Customer Reviews

Collins Gem Latin Dictionary: Latin English English Latin (Gem Dictionaries)

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The COLLINS GEM LATIN DICTIONARY is a superb little dictionary that is superior to even other language dictionaries in the Collins Gem series. It is both a Latin - English and English - Latin dictionary, and includes several appendices on terminology of Roman cultural matters.

The Latin-English portion contains nearly all words the high school student or undergrad are likely to come across. It is followed by a brief summary of Latin grammar and verse. The grammar is sufficient only for students of the most basic level of competency in Latin, but the explanation of verse is insightful and will satisfy even higher-level students. The appendix of place-names in Latin and their equivalents in English is a godsend for students who can handle texts just fine except for place-names which are missing from many larger resources.

One caveat is that the dictionary seems a little too large if one is not going to be using the English - Latin section. High school students, and university students taking a course in Latin composition will find this section most helpful. Those whose use of a Latin dictionary is limited to deciphering problematic words in an otherwise clearly readable text will find an entire half of the dictionary to be unnecessary and may resent the larger size of what could be an ideally compact dictionary.

For beginning students of Latin, the COLLINS GEM LATIN DICTIONARY is the dictionary to get. It is not ideal for higher level study, but students with a few years of experience should have already invested in a copy of LEWIS & SHORT'S LATIN DICTIONARY.

Without a doubt, the COLLINS/GEM Latin Dictionary is in a class of its own! It is the ONLY Latin/English-English/Latin Dictionary you will need to purchase! So search NO MORE! Don't let the size deceive you; this little "power-pack" is chock full of WORDS from the most commonly used to those words one just looks up out of curiosity. It is certianly NOT lacking, to say the least. -- If you don't find the word you need in THIS Dictionary, chances are, you're not going to find it anywhere. -- COLLINS/GEM Latin Dictionary is the absolute BEST that I have come across. (Had I only found this one BEFORE I spent $$ on other mediocre Latin-English Dictionaries)
However, we learn by our mistakes. -- Teachers and Students alike will find the Collins/Gem Latin Dictionary both extremely informative and invaluable. -- The protective vinyl cover is a definite PLUS! (Like the icing on the Cake) --
~~~ DMShae

Although I am only in Latin III in high school, this book has given me an edge over the class. It contains important historical dates, the declensions (although in a somewhat odd order), conjugations, almost every Latin word known to man (even the ones my teacher can't pronounce), and some of the more famous Romans in mythology and real life. If you want a clear, concise, portable Latin dictionary, look no further than this.

I study Greek and Latin and therefore find myself practically buried in dictionaries. The pocket sized Collins Gem however is god send, especially since I commute to school and would rather not have to lug the Chambers Murray (Latin) dictionary around. Not to say that I'm compromising for size here, because from my experience, I've had better luck finding words in the Collins Gem than I've had using Chambers Murray (which is at least four times bigger). However, if you like reading all this background material and would like some references, stick with the more comprehensive guide (Chambers Murray). On the other hand, if you just want to know what the word means (in other words get straight to the point) then look no further than the Collins Gem. I personally was amazed at how comprehensive this little book was, it even includes a mini-review on Latin grammar and verse. Now if only a pocket-sized ancient Greek dictionary that was this good existed, but hey, I guess we can't all have our cake and eat it too.

Collins' thick, pocket dictionary (Latin to English, English to Latin) is an adequate reference for beginning to intermediate Latin. It includes sections on pronunciation and grammar, as well as brief lists of numbers, months and days, measures, historic Roman dates, money, and geographical names. Approximately 3 x 4 x 1 1/2".

When this dictionary came in the mail, I was dismayed at the tiny size. Having studied French, Spanish and Korean in the past, I thought dictionaries had to be huge to be useful. So I stuck it on the shelf.
Then I came to a word I wanted a bit more information on, picked up this book, and was very pleasantly surprised. I've literally kept it at my right side whenever studying my Latin ever since then. It is so easy to grab and hold while keeping one's place in another book that now I can't imagine struggling with another 5-pound tome!

Review by Janet Knori, author of Awakening in God

This small dictionary is surely the best choice for the beginners of Latin. The explainations are easy & clear, and you can find most words you need as a beginner. I'm studying with "Oxford Latin 1" and "The Complete idiot's guide....". With both books, this dictionary worked very well. Also as its small, you can have it around you all the time, which is really important. I may need another bigger one if I study Latin more deeply, but at the moment I am VERY satisfied.

Like other Collins Gem dictionaries, it is a pocket-sized dictionary rather than a huge, full-blown scholar's dictionary. I find it useful for looking up a Latin word here and there so as to determine the etymology of some French, Spanish, or Italian word I encounter. If you have a layman's interest in Latin, it is an ideal addition to a limited library. However, if you are planning to become a Latin scholar, you should seek a larger compilation.

This surprisingly small dictionary has, so far, included definitions of every word I've needed to look up through the completion of a first-year Latin course. Irregular forms are typically listed separately, which is especially critical for those of us still struggling with Latin's abundant irregular verbs. Many proper names are also included, which is useful in recognizing their sometimes unpredictable declensions. The grammer and versification sections are too rudimentary to be of much help, but conversely they take up very little space. Although the book is physically small (think "gem"), the typeface is a usuer-friendly size and font.

As a high school student studying Latin, I have found this dictionary very useful for some time. The Latin to English and English to Latin sections are divided by a grey leaf grammar section. This is very useful for finding where you are, relative to the end or start of a section.

However, my copy is now in several pieces. The binding and glue used leaves a lot to be desired (though I suppose it could just be that I got a faulty one). It started to fall apart from near the beginning, without rough usage. I wonder if others have experienced the same problem?

Also, at 11cm high and 4cm wide, the size proportions are not the most convenient when you are trying to use it at school and flicking through it, etc. I wonder if HarperCollins could publish an alternative edition, with the same content and format, but more like A5 size?