|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
|
Product Description
Product Description
About the Author
The Merriam brothers desired a continuity of editorship that would link Noah Webster's efforts with their own editions, so they selected Chauncey A. Goodrich, Webster's son-in-law and literary heir, who had been trained in lexicography by Webster himself, to be their editor in chief. Webster's son William also served as an editor of that first Merriam-Webster dictionary, which was published on September 24, 1847.
Although Webster's work was honored, his big dictionaries had never sold well. The 1828 edition was priced at a whopping $20; in 13 years its 2,500 copies had not sold out. Similarly, the 1841 edition, only slightly more affordable at $15, moved slowly. Assuming that a lower price would increase sales, the Merriams introduced the 1847 edition at $6, and although Webster's heirs initially questioned this move, extraordinary sales that brought them $250,000 in royalties over the ensuing 25 years convinced them that the Merriams' decision had been abundantly sound.
The first Merriam-Webster dictionary was greeted with wide acclaim. President James K. Polk, General Zachary Taylor (hero of the Mexican War and later president himself), 31 U.S. senators, and other prominent people hailed it unreservedly. In 1850 its acceptance as a resource for students began when Massachusetts ordered a copy for every school and New York placed a similar order for 10,000 copies to be used in schools throughout the state. Eventually school use would spread throughout the country. In becoming America's most trusted authority on the English language, Merriam-Webster dictionaries had taken on a role of public responsibility demanded of few other publishing companies.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The word champion.,
By Ndt "nick" (Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Merriam-Webster Dictionary (Paperback)
The Collegiate Dictionary that this compact version is based upon is more inclusive and professional - that much is known. The benefits of this edition are many: the portability, the great price, and it is still very comprehensive and nearly 1000 pages. It is a great volume to have in any office and within easy reach. Many students today casually use a plethora of important words of which they could not provide a proper definition if simply asked. Another token to consider for a second is that many words we think we know clearly in terms of definition would be only reinforced and made more sound if we simply looked over the definition provided by Merriam-Webster's. It is with good reason that they are "America's Leading Language Authority".
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
3.9 out of 5 stars (55 customer reviews) 172 of 174 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Decent Dictionary for Basic Definitions,
By Anne Janeczko - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Merriam-Webster Dictionary (Paperback)
Being a university student, a dictionary that is compact enough to fit in a backpack amongst many textbooks is a must. This, the latest edition of the M-W Dictionary, fits that requirement. The text is easy to read and there is even a nifty reference section at the back containing "foreign words & phrases, biographical names, and geographical names".I rate it at 3 stars because although the cover boasts "Over 75,000 definitions", words such as ontological and multivalent are not included. I highly recommend this dictionary for students at the high school level, but university students should keep searching. 68 of 71 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
This is the one I always seem to reach for first..........,
By Brian Martin "foliowyrm" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Merriam-Webster Dictionary (Paperback)
I have a old hard cover Webster's collegiate dictionary that my parents gave me before I went to college sitting under my bed. I also have a huge 2 volume Oxford Shorter English dictionary gathering dust in my closet. I even have a unabridged Random House dictionary on the very computer I am writing this review on. I use all of the above occasionally, but the one I use the most is this little paperback dictionary that sits on my desk beside my bed. It usually has what I'm looking for and I rarely have to use one of the bigger dictionaries. The size is nice and it is light weignt so it is easy to carry around if you have to. If you need a small desk dictionary this is a good one.
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great dictionary,
By Melanie "Amazon addict" - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Merriam-Webster Dictionary (Paperback)
I bought this for my son who is in grade 5, he had the cheap dollar store one, he was fed up with not finding words he needed for his project, i thought ok its for college students, but he loves it,...loves showing me new words he has learned...Great buy.
|
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
|
