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marlow
Joined: 06 Feb 2005
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Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 5:57 pm Post subject: Does Your Dictionary Have These Words...? |
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So, I've been using the Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary for a few years now. I bought it because it is reasonably priced, and has most words, as well as a decent etymology for each word.
I tend to consult dictionaries often. This week I stumped it twice, though, while reading Hesse in translation. The dictionary didn't have "fewmets" or "varinga". I found out what they mean over the internet, but I think I have to get a new dictionary.
Not wanting to shell out for the complete OED, what is a really thorough and high quality dictionary at a reasonable price? |
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schwa
Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap
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Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 6:12 pm Post subject: |
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I'm a fan of obscure words too. I dont think theres a perfect answer to your question. A definitive hardcopy dictionary is necessarily going to be expensive & unwieldy.
I use a Concise OED I bought locally, supplemented (frequently) with internet searches.
By the way, do you know www.etymonline.com ? Wonderful resource for logophiles. |
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baldrick

Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Location: Location, Location
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Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 6:56 pm Post subject: |
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Does it have 'mattoid'? |
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Bee Positive
Joined: 27 Oct 2005
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Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 8:42 pm Post subject: onelook.com |
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Try
http://www.onelook.com .
It's the only dictionary you'll ever need. (Almost.)
BEE POSITIVE |
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marlow
Joined: 06 Feb 2005
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Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 9:11 pm Post subject: |
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baldrick wrote: |
Does it have 'mattoid'? |
Have to check when I get home.
schwa wrote: |
I'm a fan of obscure words too. I dont think theres a perfect answer to your question. A definitive hardcopy dictionary is necessarily going to be expensive & unwieldy.
I use a Concise OED I bought locally, supplemented (frequently) with internet searches.
By the way, do you know www.etymonline.com ? Wonderful resource for logophiles. |
Yeah, I think my learning won't suffer too much using the dictionary I have plus some internet searching. The complete OED in compact version is available for $500 CAD, so I might get that sometime.
Bee Positive wrote: |
Try
http://www.onelook.com .
It's the only dictionary you'll ever need. (Almost.)
BEE POSITIVE |
Seems good, but no varinga (a type of tree I guess). |
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jajdude
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
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Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 9:50 am Post subject: |
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I read an interesting word today in the IHT newpaper...
crapulosities
I haven't looked it up yet, but what a word!
It was in an article by Paul Theroux called "The rock star's burden"
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"Just a few years ago you couldn't buy condoms legally in Ireland, nor could you get a divorce, though (just like in Malawi) buckets of beer were easily available and unruly crapulosities a national curse."
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It was an intersting article. |
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BigBuds

Joined: 15 Sep 2005 Location: Changwon
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Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 10:15 am Post subject: |
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Varinga.........isn't that the first version of Viagra |
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antoniothegreat

Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Location: Yangpyeong
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Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 8:06 pm Post subject: |
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BigBuds wrote: |
Varinga.........isn't that the first version of Viagra |
i thought it was related to bagina, i vag... |
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igotthisguitar

Joined: 08 Apr 2003 Location: South Korea (Permanent Vacation)
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Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 8:38 pm Post subject: |
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Without LATIN or GREEK roots English dictionaries are really quite secondary  |
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schwa
Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap
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Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 2:45 am Post subject: |
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igotthisguitar wrote: |
Without LATIN or GREEK roots English dictionaries are really quite secondary  |
Um, secondary to what? English is generous in its sources.
Your "idea" doesnt translate. |
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