Etymology

The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

This newly updated edition of America's favorite dictionary features
revised biographical and geographical entries as well as up-to-date
charts and tables for topics such as world currencies and chemical
elements. Among the 500 entries new to this update are Amber Alert,
blogosphere, gravitino, halo effect, hawala, lycopene, malware, micropolis,
proteome, Qi Gong, SARS, shout-out, speed dating, sudoku, Texas hold'em,
text message, and wiki.

The renowned American Heritage® Usage Panel, a group of more
than 200 distinguished writers, scholars, and scientists, offers advice on
problems of grammar and style; engaging notes explain word histories
and clarify differences among synonyms; thousands of quotations and
example sentences show words in context; and elegant definitions are
enhanced by 4,000 full-color photographs, drawings, and maps, making
this one of the most readable dictionaries available anywhere.

This dictionary can also be purchased with a fully loadable
Windows® / Mac® CD-ROM that contains the entire text of the
updated Fourth Edition, 68,000 audio pronunciations, 1,000 full-color
photographs and illustrations, and a college-level thesaurus with more
than 260,000 synonyms. The CD-ROM has spell-check capability and
can be used in conjunction with any Microsoft® Office application to get
definitions at the click of a mouse.

The Dord, the Diglot, and an Avocado or Two: The Hidden Lives and Strange Origins of Common and Not-So-Common Words

Dictionary of Word Roots and Combining Forms

The First Word: The Search for the Origins of Language

An accessible exploration of a burgeoning new field: the incredible evolution of language

The first popular book to recount the exciting, very recent developments in tracing the origins of language, The First Word is at the forefront of a controversial, compelling new field. Acclaimed science writer Christine Kenneally explains how a relatively small group of scientists that include Noam Chomsky and Steven Pinker assembled the astounding narrative of how the fundamental process of evolution produced a linguistic ape—in other words, us. Infused with the wonder of discovery, this vital and engrossing book offers us all a better understanding of the story of humankind.

Grammar in Use Intermediate With answers: Self-study Reference and Practice for Students of English (Grammar in Use)

Grammar in Use Intermediate is a highly successful grammar text known for its clear explanations and innovative format. Each unit in the Student's Book is a two-page spread that teaches a specific grammar point on the left-hand page, and provides practice exercises on the right. A unique combination of reference grammar and practice book, this book can be used as a classroom text or for self-study. The new edition includes an Audio CD and nine units of new material. Two entirely new sections have also been added: Additional Exercises, which give students the opportunity to consolidate what they have learned; and the Study Guide, which helps students figure out which units they need to study. An answer key is now included in the back of the book. An edition without answers is also available. Grammar in Use Intermediate, is suitable for students who are preparing for the TOEFL® Test and other standard examinations.

Grammar in Use Intermediate is a highly successful grammar text known for its clear explanations and innovative format.

100 Words To Make You Sound Smart (100 Words)

The newest title in the popular 100 Words series is an informative
and entertaining resource that can help anyone be right on the
money when looking for words that will make a point, seal the deal,
or just keep folks listening. Chosen by the editors of the American
Heritage Dictionaries, these words will appeal to anyone who wants
to be a more compelling communicator—as a worker, consumer,
advocate, friend, dinner companion, or even as a romantic prospect.

The book includes a colorful variety of words, including handy
words of just one syllable (such as glib) and words derived from the
names of famous people (such as Freudian slip and Machiavellian).
There are expressions from popular culture (Catch-22) and words that
date back to classical civilization (spartan and stoic). Each word is
clearly defined and shown in context with quotations from contemporary
sources: magazines, newspapers, broadcast media, movies, and
television. For many words, quotations from distinguished authors and
speakers are also given and word histories are explained.

Like its predecessors in this successful series, 100 Words to
Make You Sound Smart provides an affordable and enjoyable way
to communicate more effectively. It offers the coveted gift of gab to
anyone who needs to "say it right"—and to anyone who wants to sound
more articulate.

