The Chambers Dictionary 12th Edition [Hardcover]

My first 'proper' dictionary, many years ago, was the "Chambers 20th Century", of which this is the successor. I loved that dictionary, and I love this one, because I am fascinated by the English language - where it comes from, how it changes and evolves, and all the little idiosyncracies and curlicues that result.

In addition to the main dictionary itself, Chambers throws in the following:
- At the start, a short introductory "history of English" and observations on the global varieties of English which are now exerting ever more influence
- In the middle, some entertainment in the form of:
(a) Some miscellaneous lists of particularly evocative, obscure, interesting words
(b) 2-3 letter words for use in Scrabble
(c) Help in decoding cryptic crossword clues
- At the end, some useful reference information, including Periodic table, Beaufort scale for wind speed, champagne bottle sizes, etc.

However, the main delight remains the dictionary. The layout is clear and the font size not too small to be readable. On many pages you will find a shaded box highighting a particularly notable or interesting word. And the definitions are written with a clarity, brevity and wit that would make Samuel Johnson proud. I checked, and my personal favourite is still there:

eclair: a cake, long in shape but short in duration

In terms of the book itself, it smacks of quality throughout:
- Beautifully bound - when the paper dust-jacket rips (as it eventually will, with use) you have classy plain red boards with gold-stamped writing on the spine
- The spine is bound separately from the cover, so that the book naturally lies flat, open at whatever page has been chosen, without any damage. I have tested this from the first page to the last, and it works everywhere
- The paper is very thin, to reduce the thickness and weight over the overall book, but strong and crisp. It is slightly translucent, similar to some Bibles, but the printing is so clear and well laid out that the minor "show through" from the reverse is not a problem.
- a simple ribbon book mark is built-in

If you do not own a decent dictionary, or if your existing one is getting a bit tired and dishevelled, get this one. There is no better on the market for this price.

110 years after the first edition the Chambers Dictionary, 12th edition published this year continues to show why it is a leader in the field. As with previous editions, there is a concise but useful short history of the English language, followed by a brief account of the varieties of English - British, American, Australian, Canadian, and also English in South Africa and India. A two-page guide on how to use this dictionary is very useful, as is the two-page spelling guide. The pronunciation chart produces the full and comprehensive range of pronunciation using symbols and examples that are extremely easy to understand, and thus one is able to pronounce a difficult word confidently using this chart. There is a simplified version running in one line at the bottom of every page. In the majority of cases, this version would be adequate.

Chambers usually maintains definitions of words not found in other dictionaries, for example, "Antisyzygy", "noun. a union of opposites" is not found even in the Shorter Oxford. Neither is "Antiphrasis". As an example of the style and quality of definitions used, Chambers defines "sophisticate" as "vt to give a fashionable air of worldly wisdom to; to make (eg a machine) highly complex and efficient; to make sophistic; to adulterate, falsify. vi to practise sophistry. n a sophisticated person. adj old) sophisticated." Chambers defines "talion" as (legal hist) n like for like; retaliation." The Shorter Oxford defines it as "Retaliation". The user will also find numerous "starred words" that is, words such as "abbot of unreason" highlighted in boxes marked with a star. These are words that have gone out of use but which the editors believe retain a charm that might see them used again.

Finally, the 12th edition introduces a fascinating 64-page "Word Lover's Miscellany" describing lists of "weasel words", "27 cringeworthy words", "66 formal words for familiar things"; and a wordgame companion that has a list of two-letter words for wordgames, words with "J, Q, X, and Z". This dictionary is useful, pleasant, and fun to use.

If, like me, you love crosswords and word games, this is the book for you. It contains a whole goldmine of useful words and definitions, some of them are rather humorous (Check out Mullet).

It's the Bible of many crossword setters, and not hard to see why. There's a nice supplement which contains all sorts of interesting word facts and feats, including a list of useful two letter words to use in Scrabble and other word games.

A superb product and one that should be on your bookshelf.