Dictionaries

This selection of dictionaries may be useful if you are looking for definitions of poetic terms or quotations.

The Poet’s Dictionary (PN 44.5 P3 1989)
Guide to understanding the composition and structure of poetry. Entries are alphabetical and include Accent, Myth, Irony and Couplet. Includes a bibliography and many examples of verse to help explain the concepts discussed.

Longman Dictionary of Poetic Terms (PN 1042. M94)
A-Z of poetic terms including Cliches, Forms and Imagery. Extremely thorough, and gives lines of verse to illustrate the terms used. Very useful companion for students attempting to better understand criticism and theory on poetry.

Columbia Granger’s Dictionary of Poetry Quotations (PN 6082. C57 1992)
Quotations are listed alphabetically by writer surname. Includes lines and some full verses of poetry. Quotes are taken from 4,000 poems featured in Columbia Granger’s Index to Poetry. Very good indexing, by subject and keyword.

Chaucer Name Dictionary (PR1903 .D4 1988)
Information on personal names from the poetry of Geoffrey Chaucer. Also featured are the names of gods and goddesses. Each entry has four sections: bibliographical and historical information, Chaucer’s use of the name, the etymology of the name, and bibliographical information on the entry. A fully searchable online version of this text is available here