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Dictionaries & encyclopedias - Frequently asked questions

General dictionaries & encyclopedias

Dictionaries

  • Oxford English Dictionary
    Find the meaning, history and pronunciation of more than a half million words, both present and past.
  • Merriam-Webster Dictionary 
    Find pronunciation, etymology, date, function, and definitions. Offers alternative words if your entry is misspelled.

Encyclopedia

Britannica Online Academic Edition
Find authoritative reference materials covering art, biographies, history, literature, maps, sports, statistics, and more.

Other encyclopedias

  • Wiley Online Library
    Search subject-specific reference handbooks and guides.
  • Gale Virtual Reference Library 
    Search subject encyclopedias and other reference works. Select the title list at the top of the screen to see a list of the titles included.

Subject-specific dictionaries & encyclopedias

Browse our subject guides for more specialized dictionaries & encyclopedias.