No book had more influence on twentieth-century attitudes to the English language in Britain than Henry Fowler's Dictionary of Modern English Usage. It rapidly became the standard work of reference for the correct use of English in terms of choice of words, grammar, and style. Much loved for his firm opinions, passion, and dry humour, Fowler has stood the test of time and is still considered the best arbiter of good practice. Now one of today's leading experts on the language, David Crystal, has reassessed Fowler's contribution in this fascinating new edition. Crystal goes beyond the popular mythology surrounding Fowler's reputation to retrace his method and practice and arrive at a fresh evaluation of his place in the history of linguistic thought. With a wealth of entertaining examples he looks at Fowler's stated principles and the tensions between his prescriptive and descriptive temperaments. He reaches some surprising conclusions and shows that the Dictionary does a great deal more than make normative recommendations and express private opinions. In addition he offers a modern perspective in notes on some 300 entries, in which he shows how English has changed since the 1920s, including the pronunciation of certain words.

牛津高阶为世所公认的权威英语学习词典,出版50多年来,五经修订,畅销不衰,总发行量逾3000万册,广受全球读者欢迎.此全新英汉双解版融合英语教学与词典编篡的最新研究成果,充分满足英语汉双解版融合英语教学与词典编篡的最新研究成果,充分满足英语学习者在听、说、读、写方面的各种需要。 收词80000条，核心词汇与阅读词汇兼收并蓄。 较原文版增加2500条新词，以反映最新语言动态。 大量语法、用汉说明、解析语法难点、辨析易混淆词汇。 英美兼备，详列美国英语的拼法，读法和用法。 例证9000条，示范典型用法，言乞求有据。 40页研习专页，全面介绍英语应用知识。 插图1700项，给予词义充分形象的展示。

Bierce's classic work of satirical wit and Steadman's pointed pen redefine the way we see even the seemingly simplest of terms. Acquaintance, n.: A person whom we know well enough to borrow from but not well enough to lend to. Bride, n.: A woman with a great future behind her. Consult, v: To seek another's approval of a course already decided on. Ambrose Bierce's "dictionary" of epigrams, essays, verses, and vignettes targets the religious, the romantic, the political, and the economic, in equal measure. The book you need to define both friends and enemies, The Devil's Dictionary is also the perfect gift, showcasing Bierce's razor-sharp wit and Ralph Steadman's incisive pen to their best advantage.