Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, Second Edition 
asked by bugger on November 10, 2006 7:26 PM
“Look no further!”–Booklist
The Best and Most Affordable Unabridged Dictionary Available Today–Only from Random House Webster’s
With over fifty years of experience in dictionary publishing behind it, Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary is the most definitive single-volume reference of the English language available. This modern dictionary offers an exhaustive, traditional study of the language, while covering the latest, most important developments–ahead of any other dictionary.
The Random House Webster’s Dictionary is designed to meet the wide-ranging needs of today’s students and scholars, who may study ancient documents one hour and surf the Internet the next; of professional writers, who craft poems or write articles for technical journals; of businesspeople, who need to communicate clearly; and–above all–the needs of word lovers.
In addition to standard and specialized vocabulary, this extensive volume contains a wide variety of up-to-date, authoritative information. The Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary is a unique general reference volume for the office, the school, and the entire family.
Important Features Include:
·A New-Words Section in the front of the book with over 1,100 important words and meanings–words such as broadband, urban legend, Disneyfy, and smoothie.
·Over 315,000 entries
·1,500 updated definitions and entries
·2,400 illustrations and spot maps
·Scholarly, up-to-date etymologies, including dates to show when terms entered the language, and showing clearly labeled Americanisms
·Entries for important and famous people; places and historical events; major works of literature, music, and art; names and abbreviations of academic, governmental, social, and fraternal organizations; popular given names; common abbreviations; and foreign terms
More important features include:
·Entries and definitions for current place names, reflecting recent political and geographical changes worldwide
·Coverage of major British, Canadian, and Australian terms
·Over 750,000 example phrases and sentences to show how words are used in context
·Metric equivalents for weight, volume, height, distance, etc., included in definitions and captions
·Endangered species identified
·Comprehensive supplementary notes at many entries, discussing:
-usage problems
-pronunciation questions
-distinctions among synonyms
-regional variations and dialects
·Valuable supplements in the front and back of the dictionary, including:
-synonyms
-antonyms
-words formed from common prefixes
-“Sound-Spelling Correspondences in English”
-“Basic Manual of Style”
-“Words Commonly Confused”
More of the Best Language Reference from Random House Webster’s:
Random House Webster’s College Dictionary with CD-Rom
Random House Webster’s College Thesaurus
The Best and Most Affordable Unabridged Dictionary Available Today–Only from Random House Webster’s
With over fifty years of experience in dictionary publishing behind it, Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary is the most definitive single-volume reference of the English language available. This modern dictionary offers an exhaustive, traditional study of the language, while covering the latest, most important developments–ahead of any other dictionary.
The Random House Webster’s Dictionary is designed to meet the wide-ranging needs of today’s students and scholars, who may study ancient documents one hour and surf the Internet the next; of professional writers, who craft poems or write articles for technical journals; of businesspeople, who need to communicate clearly; and–above all–the needs of word lovers.
In addition to standard and specialized vocabulary, this extensive volume contains a wide variety of up-to-date, authoritative information. The Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary is a unique general reference volume for the office, the school, and the entire family.
Important Features Include:
·A New-Words Section in the front of the book with over 1,100 important words and meanings–words such as broadband, urban legend, Disneyfy, and smoothie.
