Cihai (99th Edition Compact Collector's Edition)

Author: Xia Zhengnong, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-04-01
Features: The Ci Hai (Comprehensive Dictionary) is a large-scale, multi-functional dictionary that combines the functions of a character dictionary, language and literature dictionary, and encyclopedic dictionary. It was first published in Shanghai by the Commercial Press in 1936. Subsequently, the 1979 and 1989 editions of Ci Hai were published on the occasion of the 30th and 40th anniversaries of the founding of the People's Republic of China. These two editions each had three-volume editions, abridged editions, supplementary editions, and subject-specific volumes. Among them, the three-volume and abridged editions have a cumulative circulation of over five million copies. In 1992, the Shanghai Ci Shu Press collaborated with Dong Hua Book Company to publish the 1989 edition of Ci Hai in Taiwan. In 1993, Ci Hai won the first National Book Award – the Honorary Award. The 1999 edition of Ci Hai appeared before readers with both new content and a new format. This edition is slightly larger in size than the 1989 edition, with numerous revisions to entries, primarily to reflect changes in domestic and international situations and the development of cultural science and technology, to fill gaps, correct errors, and streamline a small number of terms and definitions. This edition also introduces a color-illustrated version, featuring over 16,000 images, and presents a redesigned layout, divided into four volumes, with an appendix and an index volume. Additionally, the popular three-volume edition continues to be published, as well as an abridged version, along with subject-specific volumes and CDs. This book is the abridged edition, containing a total of 19,485 single characters (including traditional characters and variant characters), with 17,674 listed as head characters. The head characters and the entries listed under them (including general terms and encyclopedic terms) total 122,835 entries.