Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary and CD-ROM Version 3.0 [Hardcover]

Random House Inc. (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0375403833 | ISBN-13: 978-0375403835 | Publication Date: June 1, 1999

With fifty years of experience in dictionary publishing behind it, Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary is the most definitive single-volume reference of the English language available--and the only dictionary of its kind available on CD-ROM. This modern dictionary offers an exhaustive, traditional record of the language, while covering the latest, most important developments--ahead of any other dictionary.
Using cutting-edge technology, Random House is able to bring you Newer Words Faster. The Random House Living Dictionary Database™, from which Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary was developed, is an immense revolutionary computerized database for direct, immediate, on-line editing. Dictionary entries can be updated on-screen as required, and most importantly, vital new vocabulary, from science to slang, can be added instantly, the moment it emerges in our language.

And now this authoritative reference is available both in print and electronically in this all-inclusive book/disk package. The CD-ROM includes not only the full text of the printed dictionary, complete with all the new words integrated into the A to Z listing, but also illustrations and spot maps that can be sized on-screen and printed. The multilingual interface is designed to work with Windows™95, 98, and NT, and the improved search engine offers flexibility and ease of use. In addition, professionally recorded pronunciations bring the sounds of American English to life. A version for Windows™ 3.1 is included on the same CD-ROM.
Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary is designed to meet the wide-ranging needs of today's students and scholars, who study ancient documents one day and surf the Internet the next; of professional writers, who craft poems or write articles for technical journals; of businesspeople, who need to communicate clearly, whether face-to-face or fax-to-fax; and--above all--the needs of word lovers.
In addition to standard and specialized vocabulary, this extensive volume contains a wide variety of features, encompassing up-to-date, authoritative factual and encyclopedic information. It is truly a unique general reference volume for the office, the school, and the entire family.
Important Features Include:
¸ An up-to-date eight-page New-Words Section in the front of the book, with over 1,000 important new words and meanings not found in the A-Z section--words like intranet, body piercing, soccer mom, and sport-utility vehicle
¸ Over 315,000 entries
¸ 1,500 updated definitions and entries
¸ 2,400 spot maps and illustrations
¸ Scholarly, up-to-date etymologies, including dates to show when terms entered the language, and showing clearly labeled Americanisms
¸ Entries for important and famous people; places and historical events; major works of literature, music, and art; names and abbreviations of academic, governmental, social, and fraternal organizations; popular given names; common abbreviations; and foreign terms
¸ Entries and definitions for current place names, reflecting recent political and geographical changes worldwide
¸ Coverage of major British, Canadian, and Australian terms
¸ Over 75,000 example phrases and sentences to show how words are used in context
¸ Metric equivalents for weight, volume, height, distance, etc., included in definitions and
captions
¸ Endangered species identified
¸ Comprehensive supplementary notes at many entries, discussing:
usage problems
pronunciation questions
distinctions among synonyms
regional variations and dialects
¸ Additional supplementary lists of
synonyms
antonyms
words formed from common prefixes
¸ Valuable supplements to the dictionary found in the front and back matter, including:
-- "Sound-Spelling Correspondences in English"
-- "Basic Manual of Style"
-- List of "Words Commonly Confused"

The Best and Most Affordable Unabridged Dictionary Available Today
--in Print and on CD-ROM--Only from Random House Webster's

A COMPREHENSIVE DICTIONARY IN ONE VOLUME
With over 315,000 entries, the language of literature, the terms in your textbooks, and the nuances in your newspapers are all here.

INCLUDES THE NEWEST WORDS
If it's an important new word, you'll find it here first. An up-to-date, eight-page New-Words Section has been included in the print edition, and last-minute additions have been included in the CD-ROM--terms like 24-7, DVD (digital video/virtual disk), road rage, and half-pipe. Over 1,500 other entries and definitions have been updated as well.
Also included are:

¸ New and updated biographical entries
¸ Revised geographical entries reflecting the recent changes worldwide
¸ 2,400 spot maps and illustrations

AN All-New CD-ROM
With an all-new search engine, the CD-ROM is a flexible tool with advanced features designed to meet the needs of scholars, students, businesspeople, and anyone else who needs an extensive, versatile resource for words.

¸ Find the word you need--when you need it.
¸ Do specialized computer searches.
¸ Print the results.
¸ Link the dictionary to your word processor.
¸ Choose the language of your interface--English, French, or Spanish.
¸ Play word games.

CLICK! FOR FAST ELECTRONIC SEARCHES
Choose among many ways to search the dictionary. Whichever Search Type you choose, just a click of the mouse brings up the word you want with the full text of the dictionary entry--definitions, written pronunciations, parts of speech, etymologies, synonyms and antonyms, usage notes, and more.

