For Roget's Thesaurus — A Closer Reading, the stored edition analysis reports 206,199 words, 14 hr 57 min estimated reading time, and 26 detected text sections.
The text analysis averages about 12.8 words per sentence, while the detected sections provide another way to judge how the source is divided.
Project Gutenberg metadata also associates the work with “English language -- Synonyms and antonyms,” connecting these edition facts with the source record’s subject description.
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About 252 minutes
Philology
57,896 recorded words. 645 minutes difference from this book's estimate.
View Gutenberg source #41975About 82 minutes
Philology
18,843 recorded words. 815 minutes difference from this book's estimate.
View Gutenberg source #15672About 39 minutes
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8,810 recorded words. 858 minutes difference from this book's estimate.
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Catalog snapshot checked: 2026-09-26. Coverage: 93 public books, 93 available source excerpts.
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Public-domain source text
The source text is kept in the dedicated reader, separate from this catalogue record and its commentary.
The 1911 edition of Roget's Thesaurus, as presented in this digital version, is a work of systematic classification. Its entries are numbered and cross-referenced, with each category introduced by a bold headword. The text alternates between dense clusters of synonyms—often separated by semicolons—and occasional explanatory notes in square brackets. This structure creates a distinctive rhythm: rapid-fire lists of words punctuated by brief editorial interventions.
The thesaurus is organized into numbered sections, each covering a conceptual domain. For example, section #558 on engraving lists dozens of terms—'line engraving, mezzotint engraving, stipple engraving, chalk engraving'—in a single paragraph. The pace is relentless, with no full stops until the end of the entry. This accumulation mimics the associative nature of language, but it also demands careful reading. The editor has expanded abbreviations from the original print edition, which slightly slows the rhythm but improves clarity. The use of semicolons to separate subgroups within a list creates a subtle hierarchy, guiding the reader through related terms without breaking the flow.
Square brackets mark editorial comments, such as '[obs3]' for obsolete words or '[Fr]' for foreign terms. These annotations introduce a second voice into the text—one that is scholarly and precise. For instance, the entry for 'sculpture' includes 'insculpture| [obs3]', indicating a word marked with a vertical bar in the original. The editor also notes that 'about 1500 verbs ... are absent from this work' and that '12,000 [words] are not recognized by a spell-checker.' These asides break the monotony of the lists and provide context for the reader. They also reveal the editor's awareness of the thesaurus's limitations, acknowledging that 'many modern words are still missing.'
While most entries are dense with synonyms, some sections shift to a more discursive tone. The entry on 'Language' (#560) includes a list of related fields—'lexicology, philology, glossology, glottology'—but also a quotation from Selden: 'syllables govern the world.' This sudden inclusion of a philosophical remark alters the pace, offering a moment of reflection amid the catalog. Similarly, the section on 'Artist' (#559) ends with the phrase 'photo safari; "with gun and camera"', which feels almost anecdotal. These variations prevent the text from becoming purely mechanical, hinting at the human curiosity behind the classification.
Readers approaching this digital edition should note that the original 1911 arrangement has been modified slightly, with one entry split into two. The editor has also added over 1,000 words not present in the original. To navigate effectively, pay attention to the pound signs (#) marking main entries and the square brackets that signal editorial commentary. The thesaurus rewards both targeted searches and casual browsing, revealing the unexpected connections that Roget's system makes visible.
I finished that Roget volume and kept turning back to its strange, quiet order—how the editor gently sorted obsolete words like pressed flowers. It reminded me of another patient archive, The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section F, G and H — Background and Themes, where definitions sprawl and breathe. There’s a tenderness in old reference books, a feeling that someone wanted every word to find a home.
A brief reflection can help important ideas stay with you longer.
