webster
webster Lexical Profile
webster Game Scores & Validity
• noun
North American A comprehensive dictionary of the English language (often capitalized).
"He kept a heavy webster on his desk to settle any disputes about word meanings during his editorial reviews."
A person whose occupation is to weave cloth; a weaver.
"In medieval English villages, the local webster was a highly valued artisan who produced textiles for the community."
Word Nuance & Usage
When functioning as a common noun for a dictionary, it is derived eponymously from lexicographer Noah Webster and is almost always capitalized as 'Webster'. The lowercase form historically denotes a weaver but is now highly archaic.
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'webbestere', derived from Old English 'webbestre' (a female weaver), composed of 'web' (woven fabric) and the feminine agent suffix '-ster'. Over time, the suffix lost its strict feminine association, and the word became a general occupational term and later a common surname.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.