By Winslow for the first time, but such quotations were very few and far between. The Sangam Dictionary gave quotations more frequently ; but the purpose and scope of such quotations has been only partially understood ; and the references were not precisely  given. Illustrations are necessary for three purposes :

(1) to make the definitions clearer ;

(2) to give information about the thing denoted by the entry ;  and

(3) to show the historical development of the different significations of the words under which they are given. It may be mentioned that in the present state of linguistic research in the Dravidian languages, the third purpose can hardly be fulfilled.

TAMIL LEXICON        

In all the matters noted above, the present  Tamil Lexicon has attempted an advance on the previous lexicons. To of lexicography, the entries under two sample words, தாரம் and வரி, in successive nikantu works and lexicons, form very early times to  the present, are appended.