[.ca] The University of Chicago Spanish Dictionary, Fifth ... (ISBN 0226666891)

Absolutely THE Best Spanish Dictionary Out There:
I have looked hard and long at many different Spanish dictionaries to find the best one. I had never been fully satisfied with any previous dictionary -- until now. This new edition is by far the best, most useful, and easiest to use Spanish dictionary ever. There are several important reasons why I say this. First, right after each Spanish word, it has an easy to read and simple abbreviation in upper case letters to describe the word either as an adjective (ADJ), adverb (ADV), masculine noun (M), femminine noun (F), transitive verb (VT), intransitive verb (VI), etc. This is also done with the English side, with the exception of using N (not M or F) to describe the noun. Second, if a word has multiple meanings, which most do, it gives an example of each usage in parenthesis, and then the correct word to use. Here is an example for the word "check": (stop) refrenar; (restrain) reprimir; (hand over luggage) facturar; (hand over coat) dejar; (verify) verificar; Am chequear; (in chess) dar jaque Third, you may have noticed in the above example the "Am", which in the book is actually italicized. This refers to the (Latin) American usage of the word chequear. Contrary to the first reviewer, this dictionary does have regional usages, including those for (Latin) America, Spain, Mexico, and Rio de la Plata. Fourth, and maybe the most helpful, and useful aspect, are the multiple idiomatic usages of each word which are included at the end of each word entry. (I should note that each listed word in the dictionary, and the idiomatic phrases are in bold face, which makes things even easier). Here are the ones for the word "cheap" (I added the / mark, which is not in the book): life is -- there /la vida no vale nada alli; talk is -- /hablar no cuesta nada; to feel -- /sentirse despreciable; -- shot/ golpe bajo; --skate/ tacaño -ña Fifth, are the many new words used today in both English and Spanish involving technology, pop culture, medicine, science, and other modern usages. Also, many common vulgar terms and idioms are included, which are marked by the abbreviations "pej" for pejorative and "vulg" for vulgar. For all those who have never been fully satisfied with the Spanish dictionaries they own, or who are looking for the best one to buy, this is MUST HAVE!!!

Dumbed down:
In this new edition the editors eliminated the greater part of the indications of regional usage. This had been one of the great selling points of the earlier editions of the University of Chicago Spanish Dictionary. In their introduction there is some explanation to the effect that tracing regional usage is "notoriously difficult". It is true that good lexicography is "notoriously difficult" and if the editors find it too difficult, they should go into another business. In addition, the number of entries has been reduced. Anyone who has used a dictionary on the ground knows that smaller dictionaries are poorer dictionaries. Some of the space saved was used on parenthetical guide-words which distinguish separate meanings. This sounds like a fine idea but in practice the editors use it compulsively, in places where it really isn't necessary. Those who need a Spanish dictionary may want to get the older editions of this dictionary or one of the larger editions of Larousse.