MerriamWebster's Collegiate Dictionary 11th Edition Author:Mish, Frederick C., Editor 10,000 new words and senses from all fields of knowledge. 165,000 entries and 225,000 definitions. Detailed symbols show most-common pronuncitions and acceptable variants. More than 40,000 usage examples--the most in any desk dictionary. coverage of 7,500 phrases and idioms clarifies meanings and illustrates common use. More than 700 illust... more »rations and diagrams and dozens of informative tables. Synonym paragraphs explain different shades of meaning between words. Usage paragraphs provide guidelines for words with confused or disputed usage. A Handbook of Stype offers essential information to improve writing skills.« less