FAQ: How do I find legal dictionaries and encyclopedias in the library?

Our Credo Reference and Nexis Uni databases have legal reference materials.

Nexis Uni

In Nexis Uni, you can access Ballantine’s Law Dictionary by clicking on Sources (along the top menu of the home page), the letter B along the next top menu, and then scroll down a bit until you find Ballantine's. Once you click on the law dictionary, you can search within results using the search bar on the left. 

Credo Reference

In Credo Reference, you have access to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law as well as many other legal reference materials. First do a search for your term on the home page. Once you get back your results, you will see a link to the Advanced Search over on the top right.

Type your search term into the box that says “with the exact phrase” and then scroll down and click on the “Select Subjects or Titles.” Once you do that, look for the “Social Sciences” category and expand the section for “Criminology & Law.” Scroll all the way down the list and you will see the boxes for the Merriam-Webster Dictionary of Law as well as many other legal reference titles such as the World of Criminal Justice, Gale. Check those boxes and then run your search.

For further assistance, open a chat with us 24/7 from the library homepage.

Content authored by: GS