Descriptionary: A Thematic Dictionary (Facts on File Writer's Library)
by Marc McCutcheon

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Book Reviews of Descriptionary: A Thematic Dictionary (Facts on File Writer's Library)

Book Review: It's on the tip of my tongue...
Summary: 5 Stars

Many times, people have the word just on the tip of their tongues, but cannot find the word. Dictionaries are often no help in such instances. Despite the wealth of information contained therein, and the imminently logical organisation (the same goes for a thesaurus), often what is needed is more of a reverse directory. Indeed, comedians past and present have made entire routines out of the difficulties of using a dictionary (how does one look up the spelling of a word if one doesn't know how to spell it?). While these difficulties have doubtless been exaggerated, there is definitely room on the reference shelf for a book such as the Descriptionary, a wonderful resource for finding just the right word from a definition.

`A standard dictionary will tell you the meaning of a word, a thesaurus will give you a list of synonyms, but only Descriptionary directs you straight to the word itself.'

The Descriptionary is arranged thematically. These themes are developed and arranged by broad category, narrowing the field of research for any given word search. Under each broad theme, there are literally thousands of words. The definitions are not lengthy, but just of sufficient length to permit identification.

- Animals and Insects
- Architecture
- Clothing
- Electronics
- Environment
- Finance
- Food and Drink
- Human Body and Mind
- Language
- Law
- Magic and the Occult
- Medicine
- Military
- Music
- Occupations
- Performing Arts
- Religions
- Sports
- Tools
- Transportation
- Weapons

However, thousands of words per category would still make for a daunting task of location of just the right word. Therefore, each major theme is broken into smaller sections, and yet smaller subsections. Take, for instance, the organisation under the heading Religions:

Religions
..Ancient Religions
....Ancient Egyptian Worship
....Greek and Roman Mythology
....Monsters and Fabulous Creatures
..Modern Religions
....Buddhism
....Christianity
....Hinduism
....Islam
....Judaism

Perhaps it will be your dharma to forget the term for enlightenment (under Buddhism, nirvana), or perhaps your searching requires some cutting edge information (under Judaism, see mohel). You needn't be gifted in speaking in tongues (glossolalia, under Christianity) to find the right word here.

Each subsection contains a few hundred words, which makes the Descriptionary very useful for looking up related and relevant terms in any area. Rather than having to fumble through a dictionary for hoped-for connexions based on definitions, one has in one compact list all of the major terminology for each category and subcategory. In very few dictionaries would one be able to find the connexions between the words ablation, drift, horn, striation, and trimline (they all have to do with glaciers).

The index is wonderful for pinpointing the multiple uses of words. For instance, the word ace has multiple meanings, including one definition under Performing Arts and no fewer than five different meanings under Sports. This book will help one to ace the understanding.

Following the main part of the Descriptionary is a section entitled `1050 words and expressions you should know'. The author has here compiled a listing of 'big' words and phrases that turn up on a fairly regular basis in such media as Time, Newsweek, and broadcast news. These are fairly common words that are often misunderstood. The literate may wonder that so many common and 'easy' words are included here; they are, unfortunately, included because of the current state of education -- so many high school and even college graduates lack a working literate vocabulary. However, it does the scholar's ego good -- there was not one word or phrase among the 1050 that was unfamiliar to me.

This is an American book. The definitions and descriptions definitely assume the American derivative of English. Under Sports, for instance, there is both football and soccer descriptions, but no cricket. However, Sports does get considerable play by including everything from archery to windsurfing to bullfighting to thoroughbred racing.

We each of us have our blind spots in education, and the Descriptionary, by pulling the key vocabulary of each field together in a brief and succinct manner, serves to provide a ready reference 'cheat sheet' to understanding the major points of almost any popular topic. The author, Marc McCutcheon, is a freelance author, perhaps best known for his work on 'Roget's Super Thesaurus' and 'The Facts On File Student Thesaurus'. A talented and experienced wordsmith, McCutcheon's Descriptionary will help ensure you are never without the right word.

Summary of Descriptionary: A Thematic Dictionary (Facts on File Writer's Library)

So why use this instead of a standard dictionary? Mainly, in order to take advantage of the unusual word arrangement, as it can operate most efficiently when you're writing a paper about a specific topic. Civics students looking up "malfeasance" will find on the same page a variety of words that may spark new ideas and instantly increase practical vocabulary, as any words that catch your eye will be closely related to the topic at hand. Also great for students is the "1,050 Words and Expressions You Should Know" chapter--from "ad hoc" to "zealous," it covers words used regularly in magazines, newspapers, and textbooks. Adults learning a new skill or deciphering current events will find that the sections function nicely as a glossary; the sections on sports, politics, gardening, and cooking are especially helpful in this manner. --Jill Lightner

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