Chapter 1 Introduction(A General Survey of English Vocabulary) 1
1.1 Definition of Lexicology 1
1.2 Importance of Lexicology 1
1.3 Significance of Studying Lexicology 2
1.4 Information on Related Terms—Language,Linguistics and Words 3
1.5 Interrelated Linguistic Branches 6
1.6 Synchronic and Diachronic Lexicology Methods of Study 9
1.7 Summary 9
1.8 Exercises 10
Bibliography 10
Chapter 2 Etymology(The Evolution of Words) 11
2.1 Introduction to Etymology 11
2.2 A Brief History of English Words 14
2.3 Summary 37
2.4 Exercises 39
Bibliography 40
Chapter 3 Word Formation 41
3.1 Definition of Word 41
3.2 Introduction to Morphology and Morpheme 42
3.3 Affix or Affixation 43
3.4 Conversion 52
3.5 Compounds or Compounding(Composition) 54
3.6 Abbreviation(Shortening) 55
3.7 Onomatopoeia 61
3.8 Summary 63
3.9 Exercises 65
Bibliography 66
Chapter 4 Semantics Ⅰ(Relationships between Words) 68
4.1 Introduction to Semantics 68
4.2 Polysemy 71
4.3 Homonymy 75
4.4 Synonymy 80
4.5 Antonymy 86
4.6 Hyponymy 89
4.7 Summary 91
4.8 Exercises 91
Bibliography 96
Chapter 5 Semantics Ⅱ(Mutation of Meaning) 97
5.1 Introduction to Semantic Change 97
5.2 Extension(Generalization) 99
5.3 Contraction(Specialization) 101
5.4 Elevation(Amelioration) 103
5.5 Degradation(Deterioration) 103
5.6 Transformation 104
5.7 Causes of Semantic Changes 107
5.8 Summary 115
5.9 Exercises 116
Bibliography 116
Chapter 6 Phraseology and Multi-Word Expressions 118
6.1 Introduction to Phraseology 118
6.2 Idioms 120
6.3 Phrasal Verbs 131
6.4 Summary 133
6.5 Exercises 133
Bibliography 136
Chapter 7 Vocabularies 137
7.1 Definition of Vocabulary 137
7.2 Poetic Diction 138
7.3 Technical Terminology 140
7.4 Colloquialism 141
7.5 Slang 142
7.6 Jargon 144
7.7 Cant 145
7.8 Neologism 146
7.9 Archaism 148
7.10 Summary 150
7.11 Exercises 151
Bibliography 151
Chapter 8 English of the World 152
8.1 Overview of the National and Dialectical Variations of English 152
8.2 British English 156
8.3 American English 157
8.4 Canadian English 191
8.5 Australian English 204
8.6 New Zealand English 208
8.7 Other Variations of English 214
8.8 More Comparison among Different National Variations of English 214
8.9 Summary 218
8.10 Exercises 221
Bibliography 222
Appendix to Chapter 8 224
Chapter 9 Lexicography(The Art of Dictionary Making) 227
9.1 Introduction to Lexicography 227
9.2 The Relationship Between Lexicology and Lexicography 230
9.3 Classification of Dictionaries 232
9.4 Dictionaries of the Information Age 235
9.5 Summary 238
9.6 Exercises 239
Bibliography 241
Appendix Key to the Exercises 242