The American Heritage High School Dictionary, Fourth Edition [Hardcover]

Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 7, 2007

The newly updated American Heritage® High School Dictionary, Fourth Edition, offers the distinctive qualities that characterize the American Heritage® line without including obscene words or offensive slurs. The dictionary features a modern, readable defining style, helpful guidance on English usage, and more than 2,500 photographs and drawings that enhance definitions and invite browsing.
New to this updated release are recently prominent terms such as edamame, ringtone, sandboard, spyware, and Texas hold’em, and biographical entries for figures such as newly appointed Supreme Court justices John Roberts and Samuel Alito, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Additionally, the Periodic Table of the Elements now includes the newest element, roentgenium, and the geographical entries reflect up-to-date geopolitical changes, such as the recent dissolution of Serbia and Montenegro.
Usage notes based on the opinions of the renowned American Heritage® Usage Panel help the reader discern the difference between the conventional and the quirky in language use. Special features on synonyms, regionalisms, and word histories enrich vocabulary and show how language changes over time. The American Heritage® High School Dictionary, Fourth Edition, is the most comprehensive high school dictionary available today.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Approximately 200,000 entries and 2,500 illustrations. A carbon copy of The American Heritage College Dictionary except that it contains no vulgarisms or offensive terms. The introduction has been written specifically for the high-school audience. Grades 9-12. --Mary Ellen Quinn

About the Author

The Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries and of other reference titles published by Houghton Mifflin Company are trained lexicographers with a varied array of interests and expertise. Most of the editors hold graduate degrees and have studied at least one foreign language. Several have degrees in linguistics or in the history of the English language. Others have degrees in science or sometimes other disciplines. All the editors familiarize themselves with the vocabulary in specific subject areas, collect materials on new developments and usage, and work in association with consultants to ensure that the content of our publications is as accurate and as up-to-date as possible.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1664 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 4 edition (February 7, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618714871
• ISBN-13: 978-0618714872
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.2 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #653,299 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dictionary to see my son through college, April 11, 2000

By 

A. REHMAN (Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The American Heritage High School Dictionary (Hardcover)

I was looking for an Amarican dictionary that could see my 7 year old son through college. I scanned the Amazon and read in detail about all available dictionaries and made this choice. Now I am using it myself also.

It presents works broken into syllables and the pronunciation key is provided on every page. This makes correcting pronunciation easy.

It is partially illustrated. This makes it pleasant to read.

Although it is thick, it is light. This is an important consideration for students.

The binding is strong, so is the paper. I am sure it will see my son through college.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Never lost!, June 1, 2001

By 

J. Stinson "[e-mail]" (Bucks Co., Pa United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The American Heritage High School Dictionary (Hardcover)

My young daughter was forever losing the paperback dictionary in our home. I purchased this book for her birthday. She nows enjoys looking up words and this book can take her through middle school, high school and into her college years. Plus, it is difficult to misplace such a substanial book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just right!, March 9, 2010

By 

Shannon Davis (Los Alamitos, CA - USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The American Heritage High School Dictionary, Fourth Edition (Hardcover)

Since I had to find dictionaries for all grade levels (1st, 4th, 6th, 9th, and college) in my house, I ended up purchasing three and this one though it is labeled as "high school" was purchased for a bit of a layer of grades. If the middle schooler needs a more indepth definition or something the other dictionary simply doesn't have then this one works well. It's of course perfect for the high schooler and it even works well for most college work. This is a nice durable dictionary when it comes to a wide range of grades that it can be used for. I would shy against using this for a middle schooler as their main dictionary resource only because it's a bit daunting compared to the Merriam-Webster's Intermediate Dictionary that we purchased to be used by the 4th and 6th graders.

This dictionary comes in a durable hard cover and is really a well done and informative resource. I think that it's one of those dictionaries where it's not too confusing and it gives you just the information you need (and sometimes a bit that you may not realize you need until you get an assignment for it!).

Definitely a great buy for high school or college (if you're not an English Major!)