[originaltext] A dictionary lists the words of a language, usually arranged

A dictionary lists the words of a language, usually arranged in alphabetical order, but sometimes also by topic, with their meanings or their equivalents.
    The first important contribution to lexicography in the United States was The American Spelling Book, issued by educator and lexicographer Noah Webster. Although not a true dictionary, The American Spelling Book, because of its American origin and its simplification of English, became a household reference wordbook throughout the United States. Its success led Webster to compile A Compendious Dictionary of the English Language. He then concentrated on his major contribution to lexicography, An American Dictionary of the English Language, begun in 1807 and published in 1828. This ambitious work included 12,000 more words and 40,000 more definitions than any previous dictionary of the English language. Despite its emphasis on typically American usage, distinguished from British usage, this work was never popular.
    Webster’s International Dictionary appeared in 1890; Webster’s New International Dictionary appeared in 1909. The second edition of Webster’s New International Dictionary, published in 1934, remains impressive today, with 600,000 entries. Webster’s Third New International Dictionary of the English Language was made available to the public in 1961, which included many slang words and technical terms, end its pronunciation schemes indicate regional speech patterns. Many critics denounced it for what they considered its failure to uphold traditional standards, and many defended it energetically as a comprehensive and accurate depiction of its material.