The entries are organized in the following way.
Headwords are listed alphabetically using an idealized orthography, but one which is as close to NHG practices as possible. This is to assist users familiar with NHG, or those with access to a NHG dictionary. Various compromises have been made.
Vowel length is phonemic in ENHG, but is only haphazardly indicated by the orthography of the texts. As far as the headwords are concerned, the practice has been followed whereby short vowels are indicated by a following double consonant: thus <lam> "lame" (NHG <lahm>) is distinguished from <lamm> "a lamb" (NHG <Lamm>). The graphy <h> and vowel doubling are never used as a marker of vowel length. However, the graphy <h> has been used as a hiatus breaker, as in <leihen> "to loan, lend" (NHG <leihen>).
It should be noted that, following NHG practice, long vowels are followed by <k>, but their short counterparts by <ck>. Full details are in the following table.
The part of speech is indicated after the headword. Nouns are marked der, die or das according to their grammatical gender. Verbs are indicated v., and this designation is gradually being replaced by sv. (strong verb) and wv. (weak verb) as appropriate. Adjectives which cannot appear predicatively are listed with an "open" ending (e.g. letzt-). Otherwise, adjectives and copula particles are not differentiated and are all marked adj.
It is intended that additional grammatical information be given in brackets after the indication of the part of speech.
Meanings are introduced by a dash. At some point they will be numbered, but the data is at present insufficient to make this either practicable or useful. Users should note that they are -- especially at this stage in the development of the dictionary -- only a guide, as it is impossible to indicate all possible nuances of meaning using contemporary lexicographical sources. The context will often provide the surest guide.
Citations then follow in chronological order. Any literary examples are listed at the end of each meaning. Please remember that the dictionary is not a finished product, but is evolving as data is added.
Some etymological and other information is given, but not yet in a systematic way.