Christian Kay (1940–2016)

Certainly built for thoroughness (and thorough it is) rather than convenience. One should point out that the first (shorter) volume is the thesaurus proper- while the second volume is an Index. The thesaurus is ordered thematically, designated by a simple decimal system containing 3 main section levels (01-the world, 02-the mind, 03-the social world) and then further articulated categories and subcategories. So for instance, we have under the section Mind (02) the category Mental Capacity (02.01) further divided into such subcategories as Consciousness (02.01.03) and Contempt (02.01.18). Consciousness further divided into subcategories such as Unconscious (02.01.03.01), Subconscious (02.01.03.03) and Subjectivity, relation to self (02.01.03.06). Under each specific entry (with separated entries by parts of speech), one finds a list of words chronologically ordered.

The Index is ordered alphabetically and would be the most likely place to begin. Therefore, in most instances, one would have each volume open alongside a volume of the OED (since the thesaurus offers no explanative text other than historical dates, part of speech etc.) - making browsing rather cumbersome. So, five stars from the officechair academic in me, three stars from the armchair lover of words- four stars keeps the peace.… (mehr)