The American Heritage Dictionary of the

English Language, Fifth Edition 5 Ind Thm

Edition
by Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries (Author)

ISBN-13: 064-0206348348

ISBN-10: 0547041012

$40.96
List Price: $60.00 Save: $19.04 (32%)

Product Details

Series: American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language

Hardcover: 2112 pages
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Trade; 5 Ind Thm edition (November 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0547041012
ISBN-13: 978-0547041018
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 2.6 x 11 inches
 Shipping Weight: 7.4 pounds

The much-anticipated Fifth Edition of The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language
is the premier resource about words for people who seek to know more and find fresh perspectives.
Exhaustively researched and thoroughly revised, the Fifth Edition contains 10,000 new words and
senses, over 4,000 dazzling new full-color images, and authoritative, up-to-date guidance on usage
from the celebrated American Heritage Usage Panel.

In keeping with the American Heritage tradition of cutting-edge research, the Fifth Edition represents
the work of a dedicated team of experts, scholars, and contributors. Thousands of definitions have
been revised in rapidly changing fields such as astronomy and biology, geographical entries and maps
have been completely updated, and the dictionarys signature feature notes on word history,
synonymy, and language variation have been enhanced and improved.

Trustworthy advice on controversies and conundrums in English usage is provided by the American
Heritage Usage Panel, a group of 200 prominent users of the language. Under the leadership of Steven
Pinker, preeminent researcher on language and the mind, the Panel passes judgment on both new and
longstanding usage problems. No other dictionary offers such discerning and helpful guidance on
issues of usage, grammar, and style.

Word meanings are made easier to understand with thousands of new quotations from classic and
contemporary writers. Etymologies explaining word origins and development have been newly
created or revised to reflect the very latest scholarship. Many words are traced back to their roots in
prehistory through two unique appendixes showing word roots in ancient Indo-European and Semitic.
Reliable, enlightening, and visually stunning, the Fifth Edition of The American Heritage
Dictionary of the English Language gives you the opportunity to make your mark in the best possible
way.
New Oxford American Dictionary 3rd
Edition 3rd Edition
by Oxford University Press (Corporate Author)

ISBN-13: 978-0195392883
ISBN-10: 0195392884

$33.46
List Price: $60.00 Save: $26.54 (44%)

Product Details

Hardcover: 2096 pages

Publisher: Oxford University Press; 3 edition (September 2, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0195392884
ISBN-13: 978-0195392883
Product Dimensions: 9 x 2.5 x 11.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 7 pounds
As Oxford's flagship American dictionary, the New Oxford American Dictionary sets the standard of
excellence for lexicography in this country. With more than 350,000 words, phrases, and senses,
hundreds of explanatory notes, and more than a thousand illustrations, this dictionary provides the
most comprehensive and accurate coverage of American English available.

The dictionary draws on the two-billion-word Oxford English Corpus and the unrivaled citation files
of the world-renowned Oxford English Dictionary to provide the most accurate and richly descriptive
picture of American English ever offered in any dictionary. The Third Edition offers a thoroughly
updated text, with revisions throughout and approximately 2,000 new words, phrases, and meanings.
Many new words relate to fast-moving areas such as computing, technology, current affairs, and
ecology, while others have recently entered the popular lexicon. Usage notes have been updated in
light of the most recent Corpus evidence, and a completely new in-text feature on Word Trends charts
usage for rapidly changing words and phrases such as carbon, mobile, or tweet. In addition, the
volume has an attractive, modern new text design that makes entries easier to read and find.

One of the hallmarks of the New Oxford American Dictionary is the way it reflects the living
language. Unlike in more traditional dictionaries, where meanings are ordered chronologically
according to the history of the language, each entry plainly shows the principal meaning or meanings
of the word, organized by importance in today's English. Thus readers can be confident that the first
definition they see is the one most likely to be used by people today, and is not a sense that has been
obsolete for two centuries.

Offering clear, authoritative, and precise information, with the in-depth and up-to-date coverage that
users need and expect, the New Oxford American Dictionary is the benchmark by which all other
American dictionaries are measured.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It runs more than 2,000 pages and weighs upward of 800 pounds, so will need one forklift or three
sumo wrestlers to hoist it, but you will love this gorilla once you get to know it."--James Kilpatrick,
"Writers Life"

"Includes some unique and useful extras."--School Library Journal Curriculum Connections

"NOAD is an eminently usable dictionary with an attractive layout; clear, crisp illustrations; usage
guidance; and synonyms with connotations. Sure to be everyone's favorite dictionary! Summing up:
Essential."--Choice

"More current than its closest rival in size....This is a 'buy.'"--Booklist STARRED REVIEW

"Erudite, accessible....If you're looking for a desk dictionary that covers the spectrum of American
English, with a fair quantity of encyclopaedic information thrown in, you could do a lot worse." --
World Wide Words

"Ms. McKean had been dubbed "America's lexicographical sweetheart" by National Public Rasio's
program "Talk of the Nation.""--The New York Times

Reviews for the previous edition: "The gold standard of American dictionaries."--The Providence
Journal

"With its unique approach to language, this is easy to use and provides clear, well-written definitions.
"--Library Journal.

"Oxford has always been so good at dictionaries, and lexicographical publishing needs a boost after
Random House suddenly abandoned the field.... I'd give the New Oxford American Dictionary to a
person looking for a quick answer."--William Safire, The New York Times.

"In both definitions & pronounciations the dictionary emphasizes American English.... This is a useful
quick-reference type of dictionary."--Houston Chronicle

"The New Oxford American Dictionary offers the most dependable reference information."--Seattle
Times.

"Utilizing the latest techniques for analyzing word usage and meaning, the editors have compiled
more than 250,000 definitions and 9000 biographical and geographical entries in an accessible
resource with a distinctly American voice....An understated presentation exuding precision and
authority, it is an essential tool."--School Library Journal [STARRED REVIEW]

"One of the best American-English dictionaries to come out in several years...This is a handy and not
overly expensive dictionary to have on hand at the reference desk of academic and public libraries."--
American Reference Book Annual 2002

"Its editor, Erin McKean, is, according to American newspaper reports, the hippest and sexiest
lexicographer around. It's also the first such work... with an electronic edition accessible on the road,
since it can be downloaded to your Palm, Blackberry, or Windows mobile device."--World Wide
Words

"Unrivaled etymological information revealing fascinating word histories."--Tampa Tribune

"A labor of love and an unparalelled gift to writers and readers worldwide, the New Oxford American
Dictionary should be on the reference shelf of every library." - Library Journal

"Remains true to its initial concent of being an easy-to-use single volume of words that reflect today's
soceity...Recommended." --Choice
This is an outstanding dictionary of American English. At 2,000 pages and over 350,000 definitions,
the reader usually finds the answer to questions. The text size in some dictionaries is too small but it is
large and bold enough to clearly see the succinct definitions, examples, word type. A few photos are
provided that kept my interest. By purchasing this book, I was offered a 6 month access to the Oxford
Dictionary web site. I spent about an hour playing on its pages. I fantasized that I'd obtain access to a
digital form of the 20 volume philological history of words and meanings, but that was just my hope.
This is an excellent dictionary for adults and some high school students. I think that a dictionary,
periodically updated, is something we all ought to have. There are lots of products that focus on
lanaguge, english-american, slang, politics, etc. I give this a solid "A".
Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus 2nd
Edition
by Maurice Waite (Editor)

