Research Guides: ENGL100 (Lacy): Reference Books/Background Info

Online Dictionaries

Merriam-Webster Online
This one guesses at your word for you. It's ok if you can't spell it correctly.

Oxford English Dictionary This link opens in a new window
The most authoritative source on the English language, with a focus on etymology and historical usage.

Merriam-Webster Visual Dictionary
This dictionary uses illustrations and diagrams to explain terms. Search by category or term.

Encyclopedia Britannica (Britannica Online Academic Edition) This link opens in a new window
An online version of the Encyclopedia Britannica
Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia (EBSCO) This link opens in a new window
Easy to read articles for beginning readers on a wide range of topics.
Gale Ebooks (Formerly Gale Virtual Reference Library: GVRL) This link opens in a new window
Select from the list of reference titles available to CSM through the Gale Virtual Library. Note that some of them are multi-volume books.
Access Science This link opens in a new window
An online encyclopedia of science and technology.

College of San Mateo Library's Encyclopedias
See a complete list of all of CSM Library's online encyclopedias