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The company G & C Merriam Co. was established in the 20th century.
Answer: False
Explanation: The founding of G & C Merriam Co. occurred in the 19th century, not the 20th.
The company that would eventually evolve into Merriam-Webster was founded by George and Charles Merriam.
Answer: True
Explanation: George and Charles Merriam are indeed the founders of the company that would later become known as Merriam-Webster.
The Merriam brothers acquired the rights to Noah Webster's dictionary shortly after its initial publication in 1828.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Merriam brothers acquired the rights to Noah Webster's dictionary in 1843, well after its initial publication in 1828.
Noah Webster's inaugural dictionary, published in 1828, achieved substantial commercial success, resulting in his immediate financial prosperity.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to the statement, Noah Webster's first dictionary published in 1828 was a commercial disappointment, leading to financial difficulties. A later edition in 1840 proved more successful.
Who were the founders of the company that would ultimately evolve into Merriam-Webster?
Answer: George Merriam and Charles Merriam
Explanation: The company that would become Merriam-Webster was founded by brothers George Merriam and Charles Merriam.
In which year was the company G & C Merriam Co. established?
Answer: 1831
Explanation: G & C Merriam Co. was established in 1831 by George and Charles Merriam.
What was the commercial reception of Noah Webster's first dictionary, published in 1828?
Answer: It was a commercial disappointment, selling only 2,500 copies.
Explanation: Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary experienced limited sales, selling only 2,500 copies, which constituted a commercial disappointment.
From Noah Webster's estate, when did the Merriam brothers acquire the rights to his dictionary?
Answer: 1843
Explanation: The Merriam brothers acquired the rights to Noah Webster's dictionary from his estate in 1843.
At which institution is the G. & C. Merriam Company Collection housed?
Answer: Amherst College Archives & Special Collections
Explanation: The G. & C. Merriam Company Collection is preserved and accessible at the Amherst College Archives & Special Collections.
Merriam-Webster, Incorporated is primarily recognized for its extensive publication of encyclopedias, with dictionaries serving a secondary role.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source materials indicate that Merriam-Webster, Incorporated is principally recognized for its dictionaries, which are considered its most notable publications, rather than encyclopedias.
Merriam-Webster's publishing activities are exclusively limited to print dictionaries.
Answer: False
Explanation: Merriam-Webster publishes a range of reference materials, including online dictionaries and other digital formats, not solely print dictionaries.
The dictionary completed by Noah Webster in 1825 contained an estimated 120,000 words.
Answer: False
Explanation: Noah Webster's 1825 dictionary contained approximately 70,000 words, not 120,000.
The Merriam brothers' initial revision of Webster's dictionary in 1847 maintained the original text substantially unaltered while incorporating illustrations.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Merriam brothers' first revision in 1847 kept the original text largely unchanged but did not add illustrations; illustrations were added in a later revision.
The 1864 edition of Merriam's dictionary constituted a significant expansion and alteration of Noah Webster's original text.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 1864 edition of Merriam's dictionary indeed represented a major overhaul, substantially expanding and altering Noah Webster's original work.
By 1884, Merriam's dictionary encompassed over 118,000 words, exceeding the word count of other contemporary English dictionaries.
Answer: True
Explanation: By 1884, Merriam's dictionary contained approximately 118,000 words, reportedly surpassing other English dictionaries available at that time.
The dictionary designated as *Webster's International* was published in the year 1934.
Answer: False
Explanation: The dictionary titled *Webster's International* was published in 1890. The year 1934 corresponds to the publication of *Webster's New International Dictionary, Second Edition*.
The *Collegiate Dictionary* was initially published in 1898 as an abridged version of the unabridged *Webster's International*.
Answer: True
Explanation: The *Collegiate Dictionary* was first published in 1898, serving as an abridgment of the unabridged *Webster's International* dictionary.
Philip B. Gove served as the editor for the 1961 publication, *Webster's Third New International*.
Answer: True
Explanation: Philip B. Gove was indeed the editor of the influential 1961 dictionary, *Webster's Third New International*.
*Webster's Third New International Dictionary* received commendation for its rigorous adherence to traditional grammatical conventions and its prescriptivist methodology.
Answer: False
Explanation: On the contrary, *Webster's Third New International Dictionary* was controversial precisely because it moved away from strict prescriptivism towards a more descriptive approach to language.
A significant feature introduced in the 1983 edition of the *Collegiate* dictionary was the inclusion of the date of the first known citation for each word.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 1983 edition of the *Collegiate* dictionary, *Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary*, notably introduced the practice of including the date of the first known citation for each word.