ISBN-13: 978-0199230884
ISBN-10: 0199230889

Price range $33.47 - $58.92

The second edition of the Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus is the perfect language resource,
combining a dictionary and thesaurus text. This means that you only have to reach for one book when
you need language help. In this edition the dictionary and thesaurus texts are integrated so that the
thesaurus entry for a word follows the dictionary entry directly. This is based on market research into
user preferences making the dictionary accessible, clear, and easy to use. New to this edition is a
centre section for crossword enthusiasts and puzzle solvers, containing hundreds of thematic word
lists. With 300,000 definitions, synonyms, and antonyms, this really is the ultimate tool for anyone
who loves language-based quizzes and puzzles. The Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus also features
usage notes to help you deal with tricky vocabulary and improve your writing style. The ultimate
reference tool for your shelf - but not designed to stay there! Explore our language resources on
oxforddictionaries.com, Oxford's home for dictionaries and language reference. Updated regularly
with the latest changes to words and meanings, the site provides hundreds of thousands of definitions,
synonyms, and pronunciations in a range of languages. Access the highest quality language content,
built from our extensive research, for free on your desktop or device.
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Marry edited versions of the venerable Concise Oxford Dictionary (Oxford Univ., 1990. 8th ed.) and
The Oxford Thesaurus: American Edition (LJ 11/1/92), and you have this new Oxford dictionary. A
solid production containing more than 100,000 succinct entries and 300,000 undiscriminated
synonyms in a single alphabet, it is clear, authoritative, and up-to-date. For instance, wuss and wussy
are here, labeled "colloq." Some definitions include brief demonstrations of how the word or sense is
used in context, but there are no illustrations. The dictionary concludes with 16 appendixes (e.g., a list
of proverbs, the books of the Bible, and U.S. presidents). Librarians should be aware that, as the title
page indicates, it is also published as The Reader's Digest Oxford Complete Wordfinder. An
agreeable work for the home consumer but, as a condensed version of two Oxford classics, hardly a
necessary acquisition for most libraries.?Ken Kister, "Kister's Best Encyclopedias," Tampa, Fla.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable
edition of this title.

Review
"A solid production containing more than 100,000 succint entries and 300,000 undiscriminated
synonyms in a single alphabet, it is clear, authoritative, and up-to-date."--Library Journal

"A solid production containing more than 100,000 succinct entries and 300,000 undiscriminated
synonyms in a single alphabet, it is clear, authoritative, and up-to-date."--Library Journal --This text
refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

5.0 out of 5 starsPretty much the best deal in dictionaries.

By Shane Beers on May 23, 2000

Format: Hardcover

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

Product Details

Board book: 1264 pages

Publisher: Oxford University Press; 2nd edition (August 9, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0199230889
ISBN-13: 978-0199230884
Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 2.6 x 10.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 5.4 pounds
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
(Laminated Cover) 11th Edition
by Merriam-Webster (Author)

ISBN-13: 008-1413008074
ISBN-10: 0877798079

$13.20
List Price: $22.95 Save: $9.75 (42%)

Product Details

Age Range: 8 and up

Series: Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (Laminated)
Hardcover: 1664 pages
Publisher: Merriam-Webster, Inc.; 11th edition (July 30, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0877798079
ISBN-13: 978-0877798071
Product Dimensions: 2 x 7 x 9.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds
Laminated hardcover, plain-edged style the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh
Edition is revised and updated, America's best-selling dictionary. It features more than 225,000 clear
and precise definitions. More than 42,000 usage examples. Current copyright 2014

This is a fine dictionary. It even smells good. Too hefty to be portable, it is nevertheless a perfect desk
dictionary, starting with a seventeen-page explanatory chart and notes, an essay on the English
language, and a guide to pronunciation. The volume continues with excellent definitions that are
sometimes accompanied by b&w line drawings, and finishes with sections on foreign words &
phrases, biographical names, geographical names, signs & symbols in various fields of endeavor,
punctuation, capitals & italics, documenting sources, forms of address and an index. [..]

This is the most comprehensive collegiate dictionary to date, with many new entries since 1996's tenth
edition, and it is well organized wih a nice clean font (though it may be a bit troublesome for those
who are far-sighted). It always amazes me that we can purchase so much information so
inexpensively. This is a terrific resource -- it's time to update your dictionary!!

For several decades now, THE MERRIAM-WEBSTER'S COLLEGIATE DICTIONARY has served
as the standard American English dictionary. I have done a good deal of copyediting over the years,
and every publisher I have worked with has specified this dictionary (along with the Webster's
Unabridged) as the standard governoring the way that American English words are spells and defined.
Although one can feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of dictionaries in the reference section of
any good bookstore, this volume is as close to authoritative as we have in the United States. One
might have a preference for another, but this is the only one that enjoys widespread authoritative
acceptance.
The dust jacket explains the ways that the new 11th edition has been expanded, but personally, while I
am quite certain that it has been expanded, I have not noticed a great deal of difference from the 10th
edition. It may be definitive and improved, but most of the improvements will be difficult for anyone
to detect. The new CD-ROM included with it, however, is a vast improvement on the previous
software that was developed based on the 10th edition. When the 10th edition first came out, CD
software was not widely available. A CD version of the dictionary did eventually come out, but it was
somewhat rudimentary. The new CD-ROM, however, is a huge improvement. For instance, when
looking up any word, a column will display a number of words that approximate the word that your
are attempting to look up. If you can merely approximate the spelling, you can frequently find the
correct word. Furthermore, by double clicking on any word in the online dictionary, you will pull up
the listing for that word. The CD-ROM also has a link to the Internet.
Let's face it. Buying dictionaries for most people is about as exciting as having one's oil changed. But
like oil changes, dictionaries are essential. For the foreseeable future, this one is going to remain the
definitive American English dictionary.
Webster's Third New International
Dictionary of the English Language
by Philip Babcock Gove (Editor)

ISBN-13: 978-0877792017
ISBN-10: 0877792011

$79.89
List Price: $129.00 Save: $49.11 (38%)

Product Details

Hardcover: 2662 pages

Publisher: Merriam-Webster (1993)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0877792011
ISBN-13: 978-0877792017
Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 3.2 x 13 inches
Shipping Weight: 12.5 pounds
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged, is the largest, most comprehensive
American dictionary available, containing over 472,000 entries, 14,000 new words in a special
Addenda Section, 3,000 illustrations, and 140,000 etymologies describing word origins. Boxed
hardcover, buckram binding, thumb-notched.

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
If big is better, the unabridged Webster's Third New International Dictionary is among the best.
Weighing 12.5 pounds and measuring 4 inches thick, its 2,662 pages define more than 450,000 words
spanning "a" to "zyzzogeton," including words ("disselboom" for instance) not found in other
dictionaries, plus clear definitions, comprehensive etymologies, interesting asides, literary usage
quotes, and a comfortable typeface. More than 150 years of accumulated scholarship helped collect
the 10,000,000 usage examples that accurately provide definitions, and $3,500,000 went into
producing this impressive volume. With Webster's Third you get a lot of dictionary for your money.

