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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... naut.: nautical nav. : naval Nav. Accts. : Naval Accounts (see p. xx) NED : New English Dictionary (see p. xvii) neg. : negative neol. : neologism neut. : neuter nom.: nominative Norm.: Norman north.: northern Northumb, : Northumbrian ...
... naut.: nautical nav. : naval Nav. Accts. : Naval Accounts (see p. xx) NED : New English Dictionary (see p. xvii) neg. : negative neol. : neologism neut. : neuter nom.: nominative Norm.: Norman north.: northern Northumb, : Northumbrian ...
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... naut. lang. Tahen abach is a naut. metephor from the sudden cheching of a ship through the square sails being flattened bach against the masts by a change of wind or bad steering. Gang thu sceocca on baec (AS. Gospels, Matt. iv. 1о) ...
... naut. lang. Tahen abach is a naut. metephor from the sudden cheching of a ship through the square sails being flattened bach against the masts by a change of wind or bad steering. Gang thu sceocca on baec (AS. Gospels, Matt. iv. 1о) ...
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... [naut.]. Abeeast, level with, i.e. neither ahead nor astern. The beams oi a ship are at right-angles to the hoel; ci. beam-ends. abear [dial,]. AS. aberan, irom bear*. Obs. irom c. 13oo, exc. in dial. "Trrritorial" is a word that the ...
... [naut.]. Abeeast, level with, i.e. neither ahead nor astern. The beams oi a ship are at right-angles to the hoel; ci. beam-ends. abear [dial,]. AS. aberan, irom bear*. Obs. irom c. 13oo, exc. in dial. "Trrritorial" is a word that the ...
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... [naut.]. F. ä hord, of Teut. origin (see board). With to day ahoard cf. orig. meaning of vb, to hoard (see hoard, accost). abode. From abide; cf. road (rode) from ride. abalish. F. aholir, aholiss- from L. aholescere, from aholire, to ...
... [naut.]. F. ä hord, of Teut. origin (see board). With to day ahoard cf. orig. meaning of vb, to hoard (see hoard, accost). abode. From abide; cf. road (rode) from ride. abalish. F. aholir, aholiss- from L. aholescere, from aholire, to ...
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... naut. Cf. aheam, astern. ahem. Imit. of calling attention hy clearing the throat. Cf. to hem and ha. ahoy. ? From hoy, vessel. But cf. OF. aoi, interj. which ends each stansa of the Chanson de Roland. Ahriman. Spirit of evil in OPers ...
... naut. Cf. aheam, astern. ahem. Imit. of calling attention hy clearing the throat. Cf. to hem and ha. ahoy. ? From hoy, vessel. But cf. OF. aoi, interj. which ends each stansa of the Chanson de Roland. Ahriman. Spirit of evil in OPers ...
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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