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 77
Page
... suggest that this will be still more frequently the case in the future. In the matter of "scientific" terms, often coined with complete indifferencc Scientific to linguistic laws and the real meanings of words, I have made it a terms ...
... suggest that this will be still more frequently the case in the future. In the matter of "scientific" terms, often coined with complete indifferencc Scientific to linguistic laws and the real meanings of words, I have made it a terms ...
Page
... suggest the region of ideas to which an unfamiliar word belongs. I learn from the "New English Dictionary" that to kiss is "to press or touch with the lips (at the same time compressing and 1 Throughout the Dictionary the word "from" is ...
... suggest the region of ideas to which an unfamiliar word belongs. I learn from the "New English Dictionary" that to kiss is "to press or touch with the lips (at the same time compressing and 1 Throughout the Dictionary the word "from" is ...
Page 17
... suggests that it may rather he connected with the Teut. name for the hird (see erne), which has cognates in Celt. (Corn. Bret, e r, Welsh eryr). Aesculapian, Esculapian. Of Aesculapius, G. 'Ao-xAtprios, god of medicine. Cf. galeuical ...
... suggests that it may rather he connected with the Teut. name for the hird (see erne), which has cognates in Celt. (Corn. Bret, e r, Welsh eryr). Aesculapian, Esculapian. Of Aesculapius, G. 'Ao-xAtprios, god of medicine. Cf. galeuical ...
Page 41
... suggest Arah, origin. The confusion hetween the two appears in their earliest records, e.g. in Wyclif, who uses amice to translate hoth amictus and capitium, the latter corresponding rather to F. aumusse. The torch's glaring ray Show'd ...
... suggest Arah, origin. The confusion hetween the two appears in their earliest records, e.g. in Wyclif, who uses amice to translate hoth amictus and capitium, the latter corresponding rather to F. aumusse. The torch's glaring ray Show'd ...
Page 45
... suggesting matre or style of 'AvexpetDv (fl. 6 cent. B.c.). anadem [port.]. Wreath. L., G. ,to tally, from SeW, to hind. anadromous. Fish ascending river to spawn (e. salmon). From G. opa4ietr, to run. anadyomene. Epithat of Venus. G ...
... suggesting matre or style of 'AvexpetDv (fl. 6 cent. B.c.). anadem [port.]. Wreath. L., G. ,to tally, from SeW, to hind. anadromous. Fish ascending river to spawn (e. salmon). From G. opa4ietr, to run. anadyomene. Epithat of Venus. G ...
Other editions - View all
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