English dictionaries of proverbs in the history of English national lexicography

The article deals with the description of formation and development of the English dictionaries of proverbs in English national lexicography. Their origin appearing from the Anglo-Saxon gnomic poetry the distinguishing feature of which is compiling verses of the didactic sayings (gnomes and maxims) is revealed. Purposes, functions, addressee and types of the dictionaries of proverbs are examined. Special attention is given to the modern tendencies in dictionary-making - cultural and learner`s orientation, which became widely disseminated in English dictionaries of proverbs due to the change of user`s needs and demands towards combining the explanatory and encyclopedic information in a dictionary. The analysis of formation and development of the English dictionaries of proverbs is carried out on the basis of the tendencies prevailing in a certain historical period in English national lexicography.