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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