The Roots of English: A Reader's Handbook of Word Origins

Robert Claiborne

ISBN 10: 0812917162 / ISBN 13: 9780812917161

Published by TimesBooks, 1989

May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0812917162I4N00

Synopsis:

The richest of languages, English contains some 600,000 words OED . Of these perhaps 450,000 are in current use. Clairborne discusses the sources of the language in general, then specifically describes the Germanic, Latin, Greek roots of our words. A delightful browse with much value as a reference. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

Reviews: Like Joseph T. Shipley's Origins of English Words ( LJ 6/1/84), but in briefer compass, this book gives an entertaining and enlightening glimpse into the many fascinating word histories hidden in our English vocabulary. For anyone who even wondered how "tooth" and "dentist" could be from the same source, or what "futile" has to do with "funnel," Claiborne suggests sources for learning more. An index of English words gives access to the main listing of Indo-European roots in alphabetical order, each with its descendants in English--via Greek, Latin, French, or German. Uncertain or controversial etymologies are identified as such. A book that word buffs, linguists, and language teachers will enjoy.
- Catherine V. von Schon, SUNY at Stony Brook
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Roots of English: A Reader's Handbook of...
Publisher: TimesBooks
Publication Date: 1989
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good
Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket