Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary & Thesaurus, Electronic Edition - Hardcover

9780877794691: Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary & Thesaurus, Electronic Edition
View all copies of this ISBN edition:
 
 
This Win/Mac CD-ROM version combines the entire contents of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary and Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Thesaurus on one CD, and installs easily on hard drive for instant access. It features 215,000 definitions, 340,000 synonyms and related words, 1000 color illustrations, 21 powerful search functions, and a Go-Online option for quick updates.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Review:
Not everyone needs a dictionary that's heavier than a Thanksgiving turkey and a vocabulary of 450,000 words. The Collegiate Dictionary, a mere 3.5 pounds, is an excellent compromise, with clear definitions and brief etymologies. Few students and professionals will want for words not covered within its 1500-plus pages. Biographical and geographical names are relegated to the index, which also includes a "Handbook of Style." A fine up-to-date starter dictionary (copyright 1996), it's small enough for a student's desk, and comprehensive enough to maintain Merriam-Webster's standards.
About the Author:

The Merriam brothers desired a continuity of editorship that would link Noah Webster's efforts with their own editions, so they selected Chauncey A. Goodrich, Webster's son-in-law and literary heir, who had been trained in lexicography by Webster himself, to be their editor in chief. Webster's son William also served as an editor of that first Merriam-Webster dictionary, which was published on September 24, 1847.

Although Webster's work was honored, his big dictionaries had never sold well. The 1828 edition was priced at a whopping $20; in 13 years its 2,500 copies had not sold out. Similarly, the 1841 edition, only slightly more affordable at $15, moved slowly. Assuming that a lower price would increase sales, the Merriams introduced the 1847 edition at $6, and although Webster's heirs initially questioned this move, extraordinary sales that brought them $250,000 in royalties over the ensuing 25 years convinced them that the Merriams' decision had been abundantly sound.

The first Merriam-Webster dictionary was greeted with wide acclaim. President James K. Polk, General Zachary Taylor (hero of the Mexican War and later president himself), 31 U.S. senators, and other prominent people hailed it unreservedly. In 1850 its acceptance as a resource for students began when Massachusetts ordered a copy for every school and New York placed a similar order for 10,000 copies to be used in schools throughout the state. Eventually school use would spread throughout the country. In becoming America's most trusted authority on the English language, Merriam-Webster dictionaries had taken on a role of public responsibility demanded of few other publishing companies. 

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

  • PublisherMerriam-Webster
  • Publication date2000
  • ISBN 10 0877794693
  • ISBN 13 9780877794691
  • BindingHardcover

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780877797104: Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  ISBN 13:  9780877797104
Publisher: MERRIAM-WEBSTER, 1993
Hardcover

  • 9780877795100: Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary: Brown-Leather-Like/Stock #10

    Merria..., 1960
    Hardcover

  • 9780877795117: Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary: Private Library Edition/Stock #11

    Merria..., 1983
    Hardcover

  • 9781890942625: Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary & Thesaurus Deluxe Audio Edition for Windows/PC

    Fogwar...
    Hardcover

Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace

Stock Image

Merriam-Webster
Published by Merriam-Webster (2000)
ISBN 10: 0877794693 ISBN 13: 9780877794691
New Hardcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
GF Books, Inc.
(Hawthorne, CA, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: New. Book is in NEW condition. Seller Inventory # 0877794693-2-1

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 66.82
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds