The Chambers Dictionary [Hardcover]

C. M. Schwarz (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0550102558 | ISBN-13: 978-0550102553 | Publication Date: May 1994

Containing 300,000 definitions, 215,000 references and 25,000 new entries, this revised edition incorporates extensive coverage of new words and contemporary meanings, specialist scientific and technical vocabulary, legal and financial terminology, and the language of business.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Completely revised and updated, and designed to be used more for finding the meaning, rather than the spelling, of a word, The Chambers Dictionary is the official dictionary for U.K. Scrabble tournaments and succeeds The Chambers Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English language (1952) and The Chambers English Dictionary (1988). It was published in the U.K. in 1993.

Changes from the 1988 edition include the front matter, which no longer provides a justification for Americans using a British dictionary, but rather a commentary on the importance of grammar and standard English. Other changes include a revised list of abbreviations, which reflects modern usage (e.g., labels for American Indian and West African have been added, the label for ablative has been deleted), and addition of a list of rules for English spelling. Main entries include derivatives, compounds, and phrases within a headword's etymological family (a signature characteristic of the Chambers dictionaries), cross-references (215,000), pronunciation keys, alternative forms of headwords, inflections, and part-of-speech and classification labels. Definitions (300,000) are generally ordered from the most common to least common, and abbreviations are alphabetized within the main A-Z text; there are no biographical entries. Appendixes include a list (with meanings) of first names; five pages of phrases and quotations from Latin, Greek, and modern foreign languages; the Greek and Russian alphabet; Roman numerals; books of the Bible; plays of Shakespeare; the chemical elements; temperature and measurement conversions; and international paper sizes.

The 25,000 new entries reflect modern usage (AIDS is now defined under its acronym rather than within the definitions for acquire), science and technology (added words include virtual reality, CD-ROM), current societal concerns (ecotourism, sexual harassment), and even American slang (rad, yo). In the Chambers tradition, definitions are clear, print is small but readable, boldface is effectively used to help find words, and an international focus is evident.

This is a superior dictionary that belongs on the shelves of academic and public libraries, alongside the various American Webster's

Review

Clear, accurate and occasionally witty definitions

The latest new words from science, technology and contemporary culture.

The Chambers Dictionary is treasured by word lovers and crossword enthusiasts for its majestic coverage of English and its tradition of sneaking in a sprinkling of light-hearted definitions. Alone among the single-volume dictionaries, it preserves a rich stock of words from our literary heritage as well as covering all the latest developments in contemporary English.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 2080 pages
• Publisher: W & R Chambers Ltd (May 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0550102558
• ISBN-13: 978-0550102553
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.5 x 2.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,823,751 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quirky, but still best in price range - beats Oxford Concise, April 14, 2004

By 

Traveler (New England) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Chambers Dictionary (Hardcover)

Chambers markets itself as the best single volume dictionary. They're not lying.

With more than 1800 pages, 300,000+ definitions, and a high quality construction, this is the dictionary to buy in the $25 to $40 price range. Its nearest competitor (that I'm aware of) is the Concise Oxford Dictionary which is smaller and not nearly as well made with pages that feel as if they'll easily tear.

The Chambers dictionary, while useful to anyone wanting a large single volume with as many definitions as possible, is also perfect for smart college students on a budget with demanding academic loads, especially in English. If you're giving this as a gift, you'll likely want to keep that in mind. Someone who wants your typical Webster's "college dictionary" likely won't appreciate or need Chambers.

The one thing that makes Chambers stand out is its quirkiness. Take these defintions as an example:

mullet: a hairstyle that is short at the front, long at the back, and ridiculous all round

middle-aged: between youth and old age, variously reckoned to suit the reckoner

éclair: a cake, long in shape but short in duration

These kinds of definitions will either attract or repel buyers depending on how you like your dictionaries.

Overall, if you need a dictionary with some muscle this is the one. If you want a better one you'll need to start looking at multiple volume sets such as the "Shorter Oxford English Dictionary" (but _not_ the Webster's 3rd International which is severely dated in its definitions).

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS IS THE TRUE SUCCESSOR, November 14, 2002

By 

reviewer (Zurich, Switzerland.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Chambers Dictionary (Hardcover)

"The Chambers Dictionary" is not just the official reference dictionary for U.K. Scrabble competitions, it is the true successor of the famous 'Chambers Twentieth Century Dictionary'. With more than 215,000 references and 300,000 definitions, this lexicon is (arguably) the most complete and the most comprehensive single-volume dictionary available in Queen's English. It is worth every cent you spend on it!
Misled by name, many people who rushed into buying 'The Chambers 21st Century Dictionary' instead of this one realized their mistake a little too late. And, I can understand their anger with Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd (for the confusing title which they mistook for the successor of the 'Chambers Twentieth Century Dictionary'). Be sure not to be misled!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chambers Dictionary rocks!, March 10, 2002

By 

Thomas Wang (Orchard, Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Chambers Dictionary (Hardcover)

I don't know if the definition of "rocks" in Chambers would render the correct sense to the title of this review as I have only just purchased my third copy of this dictionary, having given away my previous two to people who just fell in love with them. I think that speaks volumes in itself that a simple dictionary might inspire such passion!

I use many other popular dictionaries when I want to see if most people would understand my usage of a word; but if I want to know about it myself, I use Chambers. Chambers is probably the most comprehensive single volume dictionary around. It is often highly readable and amusing. It is the official Scrabble dictionary for the UK, and if you play the game as I do, to improve your vocabulary, there's no other single volume reference like it. There is no other lexicon which captures the wealth of the language around the world with such geographical impartiality.

It is not easy to find it in some countries (which is why I had to order it at Amazon), and that is a real pity. I hope this does not mean that it is reaching the end of its lifetime as I recently heard it was out of print. I wish it came on CD-ROM with regular updates from the publishers.