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Back in the day ...when 'being online' meant standing in line at the bank ...back in the day before people wrote using programs and computers that auto-spellcheck and often have a thesaurus function a click of the mouse away . . .back in the day writers often used a _book_ to check their spelling and help them find just the right word to express their thought perfectly.

Actually, they probably used two books: a dictionary to check the spelling of a word, and a thesaurus to help them choose just the right word. There are literally thousands of examples of each type of book. From the simplest picture-book dictionaries for the young child to university-level thesauri that help the advanced student/writer polish their prose, countless variations are still published today.


Webster's New World Dictionary and Thesaurus is a unique blending of the best of both ideas: "dictionary entries and corresponding thesaurus entries—together on every page". It works remarkably well for this reader/user.

The dictionary portion of the book claims to contain "61,000 entries". The dictionary entries are placed at the top of each page and the corresponding thesaurus entries are at the bottom of the same page. In order to keep the entries synced, 'together on every page', the size of each section varies from page to page.


All the usual parts of a dictionary are here: boldfaced entries, words divided by center dot or appropriate stress mark, alternative spellings, pronunciation, parts of speech, etymology, etc. ...all the usual parts.


The thesaurus portion of the book is presented in 'dictionary form', with words listed in alphabetical order rather than in 'index form' with words listed by meaning. Obviously the dictionary form meets the objectives of this book.

Words found in the thesaurus section are listed in two possible formats:

• Main entries will present many alternative words, broken out by possible meanings, with applicable synonyms, a few antonyms, and perhaps a 'see also cross-reference'.

• Brief entries list three synonyms and one or more main entry words cross-referenced.


An example. the root word 'laugh' draws the dictionary entries for related words: –laugh, –laughable, –laughingstock, and –laughter. All with the typical dictionary information and definition of the words.


The thesaurus entry for 'laugh' words include: –laugh n, –laugh v, –laughable, –laughing, and –laughter.

The entry for laugh as a noun, –laugh n, lists sixteen alternative words (from –mirth through –chortle to –snort); the 'see also' word of –laughter; and synonyms of –CRY (a main entry, as indicated by the ALL CAPS), –sob, and –whimper.

Some time spent perusing all these various meanings and the additional information at the entry for each would help me, and any user, pick the most appropriate meaning of 'laugh' for a given use.


The presentation of the two types of reference sources together on the same page works very well, The editors have done an excellent job of keeping similar words and content together and still presenting text that is visually pleasing and easy to use. It may seem . . .'simplistic' but is packed with information and usability. I believe it would serve a wide age and education level—from upper elementary grades through the college years—as a 'most helpful' writing tool. Even for those writers with access to online spellchecking and word search capabilities.


The Bottom Line
Compact, accurate, usable, assembled by an expert "...staff of lexicographers...with (a) combined 150 years of editing dictionaries and thesauruses. . ." and published by a company with 200 years experience in publishing reference books, Webster's New World Dictionary and Thesaurus will serve your family and your student well for many years.



Other 'reading, 'riting, and arithmetic reviews' by sleeper54


Certified 'Lean-n-mean' review.
 
 

Recommended: Yes