Time was this little dictionary could have been even shorter: in days when Latin (and Greek) was still taught, and when principles of English grammar and lexicography were similarly part of a standard curriculum. If times have changed for the worse in that respect, I say so not for any deluded notions of halting progress, but because lack of knowledge of the use and effectiveness of our language causes real problems and has demonstrably serious consequences. How we achieve such levels of knowledge in our brave new world is another question entirely: this useful and entertaining little book certainly should help in the process.
So many English words, especially but by no means exclusively in the scientific and technical fields, have been constructed from Latin or Greek roots; there are other sources of suffixes and prefixes from other languages and from within English itself, but the classical roots are by far the most numerous. Interestingly in the light of my comment above, computing terms tend to come from non‐classical sources and almost make a language of their own: “cyber‐” does have a Greek root but seems to have come into its modern applications by way of science fiction; “‐flop” is a partial acronym.
So the great majority of the 1,250 entries here are from Greek or Latin. In each case the entry gives any variant spellings, a direct and very concise definition of its meaning, the source word and its meaning, then an amplified, but still concise, discussion. In quite a few cases also there are lists of how the affix is used in different words. So: “‐lysis, Also lyse, ‐lyze, ‐lyte, ‐lytic and lyst. Disintegration or decomposition (Greek lusis, loosening).”
This heading is followed by a couple of short paragraphs explaining different uses of the suffix, and a separate box with a table of 13 words containing it, with their definitions and explanation of the other part of the word: “pyrolysis, decomposition brought about by high temperatures (pur, fire).”
Unusually for an English dictionary, but usefully in this case, there is a thematic index, from Biochemistry and Drugs to Time, mainly of scientific categories but also offering such as Culture and Society, Language and Communication, and Religion and Spirit. This greatly enhances the usefulness of the book, especially as a tool for more systematic investigation. As befits any good reference text, the basis is factual; but the facts are presented clearly with as much explanation as is needed and with informed comment where appropriate. Michael Quinion was a scientist by education but a word and language enthusiast by inclination after a varied career in broadcasting and tourism; since 1992 he has been researching for Oxford English dictionaries. The combination of skills and knowledge is happily wedded in this dictionary.
The initial approach to this book is likely to be for interest or amusement (or to help solve crossword puzzles): it is aimed at a primarily non‐specialist audience. Technical vocabulary is avoided where possible and explained where it has to be used. But it has a more serious function too in making up for deficiencies in understanding of important terms and it will certainly do no harm to scientists and others using these terms to know how they come about and for all of us to learn exactly what they mean. There is information and interest here in large measure for anyone with even a passing interest in words. The volume is clearly and consistently laid out and at such a ridiculously cheap price for the paperback it is aimed at the private even more than the institutional purchaser. It will serve a more than useful turn in almost any library collection.
