Legal Research

FAQ: Where can I find a law dictionary?

By Diane Murley

If you are logged in to LexisNexis or Westlaw, you can quickly get a definition.

On Westlaw, there is a Definitions search box in the left column on the Law School tab. Enter your term and Westlaw will retrieve all definitions of that term. You can also search the full text of Black’s Law Dictionary by searching the BLACKS database.

On LexisNexis, there is a Legal Dictionary search box in the top banner of most pages. You can also search the Legal Dictionaries, Combined (LGLDIC) file, which includes Ballentine’s Law Dictionary, The Law Dictionary, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage, and Modern Dictionary for the Legal Profession.

The law library has three copies of Black’s Law Dictionary at call number KF156 .B53 2004, two in reference and one on reserve. You will also find A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage, Modern Dictionary for the Legal Profession, and several other legal dictionaries and thesauri in the area.

Need help finding a law dictionary? Ask a librarian.

Full post as published by Ross-Blakley Law Library Blog on September 17, 2008 (boomark / email).