Synonyms and Antonyms:
Similar and opposite meanings of words. Frequently given but not in all dictionaries. Foreign words and Phrases: Dictionaries define / explain many common foreign words and phrases either with the main entries or in a special section at the back. Exercise (viii) Foreign Words & Phrases Look up each of these foreign words of phrases. Write its English meaning. et cetera, e.g., et al., a prior, coup d’état, per se. General Information This section varies dictionary to dictionary. Names of important persons, places, countries, nationalities, are listed either in the alphabetical arrangement of words or in special sections at the back. Some dictionary may include rules for spelling, punctuation, list of common first names in English, systems of weights and measures, conversion tables, etc... How to use a dictionary: Time spent on learning what a dictionary contains & how it should be used will save you much time later. Step I: Know the correct order of letters of the English alphabet - all entries in dictionary arranged in alphabetical order - words arranged according to the 1st letter - when words begin with the same letter, they are arranged according to the 2nd letter - if both the 1st and 2nd letters are the same words are arranged according to the 3rd letter, & so on... Step 2: Finding Words Quickly A) When looking for a word first thumb through pages quickly - Look only at guide words - When you come to the guide word nearest the word you want then look down that page for the word. Guide Words B) Look at top of any page in the dictionary. Words in heavy type/bold face. These are the GUIDE WORDS. They guide you to the word you are looking up. - The word on the top left same as the first bold face word on that page. - Word on the top right of the page is the last bold face entry on that page.
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