Macmillan Advanced English Dictionary (English Version)

Author: Macmillan Publishers Ltd
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-01
Features: The Macmillan Advanced Learner's Dictionary was only recently completed and published last year (2002), making it the newest English dictionary available on the market. It not only reflects updates to vocabulary but also demonstrates new developments in meaning, style, rhetoric, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics in its definitions. It is a dictionary designed for English learners, ensuring definitions are accurate, concise, and practical. Particularly, its definitions are strictly limited to 2,500 common words. This greatly benefits learners by avoiding the need to repeatedly look up unfamiliar words within the definitions. The selection of words in this dictionary is based on corpus data. Core vocabulary is highlighted in red in the main text, and the use frequency is indicated by one, two, or three red asterisks. For high-frequency three-asterisk words with multiple meanings and longer definitions, a table is provided first to list their most common meanings in concise language. Taking the three-asterisk word CLOSE as an example, 11 common meanings are listed under its verb form and 17 under its adjective form, each not exceeding six words. This makes it clear and efficient. The illustrations in this dictionary include two sets of color inserts (16 pages in total) and over 1,000 words with illustrations. What makes it particularly unique is that, in addition to schematic diagrams for general nouns (objects, etc.), special illustrations depicting actions are designed for verbs that are difficult to describe in text. The dictionary also uses different markers in its definitions to indicate the stylistic features of each word, such as informal or formal language, euphemism or rudeness, humor or seriousness, and old or new usage. It particularly clearly distinguishes between formal, very formal, informal, and very informal usage. This helps learners understand word meanings and context accurately without misusing the words. Another unique feature is the Metaphor column highlighted in red in the dictionary. It uses vivid metaphors and life-like examples to help readers understand word meanings more precisely and vividly. Special mention should be made of the dictionary's "Language Tips" insert. It concisely explains the common usage of English in the early 21st century, covering aspects such as discourse, pragmatics, rhetoric, style, word formation, and a comparison between British and American English; as well as the characteristics of computer English, business English, and many other topics.