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Summary: The definite dictionary for everyone's library
Review: I bought this dictionary while I was taking a vocabulary building course, following the suggestions of my teacher, the acclaimed linguist Charles Herrington Elster. Besides thoroughness, he insisted in the importance of etymology as inclusive of a good dictionary, a feature that is here detailed with precision, and something that is often left out of impressive volumes like the "Oxford Illustrated", published by DK Publishing. This is a huge volume (about 3" thick), beautifully presented in library style binding and wafer thin, high quality paper. It includes illustrations, anecdotes, stories on word origins and usage; and even synonyms of particularly interesting words. These references are spread throughout the pages in different blocks of color for easy recognition. The illustrations are very realistic, using colors that approach the ones given by Mother Nature. Before starting to use it, I reccommend paying close attention to the "Explanatory Notes". Here is everything needed to know in order to milk this dictionary to its fullest. Every reason is given as to why items appear listed in the way they do, what were the basis used for etymology of the words, etc. The "Guide to Pronounciation" is both interesting and exciting, enabling us to produce a myriad of sounds we probably never knew existed. I am the kind of reader who looks up every unknown word in her dictionary and, so far, there is not a single one I haven't found; not even if belonging to a dialect or if it is a word with foreign roots. Two appendixes complete this magnanimous volume: a biographical one and a geographical guide. Although brief, these two listings will quickly clear up any doubts on identity or place. There are also listings for symbols, such as weather, chemistry, mathematics, even stamp collecting. A supplementary "Handbook of Style" to refer to when writing a paper or in need of punctuation advise completes the dictionary and makes also an invaluable tool for writers of any kind. This is THE dictionary that should be in every household as a more general, complete reference. Even if there are other, smaller or more specific references around; you would want this volume as your backbone.
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Summary: Spelling Bee Prep
Review: Hi. I have used this dictionary at school and to study for my state spelling bee. I placed 6th. Overall I think I did okay. For summer I have been studying this fine dictionary to compete next school year.
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Summary: I Finally Found It!
Review: After two years in college and three dictionaries, I have finally found the dictionary that was made for my needs. Like most people, I thought that any college "Webster" dictionary would suffice until I had to research my first term paper on marriage customs in the middle ages. Every word that arose in my readings that I needed to look up was hardly ever found in my other "Webster" dictionaries or their explaination was inconclusive and the form was incondite. I am so happy to finally have a dictionary that works! Thanks so much!
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Summary: Incredible resource
Review: If our conservative friend ("permissive", Jan. 11, 1997) had bothered to read the entire citation, he or she would have found a thorough discussion on the controversy of "forte" and its pronunciation. It even refutes the assertion by some "haughty idiots" that it should be pronounced as "fort", citing that the French pronunciation would be "for". It is this sort of timely, exhaustive coverage that makes this dictionary so valuable. Merriam Webster's is an incredible resource, but only to those "dolts" who know how to use a dictionary.
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Summary: An exemplary lexical reference -- for the most part.
Review: In it's promotional materials, Merriam-Webster takes pride in its large scholarly editorial staff, and huge citation files. In fact, it is a company devoted to producing high quality scholarly references, and its pride is justified. Because no dictionary can include everything, the art of producing a fine dictionary is the art of choosing wisely, what to include and what not to incorporate. Some desk dictionaries are too concerned with inflating their word stock with esoteric chemical names and proper nouns, leaving little room for the true lexical entries you are more likely to investigate. Some of these books only give a few near-synonyms to define a word. Others fill valuable space with thumb nail photos, which are fine if you want a picture book. Merriam-Webster's 10th Collegiate chooses its word stock with care. It uses font sizes and page space judiciously and therefore offers more of the information one is likely to want. It provides carefully crafted definitions, based on citational research that reveals the subtlety of connotation as well as the more obvious denoted sense. M-W's illustrative phrases are excellent, with many cited from literature. The word stock is extensive as well as current. The synonym studies are truly useful, revealing the fine shades of difference between the synonyms listed. The usage notes are based on citational evidence, not on the opinion of elitist "usage panels". When a word's usage is at issue, this dictionary gives you the facts, not opinion. It's dating of the first known appearance of words is perhaps not essential, but it is a welcome feature lending historical interest to the entries. I have only one complaint about this otherwise exemplary dictionary. It's treatment of trademark entries reveals a reluctance to report the actual usage of such terms. Taking the safe approach, it reports for example that 'band-aid' is always to be capitalized, thus: 'Band-Aid', and it defines it only in its most limited sense: "Band-Aid: trademark--used for a small adhesive strip with a gauze pad for covering minor wounds"...Trademark issues aside, this is the desk dictionary of choice. If you have never owned a Merriam-Webster Collegiate, you will be pleasantly surprised to learn how much better a desk dictionary can be. Use this reference for a year or so, and you will seldom bother with other dictionaries. If you care about the English language and value its mastery, this dictionary will inspire a passion for it. The standard edition with its bright red dust jacket, is a handsome and rugged volume. This invaluable reference is bound in sturdy boards with a durable linen covering. The thin paper stock results in a thinner volume, yet it contains more substance than the bulky thick competing books.
