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The Concise Oxford English Dictionary, today a world-famous bestseller, has always been a ground-breaking dictionary. In its first edition, The Concise Oxford Dictionary was adapted by Henry Watson Fowler and Francis George Fowler from The Oxford Dictionary (now known as the Oxford English Dictionary). It was revolutionary at the time for covering current English usage and common words and excluding obsolete words. It was the dictionary for speakers and writers in the early 20th century, rival to none.From the beautiful art deco detailing to the faithfully reproduced pages, this edition of The Concise Oxford Dictionary authentically replicates the original 1911 publication. Includes an introduction with an essay from today's foremost commentator on language, David Crystal, setting the book in the political and social context of its time.
This volume investigates the evolution of English lexicography by presenting the inaugural 1911 edition of a seminal reference work. The authors, H.W. and F.G. Fowler, sought to distill the massive Oxford English Dictionary into a practical, portable resource for contemporary users. By prioritizing current usage over archaic terminology, the text established a new standard for linguistic accessibility in the early 20th century, a shift contextualized here by modern linguist David Crystal.
What You Will Find
Experts recognize this edition as a significant historical artifact that illustrates the development of modern lexicographical practices. Readers frequently note that the text serves as both a functional reference tool and a window into the linguistic norms of the Edwardian period.
Page Count:
1041
Publication Date:
2011-07-07
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0199696128
ISBN-13:
9780199696123
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