Descriptionary: A Thematic Dictionary

by Marc McCutcheon

Helping writers, students, researchers, and general readers scrambling for words, this thematic dictionary contains thousands of descriptions of terms organized into more than 20 subject categories. Alphabetized definitions of related words are broken down into subjects and sub-headings, making it easy for readers to find the words they need.

Genres: Reference, Writing, Nonfiction, Language, Dictionaries, Education, Research

644 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Janrae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Descriptionary is a handy book book of lists with definition. I found things like the lists of dogs, horses, and animals very useful. I had not known a lot of the proper terms to describe them.

A word list example from the dog's section includes:
Apple head
badger-marked
cloddy
ringtail

They described my dog Levy very well. However, the sections on architecture and related subjects I found confusing and unclear.

Nevertheless, I feel I got value for my purchase.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a worn copy of this, though I remember the day I bought it brand new. Smudges and stains adorn many of the pages. The binding may be a little cracked and the cover has faded over time. Next to Roget's Thesaurus this may be one of the more well read books I have on my shelf. My only regret is that there is to my knowledge, not a follow up book with even more categories or present categories found here not fleshed out further.
Every writer should own a copy.

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is no secret that I love dictionaries and here is another to add to that list. I simply adore this book and it is getting my highest complement by being put on permanent duty on my desk. The only reason it missed 5 stars is that it lacks etymologies.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

The thematic arrangement helps readers who aren't sure what word they seek browse through the subject, like a thesaurus. So far I haven't found any terrible gaffs.

[Timothy Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I use this book on a regular basis.

[Liz Kilgore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is helpful to writers. I liked the 'magic and occult' section for some inspiration on a fantasy novel. It's good for browsing if you're writing a few details about a specific subject that you know little about (such as sailing), or it could be a good jumping-off point for further research.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinary resource for writers.

[Ronald Wise · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book certainly was not a compelling cover-to-cover read. The effort to group words by topic to facilitate finding a word from its meaning was intriguing. And I did enjoy learning the different words used over the centuries by mariners and the fashion conscious.

Another useful area would have been regarding modern techology, but this book, already nearly ten years old, had many obsolete definitions, some of which were changing the day it was published.

While appreciating the author's attempt to present the English language and its history in a novel way, I would hope that he has seen the light and transferred his efforts to an online format through which he could be much more productive and keep his work continuously current. He has spurred me to seek similar online resources and think that Wiktionary may be one option.

[Blackwidower · Rating 5 out of 5]

This handy dandy book was tailor made for a writer like me whose weakness is description. This book is for someone who knows what what they want to say but can't think of the words to describe it. Call it a backwards dictionary where instead of having the word then the description, you have descriptions then the word. I highly recommend it.

[Bill Tillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a writer and I am in love with this book! Everytime I get stuck and I cannot think of what something is called I thumb through this and in seconds I find the "correct" name of the object I am trying to describe. It is so worth every penny you pay!

[Daniel]

...this ingenious combination of reverse dictionary and thesaurus supplies thousands of descriptions of terms that are organized into 22 broad and 194 narrower categories, so that you won't have to use words like whatchamacallit again.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the idea of a thematic dictionary . . . though I don't actually use it all that often . . .

[K.E. Garvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Descriptionary is another take on your every day dictionary. I find that when presented with 'the same' information in a new light, it lends new ideas to my work. Very satisfied.

[Kelli]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12140779

[Ilana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful reference book for writers.

[Waco · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree with others that the book is useful, but needs periodic updates. Urban terms change frequently, for example. Otherwise, I love it. Great idea.

[SHARYN Guarino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating, a quick reference guide. I had bought this book and many other educational books when my children were in highschool. It wasn't until recently I picked it up and started to thumb through it and was unable to put it down.