Word for word: A dictionary of synonyms by John Owen Edward Clark

Word for Word has been conceived as a key book in Harrap's series of dictionaries on English language style and usage. It takes a new approach to the listing of English synonyms, employing a simple, overall A to Z presentation (for ease of initial access), with a comprehensive indexing system to guide the reader to the precise information which he or she seeks.

The core of the work is an 8,000-word alphabetical listing of key words, derived closely from the standard basic English vocabulary. Each entry identifies the word's part of speech, and distinguishes between literal, figurative and specialist uses; within each category, synonyms are listed in order of exactness. Derivative word-forms (and their synonyms) are given at the end of each entry. A 50,000-word index cross-refers all listed synonyms to their key word or words, so that the reader can progress from the specific to the general, or from one concept to its closely related ones.