Oxford Paperback Dictionary and Thesaurus

Synopsis

The Oxford Paperback Dictionary & Thesaurus is a great value-for-money product. It is the ultimate one-stop reference, containing both a dictionary and a thesaurus in one handy reference volume. The dictionary and thesaurus texts have an integrated design which has been tried and tested with users to speed up browsing and look-up. The dictionary has excellent coverage of everyday English, containing over 90,000 words, phrases and definitions and incorporating the newest words and phrases from Oxford's language research programmes. The thesaurus provides over 100,000 synonyms and antonyms. This handy dictionary and thesaurus is ideal for anyone who needs an affordable and portable, all-in-one reference work.

Summary

Chapter 1: Getting Started

* Word List: An alphabetical list of words, including common nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
* Example: Looking up the word "cat" reveals its definition as "a small domesticated carnivorous mammal with a soft coat and sharp claws."

Chapter 2: Using the Dictionary

* Guide to Pronunciation: Symbols and explanations to help readers pronounce words correctly.
* Parts of Speech: Identifies the function of a word within a sentence (e.g., noun, verb, adjective).
* Grammatical Information: Provides details on word usage, such as tense, number, and plural forms.
* Example: The entry for "cat" includes the pronunciation "/kæt/" and notes that it is a singular noun (plural: "cats").

Chapter 3: Synonyms and Antonyms

* Synonyms: Words with similar meanings.
* Antonyms: Words with opposite meanings.
* Example: The entry for "happy" lists synonyms such as "cheerful," "joyful," and "glad," and antonyms such as "sad," "unhappy," and "miserable."

Chapter 4: The Thesaurus

* Related Words: Groups words according to their relationship, such as family members, emotions, and tools.
* Concept Maps: Visual diagrams that show how words are connected to each other.
* Example: The thesaurus section on "emotions" includes a concept map that lists emotions like "love," "anger," "fear," and their related terms.

Chapter 5: Advanced Features

* Etymology: Provides the history and origin of words.
* Usage Notes: Offers guidance on proper word usage and style.
* Idioms and Phrases: Includes common phrases and idioms, with their meanings and examples.
* Example: The entry for "cat" includes an etymology stating that it derives from the Late Latin "cattus," and a usage note advising against the phrase "raining cats and dogs."

Chapter 6: Appendices

* Geographical Names: A list of major cities, countries, and geographical features.
* Personal Names: A collection of common first names and their meanings.
* Abbreviations and Acronyms: An alphabetical list of commonly used abbreviations and acronyms.
* Example: The personal names appendix lists the meaning of the name "William" as "protector of resolute purpose."