Following the course taken by words on their way to reaching their current form and meaning can lead us on fascinating journeys. How to Read a Word sets out to provide you with the route-finding tools necessary to explore to your heart's content.
Utilizing the unrivalled resources and the language-monitoring programs of Oxford Dictionaries, this book leads you through the various stages of investigation into the myriad aspects of individual words, from etymology and date of first use to regional distribution, and from spelling and pronunciation to shifts in meaning.
Supported by many examples of investigation into specific words, and featuring a full index, a wide selection of online resources, and reams of useful tips for avoiding common pitfalls, How to Read a Word is an engagingly written and practical handbook, the perfect gift for anyone fascinated by the development and intricacies of the English language.