Comparison of dictionaries
In this task, we will use several types of dictionaries, search a particular word and compare the results obtained. Let's use the
word electron as an example.
Etymology
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As we see, this dictionary gives a much more general and specific definition. The previous dictionaries went into more detail and even gave data related to the mass, radius and spin of the electron. Hence, we conclude that learner's dictionaries should be used carefully and just in those situations in which we don't want academic information.
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·
OXFORD LEARNER'S DICTIONARIES
a very
small piece of matter (= a substance) with a negative electric charge, found in
all atoms
•
MERRIAM-WEBSTER
an
elementary particle consisting of a charge of negative electricity equal to
about 1.602 × 10−19 coulomb and having a mass when at rest of about 9.108 ×
10-31 kilogram or about 1/1836 that of a proton
•
WORD REFERENCE
1. (WordReference Random House
Learner's Dictionary of American English @2019)
a
fundamental particle that has a negative charge and exists outside the nucleus
of an atom.
2. (WordReference Random House
Unabridged Dictionary of American English @2019)
i.
Also
called negatron. [Physics, Chem.]an elementary particle that is a fundamental
constituent of matter, having a negative charge of 1.602 × 10-19 coulombs, a
mass of 9.108 × 10-31 kilograms, and spin of ½, and existing independently or
as the component outside the nucleus of an atom.
ii.
a
unit of charge equal to the charge on one electron.
electr(ic) + -on (from the names of
charged particles, as ion, cation, anion) with perh. accidental allusion to
Greek é̄lektron amber (see electric) term first suggested in 1891 by Irish
physicist German. J. Stoney (1826–1911)
3. (Collins Concise English Dictionary
@HarperColins Publishers)
electron /ɪˈlɛktrɒn/n
i. a stable elementary particle present in all
atoms, orbiting the nucleus in numbers equal to the atomic number of the
element in the neutral atom; a lepton with a negative charge of 1.602176462 ×
10–19 coulomb, a rest mass of 9.10938188×10– 31 kilogram, a radius of
2.817940285×10–15 metre, and a spin of ½
Etymology:
19th Century: from electro- + -on
Analyzing the results, I consider that the result given by WordReference is better than those provided
by the other two dictionaries. Let's imagine that someone wants to know the
meaning of the word electron. If that person just wants to have a global idea,
without going into much detail, the definitions given by the other two
dictionaries could be too difficult to understand for him or her.
Nevertheless, WR gives two results, the first one shows the general idea of the
concept and the second one goes further for those who want to know more
specific information about the term. Moreover, WR also provides information about the etymology of the word, which can be very helpful or interesting for people using this dictionary.
Now, the following step we are going to compare the previous results with the ones given by Learner's Dictionary.
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•
LEARNER'S DICTIONARY
a very
small particle of matter that has a negative charge of electricity and that
travels around the nucleus of an atom
URL:
http://www.learnersdictionary.com/definition/electron
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