Thesaurus
Noun
Definition: A book or electronic resource that lists words in groups of synonyms and related concepts.
Synonyms: Synonym dictionary, Word reference, Wordfinder
Antonyms:
- She used the thesaurus to find a more precise word for her essay.
- I always keep a thesaurus handy to enhance my writing.
- Imagine thesaurus as a "thesaurus" of words to find perfect synonyms.
Etymology:
The word "thesaurus" is derived from the Latin word "thesaurus" meaning treasure or treasury.
Historical Usage:The first known usage of "thesaurus" in English dates back to the early 19th century. It was introduced to describe a collection or compendium of words, particularly synonyms.
Related Idioms:
"To reach into the thesaurus"
Explanation:This phrase refers to the act of using the resource to find appropriate synonyms or related words to enhance one's writing or speech.
Misconceptions:
Considering a thesaurus as a dictionary.
Explanation:While a thesaurus provides words grouped by their similarities, it does not provide definitions or explanations like a dictionary. It focuses on synonyms and related concepts rather than comprehensive word meanings.