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thesaurus

 - 3 dictionary results

the⋅sau⋅rus

  [thi-sawr-uhs]
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–noun, plural -sau⋅rus⋅es, -sau⋅ri  [-sawr-ahy] .
1. a dictionary of synonyms and antonyms.
2. any dictionary, encyclopedia, or other comprehensive reference book.
3. a storehouse, repository, or treasury.
4. Computers.
a. an index to information stored in a computer, consisting of a comprehensive list of subjects concerning which information may be retrieved by using the proper key terms.
b. a dictionary of synonyms and antonyms stored in memory for use in word processing.
Origin:
1730–40; < L thēsaurus < Gk thēsaurós treasure, treasury
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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the·sau·rus   (thĭ-sôr'əs)   
n.   pl. the·sau·ri (-sôr'ī') or the·sau·rus·es

  1. A book of synonyms, often including related and contrasting words and antonyms.

  2. A book of selected words or concepts, such as a specialized vocabulary of a particular field, as of medicine or music.


[Latin thēsaurus, treasury, from Greek thēsauros.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

thesaurus 
1823, "treasury, storehouse," from L. thesaurus "treasury, treasure," from Gk. thesauros "a treasure, treasury, storehouse, chest," from root of tithenai "to put, to place." The meaning "encyclopedia filled with information" is from 1840, but existed earlier as thesaurarie (1592), used as a title by early dictionary compilers. Meaning "collection of words arranged according to sense" is first attested 1852 in Roget's title. Thesaur is attested in M.E. with the meaning "treasure" (15c.-16c.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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