Citation Form (Noun)
Meaning
The form of a word that heads a lexical entry and is alphabetized in a dictionary.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The citation form of the word "running" is "run", which is the base form that appears in the dictionary.
- In lexicography, the citation form is the standard form of a word that is used as the headword in a dictionary entry.
- The citation form of the verb "to be" is "be", which is the infinitive form that is typically used in dictionaries.
- The dictionary entry for the word "happiness" uses the citation form "happy" as its headword, which is the root form of the word.
- In some dictionaries, the citation form of a word may be different from its most common form, such as the verb "to go", which is often listed under the citation form "go" rather than the more common "going".