Which statement best describes the plan for resolving difficulties in meaning?

• A. The dictionary should rely on etymological roots alone.
• B. The dictionary should rely on the grammar rules alone.
• C. Difficulties should be addressed by consulting modern usage only.
• D. The solution lies in the examples and authorities accompanying each sense.

Answer: (D)

Understanding how meanings are determined in dictionaries comes from looking at actual usage and the judgments of respected authorities. When a word has multiple senses, the clearest way to decide which sense fits a given context is to examine the examples that illustrate each sense. These are real sentences that show how the word is used, where distinctions become visible, and how intensity or scope shifts across contexts. The accompanying authorities—quotations or notes from trusted lexicographers and writers—provide a standard reference point, showing how scholars have treated each sense and lending credibility to the definitions. Together, examples and authorities make the meanings concrete and defensible.

Relying solely on etymology can mislead, since a word’s origin doesn’t reliably determine its current senses. Focusing only on grammar rules misses the subtle nuances of meaning that arise in practice. And counting on modern usage alone can overlook historical senses or established distinctions that persist in literature and scholarly commentary. By grounding each sense in real usage and recognized authority, the dictionary offers a stable, well-supported map of meaning that helps resolve ambiguities effectively.