Roget's II: The New Thesaurus [Hardcover]

Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0395687225 | ISBN-13: 978-0395687222 | Publication Date: August 31, 1995 | Edition: Third Edition

This completely new edition of ROGET'S II: THE NEW THESAURUS, THIRD EDITION, based on the lexicographical foundation of THE AMERICAN HERITAGE(R) DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, THIRD EDITION, combines the most useful features of a thesaurus and a dictionary. The alphabetical arrangement of entries makes it easy to find the synonym lists. A precise definition of each synonym ensures accurate word selection. Complete synonym groups at every entry give the user all the exact synonyms of a word in one place. Each entry in ROGET'S II: THE NEW THESAURUS, THIRD EDITION contains a cross-reference to a unique Category Index. This index lists groups of entries that are related or opposite in meaning. For example, at the word "comfort", the user is referred to the category help. Related words such as "accessory", "obliging", and "encourage", as well as words of opposite meaning such as "abuse", "harmful", and "discourage", are listed under the help category. Each of these words leads the user back to a full entry for that word.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This is a completely new and entirely reconceived edition of Houghton Mifflin's 1988 edition of Roget's. The editors are to be congratulated for successfully eliminating some of the problems identified with the earlier work. For example, the limited number of synonyms provided for each word in the 1988 edition has been greatly increased (e.g., glee now has 17 synonyms instead of the one listed in the 1988 edition), and the use of cross-references to words in a category index provides antonyms and lists of synonym groups related to a particular sense of the headword. Although helpful, some users may be initially confused by this latter vehicle. For example, users looking up the word uproot are referred to the words make and help in the index (where reasonable synonyms are found under the antonyms unmake and harm). Easier to use are indications that synonyms for specific senses of a headword can be found as headwords elsewhere in the thesaurus (e.g., for the headword squirt, jet is indicated by a superscript as a synonym also listed as a headword).

Deleted from this edition are illustrative quotes (unfavorably viewed by RBB in its review of the 1988 edition), but added are helpful slang and regional synonyms and more idioms. Also added are clearer differentiations among senses of a word. The definitions provided for each headword are less telegraphic in writing style than those in the 1988 edition, but may, in some cases, be misleading. The editors indicate that every definition was checked by the editors of the American Heritage Dictionary (3d ed.). However, some definitions do not seem to reflect this process. For example, distraught is still defined as "afflicted with or exhibiting irrationality and mental unsoundness," even though the American Heritage Dictionary defines the most common sense of the word as "deeply agitated, as from emotional conflict" .

Roget's II does not provide the comprehensive coverage of Roget's International Thesaurus (HarperCollins, 1992) or Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus (Dell, 1992). However, its alphabetical sequence of headwords supplemented by a category index and plentiful cross-references supplies an array of colorful and vivid synonyms that will be helpful for writers who do not have the time to engage in the long process of using a classified or category-indexed thesaurus like those mentioned above. Recommended for all types of public and academic libraries and for high-school libraries.

Review

"Recommended for all types of public and academic libraries and for high-school libraries." Booklist, ALA

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1216 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; Third Edition edition (August 31, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395687225
• ISBN-13: 978-0395687222
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.4 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,479,407 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This reference book is terrible!, November 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Roget's II: The New Thesaurus (Hardcover)

I wish I had bought the Roget's International version. There are so few synonyms in this thesaurus--and if I want definitions, I'll use the dictionary. Synonyms: worthless, useless, stink-o

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best on the market, August 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Roget's II: The New Thesaurus (Hardcover)

This is a great thesaurus. Easy to read, easy to understand. If you are looking for a top notch, high quality, inexpensive thesaurus, this is the book for you. I recommend this highly without reservation.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I don't know about this edition, but 1st was crap. Try..., October 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Roget's II: The New Thesaurus (Hardcover)

Buy "The Synonym Finder" if you want a REALLY good thesaurus. I am only familiar with the first edition of "Roget's II," but I consider that edition to be among the worst volumes in print.