The Canadian Oxford Compact Dictionary

Stephen Field is an information services librarian in the Queen
Elizabeth II Library, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

The Canadian Oxford Compact Dictionary contains 80,000 entries, 1800 of
which deal with “uniquely Canadian words and senses.” Other features
include clear typography, a solid binding, sharp definitions, and over
15,000 illustrative examples reflecting word use in context.

This durable dictionary is a wonderful source of distinctly Canadian
words, expressions, and meanings, with definitions of terms and phrases
as diverse as Loyalist, Hangashore, Canadarm, Abegweit, CUPE,
Trudeaumania, South of 60, and Bennett Buggy. There are entries as well
for newer terms such as icicle lights. Canadian spellings are emphasized
in the main headwords for each entry. Appropriate pronunciation is
given. Geographical, register, and subject labels denote the
context/usage of particular words and phrases. Cross-referencing has
been added in some cases to lead readers to related entries. Following
the dictionary entries are a timeline and history of the English
language; a table of weights, measures, and notation; notes on
punctuation and capitalization; and a map showing world time zones.

Besides being a source for unique Canadian English, The Canadian Oxford
Compact Dictionary is a good standard dictionary of everyday English
usage. It deserves a place in homes, classrooms, and offices across the
country.