My Online Dictionary

How would you structure a dictionary of meaning?

Dictionary project: - Instead of from A-Z : From one meaning - 180 degrees to its opposite - 360 degrees your back to the original. Each meaning gradually relating to and moving into the next one. - This was a great idea for me, until I ran into a word like macaroni. What is its meaning, and what 2 meanings would I put it between. - Bottom line: What criteria can I use to make this kind of determination? Edited for clarity: 1. Think of this dictionary as a circle of all "species" meanings (may have to use a straight line?) (finding an identifiable shape is important to later distinguish planes as well as relationships) - 2. It is unrealistic to attempt to percieve all these meanings simultaniously; So, use 25-50 "species" meanings. (The word itself is not important) If multiple meanings, then X1, X2, Xn. - 3. X1, X2, Xn may all have the same symbol word but would be placed in very different locations (due to different meanings) on our shape. - 4. "Species" meaning = simplest conseptual entity that can be considered unique. All will be relative to one another. - Q: What model or criteria will apply to all "species" meanings and can be used to determine where each unique meaning will be placed on our shape relative to one another?

Public Comments

1. Wow. What a feat. Interesting idea, epistemologically speaking. But you discovered the problem yourself, namely words with two meanings. Your dictionary would end up looking like a tree with limbs, which have branches, which have twigs, which have..... "A definition is a statement that identifies the nature of the units subsumed under a concept." Those "different definitions" are either separate concepts, like "macaroni" being pasta, but also being a style of clothing popular during the American Revolutionary period. This is where the limbs begin. "The purpose of a definition is to distinguish a concept from all other concepts and thus to keep its units differentiated from all other existents." (I can hear the rustling of the branches full of leaves, and each leaf is a separate "connotation" of each of the separate "definitions," which of themselves are separate "denotations" of metaphysical concepts. You would need an army of lexicogrophers, as do all dictionaries. But the only way conceivable to make this work would be online--with one humongous server able to criss-cross meanings and find all similarities at the same time, grouped by whatever purpose you are trying to achieve: psychology physics epistemology carpentry auto mechanics medicine etc. But it can be done. "With certain significant exceptions, every concept can be defined and communicated in terms of other concepts. The exceptions are concepts referring to sensations, and metaphysical axioms." If you've got the time and the money and the inclination--Go for it!
2. The spoken language is phonetic. We therefore should organize the written form to the simplest manner of expression the phonetic spoken language...Semantics!!!
3. ...You will need a matrix to run the words through. One that encompasses pro and con. Levels of interaction, opposites . Using a regular dictionary see what you would do to modify it to your needs. No need to completely re-invent the wheel, start with something round.
4. it is to be based on meaning - you will have to organize it in any other way you find right. like action words / places, things, adjectives etc., It would be a very useful reference book though. EnjOy
5. I think another problem would be contronyms. words that are essentially their own antonyms. Cleave - adhere or seperate Screen - display (a movie), or block from view Trim - take off (trim a tree) or add on (add trimmings to a christmas tree) Weather - endure or erode Overlook - to inspect or fail to notice I suppose you would have to include words multiple times for multiple meanings. Or perhaps these would be put in the center. The problem with the english language is that their are so many synonyms.
6. You posed this question more accurately when you asked, "What model or criteria will apply?". I answered it there. Since I am here though I will also add; I do not believe this structure is two dimesional but 3 dimensional (Spherical) and it is likely that each meaning will be a aphere in and of its self. Any one point being a starting point spiraling out to incorporate all other points!