·Over 315,000 entries
·1,500 updated definitions and entries
·2,400 illustrations and spot maps
·Scholarly, up-to-date etymologies, including dates to show when terms entered the language, and showing clearly labeled Americanisms
·Entries for important and famous people; places and historical events; major works of literature, music, and art; names and abbreviations of academic, governmental, social, and fraternal organizations; popular given names; common abbreviations; and foreign terms
More important features include:
·Entries and definitions for current place names, reflecting recent political and geographical changes worldwide
·Coverage of major British, Canadian, and Australian terms
·Over 750,000 example phrases and sentences to show how words are used in context
·Metric equivalents for weight, volume, height, distance, etc., included in definitions and captions
·Endangered species identified
·Comprehensive supplementary notes at many entries, discussing:
-usage problems
-pronunciation questions
-distinctions among synonyms
-regional variations and dialects
·Valuable supplements in the front and back of the dictionary, including:
-synonyms
-antonyms
-words formed from common prefixes
-“Sound-Spelling Correspondences in English”
-“Basic Manual of Style”
-“Words Commonly Confused”
More of the Best Language Reference from Random House Webster’s:
Random House Webster’s College Dictionary with CD-Rom
Random House Webster’s College Thesaurus
Reviews
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I bought this dictionary because of Random House's reputation AND because RH stated this 2005 edition is the most up-to-date reference work. This claim is one of several claims verified to be false. A RH staffer verified that this dictionary was published in 2002. The edition they sell now is the same exact book (republished/not re-edited in 2005). The next claim states that the front section of the book contains "NEW" words NOT listed in the main section nor introduced in previous edition. This claim is also false. "Agent", for example, is found in the "new words section" AND the main section. In addition, "agent" is not a new word at all. What's it doing in this new word section? A word such as "blog" (web log) should have been included in this new section. Since this dictionary is really from 2002, it is understandable - in hindsight - why it's not listed. This word was not used much, if at all, in 2002. It was easily recognized, however, in 2005. I would NOT have purchased this dictionary if I knew it was from 2002 NOT from 2005. I'm very disappointed at being defrauded.
reviewed by imtheboss on November 21, 2006 5:54 PM
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I am trying to replace a previously "standard" edition of this dictionary - nice strong white paper and cloth bound - this edition is in a cheap paper cover and grayish newsprint-like paper. What used to be a $65 dollar execution is now apparently only available in a $ 130 de luxe version.
reviewed by stix on November 26, 2006 11:34 AM
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The jacket, binding, and cover are of nice quality. The pages are grayish in color which makes the pages easy to look at while under bright lights, but they are thin and quite fragile with regard to tearing. This dictionary is quite large and heavy compared to "college" dictionaries. The content of the dictionary is superb. There are many pictures to go along with the definitions, there is a "new words" section, many of the definitions have examples of uses for the words. The definitions are impressive and clear. I am pleased with this dictionary.
reviewed by speed5599 on November 29, 2006 2:30 PM
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I am utterly disgusted by Random House, a name I had before now considered to be one of the finest English language dictionary publishers in the business. While I still trust their scholarship, their avarice and duplicity has me so disturbed I am boycotting their dictionaries completely.
Unfortunately, my library just purchased this tome, which is billed as a "revised edition" . It is not revised in any manner which I could perceive -- as there aren't ANY NEW WORDS!!! Terms such as "blog", a word that has had a significant impact in interpersonal communication within the last two years or so, SHOULD have been included in a dictionary published in July of this year. But it is nowhere to be found!
Instead, Random House simply repackaged the 1999 edition, exchanging a red hardback cover/dust jacket for a new one in half green/half black. W-o-w. What a waste of money for consumers who are duped into thinking this is a N-E-W edition!
Random House publishers are so distracted by the dollar signs in their oculars they clearly haven't given a second thought as to how they are misleading, nay, ROBBING THEIR BUYERS!
Unfortunately, my library just purchased this tome, which is billed as a "revised edition" . It is not revised in any manner which I could perceive -- as there aren't ANY NEW WORDS!!! Terms such as "blog", a word that has had a significant impact in interpersonal communication within the last two years or so, SHOULD have been included in a dictionary published in July of this year. But it is nowhere to be found!
Instead, Random House simply repackaged the 1999 edition, exchanging a red hardback cover/dust jacket for a new one in half green/half black. W-o-w. What a waste of money for consumers who are duped into thinking this is a N-E-W edition!
Random House publishers are so distracted by the dollar signs in their oculars they clearly haven't given a second thought as to how they are misleading, nay, ROBBING THEIR BUYERS!
reviewed by paradiselove on November 29, 2006 4:41 PM