The eleventh edition of the *Collegiate Dictionary*, published in 2003, contained approximately 100,000 definitions.
Answer: False
Explanation: The eleventh edition of the *Collegiate Dictionary* (2003) contained over 225,000 definitions, not approximately 100,000.
What is the principal function of Merriam-Webster, Incorporated?
Answer: Publishing reference books, notably dictionaries.
Explanation: Merriam-Webster, Incorporated is primarily recognized for its role in publishing reference books, with dictionaries being its most prominent output.
What was the approximate number of words included in Noah Webster's dictionary upon its completion in 1825?
Answer: 70,000
Explanation: Noah Webster's dictionary, completed in 1825, contained approximately 70,000 words.
What distinguished the 1864 edition of Merriam's dictionary?
Answer: It significantly altered and expanded upon Webster's original text.
Explanation: The 1864 edition marked a significant departure from Webster's original work, involving substantial alterations and expansions.
By 1884, what was the approximate word count of the Merriam edition of the dictionary?
Answer: 118,000
Explanation: The Merriam edition of the dictionary reportedly contained 118,000 words by 1884.
In which year(s) was the dictionary titled *Webster's New International* published?
Answer: 1909 and 1934
Explanation: *Webster's New International Dictionary* was published in 1909, followed by its second edition in 1934.
What was the primary point of contention surrounding the publication of *Webster's Third New International Dictionary* in 1961?
Answer: Its shift from prescriptivism to descriptivism in language usage.
Explanation: The principal controversy surrounding *Webster's Third New International Dictionary* stemmed from its adoption of a descriptive approach to language, which diverged from the prescriptive norms many expected.
What distinctive feature was introduced in *Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary* in 1983?
Answer: Dates of the first known citation for each word.
Explanation: *Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary* (1983) introduced the significant feature of providing the date of the first known citation for each word.
Approximately how many definitions were contained within the eleventh edition of the *Collegiate Dictionary* (2003)?
Answer: Over 225,000
Explanation: The eleventh edition of the *Collegiate Dictionary*, published in 2003, contained over 225,000 definitions.
Which of the following is not cataloged as a type of reference book published by Merriam-Webster?
Answer: Encyclopedia of Music
Explanation: While Merriam-Webster publishes a wide array of specialized dictionaries, an 'Encyclopedia of Music' is not listed among its published reference works.
In what manner did Merriam-Webster's *Webster's Third New International Dictionary* diverge from prior linguistic approaches?
Answer: It described language as it was used, rather than prescribing usage.
Explanation: *Webster's Third New International Dictionary* represented a shift from a prescriptive stance (dictating correct usage) to a descriptive one (documenting actual usage).
Google currently holds the position of parent company for Merriam-Webster.
Answer: False
Explanation: Google is not the parent company of Merriam-Webster; that distinction belongs to Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
In 1982, Merriam-Webster transitioned to becoming a subsidiary of Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Answer: False
Explanation: Merriam-Webster became a subsidiary of Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. in 1964, not 1982.
The company officially adopted the name Merriam-Webster, Incorporated in the year 1964.
Answer: False
Explanation: The company officially adopted the name Merriam-Webster, Incorporated in 1982, not 1964.
Which corporate entity currently serves as the parent company of Merriam-Webster?
Answer: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Explanation: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. is the current parent company of Merriam-Webster.
In what year did the company officially adopt the name Merriam-Webster, Incorporated?
Answer: 1982
Explanation: The company officially adopted the name Merriam-Webster, Incorporated in 1982.
The corporate headquarters of Merriam-Webster are situated in New York City.
Answer: False
Explanation: Merriam-Webster's headquarters are located in Springfield, Massachusetts, not New York City.
Merriam-Webster's Twitter account is predominantly utilized for disseminating definitions of obscure vocabulary.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Merriam-Webster does share definitions, its Twitter account is also actively used for commentary on current events and language usage, not solely obscure words.
Merriam-Webster launched its inaugural website in 1996, providing access to its dictionary content via paid subscriptions.
Answer: False
Explanation: Merriam-Webster launched its first website in 1996, but it offered free access to its dictionary and thesaurus, not paid subscriptions.
The 'Open Dictionary' service facilitates user submissions of novel word definitions.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'Open Dictionary' service is designed to permit subscribers to create and submit their own entries for new words and definitions.
Merriam-Webster editors dedicate a substantial part of their daily routine to examining word usage derived from print media.
Answer: True
Explanation: Merriam-Webster editors indeed spend a significant portion of their day studying word usage, drawing from a wide array of print sources.
