Sturdy, clearly and attractively laid out in two‐column format, based on the resources of Chambers Wordtrack (monitoring new words and meanings) and of the British National Corpus, this modestly priced, new dictionary promises students (from age 15 up) “real help” for their class work and homework. Primarily designed to meet the requirements of Key Stage 4 of the English and Welsh National Curriculum, the core dictionary (pp. 1‐920) will also be of service to students at other levels, and to learners of English.
Useful features include indication of changes needed in order to spell correctly, for example, the plurals of nouns and the different tenses of verbs; change to a different part of speech (for example from verb to noun senses of word); etymologies (word histories); blocks of idioms and phrasal verbs. Pronunciation is given in the International Phonetic Alphabet for words that can cause difficulty.
Usage panels throughout the dictionary give practical help with aspects of grammar and spelling, distinguishing words that are often confused (like horde and hoard, elder and older, cynical and sceptical, amoral and immoral, less and fewer, lend and loan, assurance and insurance. These panels also show when and how words should be used, such as when to use between and when to use among; the precise references of Britain, British, British Isles, Great Britain, United Kingdom; the correct negative form of used to; shall and will; sort; kind; I and me; ‐ise and ize; its and it’s; farther and further; different from, to, or than; ago and since. Interspersed tables present systems such as the Braille alphabet; Common abbreviations; Geological time scale; Greek alphabet; Morse code; NATO phonetic alphabet; Wedding anniversaries.
The choice of words and phrases for inclusion in the dictionary’s over 170,000 references is, to my mind, outstandingly realistic, practical, and notably appropriate to the targeted users and age group. Essential words in humanities, sciences, and technologies are arrayed with words from foreign languages and from cultures worldwide, and with the colloquialisms beloved by the young. The definitions are universally excellent. Three examples:
zounds exclam. Archaic used in oaths, etc.; expressing astonishment or annoyance. 17c: from God’s wounds.
Yiddish noun a language spoken by many Jews, based on medieval German, with elements from HEBREW and several other, esp. SLAVONIC, languages. >adj. consisting of, or spoken or written in, this language. 19c: from German jüdisch_Jewish.
box junction noun, Brit an area at the intersection of a road junction, marked with a grid of yellow lines, which vehicles may enter only if the exit is clear.
Abbreviations are exceptionally well covered, for example: AH, AI, AID, BAF, BAFTA, CIA, CID, EST (i.e. electric shock treatment – Eastern Standard Time is missing!), PVC, PW (policewoman), WPC, WWF, WWW, WYSIWYG.
All in all, one of the most useful, informative, and lively dictionaries of its size that I’ve had the pleasure to examine for many years, it will win countless, faithful and grateful users!
To gild the lily, the 48‐page Study Supplement, which completes the volume, encapsulates advice and guidance which cannot fail to set students on a winning streak. These are lucidly expressed suggestions on how to write good, accurate English, and how to understand the key terms and concepts in a wide range of subjects. The main section, Essay‐writing, is first‐rate, with sound advice on constructing essays and presenting ideas clearly. Sections on Science, ICT, Mathematics, Geography, and History bring together and explain key terms, and provide a helpful reference guide to formulae, symbols, key facts, etc. There are tips on memorising important facts and – true sign of modernity! – lists of helpful Web sites. From SI prefixes and SI units, through Taxonomic classification and some key mathematical terms, to some significant historical events, the Study Supplement is useful for all of us, and indispensable for students.
Chambers may justifiably be proud of their new Study Dictionary. It is admirable, and likely to win widespread acclaim and popularity. It is recommended, without hesitation, to all academic, reference, and school libraries.
