Franklin MWS-1840 Speaking Merriam Webster Dictionary and Thesaurus
by Franklin Electronics

List Price: $79.84
Category: CE
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Digital Photo Product Details

• Defines words and pronounces them out loud
• 274,000 comprehensive and contemporary definitions
• 496,000 synonyms to expand writing vocabulary
• 83,000-word spelling verification and correction list
• Slot for one Book Card

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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Franklin MWS-1840 Speaking Merriam Webster Dictionary and Thesaurus

Customer Review: nice pocket dictionary for the money
Summary: 4 Stars

It has met might my first need quite well. It's small and light enough to throw in backpack, suitcase or take in the car. I find most of the words I look up and the definition(s) is often sufficient. I wasn't expecting that it would be as good as my 20 lb. dictionary (it's not) but it's definitely better than a similarly sized paper dictionary.

Concerning the word list, it's not as useful as I had hoped. I often find in my reading that I come across words that I recognize, but am not sure about the definition and after looking up once it doesn't sufficiently stick, so having a word list helps. With this unit I can press the learn button on a word that I've looked up to add a word to my word list, which is exactly what I need. But there's a major drawback in that it doesn't store my words in permanent memory, so once you lose the power source you lose your list. They've obviously engineered the battery compartment to easily open and it is. But it can be clumsy in closing and more importantly it opens too easily (I also wonder about it's durability). As such I recently lost my entire list (2 - 3 books worth of reading) and that's a real bummer. As well the flash card feature could be improved. Placing words in the middle of the screen in bigger bolder letters would be nicer. The randomizer algorithm isn't that great, it will often reselect the same word 2 even 3 times in a row and it will often cycle between a small group of words.

The speaking feature was a nice bonus. It won't speak in a human voice obviously, but the pronunciation is sufficient enough for a EFL speaker (I've seen some ESL complaints). The thesarus, bookman expandability, games and calculator are nice plusses.

The LCD screen could be better. Depending on lighting it will throw a shadow over top line.

Overall I am pleased with this unit, but would've paid more for a better word list capability and a better screen.

Description of Franklin MWS-1840 Speaking Merriam Webster Dictionary and Thesaurus

Efficient and accurate, at a light 0.8 pounds the MWS-1840 is easy to carry around and incredibly convenient to use. The touch of a few buttons reveals just the right word, plus several practical options accompanied by proper pronunciation. The eight-line display expands clarity of each entry. While the MWS-1840 is a spell checker comparable with more complicated electronic dictionaries, it also offers unique features to facilitate finding a word you aren't sure of how to spell and to improve your spelling and vocabulary by using Franklin's LEARNables.

The Franklin MWS-1840 Speaking Merriam-Webster is a dictionary that everyone can use as a reference tool, to expand vocabulary, as an academic or business tool, and, remarkably, for fun. Of particular benefit to students are the Scholastic Assessment Test word list and tools to create a personalized study list of words. Anyone who writes will benefit from the grammar guide with its reliable compendium and comprehensive outline of English grammar. Enjoy playing one of 10 amusing and diverting games while improving your spelling and vocabulary.

In school and in business, precise spelling and appropriate word usage reflect favorably on your preparation and presentation. With the MWS-1840 your command of English and the breadth of your lexicon will be noticeably enlarged. For common English usage, you can hardly find a better portable resource.