Most comprehensive dictionary?

itnAklipse · 03 Oct 2007, 08:32

For the english language. i'm looking for something with the final definitive definitions and a good amount of info on etymology of the words wouldn't hurt.

For years i've had the lousy Random House's Webster's College Dictionary but it really won't do. In vain do i try to peruse it to find out the subtle difference between words like 'declare' and 'proclaim'. So a better one is in order!

And a book it should be, the thicker the better, not some online service.

Help, anyone?

czuczu · 03 Oct 2007, 08:41

I've always had a soft spot for the Shorter Oxford English but to be honest the Concise is pretty good for what it is

Badlander · 03 Oct 2007, 08:42

Why bother ?

itnAklipse · 03 Oct 2007, 08:46

Thanks! The Shorter one looks almost intimidating, and somewhat expensive, so looks like Concise it will be for the moment, though as a purist i'll be unhappy until i get the Shorter one

And thanks to Badlander for the tip, but i'm more of a classicist myself than a fan of verse libre...

Badlander · 03 Oct 2007, 08:57

czuczu wrote:I've always had a soft spot for the Shorter Oxford English but to be honest the Concise is pretty good for what it is

Always found it funny they call it "shorter".

paint it black · 03 Oct 2007, 09:03

this is essential - vols I and II

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Big-Book-Filth- ... 0304363871

failing that, this is good

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Oxford-Dictiona ... 0198603738

czuczu · 03 Oct 2007, 09:12

^ thats on the junior school syllabus isn't it?

03 Oct 2007, 10:03

I'd definitely go for one of the Oxford dictionaries. (As an aside fact fans, JRR Tolkien worked on the OED.)

The full set might be a bit pricey though at Â£850

Badlander · 03 Oct 2007, 10:36

RRP: Â£850.00
Price: Â£849.99
You Save: Â£0.01

Watta bargain !

itnAklipse · 03 Oct 2007, 11:17

markfiend: Lovely, maybe when i have a real job

Certainly one would get his money's worth.

PIB: The Thesaurus looks handy, and i've never actually had one.

So, thanks to all participants. i decided after all to ask for Christmas the Shorter version, forget about the Concise one, and until then get by with the help of the Dictionary/Thesaurus/Wordpower guide in a few days' time.

And finally throw out Webster.

03 Oct 2007, 11:23

When I was at school they had the full 20 volume version. As I recall, the definitions for the word "set" took up about 15 pages...

smiscandlon · 03 Oct 2007, 11:42

markfiend wrote:When I was at school they had the full 20 volume version. As I recall, the definitions for the word "set" took up about 15 pages...

Ah, the "set" test is a common measure of a good dictionary isn't it?

03 Oct 2007, 12:06

Doesn't contain this though

James Blast · 03 Oct 2007, 12:46

Pista wrote:Doesn't contain this though

one of my faves Steve

03 Oct 2007, 12:56

James Blast wrote:
Pista wrote:Doesn't contain this though
one of my faves Steve

And mine.

03 Oct 2007, 13:21

GLASGOW (n.)
The feeling of infinite sadness engendered when walking through a place filled with happy people fifteen years younger than yourself.

Maybe I should try to compile a Magyar edition.

@Dei

aplogies for dragging what was a fairly serious thread into the mud

itnAklipse · 03 Oct 2007, 13:29

Pista wrote:aplogies for dragging what was a fairly serious thread into the mud

No worries, i just noted you're a futurist and moved on

03 Oct 2007, 13:40

itnAklipse wrote:
Pista wrote:aplogies for dragging what was a fairly serious thread into the mud
No worries, i just noted you're a futurist and moved on

Okay, I'll take it all back then

cheers
s

Obviousman · 03 Oct 2007, 17:38

I have a Longman dictionary of contemporary English and pretty happy with it too. Not overly big but has all the words you need really!

smiscandlon · 03 Oct 2007, 17:56

Growing up, I had a big old leather-bound English dictionary of the sort I don't know if they make any more. Great definitions and etymology. At the back it had maps of the world (including things like the boundaries at the height of the Roman Empire), weights and measures, a big list of Christian names and their meanings, "common foreign words and phrases", and a summary of the correct forms of address for important people (Barons, Viscounts, Archbishops etc.). There was something very "British Empire" about it.

Obviousman · 03 Oct 2007, 19:09

smiscandlon wrote:Growing up, I had a big old leather-bound English dictionary of the sort I don't know if they make any more. Great definitions and etymology. At the back it had maps of the world (including things like the boundaries at the height of the Roman Empire), weights and measures, a big list of Christian names and their meanings, "common foreign words and phrases", and a summary of the correct forms of address for important people (Barons, Viscounts, Archbishops etc.). There was something very "British Empire" about it.

Oh I have of the same style in Dutch. Fantastic for when you want to write silly letters those things

paint it black · 03 Oct 2007, 21:19

Mrs PIB has a 'blockbusters' dictionary signed by 'i'll have a p please bob', still got the rather natty sweatshirt too

http://www.ukgameshows.com/page/index.php/Blockbusters

04 Oct 2007, 09:32

smiscandlon wrote:Growing up, I had a big old leather-bound English dictionary of the sort I don't know if they make any more. Great definitions and etymology. At the back it had maps of the world (including things like the boundaries at the height of the Roman Empire), weights and measures, a big list of Christian names and their meanings, "common foreign words and phrases", and a summary of the correct forms of address for important people (Barons, Viscounts, Archbishops etc.). There was something very "British Empire" about it.

That sounds very much like the Chambers Twentieth Century Dictionary...

04 Oct 2007, 10:10

Another addition

04 Oct 2007, 10:17