Lexicographical Evolution: Tracing the Semantic Development of Gender-related Terminology in English Dictionaries

Abstract

This article investigates the semantic evolution of five prominent gender-related terms: equality, discrimination, patriarchy, feminism, and misogyny. By analyzing definitions from historical dictionaries (Samuel Johnson’s 1755 Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster’s 1828 An American Dictionary of the English Language, the comprehensive Oxford English Dictionary (OED), and a contemporary specialized resource (the UN Women Training Centre’ s Glossary of Gender Equality), this study traces changes in semantic components and the presence or absence of gendered framing. The research reveals a distinct trajectory: early lexicographical entries often presented these terms in neutral, non-gendered ways, reflecting prevailing societal norms, where gender inequality was largely unexamined. In contrast, modern definitions, especially within specialized glossaries, explicitly embed these terms within gendered frameworks and human rights discourse, with the OED often documenting intermediary evolutionary stages. This diachronic analysis concludes that the selected gender-related vocabulary has progressively acquired more specific, nuanced, and critically gender-aware meanings, mirroring evolving societal understanding and the development of gender equality discourse.