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 Entry OrderEntry words are printed in boldface type. When more than one entry word appears in a drop-down list, they are in alphabetical order. Alphabetization is by first letter, then second letter, and so on, regardless of any spaces or hyphens that may appear in them:
Entry Word: make When a headword contains a numeral, the numeral is alphabetized as though it were a spelled-out word:
Entry Word: anywise Homographs are words that are spelled the same, but each is a different part of speech or has a different etymology (word origin). Homographs that are different parts of speech are separate headwords:
Entry Word: hail Homographs that have a different etymology, even when they are the same part of speech, are entered as separate headwords. Those that are the same part of speech are grouped together and numbered in sequence:
Entry Word: 1list Verbs that are used in combination with a preposition or an adverb are entered with the verb in boldface type. Such combinations immediately follow the base verb in alphabetical order:
Entry Word: go When main entries are compound words, a closed form is entered separately from the hyphenated form:
Entry Word: nosedive Kinds of EntriesThere are two kinds of entries: main entries and secondary entries. Every entry word with its part-of-speech label is followed by either one or more main entries, one or more secondary entries, or a combination of the two. If there is more than one entry, each one begins on a new line introduced by a boldface sense number. Main entries come first. A main entry consists of the meaning shared by the members of the synonym group, a verbal illustration, and lists of synonyms as well as any related words, phrases, near antonyms, and antonyms:
Entry Word: eagerness A secondary entry consists of the same shared meaning that is shown at the main entry along with a verbal illustration for that particular synonym. The secondary entry does not contain lists of synonyms, antonyms, related words, phrases, or near antonyms. Instead, at the end of the entry, there is a direction to "see" the appropriate main entry at another headword. Secondary entries follow any main entries at a headword:
Entry Word: gain |
