100 Words Every Word Lover Should Know

By American Heritage

Book Overview

The newest title in the popular 100 Words series, 100 Words Every Word Lover Should Know is the perfect book for people who enjoy reading about words that have absorbing histories, intriguing coinages, surprising but useful meanings, or have been used by famous writers throughout the history of English.

Many of these 100 words are accompanied by notes that explain in detail the path the word has undertaken in its journey to its current meaning, providing useful etymological information about how the usage of a word develops over time. Additionally, 100 Words Every Word Lover Should Know features scores of quotations from classical and contemporary authors, from Henry James and Jane Austen to Sylvia Plath and William Golding, Douglas Coupland and Donna Tartt.

A great gift for anyone who appreciates the beauty, history, and depth of the English language, 100 Words Every Word Lover Should Know will appeal to all who are avid readers and take pride in a vibrant, active vocabulary.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0618551468
• ISBN13: 9780618551460
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Collins Reference
• Length: 82 Pages
• Weight: 0.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 4.5" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

A great list with a couple of oddities

Admittedly, I am a word freak. Because I fear losing words, I bought this little book as a refresher. A mistake: There are fourteen words I did not know and two that drew less than satisfactory definitions from my mind. Now should I really admit this to the public after claiming I love words? Absolutely, an honest wordaholic is the only kind with respect. Gravamen Nope, could not define, but can now: "the part of a legal charge that weighs most substantially against the accused." Nictitate "To wink. Used especially in connection with birds...a transparent eyelid that closes to protect and moisten the eye." Sesquipedalian "Given to or characterized by the use of long words." Ex., "the sesquipedalian prose of scientific journals." Gemutlichkeit "Warm friendliness, amicability." Derived from the German "congenial" and "spirit or feelings" I thought I knew gravamen, but could not adequately define the word, so it is one of the 16. The other one--not a clue, although "sesqui" is 16, and "ped" is foot, so 16 feet, but that did not take me any further. I am keeping "100 Words" in an advantageous spot to pick up and review the old words and learn the new. Even though I am not given to using sesquipedalian words in daily speech, I can locate it in a sentence and will try to do so soon. Otherwise, I am just nictitating the reason for learning them. If taken to a jury, I would suffer the gravamen of negligent use. Even so, the judge and jury might exhibit gemutlichkeit toward me, but such an act will change nothing and I will begin spewing glossolalia toward them and the audience in defiance. So much for time off for good behavior! I am behind before I even begin! Bon mot! That pretty much means Word up!

This is Fun

I enjoy this book. I just place it somewhere where one of us (my family) might sit down to relax, and it's fun to pick up and page through. Often I learn a new word -- or a more accurate definition/new usage for a word I already use. It's inexpensive fun.

A Great Little Book......

I love words. There are so many ways in the English language to convey thoughts, emotions, opinions and allegories. I love using new words and whenever I come across a newly discovered term, I do my best to retain and reuse. This book is great because it lists the word, shows how to pronounce it, provides the definition and uses the word in lucid contexts. The price of this book is rather cheap, but the quality is not. Great to build or reinforce a wonderful vocabulary.

A lovely little treat

This is an inexpensive and enjoyable little book that you can absorb in an afternoon, but spend months returning to enjoy. Some of the words are common, some are uncommon, and some I had never heard before. Also from reading this, I realized that I had been using some words improperly, which was also a great experience. So, what word do I think that everyone should know? Humuhumunukunukuapuaa You can look it up on the web, or delve into this book to find out what it means, as well as many other delightful words.