The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus (Hardcover)

~ Frank R. Abate (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Every so often an idea comes along that changes the known reference world. Oxford's Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus is simple in concept but breathtaking in realization. It's the desk dictionary that'll oust your previous favorite from its prime desk niche. Clearly crafted with desk use in mind, it's light enough to heft in one hand and the type is easy to read, yet it contains more than 150,000 entries. Compiled with American English in mind, the definitions are authoritative, up-to-date, and exceedingly lucid. And best of all, it serves as both dictionary and thesaurus. True, you'll find neither "neronize" nor "nerts," but how often do they come up in daily desk work? In their stead, it's handier to have the list of synonyms that follow many of the dictionary entries. A boon for any writer, student or business, Oxford's newest addition to the dictionary world is sophisticated but practical, elegant yet accessible. --Stephanie Gold

Product Description

Critically acclaimed as a unique new reference combining the best features of both dictionary and thesaurus, The Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus was the first American reference work to offer integrated dictionary and thesaurus entries. Neither a dictionary nor a thesaurus can, by itself, provide the reader with the full range of word choices. Rather than forcing readers to flip between the thesaurus for synonyms and the dictionary for definitions, The Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus provided a thoroughly integrated blend of entries from the dictionary and the thesaurus.

Now this revolutionary volume is available in a convenient size and price that is perfect for the casual user. The unified approach of the Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus treats meanings and related words within the same entry, making it easy to find -- in one place -- an abundance of information about words, and provides a far more thorough analysis of the variety and nuances of our language than is possible in a dictionary or thesaurus alone. Based on the 1800-page Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus, the light and portable Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus is a valuable tool for students, writers, business people, and for anyone who wants to use American English with accuracy and flexibility. Fitting easily into a backpack or briefcase or on any student or office desk, the Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus is guaranteed to be the most frequently used reference work you own.

To create this fascinating book, Oxford's American dictionary staff have drawn on the unparalleled resources of Oxford University Press, the world's most respected authority on English language and dictionaries. Founded on the scholarship of the renowned Oxford Dictionary Department's vast database, and newly edited specifically for the U.S. by noted American lexicographer Frank Abate, this convenient volume packs a remarkable amount of information in a small package, from pronunciation, definitions, syllabification, and idiomatic speech to lists of synonyms and derivative terms. Finally, The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus also contains a wide range of valuable appendices, from the countries of the world and the Presidents of the United States to signs and symbols, the chemical elements, weights and measures (with equivalency tables), and much more.

Concise and easy to use, up-to-date and authoritative, The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus is ideal for home or office, for busy executives on the go, and for students of all levels. Combining an comprehensive and thoroughly reliable dictionary of American English with full thesaurus coverage, this is an essential tool for anyone who wants to write with more variety, color, and precision.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 992 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (August 28, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195112148
• ISBN-13: 978-0195112146
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.6 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,844,341 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you can't get the OED, get this., June 9, 1999

By A Customer

This dictionary is a great 2-in-1 reference tool. You can look up a word's meaning for greater clarification and get synonyms at the same time. The definitions are clear and concise; you don't need to look up the definition since they're in layman's terms. It's also pretty complete. I hate looking something up and not being able to find it in the dictionary; that's hardly ever happened to me with this one. They also have many different reference charts in the back which have come in handy, some of which I've actually copied and taken home. It's almost like 3-in-1 rather than 2-in-1, actually--those charts give this dictionary a flavor of the Columbia Encyclopedia.

The only thing they left out (which I wish they hadn't) is word origin. But if you want it all (or close to it), this is the one.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent desktop dictionary and thesaurus., August 13, 2000

By	Mike Powers "mkp51" (Boothbay, ME United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

"The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus" is an excellent compact sized lexicon, one which I've found to be the most useful desktop reference book in my office. Word definitions are clear, concise and easy to understand. Synonyms appear directly following each word's definition, rather than in a separate list. For me, this is probably the best overall feature of "The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus," because it makes it much easier to look up a word, understand its definition, and see its synonyms without thumbing through different sections of the book. Page layout is pleasing, with two columns set reasonably large and easy to read print. There are several useful appendices in the back, including: signs and symbols; heat index and wind chill; metric/English conversion; countries of the world; and Presidents of the United States.

"The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus" is the little brother to the 1,800 page "The Oxford Dictionary and Thesaurus." Despite its relatively diminutive size, this desktop version, which claims to have "over 150,000 entries, synonyms, and senses," has consistently proven itself comprehensive enough for the kind of reading and writing I do on a daily basis. Only on rare occasions have I found it necessary to pull out my unabridged dictionary to find a word not listed in "The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus."

For those needing a compact dictionary and thesaurus which offers a good degree of comprehensiveness and excellent portability, "The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus" is an excellent choice.