Description
Samuel Johnson’s *A Dictionary of the English Language* (1755) is a landmark in English lexicography. It systematically defines over 40,000 words, tracing their etymology and illustrating meanings with literary quotations, primarily from Shakespeare and other classical authors. Johnson’s work also includes a concise English grammar and reflects his wit, moral insight, and scholarly rigor. Created almost single-handedly, the dictionary aimed to standardize spelling and usage during a time of linguistic inconsistency. It became the preeminent English dictionary for over a century, shaping the development of the language and influencing future lexicographers, including Noah Webster in America.
