Littre

Littré refers to the Dictionnaire de la langue française, a monumental dictionary of the French language compiled by Émile Littré. Published in four volumes between 1863 and 1872, with a supplement in 1877, it is considered a landmark work in lexicography.

Littré's dictionary was characterized by its thoroughness and its historical approach. Littré aimed to document not only the contemporary usage of words but also their evolution and etymology. He included a vast number of quotations from literature to illustrate the meaning and usage of each entry, drawing from a wide range of authors and periods. This emphasis on historical context and literary evidence set it apart from earlier dictionaries.

The compilation of the Dictionnaire took Littré over twenty years of dedicated work. He was known for his meticulous research and his commitment to accuracy. The dictionary covered a broad spectrum of vocabulary, including technical terms, regionalisms, and archaic words, alongside common usage.

Despite its initial cost and academic nature, Littré's dictionary became a standard reference work for scholars, writers, and anyone interested in the French language. It has been reissued and updated over the years, and its influence on subsequent French dictionaries is undeniable. Émile Littré's legacy is firmly established through this comprehensive and scholarly dictionary.