Riiul 4

English language dictionary

Collins English Dictionary is a comprehensive word reference with definitions for world, regional and dialect English. Improve your vocabulary with 130,000 entries and over 200,000 definitions, including the latest words to enter the language. Usage notes give advice on using the right word in the right place, and thousands of etymologies trace the roots of modern English. There are also thousands of entries for people and places and in-depth coverage of scientific and technical vocabulary. All words, definitions, and usage notes are based on the Collins Corpus - our 4.5 billion-word database of today's English - making it an authoritative and up-to-date word reference.

(1991 edition) I bought this one nineteen years ago and have used it constantly since then. Amazing dictionary: and as if the brilliant coverage, lucid but never superficial descriptions and enlightening etymology wasn't enough (btw the etymology also helps me to remember the meanings of words), the binding of this 1700-page thing is practically indestructible. I've got an Italian dictionary in the same size, and after a year or two it was starting to fall apart – this one is reaching its second decade of merciless service and the only sign of wear are the black marks on the right edge after my first adolescent and by now middle-aged thumbs. ( )

Great single volume dictionary. Contains history of words and many archaic, foreign and scientific words and terms.
This is till our go-to dictionary, decades later.