An Etymological Dictionary of Modern English, Vol. 1The compiler of this dictionary of word and phrase origins and history was not only a linguist and a philologist but also a man of culture and wit. When he turned his attention, therefore, to the creation of an etymological dictionary for both specialists and non-specialists, the result was easily the finest such work ever prepared. Weekley's Dictionary is a work of thorough scholarship. It contains one of the largest lists of words and phrases to be found in any singly etymological dictionary — and considerably more material than in the standard concise edition, with fuller quotes and historical discussions. Included are most of the more common words used in English as well as slang, archaic words, such formulas as "I. O. U.," made-up words (such as Carroll's "Jabberwock"), words coined from proper nouns, and so on. In each case, roots in Anglo-Saxon, Old Norse, Greek or Latin, Old and modern French, Anglo-Indian, etc., are identified; in hundreds of cases, especially odd or amusing listings, earliest known usage is mentioned and sense is indicated in quotations from Dickens, Shakespeare, Chaucer, "Piers Plowman," Defoe, O. Henry, Spenser, Byron, Kipling, and so on, and from contemporary newspapers, translations of the Bible, and dozens of foreign-language authors. |
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... sense remote from that intended by its coiner, and the current sense of psychologiral moment is altogether different from its original use. It will be seen from what precedes that this Dictionary, whatever its defects or merits, is ...
... sense remote from that intended by its coiner, and the current sense of psychologiral moment is altogether different from its original use. It will be seen from what precedes that this Dictionary, whatever its defects or merits, is ...
Page 1
... Current sense of adj. abandoned is from earlier abandoned to, given up to (not necessarily to wichedness, etc. in ME.). Trestute Espaigne iert hoi en lur bandun (Rol. z7о4). The Scottis men dang on so fast, And schot on thame at ...
... Current sense of adj. abandoned is from earlier abandoned to, given up to (not necessarily to wichedness, etc. in ME.). Trestute Espaigne iert hoi en lur bandun (Rol. z7о4). The Scottis men dang on so fast, And schot on thame at ...
Page 9
... Current sense of accomplishment is " some study accomplished which accomplishes the student" (NED.). accompt. Restored spelling of account (q.v.). accord. F. accorder, VL. *accordare, from corda, harp-string, hut affected in sense hy ...
... Current sense of accomplishment is " some study accomplished which accomplishes the student" (NED.). accompt. Restored spelling of account (q.v.). accord. F. accorder, VL. *accordare, from corda, harp-string, hut affected in sense hy ...
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... sense cf. myrmidon, satellite. aconite. Monhshood. L. aconitum, G. OJgOVITOV. Origin unhnown (see Pliny, Hist. Nat ... current sense from 16 cent. actual. Late L. actualis, pertaining to acts. Mod. use of actuality in the sense of ...
... sense cf. myrmidon, satellite. aconite. Monhshood. L. aconitum, G. OJgOVITOV. Origin unhnown (see Pliny, Hist. Nat ... current sense from 16 cent. actual. Late L. actualis, pertaining to acts. Mod. use of actuality in the sense of ...
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... sense in F. & E. is emir, Saracen chief. Arah, amir, commander, is commonly followed by al, as in amir-al-hahr , com- manderof the sea, and many other compds., from which a clipped noun amiral resulted. Mod. maritime sense ... current by a ...
... sense in F. & E. is emir, Saracen chief. Arah, amir, commander, is commonly followed by al, as in amir-al-hahr , com- manderof the sea, and many other compds., from which a clipped noun amiral resulted. Mod. maritime sense ... current by a ...
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Common terms and phrases
16 cent adopted altered appears applied Arab archaic association bird called Chauc Church cogn coined colour common confused connected corrupt Cotg Daily dates dial Dictionary doubtful earlier Earliest early element English Europ fish Flor formation formerly give Goth hand head Hence hist horse ident imit influenced John kind king land langs Late later London Lord meaning MedL native naut Norw noun occurs one's orig origin Origin unknown perh Pers person phrase Plant play Port pres prob quot recorded replaced represents Sanskrit sense sense cf Shaks ship short slang spec spelling suggests synon term Teut tion tree turn usual various verb Vulg whence word