Types of lexical information structure

There are two main levels of information structure in a hyperlexicon (or, indeed, any lexicon):

microstructure and macrostructure:

1. The microstructure or micromodel of a lexicon, in particular of a hyperlexicon, is the information structure associated with each lexical entry.

   Examples of data structures for microstructures:

   • an abstract vector;
   • a database record;
   • an attribute value structure;
   • a DATR node;
   • a set of Prolog clauses associated with a Prolog prediate.
2. The macrostructure or macromodel of a lexicon, in particular of a hyperlexicon, is the data structure into which lexical entries are inserted, for example:
   • a linear list, as in a traditional lexicon;
   • a concept hierarchy, as in a traditional thesaurus;
   • a type inheritance hierarchy, as in HPSG;
   • a default inheritance hierarchy, as in most DATR lexica.