Unabridged dictionaries are large in size because they include all words in use at the time the dictionary is compiled. Abridged or desk and collegiate dictionaries are smaller and include only a selection of words. Foreign language dictionaries focus on a different language, perhaps French or German. Bilingual or multilingual dictionaries provide corresponding words in different languages. As with encyclopedias, dictionaries may also focus on a specific subject or discipline.
Glossaries are dictionaries or lists of specialized words.
Reference Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged Ask at the Reference Desk. Reference Top of page Almanacs Almanacs offer concise factual information about many subjects including current and historical events, people, weather, politics, associations and societies, countries, awards and prizes, holidays, cities and countries, disasters, postal rates, economy and business, astronomy, inventions, and statistics. They are usually published annually. Some almanacs, like The World Almanac or Information Please Almanac , are general in nature, while others, like the Texas Almanac , focus on a specific topic or subject. In general, directories are used to locate people, organizations, institutions, businesses, products, or services.