Glossary is a specific dictionary type for unfamiliar words and expressions, either because they are of a technical, regional or other language nature.
As a rule, the glossary forms the initial or final chapter of a given literary work, listing in alphabetical order the correct meanings of the most peculiar terms present throughout the text.
The words that appear in the glossary are generally little known, mainly because they represent technical and complex concepts, mostly known to individuals familiar with a given science or area.
Glossaries may also show contemporary meanings of extinct expressions or words, but which served to correctly define certain concepts or situations in ancient times.
In literary works, glossaries can also be used to explain some neologisms created by the author, and that could not have been clarified during the text, as it would make the reader lose the rhythm of the reading.
In some academic or scientific works, glossaries are considered essential for the easy identification of terms and concepts that help the reader to understand the direction of the interpretation given by the author of the study to his work.
There are several different types of glossary, for example: a bilingual glossary, when words are explained and translated into another language; glossary of specific subjects such as finance and administration, which explain technical terms used by professionals in the field or people who are interested in discovering their meanings, in addition to terms scientific.
