The largest and most comprehensive
English Dictionary.
- 1857 : Decision to create A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles.
- 1879 : Work actually begins on the A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles.
- 1928 : A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles, First Edition. 400,000 entries in ten volumes.
- 1933 : A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles renamed to Oxford English Dictionary. Reprinted in twelve volumes. One volume supplement.
- 1972 : First (A-G) of four new OED supplements .
- 1976 : Second (H-N) of four new OED supplements.
- 1976 : Third (O-SCZ) of four new OED supplements.
- 1986 : Fourth (SD-Z) of four new OED supplements.
- 1989 : Oxford English Dictionary, Second Edition. Combines all new supplements (but not the 1933) and adds 5000 new words. 22,000 pages in 20 volumes.
2010 2037 : Oxford English Dictionary, Third Edition . Completely re-done, will be all things to all people. No, really.