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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Results 1-5 of 59
Page 13
... Welsh nadyr, and perh. with L. natrix, water-snahe. Now limited to the common viper. The initial n- was lost in ME., a nadder heing understood as an adder. Cf. apron, auger, and, for the converse, newt. Nedder is still in dial. use ...
... Welsh nadyr, and perh. with L. natrix, water-snahe. Now limited to the common viper. The initial n- was lost in ME., a nadder heing understood as an adder. Cf. apron, auger, and, for the converse, newt. Nedder is still in dial. use ...
Page 17
... Welsh eryr). Aesculapian, Esculapian. Of Aesculapius, G. 'Ao-xAtprios, god of medicine. Cf. galeuical. aesthate. G. ato-ft/njs, from aio-Oea-6ai, to perceive. First recorded hy NED. for 1881 (aesthetic crase), hut aesthrtic dates from ...
... Welsh eryr). Aesculapian, Esculapian. Of Aesculapius, G. 'Ao-xAtprios, god of medicine. Cf. galeuical. aesthate. G. ato-ft/njs, from aio-Oea-6ai, to perceive. First recorded hy NED. for 1881 (aesthetic crase), hut aesthrtic dates from ...
Page 47
... Welsh anner, heifer). Cf. synon. fire-dog, F. chenrt, Ger. jeuerhoch, lit. fire-goat. Andrea Ferrara [hist.]. Sc. hroad-sword. Andrea dei Ferrari, i.e. Andrew of the armourers, was a famous 16 cent, sword- smith of Belluno, hut it seems ...
... Welsh anner, heifer). Cf. synon. fire-dog, F. chenrt, Ger. jeuerhoch, lit. fire-goat. Andrea Ferrara [hist.]. Sc. hroad-sword. Andrea dei Ferrari, i.e. Andrew of the armourers, was a famous 16 cent, sword- smith of Belluno, hut it seems ...
Page 57
... Welsh names, e.g. Ap Rhys (Price), Ap Evan (Bcvan), etc. Earlier map, cogn. with 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 ...
... Welsh names, e.g. Ap Rhys (Price), Ap Evan (Bcvan), etc. Earlier map, cogn. with 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 ...
Page 101
... Welsh hacwn (from E.) is recorded for 13 cent. In to sace one's hacon, a volgarism recorded for 17 cent., hacon is used for hody, hide, etc. Sorgt ihr nitr fiir cure eigne haul: do hut sare your own hacon (Ludw.). Baconian. In ref. hoth ...
... Welsh hacwn (from E.) is recorded for 13 cent. In to sace one's hacon, a volgarism recorded for 17 cent., hacon is used for hody, hide, etc. Sorgt ihr nitr fiir cure eigne haul: do hut sare your own hacon (Ludw.). Baconian. In ref. hoth ...
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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