ordbokverk

Ordbokverk is a term used in Norwegian and Swedish to denote a dictionary work, a reference publication that collects entries for words and their meanings, usage, and forms. It refers to the broader practice of lexicography as well as to individual dictionaries, emphasizing the work as a structured, authoritative record of a language.

The word itself comes from ord meaning “word,” bok meaning “book,” and verk meaning “work.” An ordbokverk can describe monolingual dictionaries (one language), bilingual or multilingual dictionaries, or specialized dictionaries covering terminology, dialects, slang, or subject-specific vocabulary. It may exist as a printed book or as a digital resource.

Contents and structure of an ordbokverk typically include headwords with pronunciation, part of speech, definitions, usage examples, grammatical information, etymology, inflectional forms, synonyms and antonyms, and cross-references. Many entries also feature notes on spelling, style, regional variation, and frequency. The organization is usually alphabetical, though some specialized works use thematic or systematic arrangements for particular domains.

Function and scope encompass documenting language use, aiding writing and translation, standardizing spelling and meaning, and supporting language learning. Lexicographic works can be descriptive, recording how language is used, or prescriptive, guiding normative forms. Modern dictionaries increasingly rely on corpora, statistical data, etymological research, and, in many cases, user contributions and online updates.

History and contemporary role: the tradition of lexicography extends from early reference works to modern large-scale dictionaries. Digitalization has transformed ordbokverk into online databases and apps, enabling faster updates, advanced search features, and linguistic analytics that enhance language reference and research.