Which dictionary is the best?

Neat Slate Column on dictionaries.

They rated the dictionaries in five categories. 1. Stock – how often each dictionary had the word they was seeking. 2. Definitions -the accuracy, clarity, precision, and élan of the explanations of the words’ meanings. 3. Usage Guidance —the consistency and reliability of usage notes 4. Etymologies- the comprehensiveness of this information. And 5. Enjoyment – illustrations, supplemental material, ease-of-use (typeface, location of pronunciation key, facility of finding specific definitions), etc…

And the winner is… Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary