C2. Types of Entries

This lesson provides an overview of different types of dictionary entries, both from a structural and formatting perspective. Here’s a summary:

Objective:

• Understand the different types of dictionary entries.

• Learn how entries are structured in the database (FLEx) versus published dictionaries.

• Explore how entries are displayed and categorized.

Key Topics:

1. Types of Dictionary Entries:

   • Main Entry: The standard dictionary article containing full details (e.g., pronunciation, word class, definition, examples).

   • Subentry: A related word or phrase embedded inside a main entry.

   • Minor Entry: A short entry that refers the user to a related main entry.

   • Minor Subentry: A minimal subentry embedded inside another entry, often serving as a cross-reference.

2. Presentation vs. Database Structure:

   • FLEx uses different terms for database organization and presentation formatting.

   • Database Terms:

     • Main Entry

     • Complex Form: A word composed of multiple morphemes (e.g., compounds, idioms).

     • Variant Form: Alternative spellings, dialectal differences, etc.

   • Presentation Terms:

     • Subentry: Embedded entry.

     • Minor Entry: Standalone reference to another entry.

     • Minor Subentry: Minimal embedded entry.

3. Complex Forms:

   • Words built from other words, such as:

     • Derivations: "happily" (from "happy" + "-ly").

     • Compounds: "blueberry" (from "blue" + "berry").

     • Contractions: "don’t" (from "do" + "not").

     • Idioms/Sayings: "kick the bucket" (figurative meaning).

4. Variants in Dictionary Entries:

   • Spelling Differences: "color" vs. "colour."

   • Pronunciation Variations: "EE-ther" vs. "EYE-ther."

   • Dialectal Variants: "hood" (US) vs. "bonnet" (UK).

   • Inflectional Variants: "children" (irregular plural of "child").

5. Displaying Entries in a Dictionary:

   • Main Entry: Alphabetized with full details.

   • Subentry (Inline or Paragraph): Embedded within a main entry.

   • Minor Entry: Short reference to another entry, alphabetized separately.

   • Minor Subentry: Minimal information, embedded within another entry.

6. Mapping Database Terms to Presentation:

   • Complex forms can be displayed as main entries, subentries, minor entries, or both.

   • Variants are usually displayed only as minor entries.

Completion:

• The lesson includes hands-on activities, a quiz (80% passing score), and feedback opportunities.

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com