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| little oxford dictionary of word origins: Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins Julia Cresswell, 2010-09-09 Contains alphabetically arranged entries that explore the origin, evolution, and social history of over three thousand English language words. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: Little Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins Julia Cresswell, 2014 The Little Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins includes 1,000 word histories arranged by theme, from food to phobias, and from universe to love. Featuring words with interesting or surprising origins, including dates of origin and an account of each word's derivation, it is an irresistible collection and the perfect gift for word lovers. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: The Oxford Guide to Etymology Philip Durkin, 2009-07-24 This practical introduction to word history investigates every aspect of where words come from and how they change. Philip Durkin, chief etymologist of the Oxford English Dictionary, shows how different types of evidence can shed light on the myriad ways in which words change in form and meaning. He considers how such changes can be part of wider linguistic processes, or be influenced by a complex mixture of social and cultural factors. He illustrates every point with a wide range of fascinating examples. Dr Durkin investigates folk etymology and other changes which words undergo in everyday use. He shows how language families are established, how words in different languages can have a common ancester, and the ways in which the latter can be distinguished from words introduced through language contact. He examines the etymologies of the names of people and places. His focus is on English but he draws many examples from languages such as French, German, and Latin which cast light on the pre-histories of English words. The Oxford Guide to Etymology is reliable, readable, instructive, and enjoyable. Everyone interested in the history of words will value this account of an endlessly fascinating subject. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: Oxford School Dictionary of Word Origins John Ayto, 2009 |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: The Oxford English Dictionary Oxford University Press, 1989 The Oxford English Dictionary is the ultimate authority on the usage and meaning of English words and phrases, and a fascinating guide to the evolution of our language. It traces the usage, meaning and history of words from 1150 AD to the present day. No dictionary of any language approaches the OED in thoroughness, authority, and wealth of linguistic information. The OED defines over half a million words, and includes almost 2.4 million illustrative quotations, providing an invaluable record of English throughout the centuries. The 20-volume Oxford English Dictionary is the accepted authority on the evolution of the English language over the last millennium. It is an unsurpassed guide to the meaning, history, and pronunciation of over half a million words, both present and past. The OED has a unique historical focus. Accompanying each definition is a chronologically arranged group of quotations that trace the usage of words, and show the contexts in which they can be used. The quotations are drawn from a huge variety of international sources - literary, scholarly, technical, popular - and represent authors as disparate as Geoffrey Chaucer and Erica Jong, William Shakespeare and Raymond Chandler, Charles Darwin and John Le Carré. In all, nearly 2.5 million quotations can be found in the OED . Other features distinguishing the entries in the Dictionary are authoritative definitions of over 500,000 words; detailed information on pronunciation using the International Phonetic Alphabet; listings of variant spellings used throughout each word's history; extensive treatment of etymology; and details of area of usage and of any regional characteristics (including geographical origins). |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: Word Origins ... and How We Know Them Anatoly Liberman, 2009-04-13 Written in a funny, charming, and conversational style, Word Origins is the first book to offer a thorough investigation of the history and the science of etymology, making this little-known field accessible to everyone interested in the history of words. Anatoly Liberman, an internationally acclaimed etymologist, takes the reader by the hand and explains the many ways that English words can be made, and the many ways in which etymologists try to unearth the origins of words. Every chapter is packed with dozens of examples of proven word histories, used to illustrate the correct ways to trace the origins of words as well as some of the egregiously bad ways to trace them. He not only tells the known origins of hundreds of words, but also shows how their origins were determined. And along the way, the reader is treated to a wealth of fascinating word facts. Did they once have bells in a belfry? No, the original meaning of belfry was siege tower. Are the words isle and island, raven and ravenous, or pan and pantry related etymologically? No, though they look strikingly similar, these words came to English via different routes. Partly a history, partly a how-to, and completely entertaining, Word Origins invites readers behind the scenes to watch an etymologist at work. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: The Insect that Stole Butter? : Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins , 2009 This is an accessible, lively A-Z of over 3000 words and their origins, drawn from Oxford's unrivalled dictionary research and language monitoring. Ideal for language lovers and students alike, it relates the fascinating stories behind many of our most curious words and expressions. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins Julia Cresswell, 2021-07-22 Newly updated to incorporate recent additions to the English language, the Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins provides a fascinating exploration of the origins and development of over 3,000 words in the English language. Drawing on Oxford's unrivalled dictionary research programme and language monitoring it brings to light the intriguing and often unusual stories of some of our most used words and phrases. The A-Z entries include the first known use of the term along with examples, related lexes, and expressions which uncover the etymological composition of each word. Also featured are 22 special panels that give overviews of broad topic areas, 5 of which are completely new and that variously cover words from Oceania, word blends, eponyms, and acronyms. New findings in the OED since the previous edition have also been added, including emoji, mansplain, meeple, meme, and spam. An absorbing resource for language students and enthusiasts, but also an intriguing read for any person interested in the development of the English language, and of language development in general. It also includes an extended introduction on the history of the English language. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: Dictionary of Word Origins John Ayto, 2011-04-01 Uncover the hidden and often surprising connection between words. Written in a clear and informative style, the more than 8,000 articles reveal the origins of and links between some of the most common English-language words. What is the link between map and apron, acrobat and oxygen, zeal and jealousy, flour and pollen, secret and crime? Did you know that crimson originally comes from the name of tiny scale insects, the kermes, from whose dried bodies a red dyestuff is made? That Yankee began as a nickname for Dutchmen? That omelette evolved from amulette, “a thin sheet of metal,” and is a not-too-distant cousin of the word laminate? That jeans find their antecedent in jean fustian, meaning “a cotton fabric from Genoa”? They also contain an extensive selection of words whose life histories are intrinsically fascinating or instructive. This dictionary shows how modern English has developed from its Indo-European roots and how the various influences on the language—from migration and invasion to exploration, trade, technology, and scholarship—have intermingled. It is an invaluable addition to any English or linguistics library. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: The Meaning of Everything Simon Winchester, 2018 The creation of the first Oxford English Dictionary was an extraordinary endeavour, lasting over 70 years. In The Professor and the Madman, Simon Winchester recounted one fascinating episode; in The Meaning of Everything, he tells the whole story of the host of characters who carried out 'the greatest enterprise of its kind in history'. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: Little Oxford Gift Box Susan Ratcliffe, Elizabeth M. Knowles, Julia Cresswell, 2015-12-08 From Shakespeare and Oscar Wilde to Fidel Castro and Dolly Parton, the Little Oxford Dictionary of Quotations features 4,000 of the best quotations of past and present. Packed with quotable quotes on over 300 themes from 'Parties' to 'Punctuality', and from 'Apology' to 'Toasts', this is the ideal tool for finding exactly the right words to express yourself in any situation. Its perfect complement is the Little Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs, which includes fascinating information on 2,000 proverbs and sayings from around the world and across 250 subjects--from 'Cats' and 'Dogs' to 'Achievement' and 'Extravagance'. For the first time included in the Gift Box is the Little Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins, offering 1,000 word histories arranged by theme, from food to phobias, and from universe to love. Between them, these three charming little books will have the perfect words for whatever you want to say. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: The Mother Tongue Bill Bryson, 2015-06-02 “Vastly informative and vastly entertaining…A scholarly and fascinating book.” —Los Angeles Times With dazzling wit and astonishing insight, Bill Bryson explores the remarkable history, eccentricities, resilience and sheer fun of the English language. From the first descent of the larynx into the throat (why you can talk but your dog can’t), to the fine lost art of swearing, Bryson tells the fascinating, often uproarious story of an inadequate, second-rate tongue of peasants that developed into one of the world’s largest growth industries. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: An Analytic Dictionary of the English Etymology Anatoly Liberman, This work introduces renowned linguistics scholar Anatoly Liberman's comprehensive dictionary and bibliography of the etymology of English words. The English etymological dictionaries published in the past claim to have solved the mysteries of word origins even when those origins have been widely disputed. An Analytic Dictionary of English Etymology by contrast, discusses all of the existing derivations of English words and proposes the best one. In the inaugural volume, Liberman addresses fifty-five words traditionally dismissed as being of unknown etymology. Some of the entries are among the most commonly used words in English, including man, boy, girl, bird, brain, understand, key, ever, and yet. Others are slang: mooch, nudge, pimp, filch, gawk, and skedaddle. Many, such as beacon, oat, hemlock, ivy, and toad, have existed for centuries, whereas some have appeared more recently, for example, slang, kitty-corner, and Jeep. They are all united by their etymological obscurity. This unique resource book discusses the main problems in the methodology of etymological research and contains indexes of subjects, names, and all of the root words. Each entry is a full-fledged article, shedding light for the first time on the source of some of the most widely disputed word origins in the English language. Anatoly Liberman is one of the leading scholars in the field of English etymology. Undoubtedly his work will be an indispensable tool for the ongoing revision of the etymological component of the entries in the Oxford English Dictionary. --Bernhard Diensberg, OED consultant, French etymologies Anatoly Liberman is professor of Germanic philology at the University of Minnesota. He has published many works, including 16 books, most recently Word Origins . . . and How We Know Them: Etymology for Everyone. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: The Oxford Color Dictionary Angus Stevenson, Julia Elliott, Richard Jones, 2001 |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: The Making of the Oxford English Dictionary Peter Gilliver, 2016-09-22 This book tells the history of the Oxford English Dictionary from its beginnings in the middle of the nineteenth century to the present. The author, uniquely among historians of the OED, is also a practising lexicographer with nearly thirty years' experience of working on the Dictionary. He has drawn on a wide range of sources-including previously unexamined archival material and eyewitness testimony-to create a detailed history of the project. The book explores the cultural background from which the idea of a comprehensive historical dictionary of English emerged, the lengthy struggles to bring this concept to fruition, and the development of the book from the appearance of the first printed fascicle in 1884 to the launching of the Dictionary as an online database in 2000 and beyond. It also examines the evolution of the lexicographers' working methods, and provides much information about the people-many of them remarkable individuals-who have contributed to the project over the last century and a half. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland Patrick Hanks, Richard Coates, Peter McClure, 2016-11-17 Containing entries for more than 45,000 English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish, Cornish, and immigrant surnames, The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland is the ultimate reference work on family names of the UK. The Dictionary includes every surname that currently has more than 100 bearers. Each entry contains lists of variant spellings of the name, an explanation of its origins (including the etymology), lists of early bearers showing evidence for formation and continuity from the date of formation down to the 19th century, geographical distribution, and, where relevant, genealogical and bibliographical notes, making this a fully comprehensive work on family names. This authoritative guide also includes an introductory essay explaining the historical background, formation, and typology of surnames and a guide to surnames research and family history research. Additional material also includes a list of published and unpublished lists of surnames from the Middle Ages to the present day. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: The Word Detective John Simpson, 2016-10-13 Language is always changing. No one knows where it is going but the best way to future-cast is to look at the past. John Simpson animates for us a tradition of researching and editing, showing us both the technical lexicography needed to understand a word, and the careful poetry needed to construct its definition. He challenges both the idea that dictionaries are definitive, and the notion that language is falling apart. With a sense of humour, an ability to laugh at bureaucracy and an inclination to question the status quo, John Simpson gives life to the colourful characters at the OED and to the English language itself. He splices his stories with entertaining and erudite diversions into the history and origin of words such as 'kangaroo', 'hot-dog' , 'pommie', 'bicycle' , not ignoring those swearwords often classed as 'Anglo-Saxon' ! The book will speak to anyone who uses a dictionary, 'word people' , history lovers, students and parents. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: The Dictionary of Lost Words Pip Williams, 2021-04-08 'An enchanting story about love, loss and the power of language' Elizabeth Macneal, author of The Doll Factory Sometimes you have to start with what's lost to truly find yourself... Motherless and irrepressibly curious, Esme spends her childhood at her father's feet as he and his team gather words for the very first Oxford English Dictionary. One day, she sees a slip of paper containing a forgotten word flutter to the floor unclaimed. And so Esme begins to collect words for another dictionary in secret: The Dictionary of Lost Words. But to do so she must journey into a world on the cusp of change as the Great War looms and women fight for the vote. Can the power of lost words from the past finally help her make sense of her future? 'A brilliant book about women and words - tender, moving and profound' Jacqueline Wilson Readers LOVE The Dictionary of Lost Words: 'If you only read one book this year, let it be this one!' 'If you're a fan of The Binding and The Betrayals you will surely love this' 'A glorious combination of words, growing up, friendship, love, feminism and so much more' 'The best love letter to words and language' 'This book broke my heart ... I highly recommend it to any historical fiction fans ... it's one I will be reading again' |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: Oxford First Illustrated Dictionary Andrew Delahunty, 2016-02-09 The Oxford First Illustrated Dictionary, beautifully illustrated by well-known picture book artist Emma Chichester Clark, is the perfect first building block for 5-7 year-olds to engage with words and language. Over 2000 entries give clear meanings and definitions, parts of speech, word forms, word families, synonyms and opposites to build vocabulary and first literacy skills. Not just a dictionary, this unique book brings to life the world of fairy tales, nursery rhymes, and picture books that children love. Winnie the Pooh and Georgie Porgie appear alongside Aladdin and Cinderella in the innovative example sentences. Rhyming words, little words hiding in big words, and riddles provide plenty of opportunities for fun word play, along with amusing word jokes and child-friendly word origins. The entry for 'crocodile' tells the child that the word comes from a Greek word meaning 'lizard' and ends with the joke: 'What's a crocodile's favourite game? Snap.'This wealth of information and fun with words is presented in a contemporary, easy-to-use, engaging layout, creating the most accessible and affordable dictionary and gift-book combination, the perfect buy for Christmas and holidays as well as for everyday use. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: Oxford Dictionary of Humorous Quotations Ned Sherrin, 2008-09-25 This hilarious collection of humorous quotations, full of wisecracks and wit, snappy comments and inspired fantasy, has been specially compiled by the late broadcaster and raconteur Ned Sherrin, with a foreword by leading British satirist, Alistair Beaton. Now packed with even more quotes and covering more subjects than before, from Weddings to the Supernatural, Australia to Headlines. Find the best lines from your favourite jokesters and wordsmiths, add that extra something to a speech or presentation, or just enjoy a good laugh. 'A chair is a piece of furniture. I am not a chair because no one has ever sat on me.' Ann Widdecombe on the announcement that Parliamentary language will now be gender-neutral. 'No wonder Bob Geldof is such an expert on famine. He's been feeding off 'I don't like Mondays' for 30 years.' Russell Brand On deciding to run for governor of California: 'The most difficult decision I've ever made in my entire life, except for the one in 1978 when I decided to get a bikini wax.' Arnold Schwarzenegger 'Wanting to know an author because you like his work is like wanting to know a duck because you like p--acirc--;t--eacute--;.' Margaret Atwood 'I am so sorry. We have to stop there. I have just come to the end of my personality.' Quentin Crisp, closing down an interview |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: Medieval Warhorse Oliver H. Creighton, Robert Liddiard, Alan K. Outram, Carly Ameen, Kate Kanne, 2025-02-24 The image of the armoured knight mounted on his charging warhorse is one of the most evocative of the Middle Ages. As distinctive symbols of social status, horses were central to the medieval aristocratic image and closely bound up with concepts of knighthood and chivalry, while as weapons of war bred for size, strength and stamina, they changed the face of battle. Drawing upon new interdisciplinary research, this volume presents a fresh perspective on warhorses, and medieval horses generally, in Britain, understood within its wider European context. It adopts an integrated approach that covers the full array of evidence for medieval horses, from their physical remains (bones, teeth and DNA), equipment and armour, through to visual sources such as sculpture and wall paintings, and documentary and landscape evidence for the environments in which they were bred and trained. Analyses of these sources of information are first presented individually, and then integrated and cross-compared with the historical record to present a new chronology of horse stature, conformation and appearance and to generate new understandings of the changing place of the horse in the medieval world. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: Origin of Kibosh Gerald Cohen, Stephen Goranson, Matthew Little, 2017-10-10 This is an etymological study of the origins of the word kibosh, which has long been one of the great mysteries of the English language. Unconvincing derivations have been suggested from Yiddish to Gaelic and Italian, and thus far consensus among lexicographers has leaned toward referencing the word as ‘origin unknown’. In this study, the authors present convincing and important new evidence in favour of the derivation of kibosh from the word for a fearsome Middle Eastern whip, known as the kurbash. This monograph is one of the most significant etymological works directed at a single phrase. It is the gold standard on deep-drill, focused and exhaustive single-word lexicography and will be of interest to lexicographers and linguists in the relevant fields. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: A Thesaurus of English Word Roots Horace Gerald Danner, 2014-03-27 Horace G. Danner’s A Thesaurus of English Word Roots is a compendium of the most-used word roots of the English language. All word roots are listed alphabetically, along with the Greek or Latin words from which they derive, together with the roots’ original meanings. If the current meaning of an individual root differs from the original meaning, that is listed in a separate column. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: Moral Pedagogies for Africa Theodros A. Teklu, 2021-09-03 This volume engages with issues of moral responsibility and multiethnic co-existence in the context of contemporary Africa. Post-colonial African states are by and large ethnically diverse. Constructively managing ethnic diversity, however, has always been a challenge to these states, which often fail to be democratic and all-inclusive. As a result, ethnic enmity and conflicts that obliterate bonds of togetherness between ethnic communities have been rampant throughout the continent. In dialogue with Africa’s cultural and religious assets, this interdisciplinary multi-authored book aims at articulating the need to interpret past and present ethnic hostilities in Africa, and generating moral resources of togetherness to foster a social pedagogy of responsible cohabitation for Africans. The chapters of this volume, categorized into two parts, are framed according to these two niches. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: What Made The Crocodile Cry? Susie Dent, 2009-10-22 The Blackout Crew have a song with the title 'Put a donk on it' - but what is a 'donk'? Which ending came first: '-ise' or '-ize'? Where does the idea of a 'white elephant' come from? Who decides on the collective noun for something? And what is it that made the crocodile cry? Sparkling with insight and linguistic curiosity, this delightful compendium answers 101 of the most intriguing questions about the English language, from word origins and spelling to grammar and usage. Irresistible to anyone with an interest in the words around them. Supported by Oxford's celebrated dictionary research programme, Susie Dent tackles these and many other fascinating questions in this wonderfully accessible and endlessly entertaining exploration of the English language. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: Whiteout Jessica Goodfellow, 2017-07-15 When she was a toddler, Jessica Goodfellow’s twenty-two-year-old uncle, along with six other climbers from the 1967 Wilcox Expedition to Denali, was lost in an unprecedented ten-day storm blasting winds of up to three-hundred miles per hour. Just as North America’s highest peak is so massive that it has its own distinct weather system—changeable and perilous, subject to sudden whiteout conditions—a family whose loved one is irretrievably lost has a grief so blinding and vast that it also creates its own capricious internal weather, one that lasts for generations. Whiteout is Goodfellow’s account of growing up in this unnavigable and often unspoken-of climate of bereavement. Although her poems begin with a missing body, they are not an elegy. Instead, Goodfellow struggles with the absence of cultural ritual for the uncontainable loss of a beloved one whose body is never recovered and whose final story is unknowable. There is no solace here, no possible reconciliation. Instead, Whiteout is a defiant gaze into a storm that engulfs both the wildness of Alaska and of familial mourning. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: The Oxford Dictionary of Foreign Words and Phrases Jennifer Speake, 2000 |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: Hopi Runners Matthew Sakiestewa Gilbert, 2018-10-10 In the summer of 1912 Hopi runner Louis Tewanima won silver in the 10,000-meter race at the Stockholm Olympics. In that same year Tewanima and another champion Hopi runner, Philip Zeyouma, were soundly defeated by two Hopi elders in a race hosted by members of the tribe. Long before Hopis won trophy cups or received acclaim in American newspapers, Hopi clan runners competed against each other on and below their mesas—and when they won footraces, they received rain. Hopi Runners provides a window into this venerable tradition at a time of great consequence for Hopi culture. The book places Hopi long-distance runners within the larger context of American sport and identity from the early 1880s to the 1930s, a time when Hopis competed simultaneously for their tribal communities, Indian schools, city athletic clubs, the nation, and themselves. Author Matthew Sakiestewa Gilbert brings a Hopi perspective to this history. His book calls attention to Hopi philosophies of running that connected the runners to their villages; at the same time it explores the internal and external forces that strengthened and strained these cultural ties when Hopis competed in US marathons. Between 1908 and 1936 Hopi marathon runners such as Tewanima, Zeyouma, Franklin Suhu, and Harry Chaca navigated among tribal dynamics, school loyalties, and a country that closely associated sport with US nationalism. The cultural identity of these runners, Sakiestewa Gilbert contends, challenged white American perceptions of modernity, and did so in a way that had national and international dimensions. This broad perspective linked Hopi runners to athletes from around the world—including runners from Japan, Ireland, and Mexico—and thus, Hopi Runners suggests, caused non-Natives to reevaluate their understandings of sport, nationhood, and the cultures of American Indian people. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: The Compact Oxford English Dictionary J. A. Simpson, E. S. C. Weiner, 1991 The standard dictionary of the English language micrographically printed in one volume |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: Concise Oxford English Dictionary Oxford Dictionaries, 2011-08-18 Authoritative and up to date, the Concise Oxford English Dictionary offers unsurpassed coverage of English, perfect for anyone who needs a handy, reliable resource for home, school, or office. The Concise Oxford English Dictionary is one of the most popular choices in Oxford's renowned dictionary line. Now in print through its various editions for a century it has been selected by decades of users for its up-to-date and authoritative coverage of the English language. This centenary edition of the Concise Oxford English Dictionary presents the most accurate picture of English today. It contains over 240,000 words, phrases, and definitions, providing superb coverage of contemporary English, including rare, historical, and archaic terms, scientific and technical vocabulary, and English from around the world. The dictionary has been updated with hundreds of new words--including sub-prime, social networking, and carbon footprint--all based on the latest research from the Oxford English Corpus. In addition, the dictionary features an engaging new center section, with quick-reference word lists (containing, for example, lists of Fascinating Words and Onomatopoeic Words), and a revised and updated English Uncovered supplement, which examines interesting facts about the English language. Sprinkled throughout the text are intriguing Word Histories, detailing the origins and development of numerous words. The volume also retains such popular features as the hundreds of usage notes which give advice on tricky vocabulary and pointers to help you improve your use of English. Finally, the dictionary contains full appendices on topics such as alphabets, currencies, electronic English, and the registers of language (from formal to slang), plus a useful Guide to Good English with advice on grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Explore our language resources on oxforddictionaries.com, Oxford's hub for dictionaries and language reference. System Requirements WindowsRG: Intel(R) Pentium(R) II 450MHz or faster processor (or equivalent); Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 7, Windows Vista(R), Windows(R) ServerTM 2003, Windows(R) XP, Windows(R) 2000. Macintosh(R) PowerPC(R) G3 500MHz or faster processor; Intel(R) Core(R) Duo 1.83GHz or faster processor; Mac(R) (PowerPC(R)): OS X 10.1.x -10.4.x; Mac(R) (Intel(R)): OS X 10.4.x, 10.5.x, 10.6.x.All Platforms: 250 MB free hard disk space; monitor with 1024 x 768 pixels and high colour (16 bits per pixel, i.e. 65,536 colours); local CD-ROM/DVD drive (for installation); 16-bit sound card; 512 MB RAM; runs from hard drive only |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: The Oxford English Reference Dictionary Judy Pearsall, Bill Trumble, 1995 |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: Once Upon a Word Jess Zafarris, 2020-02-25 Where do words come from?