Citation Form - English Definition & Meaning

Definition

The "citation form" is the standard way a word is listed in a dictionary or lexicon. It's the base form, usually the singular for nouns, the infinitive for verbs, and the positive degree for adjectives. Think of it as the word's official ID card 🆔. It allows for consistent referencing and organization. For instance, the citation form of "running" is "run." Dictionaries use citation forms to ensure everyone is on the same page. It's like having a uniform way to identify each word in a language 📖.

Etymology

The concept of a citation form arose out of the need for standardization in linguistic research and lexicography. As dictionaries became more comprehensive, it was essential to establish a consistent way to list words. The practice of using the singular noun, infinitive verb, and positive adjective as citation forms became widely accepted. This standardization allows linguists and language learners to easily locate and study words.

Related Words

Examples

• "The citation form of 'better' is 'good'."
• "The citation form of 'mice' is 'mouse'."
• "Dictionaries list words according to their citation forms."
• "The citation form of 'sang' is 'sing'."

Encouragement

Familiarize yourself with the citation forms of common words. This will make using dictionaries and other language resources much easier 😎. Knowing citation forms will also improve your understanding of grammar and word usage ✨.

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