Webster's Encyclopedic Unbridged Dict of the English Language

by Merriam-Webster

Book Overview

Over 2,000 pages of information make this the most comprehensive, accessible, and indispensable reference volume for teachers, students, business people, writers--anyone and everyone that loves words.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 051768781X
• ISBN13: 9780517687819
• Release Date: September 1989
• Publisher: Gramercy Books
• Length: 2078 Pages
• Weight: 5.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 3.1" x 9.1" x 11.3"

Customer Reviews

Way smaller than I expected

I just cannot figure out why this book is not even a third of the size of my mother's older encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary. I feel like not all the words are actually here, not even close. It's hardly any bigger than my regular Oxford dictionary.

I am getting three more! Let me tell you why.

I first bought this dictionary to play scrabble. If you play, you know that drawing the letter "Q" makes the game difficult because most often you also need a "U." A few words exist that do not require the "qu" combination such as qat, qaid, qiyas or qirsh. Rare is the dictionary that has these words to offer when the player is challenged. Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary stands the test.I came to use it a great deal for words unknown to my computer's spell checker, while I wrote my master thesis. I still use it today as editor of the local historical magazine. For the holidays I am giving one to my smart step-daughter, and for purely selfish reasons: I am donating a copy to the local Historical Society -- so that I may use it there -- and I will offer my wife her very own Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary -- so that I will no longer have to look for mine in her office! One of my professors said: "learning new words is the only way to increase one's I.Q." I do not know if it is true, but it can't hurt to try.

Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary

Whether you are looking to add to your collection or simply seeking a great dictionary at an affordable price, the Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary is the one English language dictionary that everyone who reads, writes or loves words should own a copy of. It is among the most prized and by far most utilized dictionary of my own collection, never far from arms reach when I am writing. This book at five times the price would be a worthwhile investment. Priced as it is, there can be no reason for not owning at least one copy of such a wonderful dictionary. My only suggestion, invest it in a good book stand. It will save both the book and your biceps.

For the academic type who is choosy about their dictionaries

As a graduate student on a budget, this dictionary is a godsend. It contains the level of description that is needed for academic writing with all of the extras that make good dictionaries fun, such as brief etymological notes and small illustrations. The style manual, list of US Presidents and Vice Presidents, and reproduced patriotic documents is a cute touch.In this age of extensive web based dictionaries, some overlook the importance of a tangible, paper resource. Thumbing through this dictionary reminds you of why the web can never fully replace paper documents; the discovery of words in the context of the language as a whole. If you are a serious scholar, high school, college, or graduate/professional student, or are looking for a dictionary for one, this is an excellent choice.

Excellent For Education and Entertainment

Sometimes the greatest works of literature don't have plots, characters, technical climaxes, action of any kind, settings, or dialogue. There are no great scenes, no credited authors, and rising actions. How does one read a book without a plot? one might ask. Among English literature there are masses of unregarded books lacking characters and dialogue, though rich in knowledge and beauty of their own. These books I refer to are dictionaries, and standing supreme of all dictionaries is Webster's Unabridged Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language (Random House Value Publishers, 1996). It's the book to end all books, a worthwhile diversion for those days when boredom threatens to overwhelm. Upon almost every page sit pictures, visual attractors for those people out there who complain that they can't read books without pictures. Next to the pictures, surrounding the pictures, expounding upon the pictures are the definitions, some like little stories and some information and more. You can read about far-off and exotic locations, historical and mythological figures, slang terms, etymology, and sundry nouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, interjections, pronouns, etc. In the beginning of the book is a comprehensive list of all the American presidents, their wives, their religions, their running mates and complete copies of the Declaration of Independence and the American Constitution including the amendments. At the end is a list of important people the world over, so that you know how to correctly address the Chief Justice of Canada and his or her mailing address in case you ever have the urge to write. What a book! Where else would one find out that pelite is any clayey rock like mudstone or shale, or even that clayey is a real adjective? How else would one know that grumphie is a Scottish word that is a familiar name for a pig? For most people there would be no other way. The wealth of knowledge contained within these few thousand pages is more than one person alone could learn in a lifetime and a half. Not all definitions are created alike, however. Many different authors submit to the dictionary, and it's obvious that some of these people aren't as careful and concerned as others. Some definitions aren't very helpful, like knowing that mouse deer is chevrotain, without being told what part of speech is. Or looking up radiancy and being told that it means radiance. Let's use the word to define itself; that's a good idea. The dictionary can be of wonderful use in compositions, though they must be used wisely. Writing, "Pleonasm: the use of more words than are necessary to express an idea" isn't a good idea, for it shows that you know only how to look up the word and copy its definition, and not that you might actually know what it means and how to use it. And even if you're not writing a paper, the dictionary is fun to peruse. Most of the definitions make me laugh-English can be a ve

A Great Dictionary to have.

Every home should have this great dictionary. If you want a dictionary with all the words in the English Language and with a nice collection of useful stuff at the end, this is the dictionary to buy. It even has pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis! Not only is this an excellent home dictionary, but a valuable class reference book as well. This should be sitting on all the desks in the world (definetly including kids). It is especially useful because of the collection at the back. It includes an Atlas, Chronology, List of Presidents and Vice Presidents, Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, Major Reference Works, a manual of style, Indo-European Language Chart, Bad Speller's dictionary, French, German, Italian, and Spanish Dictionaries, and a crossword puzzle dictionary. ARE YOU CONVINCED???? GET THIS DICTIONARY!!!!!!!