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 15
Page 1
... doubtful origin. abacus. Frame with balls on wires for mechanical calculation. L., G. aßa£, aßaii-, board, slab, abaddon [Bibl.]. Heb, äbaddón, destruction, used in Rec. ix. 11 of the angel of the bottomless pit, and by Milton (Par. R ...
... doubtful origin. abacus. Frame with balls on wires for mechanical calculation. L., G. aßa£, aßaii-, board, slab, abaddon [Bibl.]. Heb, äbaddón, destruction, used in Rec. ix. 11 of the angel of the bottomless pit, and by Milton (Par. R ...
Page 5
... doubtful. An Abrabam-man is he that walheth bare-armed and bare-legged and faynyth hymselfe mad (Awdeley, Fraternylye of Vacaboundes, 1561). It appears to have been the practice in former days to allow certain inmates of Bethlehem ...
... doubtful. An Abrabam-man is he that walheth bare-armed and bare-legged and faynyth hymselfe mad (Awdeley, Fraternylye of Vacaboundes, 1561). It appears to have been the practice in former days to allow certain inmates of Bethlehem ...
Page 75
... doubtful. I VL. *artensianus. artist, arts. The latter was introduced (19 ta in consequence of the gradual restriction of artist, F. artiste, It. artista, to painting. arum. L., G. npos. In dial, often aaron. 77 Aryan Aryan [ling ...
... doubtful. I VL. *artensianus. artist, arts. The latter was introduced (19 ta in consequence of the gradual restriction of artist, F. artiste, It. artista, to painting. arum. L., G. npos. In dial, often aaron. 77 Aryan Aryan [ling ...
Page 117
... doubtful, though it seems to have been used for banneret (q.v.). The present order dates from 161 1 and was esteblished to raise money for the settlement of Ulster. Orig. obteinable for 71ooo, but it is understood that the current price ...
... doubtful, though it seems to have been used for banneret (q.v.). The present order dates from 161 1 and was esteblished to raise money for the settlement of Ulster. Orig. obteinable for 71ooo, but it is understood that the current price ...
Page 149
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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