UMass Amherst Libraries Research Databases

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Databases in Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

AGROVOC Thesaurus
A multilingual, structured and controlled list of terms to use for research in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, food, and the environment.
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Britannica Online
The classic general encyclopedia, a good starting point for all kinds of research. Includes a thesaurus and links to BBC and NYT for current news.

Also known as:

Encyclopaedia Britannica

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Chicago Manual of Style
The widely-used citation and usage guide.
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CQ Researcher
Well-documented full text overviews of current issues, including bibliographies and chronologies. Produced by Congressional Quarterly, 1923-present.
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Ellis and Messina Catalogue: Foraminifera
Catalog of fossil micro-organisms.

Also known as:

Foraminifera Catalogue

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Encyclopaedia of Islam
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Encyclopedia of Astrobiology
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Encyclopedia of Biological Chemistry
Second edition of this comprehensive Elsevier reference work.
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Encyclopedia of Chemical Biology
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Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Engineering
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Encyclopedia of Geography
Good starting point for understanding concepts in geography. Includes additional references.
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Encyclopedia of Mathematical Physics
A scholarly encyclopedia from Elsevier, with an easy-to-follow subject tree arrangement. Each article includes a thorough bibliography. Current.
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Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology
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Encyclopedia of Sports in America
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Encyclopedia of United States Indian Policy and Law
Covers history, politics and sociology of U.S./Native American relations
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Europa World Year Book
A very useful encyclopedia and directory of the world's countries. Substantive coverage of government, demographics, history, and much more. Current.
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Gale Encyclopedia of American Law
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Gale Virtual Reference Library
A collection of several hundred current subject encyclopedias.
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Garland Encyclopedia of World Music Online
IE 7.0 or Firefox 1.0 or higher recommended.
Essays, images and audio examples about world music.
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Greenwood Encyclopedia of Homes Through World History
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Grove Dictionary of Art
The best scholarly dictionary for all aspects of fine and applied arts, including design and architecture. Current.
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Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia
Online version of the comprehensive, lavishly illustrated zoology encyclopedia.
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Hispanic American Religious Cultures
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International Encyclopedia of Education
Third edition of Elsevier's authoritative title.
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International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences
Articles, with bibliographies, from experts on all aspects of the social sciences. Current.
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JapanKnowledge
Requires a PC equipped with fonts for Japanese characters.
A collection for the study of Japanese: multilingual dictionaries, Japanese encyclopedias, Ekonomisuto magazine, T¯oy¯o bunko series, and more, current.
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Kirk Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology
Comprehensive articles on topics in chemistry and chemical engineering, with bibliographies. Current.
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Lexicons of Early Modern English
A collection of dictionaries and other word lists printed in English before 1700. Useful for etymologies.
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Literature Criticism Online
Biographies and substantial excerpts from critical responses over time, on the works of a huge number of authors from classical time to the present.
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Mental Measurements Yearbook
Full-text reviews and ordering information for psychological and educational tests, 1916-present.
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New Grove Music

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Definitive encyclopedia for anything pertaining to music, instruments, composers, and musicians.

Also known as:	Oxford Music Online
	Grove Music Encyclopedia

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Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece and Rome
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Oxford English Dictionary
Online version of the irreplaceable OED, for word definitions, usage, and etymologies.
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Oxford Reference Online
Entries from over 100 Oxford University Press subject and language dictionaries, guides, and concise companions.
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Political Encyclopedia of U.S. States and Regions
Covers roles and functions of state government, with regional overviews.
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Political Theory: An Encyclopedia of Contemporary and Classic Te
Covers political concepts, themes, issues, movements, groups, and schools of thought.
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Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
A comprehensive online encyclopedia of philosophy by leading scholars. Current.
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Synthesis Digital Library of Engineering and Computer Science
Peer-reviewed, expert reports on R&D topics in engineering and comp. sci. Includes Coll. 1-3 and CIS part of Coll. 4.
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Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry
Covers the science and technology of industrial chemistry.
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