description Thomas Blount Overview
Thomas Blount (1618–1679) was an English lawyer and lexicographer whose Glossographia, first published in 1656, defined approximately 11,000 difficult or foreign words then entering English. It was one of the earliest English dictionaries to cite named authorities and etymological sources. Glossographia went through several editions and influenced later dictionary compilers of the 17th century.
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What is Thomas Blount known for?
Thomas Blount was an English lawyer and lexicographer who lived from 1618 to 1679. His best-known work, Glossographia, was first published in 1656.
How many words did Glossographia define?
Glossographia defined approximately 11,000 difficult, technical, or foreign words. For its period, it was notable for explaining vocabulary that was entering or circulating in English.
Why is Glossographia important in dictionary history?
Blount's dictionary was among the early English reference works to cite named authorities and discuss word origins. It therefore recorded not only meanings but also evidence about how words were used and where they came from.
Was Thomas Blount a full-time academic linguist?
No. Blount trained and worked as a lawyer while also compiling dictionaries and other books. His legal background shaped a practical reference work aimed at readers confronting unfamiliar vocabulary.
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