Chinese Characters: A Genealogy and Dictionary

This dictionary is designed to help students understand, appreciate and remember Chinese characters. It has the following features: -Every character entry includes a brief traditional Chinese etymology. -Genealogical charts highlight the connections between characters, showing the creation of more than 4000 characters from less than 200 simple pictographs and ideographs. -Mandarin standards in China and Taiwan are distinguished. -Simplified forms for each character are given. -Character entries list all words which use the character in any position, allowing a word to be found even if the first character is unknown. -English definitions are referenced in an English-Chinese index. -A word pronunciation index allows students to directly search for an overheard word without having to guess the initial character. -A stroke count index lists every character by number of strokes.

Semantic Antics: How and Why Words Change Meaning

A fun, new approach to examining etymology!

Many common English words started out with an entirely different meaning than the one we know today. For example:

The word adamant came into English around 855 C.E. as a synonym for 'diamond,' very different from today's meaning of the word: "utterly unyielding in attitude or opinion."

Before the year 1200, the word silly meant "blessed," and was derived from Old English saelig, meaning "happy." This word went through several incarnations before adopting today's meaning: "stupid or foolish."

In Semantic Antics, lexicographer Sol Steinmetz takes readers on an in-depth, fascinating journey to learn how hundreds of words have evolved from their first meaning to the meanings used today.

Reading the OED: One Man, One Year, 21,730 Pages

An obsessive word loverÂ’s account of reading the Oxford English Dictionary cover to cover.

“I’m reading the OED so you don’t have to. If you are interested in vocabulary that is both spectacularly useful and beautifully useless, read on...”

So reports Ammon Shea, the tireless, word-obsessed, and more than slightly masochistic author of Reading the OED. The word loverÂ’s Mount Everest, the OED has enthralled logophiles since its initial publication 80 years ago. Weighing in at 137 pounds, it is the dictionary to end all dictionaries.

In 26 chapters filled with sharp wit, sheer delight, and a documentarianÂ’s keen eye, Shea shares his year inside the OED, delivering a hair-pulling, eye-crossing account of reading every word, and revealing the most obscure, hilarious, and wonderful gems he discovers along the way.

Exploring Medical Language: A Student-Directed Approach

Master the medical terminology you'll need for success in the health care with this unique, objective-based approach! Focused entirely on medical terminology and vocabulary, this trusted text helps you understand complex medical terms with a proven step-by-step strategy, building each word from its foundation. With a logical, body-systems organization and engaging terminology exercises throughout, it's your key to communicating confidently and effectively with other health care professionals.

• Systematic approach to terminology prepares you to recognize and define new words as you encounter them and build the medical vocabulary you'll need in the health care setting.
• Pronunciation key provides quick access to frequently referenced material.
• Complimentary and Alternative Medicine terms boxes highlight words and phrases associated with this increasingly popular discipline.
• Case studies encourage critical thinking and demonstrate how to apply the information you've learned.
• Terminology flash cards, included with every book, give you valuable review and self-assessment tools you can take anywhere for study on the go.
• Evolve resources enhance your learning and reinforcement opportunities with additional exercises, a Spanish/English glossary, and the Body Spectrum Electronic Anatomy Coloring Book.
• Medical Terminology Online, available at an additional charge, gives you access to a complete online course for the most advanced learning and understanding.

• New terms and abbreviations familiarize you with the latest terminology in use in health care.
• New images and illustrations visually acquaint you with pathologic information and procedures you'll encounter in the clinical setting.
• Enhanced chapter features highlight important concepts and provide guidance for more effective learning and study.
• CD references within the text direct you to expanded learning opportunities on the companion CD.
• More than 20 new medical records let you practice medical terminology using the forms you'll encounter in the clinical setting.
• New icons make it easy to distinguish a variety of helpful boxes and reference the material you need quickly.
• Answers to review exercises help you gauge your strengths and weaknesses and configure the most effective study plan for you.
• Website boxes refer you to valuable content you can access online for further learning.
• Revised pharmacy appendix helps you easily reference key pharmaceutical terms.
• The vastly updated companion CD provides fun alternatives for reinforcing what you've learned with new learning games, including Medical Millionaire and Termbusters.
• Enhanced audio companion, available on CD or as iTerms downloads for portable media players, helps you perfect your pronunciation skills and confidently use the terms you've learned in practice.