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. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 54
Page 25
... Gael, aird, It. ard, point, common in place- names. A late introduction in literary E., due to Burns: Of a' the airts the wind can blaw, I dearly lihe the west. aisle. Orig. ele, OF. (aile), wing, T. ala, for axilla. Prop, a lateral ...
... Gael, aird, It. ard, point, common in place- names. A late introduction in literary E., due to Burns: Of a' the airts the wind can blaw, I dearly lihe the west. aisle. Orig. ele, OF. (aile), wing, T. ala, for axilla. Prop, a lateral ...
Page 27
... Gael. Alba. Scotland. Perh. "white land." 29 alderman (OHG. elira), ON. olr, Goth. *alisa (whence Sp. album. " A booh in which ioreigners heve long been accustomed to insert the autograpbs oi celebeated people" (Johns.). Neut. oi L ...
... Gael. Alba. Scotland. Perh. "white land." 29 alderman (OHG. elira), ON. olr, Goth. *alisa (whence Sp. album. " A booh in which ioreigners heve long been accustomed to insert the autograpbs oi celebeated people" (Johns.). Neut. oi L ...
Page 35
... Gael, alp, Ir. ealp, hill. In Switxerland used of a mountain pasture, as also in MHG. Hence alpenstoch (Ger.). alpaca. Peruv. llama, having long, fine, woolly hair. Sp. alpaca, or alpaca, from el, the, and paco, native name of animal ...
... Gael, alp, Ir. ealp, hill. In Switxerland used of a mountain pasture, as also in MHG. Hence alpenstoch (Ger.). alpaca. Peruv. llama, having long, fine, woolly hair. Sp. alpaca, or alpaca, from el, the, and paco, native name of animal ...
Page 57
... Gael. mac. apace. Orig. at a walh (F. an pas), hut in early use associated with speed. And forth she walhrth esily a pas {Chauc. F. 3S8). apache. Parisian despeiado (late 19 cent.). From name of Red Ind. trihe. Cf. mohoch. apanage ...
... Gael. mac. apace. Orig. at a walh (F. an pas), hut in early use associated with speed. And forth she walhrth esily a pas {Chauc. F. 3S8). apache. Parisian despeiado (late 19 cent.). From name of Red Ind. trihe. Cf. mohoch. apanage ...
Page 113
... Gael, bannach, prob, a loan-word, from L. panis; cf. AS. bannuc. banns. See ban1. banquet. F., dim. of banc, bench, lable (see banh1); cf. It. banchetto, dim. of banco, teble. For sense-development cf. hoard, lable. Earlier E. sense is ...
... Gael, bannach, prob, a loan-word, from L. panis; cf. AS. bannuc. banns. See ban1. banquet. F., dim. of banc, bench, lable (see banh1); cf. It. banchetto, dim. of banco, teble. For sense-development cf. hoard, lable. Earlier E. sense is ...
Other editions - View all
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