This was the most comprehensive dictionary of the Russian language at the time of publication.

Vladimir Dahl (1801-72) dedicated 53 years of his life to this monumental work, which contains 200,000 words and uses 3,000 proverbs and sayings to illustrate their meaning. Dahl began collecting words for a future dictionary at the age of eighteen, and passed away working on its second edition. He was awarded the Konstantinivskaya Medal and Lomosov Prize for his work, and in 1868 was elected an honorary member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The third and fourth editions were edited by Jan de Courtenay (1845 – 1929), one of the most influential linguists in Russia in the late XIX - early XX century, and are famous for their inclusion of several Russian swearwords.

Vols. I-III fourth edition, vol. IV third edition; 4 vols, 8vo (27.2 x 19 cm), text in two columns, paginated accordingly. Contemporary red calf over red cloth boards, gilt lettering to spines, red edges; slightly rubbed and sunned.