About the Author

The Merriam brothers desired a continuity of editorship that would link Noah Webster's efforts with
their own editions, so they selected Chauncey A. Goodrich, Webster's son-in-law and literary heir,
who had been trained in lexicography by Webster himself, to be their editor in chief. Webster's son
William also served as an editor of that first Merriam-Webster dictionary, which was published on
September 24, 1847.

Although Webster's work was honored, his big dictionaries had never sold well. The 1828 edition was
priced at a whopping $20; in 13 years its 2,500 copies had not sold out. Similarly, the 1841 edition,
only slightly more affordable at $15, moved slowly. Assuming that a lower price would increase
sales, the Merriams introduced the 1847 edition at $6, and although Webster's heirs initially
questioned this move, extraordinary sales that brought them $250,000 in royalties over the ensuing 25
years convinced them that the Merriams' decision had been abundantly sound.

The first Merriam-Webster dictionary was greeted with wide acclaim. President James K. Polk,
General Zachary Taylor (hero of the Mexican War and later president himself), 31 U.S. senators, and
other prominent people hailed it unreservedly. In 1850 its acceptance as a resource for students began
when Massachusetts ordered a copy for every school and New York placed a similar order for 10,000
copies to be used in schools throughout the state. Eventually school use would spread throughout the
country. In becoming America's most trusted authority on the English language, Merriam-Webster
dictionaries had taken on a role of public responsibility demanded of few other publishing
companies.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

There are only two definitive English language dictionaries: Webster's Third (W3) and the Oxford
English Dictionary (OED).
The OED has the advantage of scholarship, prestige and preeminence: it is generally regarded as the
gold standard in the definition of English words. It achieves this primarily by citing historical books
and manuscripts, going back in many cases to the dark ages, when the language itself was evolving.
Comprising some 22 volumes and requiring more than three feet of shelf space, it is an impressive
addition to anyone's library, albeit at a high cost. It is available, again at high cost, on CD ROM.
W3 is a single volume about four inches wide. It offers a precise definition of every word you will
ever encounter (450,000 are listed) except for slang and jargon, obsolete words, technical vocabularies
and recent additions to the language. It is not above providing an occasional literary allusion. It
defines the English language.
The New International Webster's
Comprehensive Dictionary of the English
Language Hardcover February, 2003
by S. Stephenson Smith (Author)

Price $26.34 - $40.38

This is a great deluxe, single-volume

Encyclopedic Edition. A 1,946-page volume
that is a complete quick-reference library.
Encyclopedic Dictionary contains over
175,000 entries and over 2000illustrations.
The 21st Century Webster's Comprehensive
Dictionary contains thirty-two Encyclopedic Supplements,
among them: Abbreviations, Grammar and Usage Handbook, The Library Research Paper, Greek and
Latin Elements in English, Foreign Words and Phrases, Business Law, Business Math, Business
Letter Writing, Glossary of Computer Terms, Word Processing Glossary, Spanish Glossary, German
Glossary, Glossary of Biology Terms, Glossary of Physics Terms, Metrics Glossary, Tables of
Weights and Measures, Medical Glossary, Biographies, Quotations Dictionary, Spelling Dictionary.

Editorial Reviews
Review
I thought I would let you know how delighted I am with my 1999 publication of Webster's
Comprehensive Dictionary, Encyclopedic Edition...On Sunday was able to complete the crossword as
Webster's defined "immortal" as being one of the forty members of the Academie Fracaises. Yours
Sincerely, Miss C.J. Scott -- Lincolnshire, England --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable
edition of this title.

5.0 out of 5 starsThe New International Dictionary is just what I needed to use!

By Constance C. Usera on January 8, 2011

Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase

This dictionary is just what I needed. The price was so reasonable. The price was just right compared
to other dictionaries of this size. This type of dictionary would go for $90.00 and I got it for $11.00.
Awesome! It is an encyclopedic edition so it is a complete 1946-page, quick reference libary. It
provides the benefits of a large comprehensive dictionary with specialized reference information to be
found in the Encyclopedic Supplements. It gives you more than the expected spelling, pronunciation,
and definition of words. It has commonn abbreviations, a spelling and quotations dictionary, plus a
grammar and usage handbook. It has a wealth of information. Need I say more! Great buy!

Product Details

Hardcover: 1946 pages

Publisher: Trident Press International; Com edition (February 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1582795576
ISBN-13: 978-1582795577
Product Dimensions: 3.2 x 8.2 x 11 inches
Shipping Weight: 6.1 pounds
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary of
Synonyms and Antonyms 1st Edition
by Merriam-Webster (Author, Editor)

ISBN-13: 008-1413009064
ISBN-10: 0877799067

Price - School & Library Binding : $7.86 - $12.89

Master the subtleties of language with the Merriam-Webster Dictionary of Synonyms and Antonyms.
This useful reference goes beyond a thesaurus, explaining the fine shades of meaning that differentiate
synonyms. Alphabetical arrangement of terms makes words easy to find.
5.0 out of 5 starsIdeal for Intermediate Language Learners

By Stephan Mccrea on December 15, 1999

Format: Mass Market Paperback Verified Purchase

I teach at a language school in Fort Lauderdale. Dozxens of students each month ask me, "How can I
improve my English?" I tell them, "Get a dictionary with synonyms and opposites." The Webster S
and A is the best I've found -- and portable, too.
It is vital for language learners to have something interesting to pull them forward. We tend to learn
by what we are interested in and in what the opposite is. "That movie was ________" (interesting,
great, fantastic...not boring, not slow, not hard to understand.) We tend to think in similars and
opposites, so why not use a book that is designed to give you shades of meaning as well as the
opposites? I highly recommend this book and I encourage students to pick it up. What is very good in
this book? There is an example sentence to show the meaning, such as:
weak, feeble frail weak is broad, like a weak muscle, a week excuse, foundation. feeble usually shows
ineffectiveness or smoethign we should pity: a feeble old man, feeble joke. frail suggests an inherited
weakness, that something is weak in the structure: her frail body, a frail conscience.
You see what a valuable tool this is? I urge you to recommend this book to your learners of English,
even if they are native speakers.

Product Details

Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages

Publisher: Merriam-Webster Mass Market; 1 edition (May 1, 1994)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0877799067
ISBN-13: 978-0877799061
Product Dimensions: 4.3 x 1 x 6.7 inches
Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
The New International Webster's
Comprehensive Dictionary of the English
Language Hardcover March 1, 2014
by Standard International Media (Author)

Price - $472.13 - $762.64

The New International Webster s Comprehensive Dictionary Is backed by three quarters of a century
of experience in dictionary-making and, like its predecessors, is designed to serve the practical and
professional needs of all who speak or use the English language. Its aim is to present the fundamental
facts and characteristics of the language accurately, fully and interestingly. Details of syllabication,
spelling, and grammatical usage together with Etymologies, or short word-histories are provided for
the interesting insight they give to the richness and versatility of the English language. Particular
attention is given to word builders-the indispensible prefixes, suffixes, and combining forms in which
English is so rich. This new dictionary simplifies finding the right word and offers more synonyms
and antonyms with exact shades of meaning. It shows when to capitalize...identifies all compound
words...cross-enters homophones and collateral adjectives..while also providing a simple word
pronunciation guide.

