Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 41
 Greek to Me December 9, 2004
Jeremy W. Forstadt (Pawtucket, RI)
20 out of 20 found this review helpful
I have owned Donald J. Borror's DICTIONARY OF WORD ROOTS AND COMBINING FORMS for at least 20 years and would never dream of parting with it. Though I consult it only rarely, it can be immensely helpful when one wishes to delve into the meaning of obscure words, particularly of the scientific or bio-medical sort.
This dictionary is comprised mainly of an alphabetical listing of Greek and Latin roots, though commonly used roots and combining forms from other languages are included as well. There are also useful chapters on the formulation of scientific names, the transliteration of Greek words, and on common combining forms. This last chapter (the one on common combining forms) is particularly useful if your goal is to create new descriptive words as it is conveniently subdivided into descriptive categories (color, size, shape, animal structures, etc.).
I would have to admit that the DICTIONARY OF WORD ROOTS AND COMBINING FORMS would not be near the top of any list of writer's "essential" references, but I do not mean to imply by this that it is not worth owning. On the contrary, I believe that this happy little dictionary is highly useful-though specialized-and should be included in any complete writer's library.
Jeremy W. Forstadt
I wore out my first copy, and am now wearing out my second copy! March 7, 2006
Susan Warren (La Habra, CA USA)
20 out of 21 found this review helpful
My father, a PhD, bought this book for me at the beginning of my freshman year as a Biology major. I used that book all through college in my science classes, and in my writing classes. I have been a Biology teacher for 17 years, and my original book has fallen apart from use. I still keep it, as I treasure this gift from my father. I have a second copy and use it with my students frequently. I am considering buying a third copy, as I know that soon it will be difficult to find another. It is a 'must have' for all science majors as well as science teachers!
Should be on the shelf of all students of biology January 28, 2005
Walter H. Sakai (Thousand Oaks, CA USA)
16 out of 17 found this review helpful
I am a biology professor, and I required this text of all of my majors students until it went out of print. I now tell my students to hunt copies down on Amazon, ebay, or used book stores.
I am a great fan of learning the Latin and Greek roots of words to remembering the meaning of words. My students have a greater appreciation for the tongue-twisting words that we find in biology.
You'll use it everyday November 11, 2002
Julie M. Thompson (Lansing, MI USA)
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
I bought this to help me pick apart the more difficult words and latin names in our Vertebrate Zoology course... this has been the biggest help ever. You can find the meaning of almost any word, and even make your own words up! I use this book about every 3 minutes when I sit down to study, it's great!
You Need this Book December 1, 2004
A. D. Fails (Pierce, CO)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
If you are working or studying in a biomedical discipline, you need this book. Borror's Dictionary constitutes a portable, easily used guide to the Latin and Greek (and a few other languages) roots that constitute the building blocks of medical and scientific lexicons. Dollar for dollar, it represents one of the best purchases a student can make toward his or her education.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 41
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