8.2 Dictionaries and Thesauruses

• Library: A Guide to Legal Research in Virginia (Virginia CLE) (2017 Ed.)

8.2 DICTIONARIES AND THESAURUSES

Legal questions often turn on the meaning of words. Common words may carry new or specialized meanings when used in legal documents or works. A significant part of research involves the interpretation and manipulation of words and locating the correct search terms to find the relevant information. Using incorrect search terms online may result in failing to locate the desired information. Dictionaries and thesauruses, both legal and non-legal, are not new sources but familiar and essential resources.

Legal dictionaries operate much like their non-legal counterparts. They are alphabetical arrangements of legal words and phrases with a meaning provided. The unique feature of a legal dictionary is that the definition is usually tied to a specific source, such as a case that backs up the asserted meaning of the word or phrase. Researchers must exercise care to consult the most recent or current edition of the dictionary because new judicial decisions, statutes, regulations, and so forth may significantly alter the existing meaning or add a new meaning to a term.

Black's Law Dictionary, commonly known as "Black's," is the most widely used and recognized legal dictionary. Black's and Ballentine's Law Dictionary are found in most libraries. Black's is available online through Westlaw and is available as an app. Ballentine's Law Dictionary is solely available online through Lexis Advance and lexis.com.

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Words and Phrases, published by Thomson Reuters, is a multi-volume set organized in alphabetical order by word or phrase. Words and Phrases is not a...