Product Details

Hardcover: 1728 pages

 Publisher: Standard International Media (March 1, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1600815448
ISBN-13: 978-1600815447
Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.7 x 3.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 6.7 pounds
The Compact Edition of The Oxford
English Dictionary, Complete Text
Reproduced Micrographically (in slipcase
with reading glass) (v. 1-20) 2 Sub Edition

ISBN-13: 978-0198612582
ISBN-10: 0198612583

$377.75
List Price: $399.95 Save: $22.20 (6%)

Product Details

Hardcover: 2424 pages

Publisher: Oxford University Press; 2 Sub edition (December 5, 1991)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0198612583
ISBN-13: 978-0198612582
Product Dimensions: 19 x 5.7 x 12.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 15 pounds
Note: For this ISBN, kindly use the magnifying glass which is provided along with the book.

When the twenty-volume Oxford English Dictionary, Second Edition, appeared years ago, the public
response was extraordinary. The AP and UPI announced publication over their newswires. Time and
Newsweek ran full-page articles. The New Yorker published an extensive essay. Virtually every major
paper in American and in Great Britain covered the event. And from every corner, the praise was
lavish. Time called it "a scholarly Everest." Newsweek, "a celebration of language." And Herbert
Mitgang, in The New York Times, called the new OED "the last word on words" and "the arbiter of the
English language as it is read and spoken all over the world."

Now comes the Compact Edition of OED II, which captures all the wealth of scholarship found in the
original edition in just one volume. The Compact is not an abridgement, but a direct photoreduction of
the entire 20-volume set, with nine pages of the original on every nine-by-twelve page of the Compact
(a magnifying glass comes with it). As in the Second Edition, the Compact combines in one
alphabetical sequence the sixteen volumes of the first OED and the four Supplements--plus an extra
five thousand new words to bring this monumental dictionary completely up to date. And it is
monumental, with definitions of 500,000 words, 290,000 main entries, 137,000 pronunciations,
249,300 etymologies, 577,000 cross-references, and over 2,412,000 illustrative quotations. But as
large as it is, perhaps its most important feature is its historical focus. The OED records not only
words and meanings currently in use but also those that have long been considered obsolete.
Moreover, under each definition of a word is a chronologically arranged group of quotations that
illustrate the word's usage down through the years, beginning with its earliest known appearance. The
result is a dictionary that offers unique insight into the way our language has, over the centuries,
grown, changed, and been put to use.

More than 100 years in the making, The Oxford English Dictionary is now universally acknowledged
as the world's greatest dictionary--the supreme arbiter on the usage and meaning of English words, a
fascinating guide to the history and evolution of the language, and one of the greatest works of
scholarship ever produced. The Washington Post has written that "no one who reads or writes
seriously can be without the OED." Now with the Compact, the world's greatest dictionary is within
the reach of anyone who wants one.

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Proper words in their proper places--and a good many improper ones, too! If the OED's many obsolete
definitions tend to be the most enjoyable--shuff is dialect for "shy," dolt was once upon a time a verb
as well, meaning "to befool"--everyday idiosyncrasies still abound. But, for instance, occupies nine
columns of text, and who would wish a single line away? There's also the sublime pleasure of
trawling through the sea of relevant quotations. The OED's initial team of "voluntary readers" was
asked to cite as many phrases as possible for both archaic and ordinary terms. None seems to have
found this remotely arduous, and we now reap the ubiquitous ("present or appearing everywhere;
omnipresent") rewards. This huge venture is a labor of lore, love, and good humor. One caveat: If you
skip over the Historical Introduction, you'll miss learning about the Unregistered Words Committee,
and overlook the wry warning, "If there is any truth in the old Greek maxim that a large book is a
great evil, English dictionaries have been steadily growing worse ever since their inception...."

Review
From the reviews of the Second Edition of The Oxford English Dictionary: `The gigantic total picture
of the English language...an epic achievement.' Anthony Burgess, Observer

`The greatest dictionary in any language.' Geoffrey Wheatcroft, Daily Telegraph

`A stupendous achievement.' William Golding, Evening Standard

`The greatest reference book ever written.' Stephen Jay Gould, Nature
`A national treasure.' New Statesman and Society

`Has no real rival in any language.' Godfrey Smith, Sunday Times

`One of the wonders of the world...the thing's a triumph.' Richard Boston, Guardian

'This is the best.' Philip Howard, The Times

'one of the wonders of the modern world ... it is fun to plunge into this colossal book and be ambushed
by some unknown word or variation at the turn of every page or, in the case of the Compact edition,
of every nine pages. This is a book all literate people will want to give themselves for Christmas, if
they cannot persuade anyone else to give it to them. And the OUP should be given the Nobel prize, or
something better.' Illustrated London News

'virtually impossible to fault ... this is simply the finest dictionary around' Ian Shuttleworth, City
Limits

This dictionary is unequalled (see the praise of all the other reviewers, with whom I agree regarding
the quality of this reference). Beyond excellence loom are other issues, however: weight and legibility
are the most obvious. My balance beam scale indicates that it weighs (approximately) 11-3/4 pounds
(i.e. 5-1/3 kg). So when a reviewer says this edition is 'heavy' this is what he means.... Note that the
dimensions (sometimes called 'big') are 3.89 inches x 17.55 inches x 11.21 inches.... As to legibility, I
cannot find any mention of the point size, so I will be more subjective. I am 55 years old and I wear
progressive lens (in other words I'm both farsighted and nearsighted!). In average light if I take my
glasses off I can read the definitions WITHOUT the magnifying glass, though the words sometimes
alternately blur and sharpen, so it's sometimes a stretch. I find it quite easy to read WITH the
magnifying glass, especially under a lamp. True, the tiny print means it's not like reading a John
LeCarre paperback, but this is a * dictionary *, for Pete's sake! I use it to solve linguistics puzzles.
Tonight I was stumped by the words "theophoric" and "enclitic" (both in reference to scribal practices
involving the copying of the Hebrew Bible). So I lugged the monster down from my bookcase (where
it lies flat!), skipped pulling out the magnifying glass, and looked up the definitions, pausing as my
eyes would go in and out of focus (I can be quite lazy when I'm lying prone on the carpet and don't
want to get up to get the magnifier!). I am absolutely happy with my purchase. My wife would not be,
partly because she would be shocked to discover what I paid for it, and partly because her case of
early macular degeneration would probably make it unavailable to her. So it's a decision to be made
carefully, and one should be honest with oneself. If you are visually handicapped, or if you lack an
obsession with the English language, there are 'digest condensed' dictionaries which would drive me
to tears but which might completely satisfy you... I can only say that I'm happy as a clam with my
'ultimate dictionary....'

"Colonials" like me grew up in the shadow of this Everest of scholarship and the Himalayan series
founded on its contents. And now, if we choose to, we can actually own the set, in its 2nd Edition.
This is a very desirable acquisition.
Perhaps you worry that it might be an unwise purchase. We live in the age of the CD ROM, so why
buy the printed volumes? The language seems to operate like a wheel rolling down a muddy slope
picking up all manner of accretions as it progresses downhill. Will a work like this, then, become
irrelevant? I think not. The citation formula used will always be relevant for readers interested in
historical usage. The entire work constitutes, in a way, a history of the English Language, as well as a
social history of English speaking peoples from the 12th century through to the end of the 20th
century. Some scholars say it is unduly biased in the direction of English Victorian values, with a
creeping pre-disposition toward a prescriptive rather than a descriptive stance on definitions. The
compilers seem to want to position it to be a final arbiter on "Correct Usage". Who cares? It is manna
in the wilderness to anyone who loves the language, who likes to browse, and is not stimulated by the
inanity of television. If Political Correctness is the filter through which all literature must pass for
you, you'll probably not read very much of value, anyway.
No other dictionary is so richly enjoyable as a work to read on its own. One does not go to the OED
just to find the meaning of a word, one is beguiled, on opening a volume, to read many pages about all
kinds of words. You'll never walk into the British Museum or the Louvre just to look at a single piece
of Art and leave having looked only at that one piece. Here is the great exhibition of the language, its
gallery.
All speakers and students of the language are in Oxford's debt, and will forever be so. No dictionary
comes close in comprehensiveness of coverage (its word count, i.e., the quantity of words defined,
exceeds that covered in any other competing dictionary). This set, rightly, is the central jewel in
OUP's crown of publications. If you're a writer, you can't afford not to purchase this set.
Legend has it that a new "improved" edition will be out some time between 2001 and 2003. I sense
that the improvements will appeal particularly to the ultra-scholarly linguist/lexicographers among its
readers. Improvements shall include the addition of citations that might, for instance, antedate the
earliest citation shown in a previous edition. It might, however, not be utterly essential to you you to
know, for example, that the first user of the term "Byronic" was Byron himself. The changes from the
2nd to the 3rd edition may be minimal, in print at least. Doubtless, there will be significant
improvements to the search capability, appearance, and user friendliness of the software version. But,
don't hesitate to purchase the printed 2nd edition. If you feel the CD ROM version is superior to the
printed edition, this will boil down to whether or not you are a bibliophile. Nothing equals the tactile
pleasure of the printed page, bound well. OED 2 is one of the handsomest printing jobs I've ever seen.
The cloth binding is extremely rugged and well designed, elegant and solidly conservative in physical
appearance. The paper is itself bright and smooth, the font/type clear and eminently readable. Even
the dust jackets are beautiful, a real improvement over the previous design. "Additions" volumes
(times 3) are available for anyone interested in the vocabulary of the 90s. The 3rd edition will
integrate these into the main work. But, a dictionary in the hand is worth two in the planning stage.
And the beautiful volumes of the 2nd edition are available from Amazon.com at what amounts to
bargain price.
Buy this wonderful, beautifully produced and enduring work; it is a treasure for life that will never
fail to impress you with the alluring beauty and quirky mutability of this most glorious of languages.

I've wanted one of these beasts since I was about 12 and saw one at a friend's house. Quite aside from
the content, it's beautiful. A work of love and tremendous labour.

I'm surprised by those that complain that it's hard to lug around. It belongs on a writing desk or its
own plinth. It should never move more than 2 feet. Oxford University Press publish many abridged
versions that cater to the more mobile readership.

Remember, this is a 20 volume book squished into one (more on that in a moment). The print will be
small. I have nearly perfect eyesight though and having arrived off a long-haul flight the other day to
find this waiting for me, I must admit that tiredness did indeed necessitate use of the magnifying
glass. However, I just tried again and can read it just fine in good light without any artificial aid.

Now. Amazon. Dear dear me. When one pays $217 (the price has gone up in the past couple of days, I
see) for a delicate gem of a book (remember, you started life as booksellers, after all), even though
that book should cost nearly twice as much, one does not expect some intern to have removed it from
its packaging, and stuck two security tags in it. One on a page over the tiny exquisite print (a delicate
operation to remove without apparent damage). One in the box at the back. Nor indeed does one
expect this process to have folded the accompanying guidebook in two. Furthermore (and worse still)
a number of the pages of the dictionary itself had been folded en-masse, presumably also during this
clumsy tagging process. Fortunately, the book is so heavy and well made that the pages appear to
have been rescued by gravity and a night on its side, but I'm nonetheless displeased as the guide still
looks like it's accompanied me on a long train journey, stuffed into a trouser pocket and slept upon in
the mid-day sun.
Tut tut.

I've seldom been more pleased with a book purchase though. I just wish Amazon had treated it a little
better but: Pay money, get choice.

UPDATE: The photo is now accurate - here's what I had to say about it originally: Ah. Yes. The
photos on the product page. Now, I should have done my research and perhaps realised that OUP no
longer produce the two-volume edition and I was going to get a single volume. The photos here at
Amazon showing two volumes with a drawer for the magnifying glass (to be honest, the bit I actually
liked aged twelve) are out-of-date. This is a single volume edition with a loose magnifying glass that
must find its own place to rest.
Roget's International Thesaurus, 7th
Edition 7 Rev Upd Edition
by Barbara Ann Kipfer (Author)

ISBN-13: 978-0061715211
ISBN-10: 0061715212

$13.23
List Price: $19.99 Save: $6.76 (34%)

Product Details

Series: Roget's International Thesaurus

Paperback: 1312 pages
Publisher: Collins Reference; 7 Rev Upd edition (August 2, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0061715212
ISBN-13: 978-0061715211
Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 2.1 x 9.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds
Themost up-to-date edition of the worlds bestselling thesaurus, RogetsInternational Thesaurus,
7thEdition gives writers of all levelsan unparalleled aid in using language with precision, grace, and
power. Themost comprehensive, user-friendly thesaurus available, Rogets featuresmore than 325,000
words and phrases, including more than 2,000 all-new entriesthat reflect the very latest in culture and
technology, from alpha male tozero tolerance. The seventh edition has reduced archaic
terminology and added50 new word lists, providing greater ease-of-use and accessibility than
anyother writers reference book on the market. An indispensable asset forstudents, writers, reporters,
and editors, Rogets International Thesaurus, 7th Edition is your key to unlocking the power of
language.

Editorial Reviews
From the Back Cover

A classic reference book that has been used by millions all over the world, Rogets
International Thesaurus is the product of more than a century and a half of continual
expansion, reorganization, and improvement. Today this book is not only the most time-
tested and bestselling thesaurus ever, but, newly revised, it is also the most up-to-date and
comprehensive reflection of the English language as it is currently used.

The revolutionary achievement of Dr. Peter Mark Rogets first edition in 1852 was the
development of a brand-new principle: the arrangement of words and phrases according to
their meanings. Dr. Rogets system brings together in one place all the terms associated with
a single thought or concept; it allows a wide-ranging survey of language within a book of
relatively modest size, without the space-consuming repetitions that so severely limit the
scope of thesauruses arranged in a dictionary format with A-to-Z entries. This brilliant
organization makes Rogets International Thesaurus both the most efficient word finder and
a cutting-edge aid in stimulating thought, organizing ideas, and writing and speaking more
clearly and effectively.

This revised and updated seventh edition features thousands of new words and phrases,
including the newest slang words and expressions that color and inform everyday language.
At the same time, it retains all the hallmarks that have made Rogets International Thesaurus
the most popular word reference book next to the dictionary.
Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third
Edition (21st Century Reference) 3 Exp
Upd Edition
by Princeton Language Institute (Editor)

ISBN-13: 978-0440242697
ISBN-10: 044024269X

Price - $12.29 List Price: $16.00 Save: $3.71 (23%)

Combining scholarly authority with an awareness of todays communication demands, Rogets 21st
Century Thesaurus is the simple, reliable way to find the perfect word for your needs. It features an
easy-to-use dictionary format plus a revolutionary Concept Index that arranges words by idea, thus
enhancing the users process of association and leading to scores of additional selections. The
inclusion of a wide spectrum of words and phrases with each entry(from sophisticated choices to
completely new vocabulary in the language(brings users an exceptional number of alternatives to fit
any variation of style and tone.

Created by the highly respected Princeton Language Institute

More word choices than any other thesaurus (OVER 1 MILLION WORDS!)
Concise definitions for each main entry
A revolutionary Concept Index (arranged by idea, it mirrors the way we actually think!)
No obsolete terms (all synonyms and antonyms reflect modern usage)
Editorial Reviews
Review
EXCEPTIONAL...unique words and groupings...this source is a gem! Booklist

From the Trade Paperback edition.

From the Inside Flap

Combining scholarly authority with a new awareness of today's communication demands, Roget's
21st Century Thesaurus is the simple, reliable way to find the perfect word for your needs. It features
an easy-to-use dictionary format plus a revolutionary Concept Index that arranges words by idea, thus
enhancing the user's process of association and leading to scores of additional selections. The
inclusion of a wide spectrum of words and phrases with each entry-from sophisticated choices to
completely new vocabulary in the language-brings users an exceptional number of alternatives to fit
any variation of style and tone.
--Created by the highly respected Princeton Language Institute
--More word choices than any other thesaurus-OVER 1 MILLION WORDS!
--Concise definitions for each main entry
--A revolutionary Concept Index-arranged by idea, it mirrors the way we actually think!
--No obsolete terms-all synonyms and antonyms reflect modern usage

Product Details

Series: 21st Century Reference

Mass Market Paperback: 976 pages
Publisher: Dell; 3 Exp Upd edition (June 14, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 044024269X
ISBN-13: 978-0440242697
Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.6 x 6.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus 3rd
Edition
by David Auburn (Author), Rae Armantrout (Author), David Crystal (Author), Michael Dirda
(Author), Bryan A. Garner (Author), Joshua Ferris (Author), Alexandra Horowitz (Author),
David Lehman (Author), & 4 more

ISBN-13: 978-0199829927

ISBN-10: 0199829926

$31.73
List Price: $40.00 Save: $8.27 (21%)

Product Details

Hardcover: 1128 pages

Publisher: Oxford University Press; 3 edition (August 24, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0199829926
ISBN-13: 978-0199829927
Product Dimensions: 10 x 1.9 x 7.5 inches
 Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds

Much more than a word list, the Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus is a browsable source of
inspiration as well as an authoritative guide to selecting and using vocabulary. This essential guide for
writers provides real-life example sentences and a careful selection of the most relevant synonyms, as
well as new usage notes, hints for choosing between similar words, a Word Finder section organized
by subject, and a comprehensive language guide. The text is also peppered with thought-provoking
reflections on favorite (and not-so-favorite) words by noted contemporary writers, including Joshua
Ferris, Francine Prose, David Foster Wallace, Zadie Smith, and Simon Winchester, many newly
commissioned for this edition.
The third edition revises and updates this innovative reference, adding hundreds of new words, senses,
and phrases to its more than 300,000 synonyms and 10,000 antonyms. New features in this edition
include over 200 literary and humorous quotations highlighting notable usages of words, and a revised
graphical word toolkit feature showing common word combinations based on evidence in the Oxford
Corpus. There is also a new introduction by noted language commentator Ben Zimmer.

Tired of it all? Fed up with the daily nonsense? Feel like you can't take it anymore? Here's a
suggestion: Take a deeep breath, slowly count to ten, grab your favorite beverage and sitting down in
a comfortable chair randomly open your copy of the newly released Oxford American Writer's
Thesaurus. Pick a word, any word, and start to read randomly. ( A word of warning, you may want to
set an alarm if you have something like dinner to make that absolutely must be done ) Let your
eyes roam across the page and you will be reminded that, as a reader, you are holding in your hands
one of the most cleverly conceived escape mechanisms of the 21st century. And then, if you, like me,
find fascination in words as entities unto themselves with a family tree of cousins, weird uncles, dusty
smelling old aunts and/or grandparent's who annoy the hell out of you, you will be transported. This
word leads to that which leans on the other and by then, fuddled, you note that the road leads
inexorably to being absolutely discombobulated and who wouldn't want to go there? And as an added
bonus, I can all but guarantee you that you will finally put the book to rest with a smile in your brain.

This Is a BIG book, but essential for the serious writer. It has 300,000 synonyms, 10,000 antonyms,
notes on usage and correct choice of words, word toolkits,as well as delightful quotations and
reflections from notable writers. I can lie in bed and read it for hours. A beautiful book, should be in
everyone's bookcase and is an invaluable reference for authors.
Roget's Thesaurus of Words for Writers:
Over 2,300 Emotive, Evocative, Descriptive
Synonyms, Antonyms, and Related Terms
Every Writer Should Know Paperback
January 1, 2014
by David Olsen (Author), Michelle Bevilacqua (Author), Justin Cord Hayes (Author), Robert Bly
(Author)

Price - Paperback $14.90

The ultimate tool for writers!

Whether you're crafting the next great American novel or pounding away at a last-minute
blog entry, there will come a time in the process when you struggle to find just the perfect
word or phrase. Under the time-tested banner of Roget's Thesaurus, this collection will
quickly become the most essential tool on your desk when you're working on your next piece.
Far from an ordinary word list, each entry in this book is organized by meaning and offers a
list of compelling word choices that relate to the ideas you'd like to use. It also provides a
pronunciation guide, definition, antonyms, synonyms, and a sample sentence for each listing.
Filled with thousands of unique and compelling words, this book will help you find
inspiration, expand your vocabulary, and create one-of-a-kind sentences for any writing
assignment.

With Roget's Thesaurus of Words for Writers, you'll set your projects in the right direction
and engage your audience--one word at a time.

5.0 out of 5 starsIf you're not a writer, this ain't for you. If you are, this is a must have !!

