English Vocabulary Quick Reference: A Dictionary Arranged by Word Roots

English Vocabulary Quick Reference takes an innovative approach to word roots. To start with, there's the "Primary Root Index"--a list of 260 essential word roots (including prefixes and suffixes), with definitions, language origin (Latin or Greek), and the dictionary page number where it's featured. It's a handy, easily accessible "a-" to "zyg-" list, but the unusual quality of the reference lies in its dictionary. Color-coded (red for common words such as are likely to appear on SATs, blue keywords to highlight succinct definitions), the dictionary presents more than 7,000 words based on those roots. From "abiogenesis" to "zygote," etymologies and definitions elucidate each word and encourage an understanding of the basic roots. This section is followed by a reverse dictionary of sorts--an alphabetical index of the keyword definitions. There's also an index of main entry words, and another index of 500 secondary roots that didn't make into the "Primary Root" list. Crutchfield's definitive book on word roots--geared toward educators, students of medicine, and students of English--is a superb classroom resource and a worthwhile home reference as well. --Stephanie Gold