Publisher's Synopsis
The Fifth Edition of the "Shorter Oxford English Dictionary" is a complete update of the most authoritative reference work for current and historical English, and is based on the 20 volume "Oxford English Dictionary". This special combination book and CD-ROM set allows you to obtain the maximum benefits from the text. The Fifth Edition provides more than half a million definitions, and incorporates over 3,000 new words and meanings, together with many new illustrative quotations from modern authors (for example, J.K. Rowling, Helen Fielding, John Grisham, and Yann Martel). In total, there are over 83,000 illustrative quotations from 7,000 authors. There is extensive coverage of scientific and technical English as well as English from around the world. The Dictionary is written on historical principles: entries show the historical development of words by listing meanings chronologically and giving datings for the first use of each sense. All major words used in English after 1700, as well as vocabulary from Shakespeare, Milton, Spenser, and the King James Bible, are included; many rare and obsolete words are also defined.;In addition, the CD-ROM offers a new, modern and accessible entry design. The interface and functionality enhance search and retrieval, with simple and advanced search options. New sound recordings enable you to listen to standard British pronunciations for over 100,000 words. System requirements are: PC with minimum 200 MHz Pentium-class processor, 32 MB RAM, 16-speed CD-ROM drive, Windows[registered] 95, 98, Me, NT, XP or 2000, min 290 MB hard disk space (450 MB recommended), SVGA monitor: 800 x 600 pixels, 16 bit (64K, high colour) setting recommended, Windows-compatible 16-bit sound card.
