Macmillan Advanced English Dictionary (English Version)

Author: Compiled by Macmillan Publishers Ltd
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-08-01
Features: This dictionary not only reflects the update of vocabulary but also demonstrates the new developments and changes in style, rhetoric, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics in its definitions. It is a dictionary designed for English learners, hence its definitions are accurate, concise, and practical. Particularly, the definitions strictly limit the vocabulary to 2,500 common words. This greatly facilitates learners and avoids the burden of repeatedly looking up unfamiliar words in the definitions. The selection of words in this dictionary is based on corpus data. Core vocabulary is marked in red in the main text, and the frequency of usage is indicated by one, two, or three red asterisks. For three-star high-frequency words with multiple meanings and lengthy definitions, their most common meanings are first listed in a table using concise language. Taking the three-star word CLOSE as an example, 11 common meanings are listed under its verb form, and 17 common meanings are listed under its adjective form, with each entry not exceeding six words. It is clear at a glance and convenient and fast. The illustrations in this dictionary, in addition to two sets of color inserts (16 pages in total), are accompanied by illustrations for over 1,000 words. What makes it particularly unique is that, apart from schematic illustrations of general nouns (objects, etc.), special illustrations depicting actions are designed for some verbs that are difficult to express in words. This dictionary uses different markers in its definitions to indicate the stylistic features of each word, such as informal or formal, euphemistic or blunt, humorous or serious, old usage or new usage; it particularly clearly distinguishes between formal, very formal, informal, and very informal. This enables learners to correctly understand the meaning and context of words and avoid misuse. Another unique feature is the "Metaphor" column highlighted in red in this dictionary. It uses vivid metaphors and life-like examples to help readers understand the meaning more accurately and vividly. It is worth mentioning that the "Language Tips" insert in this dictionary concisely explains the usage of English at the beginning of the 21st century, covering aspects such as discourse, pragmatics, rhetoric, style, word formation, and the comparison between British English and American English; as well as the characteristics of computer English, business English, and many other aspects.
The Macmillan Advanced English Dictionary was only recently compiled and published last year (2002), so it can be said to be the newest English dictionary currently available. It not only reflects the update of vocabulary but also demonstrates the new developments and changes in style, rhetoric, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics in its definitions. It is a dictionary designed for English learners, hence its definitions are accurate, concise, and practical. Particularly, the definitions strictly limit the vocabulary to 2,500 common words. This greatly facilitates learners and avoids the burden of repeatedly looking up unfamiliar words in the definitions. The selection of words in this dictionary is based on corpus data. Core vocabulary is marked in red in the main text, and the frequency of usage is indicated by one, two, or three red asterisks. For three-star high-frequency words with multiple meanings and lengthy definitions, their most common meanings are first listed in a table using concise language. Taking the three-star word CLOSE as an example, 11 common meanings are listed under its verb form, and 17 common meanings are listed under its adjective form, with each entry not exceeding six words. It is clear at a glance and convenient and fast. The illustrations in this dictionary, in addition to two sets of color inserts (16 pages in total), are accompanied by illustrations for over 1,000 words. What makes it particularly unique is that, apart from schematic illustrations of general nouns (objects, etc.), special illustrations depicting actions are designed for some verbs that are difficult to express in words. This dictionary uses different markers in its definitions to indicate the stylistic features of each word, such as informal or formal, euphemistic or blunt, humorous or serious, old usage or new usage; it particularly clearly distinguishes between formal, very formal, informal, and very informal. This enables learners to correctly understand the meaning and context of words and avoid misuse. Another unique feature is the "Metaphor" column highlighted in red in this dictionary. It uses vivid metaphors and life-like examples to help readers understand the meaning more accurately and vividly. It is worth mentioning that the "Language Tips" insert in this dictionary concisely explains the usage of English at the beginning of the 21st century, covering aspects such as discourse, pragmatics, rhetoric, style, word formation, and the comparison between British English and American English; as well as the characteristics of computer English, business English, and many other aspects.