Oxford Latin Dictionary (Hardcover)

~ P. G. W. Glare (Editor)
Key Phrases: Laus Pis, Julius Caesar, Asia Minor (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is the long-awaited one-volume edition of the work that has been appearing regularly in fascicles since 1968. It is a work that any significant library ought to possess."--Library Journal
"By far the most scholarly, reliable, and convenient bilingual dictionary of its scope for any language. The Latinist cannot live without it."--American Notes and Queries
"The appearance of each new fascicle of this dictionary is a welcome event and one calculated to make the student look forward to the time when he can possess the entire book."--Classical World
"Indispensable for any serious, advanced study in Latin language or literature, and a must for the reference collections of academic and research libraries."--American Reference Books Annual

Product Description

Fifty years in the making, the Oxford Latin Dictionary is the first Latin-English dictionary based on a fresh reading of original sources. The Dictionary was published in eight fascicles between 1968 and 1982 and is now available in a single bound volume.

Features of the Oxford Latin Dictionary

* First Latin-English dictionary composed directly from original sources

* Comprehensive coverage of classical Latin with entries for approximately 40,000 words * Based on a collection of over one million quotations that illustrate the meaning and use of Latin words from the earliest known instance

* Definitions are in modern English and based on modern lexicographical principles

* Up-to-date with the inclusion of better texts as well as epigraphical material that was previously unavailable

The Oxford Latin Dictionary is a comprehensive and authoritative reference work for students, teachers, professionals, and general readers interested in classical languages and literature, ancient history, medieval studies, languages, art history, ancient philosophy, religion, archaeology, law, medicine, and natural science.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 2150 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (March 24, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198642245
• ISBN-13: 978-0198642244
• Product Dimensions: 12.7 x 10.3 x 3.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #224,307 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

125 of 127 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, September 15, 1999

By A Customer

An improvment on Lewis and Short in that it uses modern lexicographical principles. Meanings and senses are better distinguished. Notes on etymology and word formation are included. As a whole, the work is much easier to read.

As it does not include later authors, it is perhaps better used by Classicists than Medievalists, who may find medieval Latin vocabulary lacking. Thankfully for Classicists (and those using Classical texts) it does not present anachronistic distinctions in the graphs for /u/ and /w/, as well as for /i/ and /j/. In this respect, it is truer to Roman orthography and allows the student to look up 'iaceo' where it belongs, under 'i', rather than making up a letter, 'j', which was not part of the Roman alphabet.

Those who have used Lewis and Short for a long time will of course find it difficult to give up their longtime companion. However, those who take the time to acquaint themselves with the first major attempt to improve on the nineteenth century classic, should find the OLD to be a more thorough and accessible guide to Latin of the 'Golden' and 'Silver' ages.

61 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love using this dictionary, September 10, 2003

By	Sir Ralph "mark_from_sf" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

The Oxford Latin Dictionary is a very special dictionary.

Yes, it is expensive.

But I have found no ancient language dicitonary which can compare to it in terms of organization, clarity and fullness of example sentences. This dictionary has a format almost identical to "The Shorter Oxford ENGLISH Dictionary". In other words, it is organized like the very best of modern dictionaries. The meanings given are very good (like in the Shorter Oxford). I almost never refer to my "Lewis and Short" now that I have this -- there is NO comparision.

If you consider yourself a serious student of the language, I strongly suggest you get this dictionary. I refered to it often, even during my first semester of Latin. But if you consider yourself a lover of Latin, you simply MUST do yourself the favor of owning this beautiful work. (Buy it for yourself at Christmas! You deserve it!)

The other dictionary I use and recommend (and which I can carry around) is Cassel's Latin Dictionary.

It may be relevent (in a good or bad way) that I am a true aficionado of dictionaries. I own about 25 dictionaries (most of them english) and use them regularly. Also, I use dictionaries to find the meanings of words I don't know or don't fully know; I don't look in dictionaries "for fun". My favorite english dictionary is The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary (That's the "Shorter" two-volume Oxford, not the "Compact" two-volume OED that requires a magnifying glass).

Enjoy!

34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A dictionary one actually can read!, November 20, 2003

By	Maria Marius (Pittsburgh, PA United States) - See all my reviews

At last! A Latin Dictionary with print big enough to read using bifocals!!! The scholarship of this work is unquestioned, as is its comprehensive character. No more looking in vain for some elusive term. Others have commented fully on the substantive wonders of this magnificent dictionary. I write only to add that this work is very accessible--even to those of us with tired old eyes. I know it is costly, but it is well worth the price!