Oxford Pocket English Dictionary (English Version) (New Edition)

Author: (English) Thorns
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-03-01
Features: The "Pocket Oxford English Dictionary" (POD) is one of the new-generation series dictionaries launched by Oxford University Press based on the "New Oxford English Dictionary." It has been widely welcomed and loved by readers, especially students, both in the UK and overseas. The POD published this time is the 9th edition of 2002. In addition to retaining its original features such as a large vocabulary, numerous new words, and portability, it also has the following distinct characteristics:
1. Concise and Accurate Definitions. The definitions of POD are based on scientific analysis of millions of real language corpora, directly targeting the core meaning of words, avoiding complex and overly technical explanations to facilitate reader comprehension. Its layout is clear and easy to read, with words, phrases, and derivatives all listed on separate lines for easy reference.
2. Brief and Practical Usage Notes. The usage notes in this dictionary are a valuable aid for learners and users of English, covering grammar points, spelling, differentiation between similar words, and the correct usage of specific words. For example, the "usage note" for the entry "data" clearly states that data is the plural form of "datum," but its use as a singular noun is widely accepted in everyday language.
3. Visual and Engaging Etymological Explanations. The etymological explanations in this dictionary aim to be non-technical, highlighting word roots to make them easily understandable. Additionally, many etymological explanations provide interesting cultural background knowledge related to the words. For instance, the etymology of "acid test" (a decisive test) explains that the phrase originates from "the use of an acid to test whether or not a metal is gold."
4. Rich and Diverse In-text Lists. POD provides numerous lists on various subjects. These lists are not presented in appendices but are inserted in the text alongside related core vocabulary. In addition to common lists such as country names, chemical elements, and geological eras, there are many other knowledge-based lists that cannot be found in other dictionaries, such as tool names (following the word "tool"), common trees and shrubs (following the word "tree"), and dinosaur species (following the word "dinosaur"), offering readers unexpected gains when consulting words.
With the permission of Oxford University Press, the Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press has introduced and published the 9th edition of the "Pocket Oxford English Dictionary." It is believed that it will become a trusted guide and companion for English learners in China.