Table of Contents

Preface Acknowledgements Foreword A short history of English Varieties of English Using the dictionary Model of dictionary layout Spelling rules Abbreviations used in the dictionary Characters used in other languages Detailed chart of pronunciation The Chambers Dictionary Some first names Phrases and quotations from foreign languages Alphabets Roman numerals Internet suffixes Books of the Bible Plays of Shakespeare Notes on authors cited in the dictionary Chemical elements SI units Beaufort scale Mohs scale Earthquakes severity measurement scales Wine bottle sizes Wedding anniversaries Mathematical symbols Physical constants Temperature conversion Conversion factors International paper sizes Planets Major planetary satellites

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More words and definitions than any other single-volume English dictionary

About the Author

Chambers is one of the world's most respected dictionary publishers, appealing particularly to word lovers and those who revel in all the quirks of the English language. Its extensive list of innovative language and reference titles includes the renowned Brewer's list of endlessly browsable dictionaries of phrase and fable, and covers English-language dictionaries and thesauruses for every level of user from school to crossword fan, from English learner to student of slang. Meticulously researched and expertly written, the highly acclaimed Chambers range has been at the forefront of presenting knowledge and learning in an engaging and accessible way since it was first established in the 19th century.

Reviews

Chambers is my dictionary of choice and always has been, because its practice is to detail a word's etymology with clarity, brevity and exactness, so that to look up a word in Chambers is to be able to unpack its meaning and also to marvel at its compactness... Chambers is an open door to words at their wittiest, most rooted, most reavealing and most powerful. -- Ali Smith 20080715 It's good to see that the latest, 11th, edition of Chambers Dictionary has lost none of its wit. -- Mark Sanderson, Literary Life, Telegraph.co.uk 20080831