A Dictionary of the English Language

A Dictionary of the English Language cover
Good Books rating 4.23
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  • ID: 7091
  • Added: 2025-12-10
  • Updated: 2025-12-10
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
The Guardian · 2017-09-25
brilliant 4.50

The dictionary is celebrated for its clarity, intelligence, and extraordinary wit. It framed the English language for centuries and remains a remarkable piece of scholarship.

The Guardian's piece highlights Dr. Johnson's decade-long endeavor as a milestone in the English language. They praise the dictionary for its clarity, intelligence, and wit, noting that it framed the language for centuries. The review emphasizes the dictionary's enduring relevance and its role in setting standards for English. They appreciate the extraordinary wit and clever definitions that make the dictionary a joy to read and a valuable resource.


Quick quotes

    Dr Johnson's decade-long endeavour framed the English language for the coming centuries with clarity, intelligence and extraordinary wit.

    It is a remarkable piece of scholarship, a triumph of the human intellect.

    The dictionary is not just a reference tool but a work of art.

Public Domain Review · 2013-10-15
impressive 4.00

The dictionary is noted for its massive scope and physical size, containing 42,773 words. It is a monumental work that showcases Johnson's dedication and the technological limitations of his time.

The Public Domain Review highlights the impressive scope and size of Johnson's dictionary, which contained 42,773 words. They discuss how the dictionary was a monumental work, not just in its content but also in its physical size, with pages measuring 18 inches. They appreciate the dedication and effort that went into creating such a comprehensive resource, noting the technological limitations of the time. They also mention how the dictionary remains a significant achievement in the history of English language scholarship.


Quick quotes

    When it came out the book was huge, not just in scope (it contained a 42,773-long word list) but also in size: its pages were 18 inches (46 cm).

    It is a monumental work that showcases Johnson's dedication and the technological limitations of his time.

    The dictionary remains a significant achievement in the history of English language scholarship.

Goodreads · Goodreads Community · 2010-01-01
intriguing 4.20

The dictionary is praised for being informative, irreverent, and funny. It is a joy for everyday readers and a valuable resource for historians.

Goodreads community reviews highlight the dictionary's informative, irreverent, and funny nature. They appreciate how it is a joy for everyday readers, offering a browser's paradise with its clever definitions and witty commentary. Historians and scholars also find it an indispensable resource. The reviews emphasize the dictionary's enduring appeal and its role in setting standards for the English language. They like how it is not just a reference tool but a work that reflects the language and culture of its time.


Quick quotes

    Informative, irreverent and funny, it is a joy for everyday readers and a browser's paradise.

    It is an indispensable resource for historians and scholars.

    The dictionary reflects the language and culture of its time, making it a valuable historical document.

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