Chambers Dictionary of Etymology (Hardcover)

~ Robert K. Barnhart (Editor), Sol Steinmetz (Collaborator)
Key Phrases: dinavian source, past participle stem, quentative form, Old French, Old English, Middle English (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

'The best of scholarship ... the most user-friendly of etymological dictionaries' -- University of Georgia

Product Description

How are the words 'door' German 'TŸr' and Sanskrit 'dvar' related? When did the word Blarney first appear in print? What's the linguistic history of the word 'history'? The Chambers Etymological Dictionary holds all the answers for any person curious about the origins of the words they use, and how these words have changed over time. This fascinating dictionary explores the development of meaning, spelling, and pronunciation of over 25,000 English words. Over 30,000 detailed entries trace words back to their Proto-Germanic or Indo-European roots, and include words borrowed from other languages, as well as the sources and dates of their first recorded use. For many years academics, wordsmiths, crossword lovers, and language enthusiasts of all stripes have turned to this celebrated volume as their reference of choice in lexical matters. First published as the Barnhart Etymological Dictionary, the Chambers Dictionary of Etymology offers a unique combination of approachability and authoritativeness in an accessible single-volume format, making it an essential etymological resource for the expert, and a fascinating reference for the general reader. Sample entry from the Chambers Etymological Dictionary: blarney n. flattering, coaxing talk. 1766, Lady Blarny (for Blarney), a smooth-talking flatterer in Goldsmith's the Vicar of Wakefield, her name being a literary contrivance in allusion to Blarney Stone, a stone in a castle near Cork, Ireland. Anyone kissing the stone is supposed to become skillful in flattering and coaxing. The word is used in its general sense in a letter of Sir Walter Scott (1796).

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 1284 pages
• Publisher: Chambers (September 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0550142304
• ISBN-13: 978-0550142306
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.1 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #40,573 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

170 of 178 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the UK Version of the Great Barnhart Dictionary, November 17, 1999

By A Customer

As noted, this is the Barnhart Dictionary, published by Chambers. The US version of this classic is now priced at over $60 - so this British re-release is a real bargain. One of the best modern etymology references available, clear, concise and definitive. IMHO, its better organized then the Oxford, and more authoritative than all but Pkorny's great $1,000 work on the etymology of all IndoEuropean languages. Highly recommended.

79 of 82 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not quite as detailed as Oxford version, September 4, 2002

By	Prometheus - See all my reviews

I had the chance to compare the Chambers Dictionary of Etymology with the Oxford Dictionary of Etymology, and I have to say that although both books are way ahead of the competition, for me, the Oxford seemed to go into greater depth.

Admittedly, I did not have the time to compare a lot of entries, but the few words I did look up showed a pattern that was hard to dismiss. In all of the cases that I saw, the Oxford dictionary included much more of the history of the word and often went back to the Latin root as well as proposing possible alternate developments of the word. The Chambers dictionary, on the other hand, tended to trace a more linear path and often only went as far back as the Old English or Old French root.

While the Chambers Dictionary of Etymology is a very clear and concise work, I feel the Oxford Dictionary of Etymology has a slight advantage in precision and depth. I must add that although the Oxford beats out the Chambers dictionary in regard to etymology, Chambers has the advantage when it comes to quotations. I find that the Chambers Dictionary of Quotations is better than Oxford's equivalent work.

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "This is a Great Dictionary, Right Down to the Root", November 1, 2001

By	Johannes Platonicus (South Bend, Indiana) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

The Chamber's Dictionary of Etymology is the best edition to be found. With the origins and development of over 25,000 English words it remains the most complete and formidable reference tool in its class. This single-volume dictionary contains a short history of the English language; and above and beyond all other editions it handles how the spelling, pronunciation, and meanings of words have changed throughout time. This edition will be exceptionaly rewarding for English students, teachers, and general readers alike.