The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary provides two definitions for the word dictionary. These are as follows: (1) “a book dealing with the words of a language, so as to bring forth their orthography, pronunciation, signification, and use, their synonyms, derivation and history, or at least some of these... a word-book, vocabulary, lexicon; (2) by extension: a book of information or reference on any subject or branch of knowledge, the items of which are arranged alphabetically”. (1980, vol. 1, p. 544).
Dictionary of Bahamian English by J. A. Holm and A. W. Shilling would easily qualify as a dictionary even if judged solely by the criteria set out in both definitions. That it is a book “dealing with the words” of the Bahamian Creole language, illustrating the features specified in the first definition, there can be little doubt. In the traditional sense, Dictionary of Bahamian English may not be considered “a book of information or reference on any subject or branch of knowledge,” given its restriction to the Bahamian milieu. Within the Bahamian context, however, it furnishes invaluable information on agriculture, buildings, bush medicine, conch, obeah, festivals, religion and other terms in common use by the Bahamian.