The foremost Irish scholars of the time, John O'Donovan and Eugene O'Curry, envisioned a dictionary that would be based on a thorough excerpting of old Irish manuscripts. The meanings of words were to be supported by citations. Etymology was not attempted apart from derivation within Irish itself and the giving of sources of loan words. These pioneering directions were adhered to throughout the compilation of the dictionary over more than a century. From 1852 work progressed and in 1913 that the first instalment of the Royal Irish Academy's 'Dictionary of the Irish Language' was published. By 1976 all 24 parts of the dictionary were completed, running to over 2,500 pages. This compact edition brings together the extensive material, photographically reduced in a handsome single volume.

    The language of origin is identified and the authentic spelling and meaning are indicated if these differ substantially from those used in English. The approximate date at which the expression entered the English language is given and all current meanings are defined.