Chambers's Etymological Dictionary of the English Language: A New and Thoroughly Revised Edition (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from Chambers's Etymological Dictionary of the English Language: A New and Thoroughly Revised EditionIn view of the extraordinary progress which has been made in the historical study of the English Language, it has been found necessary to prepare an entirely New Edition of this Etymological Dictionary. It is confidently hoped that the improvements, which are the result of a careful and exhaustive revision, will greatly increase its efficiency and popularity. The Vocabulary has been enriched by the insertion of a multitude of additional words. The definitions of scientific terms have been carefully verified; and the pronunciation corrected in accordance with the best authorities. The changes in Etymology alone are so great as almost to constitute it a new work. For greater convenience of reference, the arrangement of the words has been made strictly alphabetical throughout.The Dictionary is intended as a guide in the study and practical use of the English Language; and embraces the Meanings of Words, their Pronunciation, and Etymology.The Vocabulary contains every English word sanctioned by good authority, with the exception of obsolete and very rare words, and terms exclusively technical. It includes, however, all the obsolete words that occur in the Bible, the Apocrypia, and the Book of Common Prayer. Owing to the wide diffusion of scientific knowledge and the application of scientific discovery to the business of every-day life, many terms that were once purely technical are now entering into the current speech. From this class of words large additions have been made to the Vocabulary.In the Definitions the current meaning of a word is usually put first. It is left to the Etymology to connect the present meaning with the root. But where the word still retains more or less of its original force, the Editor has endeavoured to increase the vividness of the definition by indicating the radical idea in italics. It has been the aim throughout to avoid a distracting multiplicity of definitions - not to pile up unnecessary distinctions, but to emphasise only the real differences in the usage of words.The Pronunciation is exhibited in the simplest possible manner. The correct sound of every word is given by being written anew phonetically, thus obviating the use of a confusing array of marks. The accentuation has also been carefully attended to, and different pronunciations have been given in cases where authorities are divided.About the PublisherForgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.comThis book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.