THE SINGLE VOLUME ETYMOLOGICAL DICTIONARY OF THE SERBIAN LANGUAGE (METHODOLOGICAL ASPECT)

The paper deals with the methodology of compiling. new, single-volume Etymological dictionary of the Serbian language, which encompasses the basic lexical fund (ca. 7,500 lemmata). It is meant for professional use and aimed to be a means for expediting the work on the already commenced multivolume dictionary, as well as the basis for future popular editions. After explaining different criteria for various choices made by the authors and describing the four-segmented structure and content of lemmata, it is concluded that this dictionary is a specific compromise between the popular and professional. It is popular in form: limited word list, absence of definitions and complete lists of derivatives, heightened stress on facts of historic and cultural interests. It is professional in essence: it provides detailed etymological discussion based on most up-to-date references, first attestations, parallels from both close and distant languages (Slavic, Balkan and Indo-European, Turcic respectively), etc. The method described is illustrated by lemmata gvozde, dopasti (se), izlet, jalov, kanal, luciti, mirisati, sablja.