Standard Lemma guide

paralexicon

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /pæɹəˈlɛksɪkɒn/

1

noun

Meaning 1

A parallel set of vocabulary within a language, e.g. a formal register, ritual language or secret cant, code switching

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • A frequent function of the paralexicon is secrecy. [...] Sometimes the paralexicon is acquired during childhood as a first language, Ma'a [a paralexicon of Mbugu] for example. In many cases it is acquired later, such as registers of respect, initiation languages and languages created by adolescents.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

* para- + lexicon