Concise Oxford English dictionary

the long version

"The guide to the meaning, history, and pronunciation of over half a million words, covering both current and historical usage. It defines the language of the entire English-speaking world, from North America to South Africa, from Australia and New Zealand to the Caribbean. Oxford extends the same expertise to the range of dictionaries derived from it, including the Concise Oxford English Dictionary." "Oxford dictionaries are thoroughly researched and up to date. They are the dictionaries of choice for professionals, teachers, academics, parents, and those learning English as a second language. A major new edition of this dictionary offers the most authoritative description of the English language, with up-to-date coverage of more than 240,000 words, phrases, and meanings."--BOOK JACKET.