1.______
You're probably most familiar with college dictionaries, often called abridged dictionaries. Although
abridged means "shortened", these dictionaries contain more than 150.000 entries and provide detailed
definitions that are sufficient for most college students and general users. College dictionaries also contain
separate lists of abbreviations. Biographical and geographical names, foreign words and phrases. And
tables of measures. Webster's ⅡNew Riverside University Dictionary and the American Heritage Dictionary
of the English Language are college dictionaries.
2.______ unabridged dictionaries contain as many as 500,000 entries and provide detailed definitions
and extensive word histories (etymologies). These dictionaries, possibly in several volumes and mostly
found in libraries, are excellent sources for scholarly inquiries. Unabridged dictionaries include the Oxford
English Dictionary and the Random House Dictionary of the English Language.
3.______
A dictionary entry has many elements: multiple definitions, syllabication, preferred spelling and
pronunciation (some word have more than one acceptable spelling and pronunciation), and part-of-speech
labels. Some entries also include plurals and capitalized forms. Synonyms, antonyms, and derivatives.
Americanisms and etymologies may be provide along with usage notes, cross-references, and idioms.
4.______
If you prefer using the dictionary on a computer, you can obtain CD-ROM versions of many major
dictionaries. In addition, you can access numerous dictionaries, such as WWWebster's Dictionary, on
the Internet. Online dictionaries allow you to enter a search word (you even get help with spelling ) to
see a definition, and sometimes even an illustration. Online dictionaries also offer additional features, such
as word games. Language tips, and amusing facts about words. Some online dictionary services allow
you to access numerous dictionaries, both general and specialized, in on search.
5.______
Specialized dictionaries provide in-depth information about a certain field. For example there are
dictionaries for the specialized vocabularies of law, computer technology, and medicine. In addition, there
are dictionaries of synonyms, clichés, slang, and even regional expressions. Such as the Dictionary of
American Regional English (DARE). There are also dictionaries of foreign languages, famous people's
names, literary characters' names and place names. |