Avid wordsmiths will find it difficult to resist this handy reference guide that defines and explains more than 10,000 confusing terms. The eight sections—language, the arts, history, society, physical world, the sciences, technology, sports and leisure—are further broken down into subcategories, making it wonderfully simple to seek out some subject-related language you're unfamiliar with, such as idiomatic expressions, meteorological lingo, or architectural terms. Flip to the ten-page notes section at the back of the book and keep track of your favorite unusual words. All who peruse will become word whizzes in no time! (HC)