Words in brief

Press, 16 June 1979, Page 17

Words in brief

Chambers Mini Dictionary. Edited by E. M. Kirkpatrick. W. and R. Chambers, 1979. 634 pp. $2.85. Chambers have produced a truly pocket or purse dictionary of English in the belief, they say, that “today everyone needs a dictionary”. Thirtyeight thousand definitions are included in a book which measures 7.2 cm by 10.6 cm and is 2.4 cm thick. The type is tiny, but clear. Pronunciations are given for less familiar words, a handful of examples of the use of some words are provided, but no indication is given of the derivation of words, a failing now in many dictionaries.

The chief criticism of the “Mini Dictionary” must be that, in the interests of brevity within admirably small compass, the great majority of the words which might be sought in a dictionary have had to be excluded. Again like some other brief dictionaries, this one tends to list the words which most educated English speakers can be expected to know, and excludes uncommon, dialectic, or specialised words. lor someone learning to speak English, in search of clear definitions of a basic vocaoulary, the “Mini Dictionary” would be admirable. For most other uses it is just too terse.