--Learning new words by understanding their stories The English language is made up of words from different places, events, and periods of time. Each of those words has an exciting story to tell us about where, when, how, and why they came about. Once Upon a Word is packed with easy-to-understand definitions and awesome word-origin stories. With this dictionary for kids, you can understand the history and meaning of English words, improve your vocabulary and spelling, and learn to play with language. Explore how weird words like gnome, fun words like zombie, and common words like caterpillar came to exist. Discover why some words sound funnier than others (like cackle, sizzle, and twang) and why some groups of words start with the same few letters (like hydrate, hydrogen, and fire hydrant). In this dictionary for kids, there's a whole world of English words to uncover! This unique dictionary for kids includes: Roots & branches--Learn about the building blocks that make up words, called roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Kid-friendly definitions--Look up definitions designed for your reading level in this dictionary for kids. Word snack--Find out where your favorite food words got their start, from bacon to marshmallow, spaghetti, yogurt, and beyond. See how the English language evolved--from its beginnings to today--with this colorful dictionary for kids. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: The Word Detective Evan Morris, 2001 |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: Oxford Guide to Plain English Martin Cutts, 2007 Plain English is an essential tool for effective communication. Information transmitted in letters, documents, reports, contracts, and forms is clearer and more understandable when presented in straightforward terms. The Oxford Guide to Plain English provides authoritative guidance on how towrite plain English using easy-to-follow guidelines which cover straightforward language, sentence length, active and passive verbs, punctuation, grammar, planning, and good organization.This handy guide will be invaluable to writers of all levels. It provides essential guidelines that will allow readers to develop their writing style, grammar, and punctuation. The book also offers help in understanding official jargon and legalese giving the plain English alternatives.This guide gives hundreds of real examples and shows 'before and after' versions of texts of different kinds which will help readers to look critically at their own writing. Helpfully organized into 21 short chapters, each covering a different aspect of writing. Clearly laid out, and easy to use,the Oxford Guide to Plain English is the best guide to writing clear and helpful documents. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: The Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology Charles T. Onions, 1974 |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: Word Origins John Ayto, 2008-05-29 The average contemporary English speaker knows 50,000 words. Yet stripped down to its origins, this apparently huge vocabulary is in reality much smaller, derived from Latin, French and the Germanic languages. It is estimated that every year, 800 neologisms are added to the English language: acronyms (nimby), blended words (motel), and those taken from foreign languages (savoir-faire). Laid out in an A-Z format with detailed cross references, and written in a style that is both authoritative and accessible, Word Origins is a valuable historical guide to the English language. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: Word Origins...And How We Know Them Anatoly Liberman, 2009-03-16 A guide to the science and process of etymology for the layperson explains how the origins and history of hundreds of words are determined, discussing such topics as folk etymology, changes of meaning in language history, borrowed words, and the methods of etymology. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: Oxford English Dictionary for Schools Robert E. Allen, 2006 BLEasy to use - find the words you want, fast! Written and designed toensure it is both age appropriate and beautifully easy to use.BLGet it right - example sentences from children's books show you how it's done.Example sentences from authors including David Almond, Anne Fine, WilliamGolding, Anthony Horrowitz, Beverley Naidoo and many more from KS3/ 4 Frameworkreading lists as well as age- appropriate fiction.BLMake sure you're covered - contains all curriculum subjects for KS3.Specifically aimed at KS3 and KS4 across the curriculum, closely linked to theKS3 Literacy Framework, plus language panels for project work, cross-curriculumvocabulary and synonyms for overused words. |
| little oxford dictionary of word origins: Spelling Smart! Cynthia M. Stowe, 2002-02-15 Combining the best of whole language and phonics, this unique resource gives teachers in grades 4-12 a total of 44 easy-to-use lessons to teach students how to spell by recognizing spelling patterns and consistencies rather than memorizing hundreds of isolated words. Includes over 150 reproducible informal tests, word lists, and worksheets covering sounds, syllables, word building, and more. |
Little (2019) - IMDb
Little: Directed by Tina Gordon. With Regina Hall, Issa Rae, Marsai Martin, Justin Hartley. A woman is transformed into her younger self at a point in her life when the pressures of …
LITTLE Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of LITTLE is not big. How to use little in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Little.
