One Sentence Summary:
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition provides a comprehensive and up-to-date resource for defining and understanding the English language.
Book Genre:
Reference/Dictionaries
Main Topic of the Book:
The English language and its vocabulary, including definitions, pronunciations, and usage examples.
Key Ideas:
- Defining over 225,000 words and phrases of the English language.
- Providing accurate and authoritative information on current usage and etymology.
- Inclusion of special sections such as biographical and geographical entries, foreign words and phrases, and illustrations.
- Indexed and cross-referenced for easy access to information.
- Regularly updated with new words and revised definitions to reflect the evolving nature of the English language.
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary:
- Front Matter:
- Publisher’s Note – A statement from the publisher about the purpose and organization of the dictionary.
- Guide to Pronunciation – A pronunciation guide using symbols and audio for understanding how to say words accurately.
- Key to Pronunciation – A list of symbols used for pronunciation in the dictionary.
- Abbreviations used in the Dictionary – A list of abbreviations used for historical and linguistic terms in the dictionary.
- Introduction – Detailed information about English pronunciation, spelling, and inflections.
- Simplified Pronunciation Key – A simplified version of the pronunciation guide for quick reference.
- Main Dictionary Entries:
- Word Entries – Entries for over 225,000 words and phrases, including definitions, etymology, and pronunciation information.
- Synonym paragraphs – Alternate words that have similar meanings.
- Miscellaneous Information – Includes usage notes, examples, usage frequency graphs, regional and label variations, and word origin information.
- Foreign Words and Phrases – Entries for commonly used foreign words and phrases in English.
- Illustrations – Over 7,500 illustrations to aid in understanding definitions and concepts.
- Pronunciation Information – Audio files for accurate pronunciation of words.
- Back Matter:
- Biographical Names – A list of significant people in history, including pronunciations and brief biographical information.
- Geographical Names – A list of notable places and their location, including pronunciation guides.
- Guide to Special Sections – A guide to the various special sections within the dictionary.
Key Takeaways:
- Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition is a comprehensive and reliable resource for understanding and defining the English language.
- The dictionary includes over 225,000 words and phrases, with accurate and up-to-date information.
- Special sections, including biographical and geographical entries, foreign words and phrases, and illustrations, make the dictionary more informative and user-friendly.
- The dictionary is regularly updated to reflect the evolution of the English language.
Author’s Background and Qualifications:
Merriam-Webster is a leading publisher of language-related reference works. The company has a history dating back to 1831 and is known for its authoritative and reliable resources. The team of editors and lexicographers at Merriam-Webster have extensive knowledge and experience in the English language and are responsible for compiling, revising, and updating the dictionary.
Target Audience:
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition is designed for anyone seeking accurate and comprehensive information on the English language. This includes students, writers, professionals, and anyone looking to improve their vocabulary or understanding of the English language.
Publisher and First Publication Date:
The book is published by Merriam-Webster and was first published in 2003. It has since been regularly updated with new editions to reflect changes in the English language.