Why does a lexicographer use multiple corpus examples when defining a dictionary headword?

💡 Explanation

A lexicographer needs to account for the range of meanings and contexts in which a word is used; the semantic prototype mechanism allows for capturing this variation in meaning. The dictionary definition reflects this range, because single examples do not provide sufficient context to illustrate the nuances of word usage, therefore requiring multiple corpus examples, rather than relying on a single instance.

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