By Empress on August 15, 2015

Format: Paperback

Yeah, so there's nothing wrong with this book. Take heed that this is a book for [writers] and is not
your regular "look up any random word" type of thesaurus. It's uniquely set up and
organized/categorized by emotions (happy, sad) and different types of things. There's no table of
context (as other reviewers have moaned about) because the paperback book has the sections listed on
top (for easy flipping). For that reason, I wouldn't dream of buying a digital version. This book is
perfect for writers trying to describe that sensation or feeling intangibly floating around in our
heads/hearts. It's for that moment when you ask "What would be the darn word for that ?!?" It's not a
traditional thesaurus nor a lookup-and-go type of book. As a writer, you can expect to be flipping
around to find just the right word for your feelings and ideas !

A perfect answer to what I have been looking for

By Ibrahim on March 14, 2015

Format: Paperback

Writing is a craft, and to perfect your craft you need the right tools, the right words and know how to
properly use them. It is not enough to just look up a word in a thesaurus and think it is exactly what
you need; you still need to see it being used in an example and try to get a feel for it and feel the
different nuances, shades of meaning. This book does an excellent job at that and it has come just as
an answer to my prayers as I really love books which give me examples and meet me where I am at.

Product Details

Paperback: 448 pages

Publisher: Adams Media (January 1, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1440573115
ISBN-13: 978-1440573118
Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.1 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide
To Character Expression Paperback May
6, 2012

Price $13.49

One of the biggest problem areas for writers is conveying a character's emotions to the reader in a
unique, compelling way. This book comes to the rescue by highlighting 75 emotions and listing the
possible body language cues, thoughts, and visceral responses for each. Using its easy-to-navigate list
format, readers can draw inspiration from character cues that range in intensity to match any
emotional moment. The Emotion Thesaurus also tackles common emotion-related writing problems
and provides methods to overcome them. This writing tool encourages writers to show, not tell
emotion and is a creative brainstorming resource for any fiction project.

Editorial Reviews
Review
One of the challenges a fiction writer faces, especially when prolific, is coming up with fresh ways to
describe emotions. This handy compendium fills that need. It is both a reference and a brainstorming
tool, and one of the resources I'll be turning to most often as I write my own books. - James Scott
Bell, bestselling author of Deceived and Plot & Structure

About the Author

Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi are the creators of the award winning online resource for writers,
The Bookshelf Muse. Members of SCBWI, both authors write in the Middle Grade and Young Adult
genres.

5.0 out of 5 stars"Show, Don't Tell", but how to show ?

By Sanjay Deshmukh on May 13, 2012

Format: Paperback

We know by now the "Show, Don't Tell" idiom professed by almost every how-to book on writing
fiction. Where we stumble is in the `showing' of emotions, especially showing the same emotion in
varying degrees of intensity, and often end-up writing clichs. The Emotion Thesaurus breaks new
ground by providing alternatives to body language cues, thoughts and visceral reactions. Unlike a
word thesaurus that we open at a specific page to find alternatives for a word, this book can be read in
its entirety not just to derive inspiration, but also to improve your storehouse of `emotion
descriptions'. But if all this information is available free on the web, why buy the book? I bought it
because I prefer to shut down my internet connection while I write and edit, to prevent distractions
and the book comes in handy. Also for those times late in the night when I'd rather reach for this book
than boot up the laptop and fire up the modem.

Time-saving Tool for the New or Experienced, 4.5 Stars

By Brian Kittrell, author on June 8, 2012

Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase

*Note (7/13/12): I located the linked navigation a while back, and it's actually very well done.
Excellent. Forgot to update the review.

I'm rounding up because my only complaint is that I couldn't find a linked list/index to go from one
entry to the next, back, or otherwise. I am going to search around the book to see if it does indeed
exist and to see if it merely escaped me on my first pass. I'll knock off half a star for that, but I'm
going to round up because this truly is a wonderful writing aid. (I'll amend my review if I locate it or
if someone points it out.)

A wide variety of emotions are given in this book, each of the entries supplying information on the
overall effects each emotional state has on people, from what others might notice or see to what a
person might feel inside. Thus, it's a wonderful tool for examples in any point of view and
wonderfully supports the modern, accepted style: third person limited. However, this tool could just as
easily be used for any style or point of view.

In my opinion, this guide could be useful to both new and experienced writers of fiction. For the
former, this is an amazing resource for learning how to write convincing characters and see how
emotions translate into writing (then, hopefully, provoking sympathy, empathy, or whatever feeling
you wish to evoke in the reader). For the latter, I would say that this can easily be a go-to reference for
experienced writers to shake things up a bit and to avoid the long hours of research it would require to
do the legwork already done in this guide. I've loaded this book onto my Kindle, and it's ready to go,
along with my thesaurus, dictionary, and other reference material. This is one book that will be
permanently loaded onto my device.

3.0 out of 5 starsEmphasis on "Thesaurus"

By Junmo K. on December 15, 2012

Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

I originally purchased this book for an 300-level Advanced Composition course as part of a review
assignment on writing guides and manuals. Initially, since Amazon listed the book among the Top
Ten New and Popular under Writing, Research, and Publishing guides, I assumed it might be helpful.

This book is almost exactly as should be expected of a thesaurus. There are 75 emotions that the book
focuses on with each being separated into five distinct categories.

-Physical Signals
-Internal Sensations
-Mental Responses
-Cues of Acute or Long-term [Emotion]
-Cues of Suppressed [Emotion]

At the bottom of each entry, the authors have also included a "Writer's Tip" section which briefly
suggests some useful tips regarding how to convey the emotion.

Each of the categories list possible alternatives to the basic emotion. But, you should note that some
entries lack alternative emotions in comparison to those more extensively covered. For example,
DOUBT has an entire page dedicated to the PHYSICAL SIGNALS while only providing one
expression for INTERNAL SENSATIONS. This is compared to the eleven that can be found for
FEAR. I also wonder why some combinations were left out such as the combination of FEAR AND
DOUBT.

In contrast to the glowing reviews by others, the helpfulness of this books should be taken with
caution. It may be useful to those who are new to writing or are in the beginning stages of their novel
writing careers. However, if you are slightly more experienced and have taken a introductory
composition course, the value of this book quickly diminishes. Those of you looking for a more in-
depth analysis and explanation into how to use various emotions, this book may come up a little
sparse. Thus, this book should be used as a supplement but definitively should not be used to supplant
manuals or writing guidebooks.

Product Details

Paperback: 172 pages

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; unknown edition (May 6, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1475004958
ISBN-13: 978-1475004953
Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.4 x 10 inches
Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
The Elements of Expression: Putting
Thoughts into Words, Revised and
Expanded 2nd Revised & enlarged Edition
by Arthur Plotnik (Author), Jessica Morell (Foreword)

ISBN-13: 978-1936740147
ISBN-10: 1936740141

Price $13.97
List Price: $16.95 Save: $2.98 (18%)

More than ever in this completely updated edition, The Elements of Expression helps word users
"light up the cosmos or the written page or the face across the table" as they seek the radiance of
expressivenessthe vivid expression of thoughts, feelings, and observations.

Nothing kills radiance like the murky, generic language dominating today's talk, airwaves, and posts.
It tugs at our every sentence, but using it to express anything beyond the ordinary is like flapping the
tongue to escape gravity. The Elements of Expression offers an adventurous and inspiring flight into
words that truly share what's percolating in our minds. Here writers, presenters, students, bloggers
even well intentioned "Mad Men"will discover language to convey precise feelings, move
audiences, delight and persuade.

