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The UK Advanced Cryptics Dictionary
A word list for crossword solvers and setters
by
Ross Beresford
Version 1.1
22nd January 1994
Copyright (c) J Ross Beresford 1993,1994
All Rights Reserved
The UK Advanced Cryptics Dictionary
is a FREEWARE package: it can be
freely copied and distributed under
the terms of the licensing agreement
at the end of this document.
I can be reached in the following ways:
Internet E-mail
Internet address ross@bryson.demon.co.uk
CIX
Phone +44 81 399 5252
Account name rberesfo
Internet address rberesfo@cix.compulink.co.uk
INTRODUCTION
------------
The UKACD is a word list compiled for the crossword community.
In particular, it's intended for setters and solvers of
advanced cryptic crosswords in the UK; for example, the
Listener Crossword and the barred puzzles in the Sunday
broadsheets.
Although there are many word lists in the public domain, none
is well suited for use with crossword software such as my TEA
product (available as TEA100.ZIP).
This freely distributable list should be more helpful, as it
is specifically intended for use with crossword software. The
list will be updated at periodic intervals to correct errors
and make additions.
EDITORIAL POLICY
----------------
The basis for the UKACD was a word list of some 500,000
entries, compiled from public domain sources.
This was reduced to a list of around 190,000 words by
eliminating entries that aren't generally allowable in
UK advanced cryptic puzzles.
The vocabulary included in the following single volume UK
English dictionaries was used as a guide to acceptability:
The Chambers Dictionary
Collins English Dictionary
The Concise Oxford Dictionary
Words are given in all their inflected forms, where
appropriate. That is, nouns are given in their plural
form(s); verbs are given as the infinitive, third person
singular, present and past participle; and the comparative
and superlative forms of adjectives are included where
they are reasonably common.
Common proper names have been included, as they are often
found in crosswords, even though only Collins of the above
dictionaries has a systematic coverage of them. Some very
common words not to be found in any of the dictionaries have
also been included.
Some attempt was made to standardise the punctuation and
capitalisation of entries; in particular, by ensuring all
proper names start with a capital letter. However, no great
effort has been put into this, as it only marginally affects
the usefulness of the list to crossworders.
Dictionary entries only differing in punctuation or
capitalisation have been folded onto the single most common
form. This was done to save space and, again makes little
difference to the value of the UKACD for setters and solvers.
FEEDBACK
--------
The UKACD will be enhanced with corrections and additions
based on feedback from users. New releases of the list will
appear whenever there have been sufficient changes to warrant
the effort.
If you find any errors, or have suggestions for additions,
please e-mail them to me at the address on the first page
of this document. Provided they are within the scope of the
UKACD, as defined under EDITORIAL POLICY, they will be
included in the next release of the word list.
LICENSING INFORMATION
---------------------
Copyright (c) J Ross Beresford 1993,1994. All Rights Reserved.
The following restriction is placed on the use of this
publication: if the UKACD word list is reproduced or
distributed in any form, the text of this document, and
its copyright notice, must be included verbatim.
There are no other restrictions: I would like to see the
list distributed as widely as possible.