The Oxford English Dictionary is the internationally recognized authority on the evolution of the English language from 1150 to the present day. The Dictionary defines over 500,000 words, making it an unsurpassed guide to the meaning, pronunciation, and history of the English language. This new upgrade version of The Oxford English Dictionary Second Edition on CD-ROM offers unparalleled access to the world's most important reference work for the English language. The text of this version has been augmented with the inclusion of the Oxford English Dictionary Additions Series (Volumes 1-3), published in 1993 and 1997, the Bibliography to the Second Edition, and other ancillary material. System requirements: PC with minimum 200 MHz Pentium-class processor; 32 MB RAM (64 MB recommended); 16-speed CD-ROM drive (32-speed recommended); Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, 200, or XP (Local administrator rights are required to install and open the OED for the first time on a PC running Windows NT 4 and to install and run the OED on Windows 2000 and XP); 1.1 GB hard disk space to run the OED from the CD-ROM and 1.7 GB to install the CD-ROM to the hard disk: SVGA monitor: 800 x 600 pixels: 16-bit (64k, high color) setting recommended. Please note: for the upgrade, installation requires the use of the OED CD-ROM v2.0.

The New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary is the most significant dictionary of the decade. Freshly abridged from the acclaimed Second Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary, it represents the ultimate authority on contemporary and historical English, next to the OED itself. Incorporating a wealth of newly researched material, it includes all the key features of the OED in just two volumes, making it the top-of-the-range Oxford dictionary for eveyday use. Both current and historical English are covered in its 220,000 entries, including such neologisms as dweeb,sellathon, masculist, and winterim. Its 500,000 definitions are illustrated with 87,000 quotations from 10,000 authors, each showing precisely how a word has been used over the centuries. New 'contributors' range from Stephen King to Keri Hulme, Doris Lessing to Seamus Heaney. Each entry provides a wealth of information, including history and meaning, pronunciation, entymology, definitions, varient spellings, irregular inflections, quotations, idiomatic phrases and combinations, and a precise record of a word's use. No other general dictionary can provide access to sucha comprehensive account of the English language. * All the key features of the OED in just two volumes * Covers English from 1700 to today * 220,000 entries and over 500,000 definitions * 87,000 illustrative quotations from 10,000 authors * Four million words of text * Thousands of rare words, as well as the very latest vocabulary * Up-to-date pronunciation systems * Generous coverage of English around the world

Provides definitions of words in contemporary use in English-speaking countries throughout the world, with examples of idiomatic uses, guides to irregular forms, notes on grammar and preferred usage, and lists of related terms.

The Concise Oxford English Dictionary is one of the most popular choices in Oxford's renowned dictionary line. This Luxury Edition is perfect for anyone looking to invest in a reliable resource for home, school, or office. It includes unique features such as cut thumb tabs, printed endpapers, ribbon marker, with coloured head and tailbands making it a centerpiece for all bookshelves. This centenary edition of the Concise Oxford English Dictionary Luxury Edition presents the most accurate picture of English today. It contains over 240,000 words, phrases, and definitions, providing superb coverage of contemporary English, including rare, historical, and archaic terms, scientific and technical vocabulary, and English from around the world. The dictionary has been updated with hundreds of new words--including sub-prime, social networking, and carbon footprint--all based on the latest research from the Oxford English Corpus. In addition, the dictionary features an engaging new center section, with quick-reference word lists (containing, for example, lists of Fascinating Words and Onomatopoeic Words), and a revised and updated English Uncovered supplement, which examines interesting facts about the English language. Sprinkled throughout the text are intriguing Word Histories, detailing the origins and development of numerous words. The volume also retains such popular features as the hundreds of usage notes which give advice on tricky vocabulary and pointers to help you improve your use of English. Finally, the dictionary contains full appendices on topics such as alphabets, currencies, electronic English, and the registers of language (from formal to slang), plus a useful Guide to Good English with advice on grammar, punctuation, and spelling. This Luxury Edition also includes 12 months' of access to Oxford Dictionaries Online at oxforddictionaries.com.

This Dictionary is part of the Oxford Reference Collection: using sustainable print-on-demand technology to make the acclaimed backlist of the Oxford Reference programme perennially available in hardback format. What is a ham-and-egger? What are Anglo-Saxon attitudes? Who or what is liable to jump the shark? Who first tried to nail jelly to the wall? The answers to these and many more questions are in this fascinating book. Here in one volume you can track down the stories behind the names and sayings you meet, whether in classic literature or today's news. Drawing on Oxford's unrivalled bank of reference and language online resources, this dictionary covers classical and other mythologies, history, religion, folk customs, superstitions, science and technology, philosophy, and popular culture. Extensive cross referencing makes it easy to trace specific information, while every page points to further paths to explore. A fascinating slice of cultural history, and a browser's delight from start to finish. What is the fog of war? Who first wanted to spend more time with one's family? When was the Dreamtime? How long since the first cry of Women and children first? Where might you find dark matter? Would you want the Midas touch? Should you worry about grey goo?