The Chambers Dictionary [Hardcover]

Editors of Chambers (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0550140050 | ISBN-13: 978-0550140050 | Publication Date: April 30, 1999 | Edition: Thumb Indexed

The Chambers Dictionary is one of the oldest single-volume dictionaries of its kind, and draws on a 166 year-old tradition of dictionary writing. Hailed as the most comprehensive and current single-volume dictionary of international English, this newly revised edition contains over 215,000 references and 300,000 definitions. With its bold headwords and clear type, this new edition has the all the advantages of a modern, streamlined layout and makes information on words, phrases, and expressions easier to find, easier to read, and easier to understand. An official reference source for the board game Scrabble - its wide range of vocabulary provides unrivalled coverage for word game players, crossword solvers, and crossword compilers, as well as a treasure-trove of lexical delights for word lovers. The Chambers Dictionary has long been the choice of the discerning user of English and the preferred single-volume dictionary of academics, and professionals for its coverage of the English language from the Bible and Shakespeare, to present day scientific and technological vocabulary. Many new words and meanings have been added from today's world of information sciences, business, alternative medicine, and everyday life, including cybercafe, alpha-decay, browser, road rage, birthing pool, and reiki. Etymological nesting of words show derivations, emphasizes linguistic links between words, and increases overall coverage. Prefaces include: A Short History of English, and Rules of English Spelling. Selected phrases and quotations from Latin, Greek, and modern languages. Appendices include: pronunciation guide, grammar and usage guide, punctuation, symbols, temperature, measurement and size conversions, Roman numerals, and chemical elements.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

New edition of this British dictionary, the official dictionary for U.K. Scrabble tournaments. In our review of the previous edition, which was published in the U.S. in 1994, we called it "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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 2080 pages
• Publisher: Chambers; Thumb Indexed edition (April 30, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0550140050
• ISBN-13: 978-0550140050
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 6.6 x 2.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,273,072 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)   

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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

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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.