Little (film) - Wikipedia
Little is a 2019 American fantasy comedy film directed and co-written by Tina Gordon. It stars Regina Hall, Issa Rae and Marsai Martin, and follows an overbearing boss who is transformed …
LITTLE | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary
LITTLE meaning: 1. small in size or amount: 2. a small amount of food or drink: 3. a present that is not of great…. Learn more.
little - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jun 8, 2025 · Little is used with uncountable nouns, few with plural countable nouns. Little can be used with or without an article. With the indefinite article, the emphasis is that there is indeed …
little, adj., pron., n., adv. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford ...
What does the word little mean? There are 50 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word little , four of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation …
Little Definition & Meaning - YourDictionary
Little definition: Short in extent or duration; brief.
LITTLE Synonyms: 616 Similar and Opposite Words - Merriam-Webster
How are the words small and little related? Both small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number.
Preschool in Blue Bell, PA | Miss Joan's Little School
Miss Joan’s Little School is a small, privately owned preschool that has been a vital part of the Blue Bell community since 1982. Our experienced staff provides an early learning education in …
LITTLE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
Little can also describe a small amount of something. Real-life examples: A chef might add a little salt to a recipe. There might be a little rain on a cloudy day.
Little (2019) - IMDb
Little: Directed by Tina Gordon. With Regina Hall, Issa Rae, Marsai Martin, Justin Hartley. A woman is transformed into her younger self at a point in her life when the pressures of …
LITTLE Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of LITTLE is not big. How to use little in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Little.
Little (film) - Wikipedia
Little is a 2019 American fantasy comedy film directed and co-written by Tina Gordon. It stars Regina Hall, Issa Rae and Marsai Martin, and follows an overbearing boss who is transformed …
LITTLE | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary
LITTLE meaning: 1. small in size or amount: 2. a small amount of food or drink: 3. a present that is not of great…. Learn more.
little - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jun 8, 2025 · Little is used with uncountable nouns, few with plural countable nouns. Little can be used with or without an article. With the indefinite article, the emphasis is that there is indeed …
little, adj., pron., n., adv. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford ...
What does the word little mean? There are 50 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word little , four of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation …
Little Definition & Meaning - YourDictionary
Little definition: Short in extent or duration; brief.
LITTLE Synonyms: 616 Similar and Opposite Words - Merriam-Webster
How are the words small and little related? Both small and little are often interchangeable, but small applies more to relative size determined by capacity, value, number.
Preschool in Blue Bell, PA | Miss Joan's Little School
Miss Joan’s Little School is a small, privately owned preschool that has been a vital part of the Blue Bell community since 1982. Our experienced staff provides an early learning education in …
LITTLE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
Little can also describe a small amount of something. Real-life examples: A chef might add a little salt to a recipe. There might be a little rain on a cloudy day.
