varasematesõnastustes

Varasemates sõnastustes is a phrase used in Estonian lexicography to denote content that appeared in earlier dictionary editions. The expression signals that a word, its form or its sense was attested in historical sources and may not be present in contemporary dictionaries. It is a descriptive marker rather than a fixed entry, helping readers understand diachronic development of the language.

In practice, varasemates sõnastustes is used when editors compare historical dictionaries with current norms. It supports tracing spelling variants, obsolete meanings, or shifts in usage over time. The phrase often appears in scholarly articles, dictionary notes, etymology sections, and critical commentary, where precise evidence from older lexicographic works is cited to illustrate how a word was represented in the past.

The scope is primarily Estonian lexicography, but the concept is common in language work about other languages as well. It is especially relevant in studies of orthographic reform, semantic change, and regional or historical varieties. By referencing varasemates sõnastustes, researchers can differentiate between forms and senses that were historically documented and those that are characteristic of modern language norms.

Examples of usage include statements like: “Sõna X esines varasemates sõnastustes” or “See vorm appears in varasemates sõnastustes, but not in contemporary editions.” Such notes help readers assess the historical breadth of a word’s attestation and understand how its representation has evolved.