A Latin Dictionary

A Latin Dictionary by Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short is a comprehensive Latin-English dictionary first published in 1879. The work spans over 2000 pages and includes detailed translations and usage examples from classical Latin literature. The dictionary entries provide multiple meanings for each word, along with citations showing how the terms were used by Roman authors from the earliest Latin texts through to 200 CE. Each entry includes etymological information and tracks changes in word meaning over time. Lewis and Short created this reference work at Oxford University Press to serve scholars, students, and readers of classical texts. The dictionary remains a standard resource for Latin studies and continues to be reprinted and used in digital formats. This volume represents a milestone in Latin lexicography and reflects the 19th century's scientific approach to classical philology. Its systematic organization and breadth of citations established new standards for classical language reference works.

Students and scholars recognize Lewis & Short as thorough and accurate but physically unwieldy. Reviewers appreciate the detailed etymologies, extensive citations, and clear organization of entries. Likes: - Comprehensive coverage of classical and ecclesiastical Latin - Multiple example usages for each definition - Cross-referencing between related words - High quality binding in most editions Dislikes: - Size and weight make it impractical for regular transport - Small print strains eyes during extended use - Price point ($150-200) exceeds student budgets - Some entries lack post-classical usage examples Ratings: Goodreads: 4.7/5 (31 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (22 ratings) Several reviewers note it serves better as a reference shelf dictionary than a portable study aid. One reviewer called it "exhaustive to the point of exhausting." Multiple users recommend the more compact Oxford Latin Dictionary for daily student use while keeping Lewis & Short for detailed research needs.

Oxford Latin Dictionary by Peter G.W. Glare This comprehensive Latin-English dictionary contains entries from the earliest Latin texts through the second century CE.

Elementary Latin Dictionary by Charlton T. Lewis This condensed Latin dictionary focuses on the vocabulary found in basic Latin texts and classical literature.

Cassell's Latin Dictionary by D.P. Simpson This Latin-English, English-Latin dictionary includes etymological derivations and grammatical references for classical Latin terms.

A Greek-English Lexicon by Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott This Greek dictionary follows a similar scholarly approach to Lewis and Short's work but for Ancient Greek language.

Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources by R. E. Latham, D.R. Howlett This dictionary documents Latin usage in British and Irish texts from the sixth to the sixteenth century.

🔍 Lewis and Short's dictionary took nearly 20 years to complete and was published in 1879 as an adaptation of Freund's German-Latin lexicon. 📚 The dictionary covers Latin literature from the earliest times to around 200 CE, with special attention to the golden and silver ages of Latin literature. 🎓 Charlton T. Lewis, one of the authors, was not only a Latin scholar but also a successful insurance company executive and an early pioneer of accounting practices. 📖 The work remained the standard Latin-English dictionary for English-speaking scholars for over a century and is still widely used today, especially in its digital form. 🌐 In 2011, Perseus Digital Library released the entire dictionary as open-source content, making this valuable resource freely available to scholars and students worldwide.