lexicon are typically organized alphabetically or by some other systematic order based on these headwords.
Here are some key points about headwords:
- Central Entry: The headword is the word, term, or phrase that you’re looking up in the lexicon or dictionary. It’s the primary focus of the entry.
- Alphabetical Order: In most dictionaries and lexicons, headwords are organized in alphabetical order, making it easier for users to find the word they’re looking for.
- Linguistic Information: Under the headword, you’ll typically find various pieces of linguistic information, including definitions, pronunciation guides, part-of-speech tags, example sentences, and more.
- Multiple Meanings: Some headwords may have multiple meanings, and each meaning may be associated with its own set of linguistic information within the entry.
- Part of Lexical Structure: The structure and organization of a lexicon or dictionary depend heavily on the headwords and their associated information. It’s a foundational element of lexical resources.
For example, in an English dictionary, if you were to look up the headword “apple,” you would find information about its pronunciation, definitions, usage in example sentences, and possibly related words or phrases.
In summary, a headword is the starting point for accessing linguistic information about a specific word or term in a lexicon or dictionary. It’s an essential element in lexical resources used for language understanding and reference.