The Compact Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary, 2 Vols w/Reading Glass

by Herbert Coleridge (editor), Frederick J. Furnivall (editor), James Murray (editor)

Linguistic type: lexicon. Complete text (without the four Supplement volumes) reproduced micrographically of the 13 volume Oxford English Dictionary published in 1933.
Volume 1. A-O
Volume 2. P-Z

Genres: Reference, Language, Nonfiction, Dictionaries, Education, Writing, Literature

4116 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1933

Reviews

[andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt ridiculous marking this as "read" because of course I haven't read it. But I felt compelled to write a review (spoiler-free). See, I have a real phobia of the suffocating feeling of owning too many things. Because of this, my belongings are pretty sparse. The few things that I do own, I treasure with an irrational devotion. One of those loved possessions is my 1971 Compact Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. From its charming drawer that contains the very necessary magnifying glass to its micro font to its hernia-inducing weight, this treasure trove of words has come to feel like an old friend. The Oxford English Dictionary has been the standard as THE historical dictionary of the English language as it not only gives you a thoroughly thorough definition but also the historical development and etymological roots and usage and variations of each word. This two volume, compact edition contains the original 13 volumes of the OED from 1933. By reducing the size of each page from the 1933 edition, this 1971 edition contains four original pages on each page (hence the magnifying glass). There is really nothing like spending an hour on a snowy Sunday morning with a mug full of steaming coffee in one hand and a magnifying glass in the other, hunched over one of these volumes and just luxuriating in how surprisingly exhaustive the entry for the word "break" is, or realizing that that one time that I accidentally referred to something as being potentially "includible" and then immediately felt like a dope for making up a word was unnecessary as there IS an entry for "includible/includable", or, my gosh, the thrilling experience of learning the etymological roots of the word "ampersand". Sometimes, when I lug around my own copy of this big old thing, I think of it as a tombstone, signifying the death of printed encyclopedias and language usage books and dictionaries. I get it, it does not make sense to print these sorts of things any longer. On the other hand, its gravity feels defiant and not only owning the thing but actually using it feels like a rebellion (maybe even a proper middle finger) against the distraction culture that I simultaneously overindulge in and yet detest.

[else fine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this dictionary. Sometimes I flip it open and read it just for fun, peering down at the page with my funky replacement magnifying glass (having lost the sleek one which came standard, tucked into its very own drawer), reading about the histories of my favorite words or finding new ones that I'll probably never have any occasion to use. This dictionary also makes an excellent end table, if you're not the sort of person who is bothered by coffee rings to your books. Mine looks like crap - battered and stained, scuffed on all sides from repeated moves. It's a set made to be used - sturdy binding, clear type, table-sized slipcase, handy drawer for stuff - and that just makes me love it more. In fact (and I realize that by now I am starting to sound a little insane), we have two copies in our house. People think this is excessive, but what if something happened to one of them? Better to have a spare, just in case.
Yes. I love this dictionary.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the ultimate dictionary. It is especially recommended for keeping in the kitchen, for those times when you have to wait for the water to boil, and turn to a page, then look, using the reading glass from the little drawer above the two volumes, and see....

Dumbledore. A humble-bee or a bumble bee or a dial. cockchafer.

Which leads to:

Cockchafer. A colcopterous insect or beetle, well known in England and Europe.

Of course, these are only bits of the definitions, but every time I touch either volume of this book, something wonderful happens. No matter how much the English language changes, going back and seeing where words came from is valuable activity.

[Bob Peru · Rating 4 out of 5]

i have this. i use the magnifying glass to look at topo maps whilst drinkin' beer. ya know plannin' hikin' trips an' such.

i generally use my full-on 20 volume OED.

[Chip · Rating 5 out of 5]

*THE* resource. Don't lose the magnifying glass (I did, had to buy a new one). More portable than the multiple volume set. Quicker access and more informative than the online version (not many books can say that today) and cheaper than the annual subscription. Keep your eyes open, you can often pick this up at a used bookstore - great investment. Will not have the latest stuff, but you already know that! What you need is the historical context; this book is historic context personified.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this when I was at college and finally learnt what a real dictionary was all about. I could get lost in the pages of a dictionary, skipping from one definition to another to see how long a chain I can make of words I didn't know.

