Research Guides: English and American Poetry Resources: Dictionaries

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Dictionaries

DICTIONARIES

DICTIONARIES OF LITERARY TERMS

The following reference books are very helpful in explaining the many specialized terms that are used by scholars when they talk about poetry.

The following reference books are very helpful when doing literary research. They provide succinct yet thorough definitions and explanatory articles on the terms used by scholars when they talk about all aspects of literature.

GENERAL DICTIONARIES

The following dictionaries are two of the most highly respected dictionaries for learning about words in the English language in all fields of study.

Merriam-Webster Unabridged This link opens in a new window
The largest and most comprehensive dictionary of the English language as it is currently used today. The famous "unabridged" is the latest in the long history of dictionaries directly descended from Noah Webster's original English-language dictionary of 1828. Updated on a continuing basis.
OED (Oxford English Dictionary) This link opens in a new window
The Oxford English Dictionary is a historical dictionary of English, covering the language from the earliest times to the present day. Entries contain detailed etymological analysis, and are illustrated by quotations from a wide range of English language sources from around the world. Updated quarterly.