To effectively quote a dictionary definition in an MLA essay, you need to correctly format both the in-text citation and the corresponding entry in your Works Cited list. This involves adapting your citation based on whether the dictionary is in print or online, and whether an author or editor is specified for the entry or the dictionary as a whole.
In-Text Citations for Dictionary Definitions
When you incorporate a dictionary definition directly into your essay, your parenthetical citation will typically refer to the word being defined, as most dictionary entries do not list a specific author.
- When No Author is Listed for the Entry:
If the dictionary entry itself does not have an individual author (which is the most common scenario for general dictionaries), use the word or phrase you looked up in quotation marks within your parenthetical citation.- Example: The term "ephemeral" is precisely defined as "lasting for a very short time" ("Ephemeral").
- When Specifying a Definition Number:
If the word has multiple definitions and you are quoting a specific one, include the abbreviation "def." followed by the relevant definition number within the citation.- Example: The dictionary clarifies "singular" as "of or relating to a single instance or to a thing that is one in number" (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, def. 1a).
- Integrating the Dictionary Name into Prose:
If you mention the name of the dictionary in your sentence, you usually won't need to repeat it in the parenthetical citation, unless necessary for clarity (e.g., distinguishing between multiple definitions or sources).- Example: According to Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, "ubiquitous" means "existing or being everywhere at the same time" (def. 1).
Works Cited Entries for Dictionary Definitions
The Works Cited entry provides complete bibliographic information for the dictionary source. The format changes slightly depending on whether you accessed the definition from a print dictionary or an online dictionary, and if an author or editor is identified for the specific entry or the entire dictionary.
General Structure for Works Cited Entries
MLA citation for a dictionary entry generally follows this structure, prioritizing information about an author or editor if available:
- Author/Editor: If a specific author wrote the entry, or if the dictionary has an overall editor you are attributing to the entry, begin with their Last Name, First Name, followed by "editor." if applicable.
- "Entry Title": This refers to the word or phrase being defined (e.g., "Ephemeral," "Quixotic"). Enclose it in quotation marks.
- Dictionary Name: Italicize the full title of the dictionary (e.g., Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, The Oxford English Dictionary).
- Edition (if applicable): Include the specific edition if provided (e.g., 11th ed., 5th ed., Abridged ed.).
- Publisher: State the name of the publisher.
- Year of Publication: Provide the year the dictionary was published.
- Page Number (for print dictionaries): If you used a print dictionary, include the page number where the definition was found (e.g., p. 59).
- URL (for online dictionaries): For online dictionaries, include the full URL. Optionally, you can include a date of access (e.g., "Accessed 10 Oct. 2023") if the content is likely to change or lacks a fixed publication date.
Examples of Works Cited Entries
Here are practical examples for common scenarios:
- Online Dictionary Entry (No Specific Entry Author):
- "Quixotic." Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quixotic. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023.
- Print Dictionary Entry (No Specific Entry Author):
- "Anachronism." The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th ed., Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016, p. 59.
- Specialized Dictionary Entry with an Author or Editor:
This format applies if a particular entry has a credited author, or if you are citing a highly edited dictionary where the editor's contribution to the entries is significant and they are listed as the primary contributor.- Smith, Jane, editor. "Existentialism." Dictionary of Philosophical Terms, 3rd ed., Cambridge University Press, 2018, p. 120.
- (Note: For standard, general-purpose dictionaries, individual authors for entries are rare. In such cases, you will typically start the entry with the word being defined.)
Summary Table for Works Cited Formats
This table summarizes the key components for your Works Cited page:
Source Type | Works Cited Format |
---|---|
Online Dictionary (No Author) | "Word." Dictionary Name, Publisher, URL. Accessed Date (Optional). |
Print Dictionary (No Author) | "Word." Dictionary Name, Edition, Publisher, Year, p. Page number. |
Dictionary Entry with Author/Editor | Author, First Name, editor. "Entry Title." Dictionary Name, Edition, Publisher, Year, p. Page number. |
By following these guidelines, you can accurately and clearly quote dictionary definitions in your MLA-formatted essays, enhancing the credibility and scholarly rigor of your work.