A North American term for a large, comprehensive single-volume dictionary intended for regular reference use — as opposed to a pocket dictionary or a multi-volume scholarly reference work. Desk dictionaries are designed to be kept on a desk for quick consultation and typically include pronunciation guides, etymologies, and usage notes. The term reflects a once-common workplace and household object whose practical significance has declined with the rise of online dictionaries.
She kept a desk dictionary wedged between the printer and the stapler, and actually used it.
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Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
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(North America) A large one-volume dictionary.
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