Book excerpt: First published in 1982, this dictionary offers a practical aid to students of social work and of social policy in their conversation about social welfare. It explains the meaning or range of meanings of common terms and explains their applications in welfare, legislation, policy and use by welfare practitioners. It helpfully cross-references terms with similar or related terms that might be considered alongside. In addition, most entries are concluded by references which introduce the reader to a more extended treatment of the term or an elaboration of its application in the language of social welfare. Although first published in 1989, this book will be a valuable resource for students of social work, social policy and social welfare.