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Summary: A thorough guide for almost all dictionary users
Review: The MW Tenth is the latest in my nearly complete collection of this company's series of dictionaries. I began with the Fifth and bought each as they were published This current edition (Tenth) has increased the size and scope of desk dictionaries -- it is much larger than many previous editions (the Eighth and Ninth are of similar size) and contains such a wealth of information that almost no one would outgrow it. I find the Tenth useful not only in itself, but in the context of its predecessors. Words change their meaning over time and a new dictionary is essential to knowing exactly where a word is at this time -- as well as using previous editions to see where it came from. I am proud to have contributed a word to the Ninth edition, still listed in the Tenth: "hizzoner." It took years of research, but how many people get their own entry in a major dictionary? The MW Tenth is a great book for just browsing and (not incidentally)learning just when a word entered the language. More "family reading" of dictionaries such as this might help young children enjoy their language.
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Summary: Wordy, but Wonderful!
Review: How's this for a clever idea: Take 160,000 or so of the most commonly used words in the English language, put them in alphabetical order, tell how they're pronounced, define them, explain where they came from, throw in more than 700 illustrations to make their meanings even clearer, and then publish the whole conglomeration (n., a mixed coherent mass) in a single volume for under $25. Sounds impossible, but it's been done and done well by the same amazing folks who gave us Webster's Third New International Dictionary. Granted, this masterful work of reference lacks the intricate plotting and elaborate character development found in, say, Moby Dick or War and Peace, but the vocabulary is more varied, the words are arranged in alphabetical order for your reading convenience, and you can open up to any page at random and know that you'll learn something new and exciting about our native tongue. Why, with sufficient motivation, you could even take a few thousand of these words and write a great novel of your own! And don't tell me you already have a dictionary that's proved perfectly serviceable since the Nixon administration: There are thousands of words here that didn't even exist back when my worn-out copy of Webster's Seventh Collegiate first came out. Unlike old friends, old dictionaries have no way of keeping pace with the changing times. The English language keeps on evolving, and you just have to spring for a new dictionary once every decade or so if you want to keep up. And so it is that I bid adios and a fond farewell to my faithful old Seventh Edition and extend a heartfelt welcome to my beautiful new and enthusiastically recommended friend, Merriam-Webster's Tenth.
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Summary: The Word Lover's Dictionary
Review: I come from a family where dictionaries are used daily, whether solving crosswords,
finding definitions, or settling debates. Of
the several we own, the dictionary we all
reach for first is Merriam-Webster's Collegiate.
The definitions are concise yet thorough and clear. I always feel enlightened rather than informed. Also, the coverage is surprisingly broad. I've often found words in the Merriam-Webster's that are missing in other dictionaries.
Beyond that, Merriam-Webster's breathes life into those words with an engaging history of the English language and a date each word is first noted in print. The dates give you a real feel for the history and currency of a word.
If you don't have the bank account or shelf space for the OED, Merriam-Webster's is the best dictionary you can own.
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Summary: permissive
Review: Perhaps I am a bit old-fashioned in my lingual tastes, but I find this new edition way too permissive. As as example of this permissiveness, I cite its pronunciation of the word forte, a person strong point. Traditionally, the word is pronounced as the word meaning a military stronghold, fort, would be. But, for some reason, some haughty idiots pronounce the word as fort-AY. This pronunciation applies to an entirely different word meaning a musical direction. To confirm the fallacy of these dolts, I consulted with this dictionary, only to find that you could pronounce it EITHER way. Oh, how William Strunk and Noah Webster must be rolling in their graves
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Summary: The best general purpose dictionary on the market
Review: When I recently discovered that the dictionary I owned was out of date (it didn't even have the word "internet" in it!), I set out to find a new one. Because I'm a professional writer, I can't afford to have a substandard or incomplete volume; yet, I didn't want one that was so bulky that I couldn't easily slip it from the bookcase and balance it on my lap. After going to bookstores and browsing through those in stock, I finally settled on the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate. The text is printed on paper thick enough to block out the print on the reverse side, but thin enough to take up minimal room on the shelf. When opened, the pages lie flat without assistance. The comprehensive listings are easy to read and understand for most people over the age of 14. In addition to the usual guide to pronunciation, you'll find sections in the back on biographical and geographical names, abbreviations, foreign words and phrases, signs and symbols, and a "handbook of style." Although much has been made about the added line drawings to supplement the definitions, I find them sparse and only mildly interesting. I recommend this for high school and college students as well as anyone who owns an older, pre-high tech version. If you are searching for a mid-size, comprehensive dictionary, you've found your book.
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