Remarks on the Problem of Definition in the Old and Medio-Slavic Lexicography

Abstract

The complex lexical material of medieval Slavic writing poses the problem of choosing between a lengthy and even hermeneutical interpretation and a short linguistic definition for a specialist in the field of the Old and Medio-Slavic lexicography. On the example of the analysis of the lexeme techenie from the Slavic translation of Kozma Indikoplov’s “Christian Topography” (with Philo of Carpathia’s catenas), the author shows, what a complex lexicological study, including elements of textological analysis and reconstruction of the original translated work, is carried out by a researcher in order to develop the most lapidary definition. Modern Old- and Mediο-Slavic lexicography prefers in such cases to go beyond the traditional strict framework and include additional information in the dictionary entry, which should indicate the validity and correctness of the main definition.