Merriam-Webster's paper citation files house millions of entries that originate from the early 20th century.
Answer: False
Explanation: Merriam-Webster's paper citation files contain millions of entries, but they date back to the late 19th century, not exclusively the early 20th century.
The word game Quordle, currently owned by Merriam-Webster, was introduced in the year 2022.
Answer: True
Explanation: Merriam-Webster acquired ownership of the word game Quordle, which was launched in 2022.
What is the geographical location of Merriam-Webster's headquarters?
Answer: Springfield, Massachusetts
Explanation: Merriam-Webster's corporate headquarters are situated in Springfield, Massachusetts.
In what manner does Merriam-Webster leverage its presence on Twitter?
Answer: Posting definitions and commentary on current events, including politics.
Explanation: Merriam-Webster utilizes its Twitter account not only for definitions but also for commentary on contemporary events and political discourse.
In what year did Merriam-Webster launch its inaugural website?
Answer: 1996
Explanation: Merriam-Webster launched its first website in 1996.
What is the designated purpose of the 'Open Dictionary' service on Merriam-Webster's platform?
Answer: To allow users to submit and create new word entries.
Explanation: The 'Open Dictionary' service functions as a wiki platform, empowering subscribers to create and submit novel words and their corresponding definitions.
Through what methodology does Merriam-Webster gather information for the creation of new dictionary entries?
Answer: By finding and recording word uses in print sources.
Explanation: Merriam-Webster compiles entries by identifying word usage in print media and documenting these instances in a citation database. Editors then analyze these usages from diverse print sources to determine which terms warrant inclusion.
What is the approximate volume of entries within Merriam-Webster's citation file?
Answer: Over 16 million entries
Explanation: Merriam-Webster's citation file is extensive, comprising over 16 million entries that document individual instances of word usage.
Prior to Unicode 4.0, what challenge did Merriam-Webster encounter concerning phonetic symbols for its online services?
Answer: Their specific symbols were not supported by standard Unicode versions.
Explanation: Before Unicode 4.0, Merriam-Webster faced the challenge that its specific phonetic symbols were not compatible with standard Unicode versions, necessitating alternative display methods.
In 2022, Merriam-Webster acquired ownership of which word game?
Answer: Quordle
Explanation: Merriam-Webster acquired ownership of the word game Quordle in 2022.
What is the significance attributed to the paper citation files maintained by Merriam-Webster?
Answer: They date back to the late 19th century and document word usage.
Explanation: The paper citation files are significant because they date back to the late 19th century and meticulously document the historical usage of words.
Noah Webster's principal objective in compiling his dictionary was to chronicle the historical evolution of the English language.
Answer: False
Explanation: Noah Webster's primary goal was to standardize American English spelling and vocabulary, not solely to document the history of the language's evolution.
To facilitate his etymological research for the dictionary, Noah Webster acquired proficiency in 26 languages.
Answer: True
Explanation: Noah Webster demonstrated a remarkable dedication to etymological research, learning 26 languages to support his work on the dictionary.
Noah Webster advocated for the adoption of spellings such as 'colour' and 'centre' within his dictionary.
Answer: False
Explanation: Noah Webster advocated for Americanized spellings, favoring forms like 'color' and 'center' over their British counterparts.
*The Chicago Manual of Style* recommends the *Collegiate Dictionary* as its principal authority for matters of spelling.
Answer: True
Explanation: Indeed, *The Chicago Manual of Style* designates the *Collegiate Dictionary* as its primary reference for spelling conventions.
What was Noah Webster's principal objective in compiling *An American Dictionary of the English Language*?
Answer: To standardize American English spelling and vocabulary.
Explanation: Noah Webster's primary objective was to establish a standardized form of American English, encompassing spelling, pronunciation, and vocabulary.
To support his etymological research, how many languages did Noah Webster acquire proficiency in?
Answer: 26
Explanation: Noah Webster learned 26 languages to aid in his comprehensive etymological research for his dictionary.
Which of the following exemplifies an American spelling innovation introduced by Noah Webster?
Answer: 'center' instead of 'centre'
Explanation: Noah Webster advocated for simplified American spellings, such as replacing 'centre' with 'center' and 'colour' with 'color'.
As per *The Chicago Manual of Style*, which Merriam-Webster dictionary is designated as the preferred source for general spelling matters?
Answer: The *Collegiate Dictionary* (specifically the eleventh edition)
Explanation: *The Chicago Manual of Style* identifies the eleventh edition of the *Collegiate Dictionary* as its primary reference for general spelling guidance.