[Erik Graff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I obtained this, which, with supplements, is the most complete dictionary of the English language, as an introductory offer from The Book of the Month Club soon after matriculating at Union Theological Seminary in New York. It was quite inexpensive, maybe $19.99. Since then I've also obtained the supplement.

Given the tiny print, four pages of the original set on each page of this edition, this OED is difficult to use. Thus the magnifying glass which accompanies it. Still, it covers terms not included in the largest Webster's and can prove infuriatingly useful in Scrabble.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique history of the English language and how it's changed and grown. Unfortunately, this is the edition I own. So much about the English language has changed in the last 3 1/2 decades! Wish I had the funds to subscribe annually online to the OED! But it's still fun to look at the old editions, such as this one, to see the history of the English language up until that time.

[Alvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book(s) that I sleep with they stay in my bed
I open random pages and read, then go where it takes me An endless experiment in the language, something new each time.
I suggest you get one. Love to have the 20 volumes set but I'm not that obsessed yet

[Billy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most fabulous dictionary of the English language (other than the complete edition of the Oxford). You should be able to access the complete version, updated frequently, through your local library. This is the most indispensible tool I have ever used other than a pen!

[eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

What more can be said? The OED is simply the coolest book ever written by humans. Seriously.

[Meredythe Hutchinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, so I didn't read the WHOLE thing, but the parts I have were very interesting.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Along with the Norton Anthology of English Literature, one of the two sacrosanct texts for all English scholars.

[Julio The Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are serious about reading and writing in English you must own and peruse the Oxford English Dictionary, or OED as we aficionados call the masterpiece. Everyone knows how the OED was carefully and painfully compiled over decades; the lexicographers sometimes spent years tracking down the origins and usage of just one word. Their effort paid off and still does. The OED has influenced the prose of everyone from Winston Churchill to J.R. Tolkien, not that Americans have been left in the lurch. Every entry features a full definition, the earliest usage of a word, and subsequent evolution. Personal favorites: "Conatus", "Marplot" and "Ingemination".

[Morghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel I should say that I have not read the entire thing for that would have been an Amazing feat on itself however I do love reading different parts of it just opening up to a random page and seeing what’s on it. Finding some new words to add to my repertoire. Someday I might read them all but I’m not completely sure if that would happen.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve randomly paged thru this but I have owned this set for almost 40 years.

[Wetdryvac Wetdryvac · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dictionary I grew up on of the language I grew up on. I mostly use an old CD version of the same thing these days for ease of access, but... yeah. This is my baby, and no-really, I've read the whole thing more than once. A meditative comfort.

[Dallas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was given to me as a gift several years ago and I refer to it often when I need a thorough definition or etymology. I know this increases my geek factor, but I love words. For a quick look-up, though, I prefer the Oxford American Dictionary.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

i feel like a detective using the magnifying glass! woo! i say, searching words and discovering their origins. woo!

[Trudie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't actually read all of this, just excerpts.

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps the greatest scholarly endeavour in any language.

[Garnette]

wish list

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be a mainstay in personal libraries. It is in mine along with Webster's 11th edition.

[Boaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

IT WAS FANTASTIC. I loved all the unique words used in its plot, for it was suspenseful all the way. Best book I've ever read and I recommend it to anyone that has the time.

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muahaha! That is all.

[Gregory Witt]

i wish it didnt hurt so much to read, but, until i happen to find the 20 volume set in some magical dumpster somewhere...

[Ekaterina · Rating 5 out of 5]

That's a great posibility to learn the origin of the English words!

[Muqutadir Ahmed]

its good and very helpful...

[Sunny Alive]

it will improve my english

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Constant companion throughout my life. I love these two books more than I do most people.