The Progressive English Dictionary [antikvár]

PREFACE The Progressive English Dictionary is one of three Oxford Dictionaries that have been specially compiled, under the general editorship of A. S. Hornby, for learners of the English Language. They are designed for use more especially where no adequate bilingual dictionary exists. The common purpose of these three dictionaries is to define words in the simplest English terms that are consistent with accuracy. The compilers have had continually before them the special needs of the students whom they want to serve. They have striven always to be mindful of how much—or how little—these students know. They have had to bear in mind, also, the limits of length which the Publisher fixed in order to publish each dictionary at a price in keeping with its grade and purpose. A small dictionary cannot be an encyclopaedia. For this reason technical terms have, for the most part, been omitted. The compilers realize that their definitions of many common botanical, zoological, and medical words are inadequate for exact identification. A definition of such words in simple terms can give only a general indication of the meaning. A technically complete definition would require a vocabulary far beyond the range of learners for whom these dictionaries are designed. The simplest and smallest in the group, The Progressive English Dictionary, has the modest aim of helping a student who has completed an elementary course in English language to read books written in everyday English and to widen his vocabulary. It will enable him to identify the meanings and parts of speech of such words as he is likely to meet with. An English¦Reader''s Dictionary sets out to render the same service to intermediate students engaged in wider reading and thus needing a larger vocabulary. Pronunciation is fully indicated by phonetic transcriptions; many illustrative examples of usage are included. The latter will be found especially useful to the student in his composition work. The third volume, The Advanced Learner's Dictionary of Current English, was compiled for more advanced students, and it meets all their reasonable requirements in reading and writing the language.