lexicon

Where does the word "lexicon" come from? It comes from Greek lexikon, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).

Lexicon’s story begins in Greek: lexikon meant “a word-book, dictionary.” Literally relating to words, a word-book. It reached English by 1600s as lexicon. Settled as the word for a dictionary or a body of vocabulary. Today, lexicon means the vocabulary of a person, language, or field.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient lexikon "a word-book, dictionary", literally relating to words, a word-book.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1600s lexicon "a dictionary, or a body of vocabulary", settled as the word for a dictionary or a body of vocabulary.