The DMLBS is distinctive not only for the breadth of its coverage but also for the fact that it is wholly based on original research, i.e. on a fresh reading of medieval Latin texts for this specific purpose, where possible in the best available source, whether that be original manuscripts or modern critical editions. (The method is that used by other major dictionaries, such as the monumental Oxford English Dictionary and, for Latin, the Oxford Latin Dictionary, the Thesaurus Linguae Latinae, and those produced by our sister projects.)

Our primary work is the collection of the evidence and the drafting of the dictionary entries. Each assistant editor is allocated an alphabetic stretch to work on, and he or she is responsible for preparing all the entries within that stretch. Once drafted, the Dictionary text undergoes extensive checking and revision to ensure that the final presentation is not just accurate but also as helpful as possible to users of the Dictionary.

To read more about how the printed Dictionary is prepared and our work on creating a digital version, click on the links to the right.