The Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus: The Ultimate Language Reference for American Readers

By Oxford University Press and Oxford

Book Overview

We all know the feeling: trying to find a synonym for a word, we turn to a thesaurus and find a group of words that might be right, but the thesaurus doesn't provide us with definitions. So, we then turn to the dictionary to check the meanings for the entire list of new synonyms and, after much flipping back and forth between thesaurus and dictionary, finally decide upon an alternative. Neither book, by itself, provides the full range of word choices. But now, The Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus offers a thoroughly integrated blend of entries from the dictionary and the thesaurus. This unified approach, treating meanings and related words within the same entry, makes it easy to find--in one place--an abundance of information about words, and provides a far more thorough analysis of the variety and nuances of our language than is possible in a dictionary or thesaurus alone.
Oxford's American dictionary staff, along with an international team of lexicographers, have drawn on the unparalleled lexical resources of Oxford University Press, the world's most respected authority on English language and dictionaries, to make The Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus the most wide-ranging resource available. It includes:
* More than 200,000 entries and definitions and 300,000 synonyms thoroughly integrated for ease of use
* Hundreds of new words and senses such as shareware, downsize, grunge, sidebar, and hypertext
* Full coverage of English from around the globe--brassed off, merrythought, billabong, Charles's Wain, high tea Valuable appendices, including:
* Selected Proverbs--more than 1,000, including both old favorites and less-familiar bits of wisdom such as "Handsome is as handsome does," "A trouble shared is a trouble halved," and "There's many a good tune played on an old fiddle"
* Terms for Animal Groups (a clowder of cats, a skulk of foxes, a parliament of rooks)
* Weights, Measures, Scientific Units, and Formulas
* Chemical Elements and Periodic Table
* Musical Notation and the Orchestra
* Presidents of the U.S.; States of the U.S.
* Countries of the World
* Helpful points on English usage, and much more
No American dictionary or thesaurus offers as much as The Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus. It not only combines an up-to-date and thoroughly reliable dictionary of American English with full thesaurus coverage, but it also provides a unique global perspective of English, the lingua franca of the late twentieth century.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195099494
• ISBN13: 9780195099492
• Release Date: October 1996
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 1856 Pages
• Weight: 4.68 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.4" x 7.1" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

The Ultimate

I own many dictionaries (including the unabriged OED). This is the one that is on my desk and used every day. It is useful, readable, compact and complete. Combining the best dictionary with an outstanding thesaurus, Oxford has produced the finest reference work of its kind available. Recommended for students, offices and anyone who is tired of juggling four or five reference books in "case you might need them". Clear the decks. This is what you're looking for.

Pretty much the best deal in dictionaries.

During the course of reading a book with words I had neverheard, let alone read, I decided to make a purchase that I should havemade awhile ago, that of a dictionary. But I didn't want some plain jane Websters Collegiate, I demanded excellence. But, I also did not want to spend (much money). So I had some research to do. I really wanted an Oxford because of its long-standing reference status, so I focused on those. Of course the $350 9-pages-to-a-page OED was out of the question.. so I had to choose a lesser book. What I was looking for was extensiveness. I wanted multiple pronunciations, origins, synonyms, examples, tenses, obscure words.. and I found them all in the Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus. The book has clear type (a MUST in my opinion.), a clean layout, an insane amount of words defined, extensive definitions and synonyms. Until I purchase the OED one day, I am absolutely sure that this book will serve me well both in college today and in my life in the future. END

A necessary addition to the lawyer's toolbox

Laywers are wordsmiths. In recent decades the art of legal advocacy has shifted from oral argument and trial presentation to written argument and exposition. In the United States lawyers are primarily writers, and lawyers must pay careful attention to usage and meaning. This unique dictionary/thesaurus is a welcome and very useful addition to the lawyer's toolbox. I have been using it extensively in my practice, and I find it to be the handiest reference book I have ever owned. Highly recommended.

A must have for anyone with the need to KNOW!

I did quite a bit of research before purchasing this book. I have returned to school and am pursuing a Grad. Degree in Psych./Social Services. If you are studying Philosophy, Religion, Physics, Engineering, English Lit.,and the list continues; or merely trying to express yourself better! This book is essential. If it's not in here, it's not worth knowing!

Best concise dictionary I've used!

As a publications editor, I use my dictionary many times a day. I have found this particular dictionary to be the best I've ever used (I wish I had owned this book when I was in grad school). The definitions are clear and crisp, and the synonyms are a nice additional check on meaning and connotation as well as welcome suggestions for alternate words. This book is a must for writers and editors; it truly is the "ultimate language reference." I bought a copy for the office and a copy for my home.