Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language,

Unabridged. A Merriam Webster. Ed. in Chief. Philip Babcock Gove and the

The Third New International has been the subject of much controversy due to its numerous format changes from the second edition, exemplified in part by the deletion of over 150,000 obsolete" terms. The work strives for "accuracy, clearness, and comprehensiveness" in the following ways:

Scope:

Contains over 450,000 terms, including those of a scientific or technical nature, as well as words considered to be "slang" or "substandard" vocabulary. The work excludes many obsolete terms once contained in the New International, while encompassing over 50,000 terms not seen in the previous volume. Later printings include an addenda for terms not listed in the 1961 edition.

Definitions developed from usage since the New International which are descriptive, rather than prescriptive, in nature. Entries include pronunciation based upon the "MerriamWebster System", part of speech, etymology, and definitions in order of historical development of the term. Also included are simple sentences or signed quotations, which illustrate the various senses of a word. Synonyms, syllabication, and part of speech are included for most terms. Foreign-language terms, unless part of conventional English usage, are generally omitted.

Includes illustrative material at or near the defined term rather than in a separate appendix, such as entries for the Braille alphabet or signs of the zodiac. The gazetteer and biographical dictionary seen in the New International have been omitted from this edition.

Format:

A single-volume work with three-column page format. Clear, readable, Times Roman text with italics and boldface type used for emphasis. Minimal use of black and white line drawings, with two full color plates.

Overall, a comprehensive source concerned with usage of the English language in a conventional manner, which complements but does not totally replace the New International.

R;tw