No snob or scold, the acclaimed word-maven Arthur Plotnik explores the full range of expressiveness,
from playful "tough talk" to finely wrought literature, with hundreds of rousing examples. Confessing
that we are all "like a squid in its ink" when first groping for luminous expression, he shines his
amiable wit on the elements leading, ultimately, to language of "fissionable intensity."

Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
The second edition of Plotniks neat little guide to writing comes at a good time in historywith
more people communicating electronically than ever before, it often seems that grammar, spelling,
and the sheer ability to express ones thoughts clearly are all under assault. This book offers tips on
how to write and speak in an engaging and effective manner. More than a grammar guide, this should
find a place in most libraries and will be appreciated by both the casual blogger and professional
writer. --Rebecca Vnuk

Review
"In the blues anthem from 1970, Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band, sang "Express
yourself, express yourself..." and the whole world listened. I hope they're listening now because
Arthur Plotnik's The Elements of Expression will make you want to sing out as well. It is chock full of
clear and concise advice about how to provide a blood infusion for our tired vocabularies so we can
be as bold and funky as possible whenever we express ourselves."
Phil Cousineau, author of Wordcatcher and The Painted Word

"Arthur Plotnik's Elements of Expression first makes the case for better expression more varied,
lively, forceful, and interesting both verbal and written. Then he shows us how to achieve that.
Loaded with examples from Plato to rap, this book sparkles with wit, insight, and a love of words
evident on every page. A gem."
Nancy Kress, author of Beginnings, Middles, and Ends

"This is a perfect book for lovers of language or for anyone who has ever struggled to find the right
word to express the nuances of human experience. Plotniks The Elements of Expression is smart and
funny and rich with the history of language. This book will help any reader freshen their speech and
purge it of the well-worn clichd patterns of our time and stale mainstays such as awesome and
amazing.
Kate Hopper, author of Use Your Words: A Writing Guide for Mothers

"I just love this book. Arthur Plotnik is great fun to read, and in The Elements of Expression, hes
given me hope that the horrible, fruitless fumbling for the right words that torments so many writers
neednt be the death knell of nimble, beautiful expression."
June Casagrande, author of It Was the Best of Sentences, It Was the Worst of Sentences

"Plotnik succeeds where many writers fail. He not only enlightens, he entertains. To be guided by
such a sure and steady hand is a delight. The Elements of Expression is more than a guidebook. Its a
romp through the ever-changing trends of taste and style that shape our use of English, that great
drifting sponge of a language. Its a linguistic expedition from choice written English to ear
acceptable idiom, from antiquity to the present, from the figures of speech and the classic advice of
Longinus to the comic rhythms of Saturday Night Live, along with warnings along the way against
becoming benumbed by daily overdoses of media and message and insights into how good writers
mix high and low for the most original effects and observations about how simple conviction isnt
enough: It takes a certain controlled elevation of ones natural voice, language that stands on its toes
but doesnt leave the ground. If you think this book is a stodgy treatise on elocution and elegance, Id
like to disabuse you of that notion. The scope of Plotniks frame of reference is breath-taking."
Stephen Wilbers, author of Keys to Great Writing

"With sincerity, humor, and the occasional precision-lobbed grenade, Arthur Plotnik teaches by
example in The Elements of Expression In urging us to shun generic writing and optimize value in our
word choices, Plotnik joyfully demonstrates dozens of ways we can abuse English to add interest
and tension to dozy proseall without forsaking authenticity and restraint."
Carol Fisher Saller, The Subversive Copy Editor and Eddies War

"In Elements of Expression, Arthur Plotnik covers it all: word choice, style, usage, syntax, and the
difference between them. Whats more, he does it in a way that is funny and fundamentally helpful.
To plunge into the pages of this book is to cast away doubt. Trade your hemming and hawing for a
surefooted sense of how to write with power and authenticity. If you, too, suffer from language
anxiety, help is on the way. Arthur Plotnik delivers a dose of easy-to-digest information that will
help you put your thoughts into shimmering words.In Elements of Expression, Arthur Plotnik takes
opaque ideas about writing and rhetoric and puts them into plain English you can understandand
use. Id love this book even if I didnt love this stuff. Let Elements of Expression turn you into a more
confident writer, and turn you on to the joy (and relief) of getting whats inside outside."
Constance Hale, author of Sin and Syntax and Vex, Hex, Smash, Smooch

"Its impossible to summarize all the ground this volume covers; however, its just what a reference
book should be: meaty, thoughtful, layered, and inspiring. As you read along, expect hidden cogs in
your brain to lurch into motion and your fingers to twitch, eager to jot down fresh phrases. This urge
is helped by the author constantly goading readers to go forth and raid the countryside for language
like modern-day cattle rustlers."
Jessica Morell, author of Between the Lines

As always, Plotnik is a joy to read. He shares his secrets generously, and he empathizes with the
yearning for effective expression that all writers, however casual, feel. Eva van Emden,
vancouvereditor.com, Dec. 29,2013
Author Biography

Arthur Plotnik, in spite of his funny name, is a versatile author with a distinguished background in
editing and publishing. Two of his works have been featured as Book-of-the-Month Club selections:
"The Elements of Editing," a standard reference through some 20 printings, and "The Elements of
Expression: Putting Thoughts into Words." Reviewers have consistently praised Plotnik's writing for
its accuracy, style, and wit, often ranking it with "The Elements of Style" (Strunk & White)in
practicality. However, his popular "Spunk & Bite: A Writer's Guide to Bold, Contemporary Style"
(Random House)challenges some of Strunk & White's inhibiting dictates as it guides the writer to
more risk-taking, more adventurous, more publishable prose.

His latest book, published in June 2012 by Viva Editions (Berkeley, CA)completely updates "The
Elements of Expression" in a revised and expanded edition. The previous year Viva published his
"Better than Great: A Plenitudinous Compendium of Wallopingly Fresh Superlatives," offering 6,000
alternatives to "great," "awesome," "amazing" and other shopworn terms of praise and acclamation.
(www.freshsuperlatives.com) Former Poet Leaureate Billy Collins calls it "AMEN-ASTONISHING!"

Another Plotnik Blockbuster of Delight

By Annie on July 31, 2014

Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

Any book by Plotnik belongs on a writer's shelf. He's my number one go-to for a basketful of writing
goodies and tools. This, as all his books, is powerfully helpful and delightfully delightful. You will
high-five yourself in the mirror if you get this book. Get all his books and revel in them. Under no
circumstance do you want to miss Spunk & Bite -- a book with a magnet on the last page that draws
your nose through Plotnik's words. I felt my brain/mind growing smarter and bigger with each page.
Plotnik's work is like your own personal spice cabinet. Oh what it can do for the written word. He
makes it all great fun and exciting

Product Details

Paperback: 347 pages

Publisher: Viva Editions; 2nd Revised & enlarged edition (June 12, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1936740141
ISBN-13: 978-1936740147
Product Dimensions: 1 x 5.8 x 4.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 8 ounces