Post by m***@gmail.comHi,
1) How many words exist in Webster dictionary?
2) If words are listed by alphabet, is it possible to be listed in any
other way?
Thanks
I suppose I qualify as "someone expert in Webster dictionary."
The first point we need to clear up is that there are many "Webster"
dictionaries.
From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webster's_Dictionary
"Webster's Dictionary" is the title given for the common type of
English language dictionaries in the United States. It is derived from
American lexicographer Noah Webster and in the United States, the
phrase Webster's has become a genericized trademark for dictionaries.
Although Merriam-Webster dictionaries are descended from those of the
original purchasers of Noah Webster's work, many other dictionaries
bear his name, such as those published by Random House and John Wiley
& Sons.
Merriam-Webster's Third New International Dictionary, what I would
call the troubled heir to Noah Webster's legacy, is by no means the
largest English-language dictionary. When Americans want to talk and
think about their version of English, they turn to it, but when they
really need to know details about the language, they turn to the
largest lexicographical project in history, the Oxford English
Dictionary.
There are "more than 476,000 entries" in the latest version of the
Third International, according to Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Third-International-Dictionary-English-Language/dp/0877792011
In contrast:
From: http://www.oed.com/tour/step-2.html
The OED:
-- provides authoritative definitions of over 500,000 words
-- traces the usage of words from their first recorded occurrence to
the modern period through 2.5 million quotations from a wide range of
international language sources
-- offers the best in etymological analysis and detailed listings of
variant spellings
-- uses the International Phonetic Alphabet to show pronunciation
Cost-wise:
You can buy the 3rd International for 90 bucks or thereabouts.
It will cost you 900 bucks to bring home a 20-volume set of the OED,
and 400 bucks to bring home a version that you need a magnifying glass
to read. You'll then need to buy the three major supplements to round
out your OED experience, for another 210 dollars. You can buy a CD
that has the dictionary and all the supplements on it for $300 bucks.
---------------------
On to the second question: can we list words in any other way than
alphabetically?
Of course. Using the alphabet is the traditional way to do things.
There are quite a few second-language learner's dictionaries that list
words by topic. One of the best is:
Longman Active Study Dictionary
The Longman Active Study Dictionary is ideal for intermediate students
who want a dictionary that lasts them up to advanced level. The best-
selling dictionary in its category, the Active Study includes all the
information students need to improve their English and increase their
vocabulary in a portable size. It has more words, phrases, and
examples than any other dictionary at this level.
From: http://eltcatalogue.pearson.com/TopicArea.asp?TopicAreaID=AG0004
Good luck.