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 83
Page 5
... Hence aholitionism, -ist, orig. coined by opponents of slave- trade (c. 18oo). Some connect the L. word with G. ôWvfи, I destroy. abominable. L. ahominabilis, from ahominari, to deprecate, shrinh from the omen (cf. absit omen). Strong ...
... Hence aholitionism, -ist, orig. coined by opponents of slave- trade (c. 18oo). Some connect the L. word with G. ôWvfи, I destroy. abominable. L. ahominabilis, from ahominari, to deprecate, shrinh from the omen (cf. absit omen). Strong ...
Page 9
... hence, the duhhing of a hnight, or toe ceremony used therein (Cotg.). accommodate. From L. accommodare, to fit to. See commodious. accompany. From F. accompagner. See companion. accomplice. For earlier complice, F., L. complex, compiie ...
... hence, the duhhing of a hnight, or toe ceremony used therein (Cotg.). accommodate. From L. accommodare, to fit to. See commodious. accompany. From F. accompagner. See companion. accomplice. For earlier complice, F., L. complex, compiie ...
Page 19
... Hence affection, orig. (13 cent.) any mental state, the more mod. affectation preserving hetter the atym. sense. Affect, to influence, impress, atc., is rather directly from L. afficere, affect-. affiance. OF. afiance, from afier ...
... Hence affection, orig. (13 cent.) any mental state, the more mod. affectation preserving hetter the atym. sense. Affect, to influence, impress, atc., is rather directly from L. afficere, affect-. affiance. OF. afiance, from afier ...
Page 21
... Hence agiotage (from F.), speculation, stoch-johhing. See ease. agist. Orig. to admit cattle to pasture for a fixed period. Hence also agistment. OF. agister, from a and giste (gite), resting- place, from archaic F. ge'sir, to lie, L ...
... Hence agiotage (from F.), speculation, stoch-johhing. See ease. agist. Orig. to admit cattle to pasture for a fixed period. Hence also agistment. OF. agister, from a and giste (gite), resting- place, from archaic F. ge'sir, to lie, L ...
Page 35
... Hence lignaloes (Chauc.), lignum aloes, aromatic wood, coined lihe rosewood. aloft. ON. a lopt(i), in the air, on high, cogn. with AS. lyft. air (cf. Ger. luft). Naut. sense is later, hut is combined with the original meaning hy Dihdin ...
... Hence lignaloes (Chauc.), lignum aloes, aromatic wood, coined lihe rosewood. aloft. ON. a lopt(i), in the air, on high, cogn. with AS. lyft. air (cf. Ger. luft). Naut. sense is later, hut is combined with the original meaning hy Dihdin ...
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