OED

Oxford English Dictionary

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is a comprehensive dictionary of the English language, published by the Oxford University Press. It traces the historical development of the English language, providing a detailed account of the meaning, history, and pronunciation of over 600,000 words, past and present, from across the English-speaking world.

History

The origins of the OED date back to the late 19th century. The project was initiated by the Philological Society of London in 1857, which recognized the need for a new English dictionary that would surpass previous efforts in scope and detail. The first editor, James Murray, began work in 1879, and the first fascicle was published in 1884. The complete first edition was published in ten volumes in 1928.

Editions and Updates

The OED has undergone several revisions and updates since its first edition. The second edition, published in 1989, consists of 20 volumes. The dictionary is continuously updated online, with quarterly updates that include new words and revisions of existing entries.

Structure and Content

Each entry in the OED provides the word's pronunciation, forms, etymology, definition, and illustrative quotations. The dictionary is known for its historical approach, tracing the evolution of each word over time. The OED also includes information on variant spellings and obsolete words.

Significance

The OED is widely regarded as the most authoritative and comprehensive record of the English language. It is an invaluable resource for scholars, linguists, and anyone interested in the history and development of English.

Digital Access

The OED is available online through a subscription service, providing users with access to the latest updates and advanced search features. The online version allows for more frequent updates and the inclusion of multimedia elements such as audio pronunciations.

Also see

• James Murray
• Philological Society
• Oxford University Press
• Historical linguistics
• Etymology