Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language Based on the International Dictionary of 1890 and 1900 Now completely revised in all Departments, including also a Gazetteer and other Appendices

Abstract

THE origin of “Webster” dates from a notable period in the history of works of reference, the second half of the eighteenth century. Noah Webster, a teacher in the United States, entered upon his earliest work of compilation about the same time that “a society of gentlemen in Scotland” were producing the first edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica in Edinburgh. His spelling book appeared in 1783; it doubtless contained the germ of his larger idea, though this was not developed for many years —the first edition of his dictionary only appeared in 1828. Apart from re-issues and supplements (and also, to judge from a warning in the prospectus, pirated editions), there have been two great revisions of the original work before the present one, namely, those of 1864 and 1890. Both in the method of presenting facts and in mechanical construction the “new” revision introduces changes so great as to justify the use of the epithet in every sense, and some of these changes are of much importance and interest to all who have been led by frequent use to formulate views on the right arrangement of works of reference.

Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language. Based on the International Dictionary of 1890 and 1900. Now completely revised in all Departments, including also a Gazetteer and other Appendices.

Edited by Dr. W. T. Harris F. S. Allen. Pp. lxxx + 2620. (London: G. Bell and Sons, Ltd.; Springfield, Mass, U.S.A.: G. and C. Merriam Company, 1911) Price 2l. 13s. 6d. net.