Webster's New Handy Pocket Dictionary [antikvár]

PRONUNCIATION ATA HE key to pronunciation in WEBSTER'S NEW HANDY J_ POCKET DICTIONARY has been simplified to the utmost. Symbols used do not differ in meaning from those of other dictionaries, but there are fewer of them. The difference between stressed and unstressed vowels is not marked, for this distinction takes care of itself in pronunciation. For example, the short unstressed a in fin'al is naturally given its correct value if the first syllable is stressed. The a in afford' is given its correct value as a short unstressed vowel if the last syllable is stressed. The following examples show the difference between stressed and unstressed vowels: a in absolute and in absurd e in even and in event 0 in historical and in history u in mwle and in emwlate Stress in a sentence makes similar differences, as the student will see by pronouncing these sentences and noting the pronunciation of the vowel in question. In the word has: He has the book. He has found the book. In the word could: How could you? I could have gone. These differences in vowel values are learned by hearing English sentences and phrases, not by looking up a single word in the dictionary. A detailed key to pronunciation is given on the next page. TO THE READER Webster's New Handy Pocket Dictionary, though only pocket size, gives the essentials—and the consultant does not have to hunt for them. The meanings of 20,000 words can be qaiheredfrom this dictionary. These words are not all separately defined. In many instances words are entered but not defined, because their meaning can be easily and clearly taken from the definition of the stem word under which they appear. For instance, given the definition of magnet, the reader can confidently and competently make his own definition of the derivative forms, magnetic, adjective; magnetize, verb; magnetism, noun. The dictionary user should familiarize himself with the nature and significance of such endings as -ate and -ize in verb forms (infuriate, idealize). Then, he must know that -ate may also be an adjective ending (roseate). A noun ending in -ism pairs with a verb in -ize (magnetize, magnetism). Such endings as -al, -ic, -ical, -ous, denote adjective use; -ly commonly is the sign of (he adverb, though it appears also in many adjectives, in the sense of like, as in manly. Alert observation, with a little intelligent (not necessarily laborious) study, will quickly enable the student to make profitable use of the dictionary and avail himself in full measure of its rich offering. The system used in this book will also help in mastering the mysteries of spelling, as in the -able and -ible words. In giving derivative forms, care has been taken to show the exact hook-up with the stem word, as in the case of inflame, inflammable. ^ The verb is defined; the adjective is "run on," -flam'mable, indicating the doubling of the m. If this book is more human than academic, simple, direct and selective rather than elaborate and all-inclusive, it is exactly what its publishers and the editors have tried to make it: a handy, fast-working book for everyday use. Through the laborious but ever interesting task of making it, this book has been ours. Now, for the using, it is yours. And with every copy, to every user, go the best wishes of the publishers, who believe this to be an unparalleled contribution to the cause of popular education in the fast-moving America of today. The Editors.