Book

International Dictionary of Medicine and Biology

📖 Overview

The International Dictionary of Medicine and Biology, edited by Sidney Landau, serves as a comprehensive medical reference work spanning three volumes. Published in 1986, it contains over 150,000 entries covering terminology from medicine, biology, and related scientific fields. The dictionary provides detailed definitions with etymology, pronunciation guides, and cross-references between related terms. Each entry includes current medical usage along with historical context, making it useful for both contemporary practice and research into the evolution of medical language. The work represents a collaboration between hundreds of specialists and lexicographers who compiled and verified entries over several years. Its scope encompasses anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and numerous medical subspecialties. This dictionary stands as a foundational text that bridges multiple scientific disciplines while maintaining accessibility for various levels of medical expertise. The work reflects the complex interconnections between biological systems and medical practice through its network of carefully structured entries and references.

👀 Reviews

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Sidney Landau's overall work: Readers cite "Dictionaries: The Art and Craft of Lexicography" as a detailed guide to dictionary creation and history. Reviews highlight the book's clear explanations of complex lexicographical concepts and its practical insights into dictionary production. What readers liked: - Comprehensive coverage of dictionary-making processes - Balance of technical detail and accessibility - Real examples from dictionary publishing experience - Clear writing style for technical subjects What readers disliked: - Dense academic language in certain sections - Limited coverage of online dictionaries in earlier edition - High textbook price point - Some outdated publishing industry information Ratings: - Goodreads: 4.1/5 (42 ratings) - Amazon: 4.7/5 (15 reviews) One reader on Goodreads noted: "The most thorough explanation of how dictionaries are made that I've encountered." An Amazon reviewer mentioned: "Required reading for anyone interested in lexicography, though parts of the publishing discussion need updating."

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🤔 Interesting facts

🔬 This comprehensive medical dictionary contains over 150,000 terms across three volumes, making it one of the largest medical reference works of its time when published in 1986. 📚 Editor Sidney Landau also authored the highly influential work "Dictionaries: The Art and Craft of Lexicography," which became a standard text for dictionary-making methodology. 🎯 The dictionary incorporates terms from 28 different medical and biological specialties, including emerging fields like genetic engineering and immunology. 🌍 Unlike many medical dictionaries of its era, this work includes terminology used in different English-speaking countries, making it truly international in scope. 📖 The project took over seven years to complete and involved more than 200 specialist consultants from around the world who contributed to its accuracy and comprehensiveness.