LOOK! FOR THE CAMERA ICON
This dictionary on disk is not just words--more than 2,400 spot maps and illustrations await you. Just click on the camera icon wherever it appears.

LISTEN! TO THE RECORDED PRONUNCIATIONS
Hear the written language come to life. Over 120,000 professionally recorded pronunciations--more than in any other electronic dictionary--capture the authentic sounds of American English. Just click on the loudspeaker icon.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Based on the Random House Living Dictionary Database, which strives to keep pace with the dynamic nature of the English language, this CD-ROM provides access to the complete text of the printed dictionary (315,000 entries). The definitions are supplemented by 2400 maps and illustrations (of average quality) and 120,000 American English pronunciations (both genders are represented). Searching is a breeze. It is possible to browse the alphabetical list or search by main entry, within the definition, or anagram. Searches can be limited to entries with pronunciation or a picture. Each word entry includes the definition, etymology, written pronunciation, date (or range) when a word or phrase entered the language, part of speech, synonyms, antonyms, and usage note, when appropriate. The words in the definition can also be searched with a right click of the mouse, and it is easy to save, sort, export, and print results. Unfortunately, the CD-ROM excludes several excellent and useful portions of the print dictionary, such as a separate section of new words, a list of words commonly confused, and a Basic Manual of Style. The Bottom Line: Libraries that can afford it should purchase the book and CD-ROM combination for $75. Patrons will find it comprehensive and easy to use. Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary is recommended to public, special, and academic libraries for its currency; the graphics are not the focus here.AEd Tallent, Research Instruction, Harvard Coll. Lib.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 2256 pages
• Publisher: Random House Reference (June 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375403833
• ISBN-13: 978-0375403835
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 9.2 x 3.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #905,958 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

91 of 92 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not a New Edition, July 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary and CD-ROM Version 3.0 (Hardcover)

This is an excellent dictionary if you do not already have an earlier edition, but this is not a new edition. It is an exact reproduction of the 1987 Random House Dictionary of the English Language, Second Edition, Unabridged, in a smaller page size, with six and half pages of "new words" in a separate section, and most of the original front matter and supplements (appendices) removed. Many of the "new words" are are new to this dictionary but not to the language, such as "wishing well" and "gematria," which the etymology says first appeared in 1685-95. The CD-ROM is a newer version (3.0) of the software engine than previous editions, but contains the same text as the book, with the "new words" and a few last-minute additions integrated into the main dictionary. In a couple of months, the CD-ROM will be available separately.

69 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The best dictionary currently available., January 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary : Indexed (Hardcover)

As far as I know, there are only three dependable UNABRIDED dictionaries of English language: Oxford, Webster's 3rd, and Random House. And I find RH to be the most practical one of the three. Yes, Oxford and Webster's 3rd are much respected by the scholars for their "nobleness." But Oxford is way too expensive and excessive in content for every-day usage, and Webster's 3rd is too technical to read and unnecessarily descriptive. That leaves us only with Random House. It's not perfect; it requires many improvements as some of other reviewers have mentioned here. But please note, it's the least expensive, the smallest, and the easiest-to-read unabridged dictionary in the market. People shouldn't consider this book as the most incomplete UNABRIDED dictionary but as the most complete ABRIDED dictionary. It combines completeness and convenience in one. This book will be great for people who find abridged dictionaries too weak in information but find unabridged ones too much.

Its etymologies and definitions lack clarity, however--RH should follow American Heritage in these aspects. Then it would be taking one step closer to being "perfect."

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Four star content, minus two for poor binding., December 2, 2002

By 

Rol (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Indexed (Book Only Edition) (Hardcover)

This big, heavy, thick volume is quite a good choice for someone looking for a fairly recent (fully revised 1987, compared to the 1961 Webster's 3rd) unabridged dictionary. The "new words" section at the beginning is a nice feature, if not all that practical, covering lots of new technology terms up to the year 2001. Their choices are a bit haphazard - there's an entry for ACE inhibitors, but nothing for MAOI, SSRI, or proton-pump inhibitors. But the new words section is not the point; it's the rest of the text that matters. It covers just about every word from American English you'll ever need, plus a good number of geographical and biographical entries. So why the two star rating? When I received the book, the front cover binding was already torn and separating. I think Random House may have misstepped when they moved from oversize library cloth binding to 9 x 11 hardback. Maybe it was just a printer error, but I think the binding on this volume is just not enough to support the weight of 2,300 thick pages. In addition, the innermost print columns are too close to the inside binding, making 1/3 of the entries difficult to read. I commend Random House for making an unabridged dictionary available at this price point, but if the book can't hold its own weight, it isn't worth it. I'm exchanging mine for a copy of the New Oxford Dictionary of English (available at Amazon UK), which should cover just as many terms, plus international English, in a more manageable size. The New Oxford American Dictionary is a similar alternative for American English.