Ologies and Isms: A Dictionary of Word Beginnings and Endings

by Michael Quinion

The codebook has arrived!
Some of the most common--and often misinterpreted--parts of English language construction are prefixes and suffixes. Ologies and Isms unlocks the meaning of these building blocks that make up so much of our modern medical and technical vocabulary. In accessible, plain language this book explains
what each affix means. With its huge store of examples--over 10,000 across 1,250 entries--this ready reference illustrates the numerous ways that each is used in everyday speech and writing.
Organized in a handy A to Z format, the book features a full Introduction, a section with definitions of technical terms, and a selective thematic index. Anyone (and there are quite a few of us) who has puzzled over 'antidisestablishmentarianism' or struggled with 'histopathologist' will welcome
this volume for the relief it provides.

Genres: Language

280 pages, Paperback

First published April 3, 2002

Reviews

[Erin O'Riordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it straight through as if it were just nonfiction and not a reference book - it's fascinating if you love words.