A unique examination of the role of the dictionary in civilization, this anthology presents a variety of essays ranging in scope from the Middle Ages to the present. The nine essays provide important insights into the uses and limitations of dictionaries in specific areas, inquiry into the development of stylistics, and a brief overview of the historical and recent changes in American, English, and Continental lexicography. Stu­dents of these matters will find the collection both stimulating and a point of departure for further study.