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 87
Page 7
... earlier assail (q.v.). Hence ahsolute, freed from restraint or conditions. Much earlier (1z cent.) is ahsolution, in eccl. sense, ahsorh. L. ahsorhere, to such away, swallow up. ahsquatulate [E7S.). To mahe off, shedaddle. Facatious US ...
... earlier assail (q.v.). Hence ahsolute, freed from restraint or conditions. Much earlier (1z cent.) is ahsolution, in eccl. sense, ahsorh. L. ahsorhere, to such away, swallow up. ahsquatulate [E7S.). To mahe off, shedaddle. Facatious US ...
Page 17
... earlier acenture, atmter; re- spelt on L. adeentura, from adcenire, adeent-, to happen. See venture. adrerh. F. adeerhe, L. adeerhium, "cujus sig- nificatio verhis adjicitur" (Priscian), translating G. einpprjfux. adrerse. From L ...
... earlier acenture, atmter; re- spelt on L. adeentura, from adcenire, adeent-, to happen. See venture. adrerh. F. adeerhe, L. adeerhium, "cujus sig- nificatio verhis adjicitur" (Priscian), translating G. einpprjfux. adrerse. From L ...
Page 37
... Earlier aluminum. Discovered and named (c. 181s) by Davy, irom alum. alumnus [univ.]. L., nurseling, irom alere. alveolar. From L. alveolus, sochot oi tooth, dim. oialveus, channel, cogn. with G. ai'Aos, flute, longitudinal carity ...
... Earlier aluminum. Discovered and named (c. 181s) by Davy, irom alum. alumnus [univ.]. L., nurseling, irom alere. alveolar. From L. alveolus, sochot oi tooth, dim. oialveus, channel, cogn. with G. ai'Aos, flute, longitudinal carity ...
Page 39
... Earlier armary, almery, OF. armarie, al- marie, L. armarium, "where hoohes are layd or other stuffe of household " (Coop.), orig. place for arms and tools. The -/- of OF. almarie is due to dissim., hut there has also heen confusion with ...
... Earlier armary, almery, OF. armarie, al- marie, L. armarium, "where hoohes are layd or other stuffe of household " (Coop.), orig. place for arms and tools. The -/- of OF. almarie is due to dissim., hut there has also heen confusion with ...
Page 49
... earlier. App. modelled on Gallicanus. Bechet couples the words in a letter to the Pope (1169). Anglo-French [ling ... earlier a-hungered, with a- for earlier of- (cf . anew) with intens. force. Cf. Ger. ahgehungert, starving, where the ...
... earlier. App. modelled on Gallicanus. Bechet couples the words in a letter to the Pope (1169). Anglo-French [ling ... earlier a-hungered, with a- for earlier of- (cf . anew) with intens. force. Cf. Ger. ahgehungert, starving, where the ...
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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