Bloomsbury Concise English Dictionary (2nd edition)

Once upon a time a dictionary was a list of words giving meanings and/or grammar, pronunciation and etymologies (definition number one under “dictionary” in this book). No longer: the closest definition to this dictionary here is meaning number four “a book that lists examples or information arranged alphabetically  … ”. Even the defining alphabetical arrangement is usually supplemented by tables and other appendices. The task of a dictionary reviewer now is to characterise what is included and how well it is done. The publicity sheet claims the Bloomsbury Concise English Dictionary is “more than words”, though it does admit to...