cavil regarding *desk dictionaries??

No, I haven't. However I certainly don't have the Space in my tiny apartment for an unabridged. (Bookshelf space being limited as it is, and horizontal surfaces such as tables, being almost as scarce..) Perhaps I will investigate an OED. Seems the best option. Anyway, I just said that you said I had a pretty good dictionary, not that I didn't need another one.