This dictionary is the definitive guide to modern (and some not-so-modern) English. Not only does it contain every word you have ever come across (and lots you are never likely to), it also has lots of place names, famous people and historical events, meaning that, unless you want a great deal ... Read review
The Oxford Dictionary of English is at the forefront of language research focusing on ... more
English as it is used today informed by the most up-to-date evidence from the largest language research programme in the world including the 800-million-word Oxfor...
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The Concise Oxford English Dictionary is a world-famous bestseller chosen by thousands of ... more
users for its up-to-date and authoritative coverage of the English language. It contains over 240 000 words phrases and definitions providing meanings for everyday words including scientific and technical vocabulary as well as English from around the world. This revised edition of the dictionary has been updated with hundreds of new words and phrases including sub-prime social networking and carbon footprint. This edition also features a new centre section with quick-reference word lists (containing for example lists of Unusual Words and Onomatopoeic Words) and a revised and updated English Uncovered supplement which presents interesting facts about the English language. The revised edition of the Concise Oxford English Dictionary also retains such popular features as the Word Histories and Usage Notes that can be found throughout the A-Z text of the dictionary. In selected markets the Concise Oxford English Dictionary is available with a free informative and fun booklet about the origins of popular words and phrases.
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This is a new and fully updated edition of the "Paperback Oxford English Dictionary" ... more
offering over 120 000 words phrases and definitions. It covers all the words you need for everyday use carefully selected from the evidence of the "Oxford English Corpus" a databank of 21st century English containing hundreds of millions of words. For the new edition the definitions are clearer than ever before and there are extra usage notes to help with tricky points of grammar. Brand-new spelling notes give quick and easy help on commonly misspelled words such as exaggerate and necessary. A brand-new Factfinder centre section gives quick-reference entries on people places and events as well as useful lists of for example the world's seas and oceans presidents and prime ministers and countries and currencies. This portable and affordable dictionary is ideal for puzzle and crossword-solving but also perfect for general reference at home at school or in the office. A new open design ensures that this dictionary is even more accessible and easier to use than ever before.
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The Pocket Oxford English Dictionary tenth edition is an updated and fully revised ... more
edition of the best-selling Pocket Oxford English Dictionary ninth edition. Particularly suitable for students of secondary-school level it is also a handy dictionary for the home and office. It covers all the words you need for everyday use and has excellent coverage of curriculum vocabulary. For the new edition the definitions are clearer than ever before and there is lots of help with those aspects of the language (such as spelling pronunciation and usage) which cause most difficulties. In particular there are hundreds of new spelling notes to help with tricky words that are commonly misspelled extra usage notes giving advice on good English and more help with pronunciations of difficult words. A new open design ensures that this dictionary is even more accessible and easier to use than ever before.
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Advantages: Comprehensive and easy to use Disadvantages: Large, heavy and easily damaged.
This dictionary is the definitive guide to modern (and some not-so-modern) English. Not only does it contain every word you have ever come across (and lots you are never likely to), it also has lots of place names, famous people and historical events, meaning that, unless you want a great deal of detail on very specific things, this volume is practically an encyclopedia and dictionary in one.
The Contents
The typeface ... ...the page show you where the letters begin and end, making it easier to find what you're looking for. It doesn't have indented thumb tabs, but they annoy me anyway, so unless you are used to this, then it's no problem. The pronunciation of difficult words is given, and the phonetic alphabet is at the bottom of each page for easy reference. It's good that pronunciations are not given for absolutely every word, because this saves the page being cluttered ... more
This dictionary is the definitive guide to modern (and some not-so-modern) English. Not only does it contain every word you have ever come across (and lots you are never likely to), it also has lots of place names, famous people and historical events, meaning that, unless you want a great deal of detail on very specific things, this volume is practically an encyclopedia and dictionary in one.
The Contents
The typeface is very clear, and shaded markings on the side of the page show you where the letters begin and end, making it easier to find what you're looking for. It doesn't have indented thumb tabs, but they annoy me anyway, so unless you are used to this, then it's no problem. The pronunciation of difficult words is given, and the phonetic alphabet is at the bottom of each page for easy reference. It's good that pronunciations are not given for absolutely every word, because this saves the page being cluttered up with symbols, but I suppose a learner of English might want some more pronunciations to be included. For example, the pronunciation of 'explain' isn't given, but 'explicit' is. If you're at the stage where you need more help than this, then I would advise getting a learner's dictionary anyway (or an English speaking friend who can help you!)
Definitions are concise and to the point, with separate meanings for the same word clearly laid out in vertical numerical lists. Short examples of the word in use are frequent. Style guidelines are clear and useful - such as 'informal' or 'literary' or 'technical'. Where words come from specific academic or geographical areas, this is indicated. Interesting explanations of origin are given for many of the words, as are lists of derivatives. Parts of speech are also clearly labelled.
One of the most useful features of the dictionary is the little grey boxes which contain usage guidleines, or highlight common mistakes made using the word in question, or give information about scientific terms, or historical events, and so on. Personally, I find the scientific explanations to be particularly good: they are explained very clearly in jargon-free language. The usage guidleines are also useful for settling disputes over matters of grammar!
It goes without saying that the range of words included is exceptional. If it isn't in here, it isn't an English word! A fair number of entries are from 'non-standard' forms of English: South African, Australian, Scottish, Indian and many more dialects are represented. Spelling variants, for example, in US English, are also given. All in all, a vast amount of information is crammed in here, yet the pages are suprisingly uncluttered and easy to read.
The Appendices
Countries of the world (with area, currency, population and capital) Countries in the Commonwealth States of the US Prime Ministers and Presidents Kings and Queens of England and the UK Weights, measures and notations Chemical Elements The Solar System The Beaufort Scale of Wind Force Alphabets, accents and punctuation marks Proofreading marks A guide to English in electronic communication (and a great table of text abbreviations and emoticons!) Collective nouns (an unkindness of ravens, anyone?) and, finally, a remarkably concise and helpful guide to good English.
In short, this book contains an answer to pretty much any general knowledge quiz question you could care to dream up!
The Actual Book
So far, we've established that this book is a veritable mine of information. Now onto the practical issues. This is a large, heavy book (about 27.5cm by 22cm by 7cm) . Strictly only for reference. Its place is on a bookself, not being transported anywhere. The pages are inevitably thin and easily crumpled and torn if you're not careful with it. The dustjacket will get ripped and bent - it's a bit of paper which slides over a heavy hardback cover; it's going to happen sooner or later. Be careful if you do as I do: find the right entry while walking back to your desk, then absentmindedly put it down, open, on an uneven surface. If it falls off, something will probably get ripped because of the weight of the book. Basically, be very careful, use it only as reference book, and, if you use it frequently, expect it to get a bit damaged!
I don't think this really matters though - most importantly it is a great dictionary which also contains a wealth of other information. An invaluable book for anyone who studies, reads or writes anything. Well worth the investment.
Advantages: Must have in every home, practical lay out and design, easy to use. Disadvantages: Could have more information about formal writing, the information avaliable is somewhat limited.
The Oxford Dictionary of English in my opinion (and I'm sure in many others) is THE best dictionary without a doubt. Its the most trusted and probably the most used. I recommend The oxford dictionary to anyone and everyone, and its a must have in every home. The additional features that are avaliable in the Dictionary is also very impressive and I would say a 'God send' especially when formally writing. The Dictionary is very well written, with great ... ...comments that help further with understanding of the sense of which the word should be used in. Its is extremely useful and is always being used in our house. I would encourage young children in particular to use the Oxford Dictionary to assist them in their learning and especially spelling. ...
EC85 09.06.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Oxford Dictionary of English (Dictionary)
Advantages: Easy to use, concise and to the point. Disadvantages: Can't think of any yet...
I've never eally a big fan of dictionaries. Simply because it takes forever to find the word I'm looking for. I only bought this aas I desperately needed one at the time while doing a course that was heavily essay based and involved reading big 'shoe box' books.
To my suprise I found this really easy to use and in particular the font is really easy on the eye and doesn't let you get lost in the sea of black print. The descriptions and meanings are ... ...for as I really didn't have time to waste.
At £12.99, under less desperate circumstance i wouldn't have bought it - but worth every penny.
Now, I can't live without this dictionary and although, just a humble paperback - you will make the effort to look after it as it looks after you. ...
Leighsa 04.01.2008
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Advantages: Easy to use, comprehensive Disadvantages: None
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Advantages: A much-needed book Disadvantages: Some minor flaws
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Product Information for "Oxford Dictionary of English (Dictionary)" »
Product details
Type
Non-Fiction
Genre
Reference
Subgenre
Dictionary
Title
Oxford Dictionary of English (Dictionary)
Publisher
Oxford University Press
ISBN
198610572
EAN
9780198610571
Manufacturer's product description
For many speakers and learners of English, the word "Oxford" spells authority about language. The second edition of the <I>Oxford Dictionary of English</I> is no exception. Any dictionary which comes from Oxford University Press (whose origins lie in the Middle Ages, the foundation of the university and the dawn of printing) tends to be in a different league from its competitors. <p>Based on the "Oxford English Corpus", language databases, which amount to "hundreds of millions of words of written and spoken English in machine-readable form", this hefty single-volume dictionary has four million words of text. That includes 355,000 words phrases and definitions, 12,000 encyclopaedic entries and 68,000 explanations. The statistics are mind blowing. <p> Like all good dictionaries it's bang up to date. "Greasy spoon", "data smog" and "WMD" are all here, scrupulously glossed. So, of course are wonderful, old, near-obsolete words like "editrice" and "bouffant". Plenty of proper names get in too. Did you know that a "Queensland blue" is a cattle dog with a dark speckled body as opposed to a "Queensland nut" which is another name for the macadamia nut? <p> Like other new dictionaries the <I>Oxford Dictionary of English</I> provides boxed usage notes which point up, say, the difference between "pedal" and "peddle" or discuss the vexed old question of whether infinitives may be split. More unusual are the 14 detailed appendices on, for example, English in electronic communications, collective nouns and proof-reading marks. Most useful of all is probably the "Guide to Good English" which manages to be both admirably concise and immaculately clear. --<I>Susan Elkin</I>
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