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Full text of "A dictionary of the English language : in which the words are deduced from their originals, and illustrated in their different significations by examples from the best writers : to which are prefixed, a history of the language, and an English grammar"

DICTIONARY 



O F T H E 



ENGLISH LANGUAGE, 



VOL I. 




/ AV 

, r 



SAMUEL JOHNSON, L.L.D. 



Swtii n fti/H/tn,! f-y ' S/i /,>,, /it/it 'lr/ttit>ft/.i,/ft S/e //K/if/.i/oti />/'/>. /rrt/ti/fif/ (>,/.' 
' / ,/ ' ' ' / 



***/*, Mr . /Vi 



y/. tjfit-./y /. /,^/annttt // ,*/!, /!. 



A 

DICTIONARY 

OF THE 

ENGLISH LANGUAGE: 

I .V W HIGH 

THE WORDS ARE DEDUCED FROM THEIR ORIGINALS, 

AND ILLUSTRATED IN THEIR DIFFERENT SIGNIFICATIONS BY EXAMPLES" FROM THE BEST WRITERS. 

TO WHICH ARE PREFIXED, 

A HISTORY 'OF. THE LANGUAGE, 

AND 

AN ENGLISH GRAMMAR. 
BY SAMUEL JOHNSON, LL.D. 

IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. 

THE SIXTH EDITION. 



Cum tabulis aniinum cenforis fumet honefti : 
Auclebit qua:cunquc parum fplendoris habebunt, 
Et fine pondere crunt, ct honore indigna fercntur, 
Verba moverc loco; quamvis invita recedant, 
Et vcrfentuT adhuc intra penetralia Vcfta; : 
Obfcurata diu populo bonus eruet, atque 
Proferct in luccm fpectofa vocabula rcrum, 
(^i.i- prifcis memorata Catonibus atque Cethsgis 
Xunc Atus hiformis preinit et dderta vetuflas. HOR. 



LONDON: 

Printed for J. F. and C. Rivr:c.Tr,\-, L. DAVIS, T. PAYKE ami Soy, T. LOSGMAX, 15. LAW, J. DOBSLEY, C. DitLY, 

\V. Lowiinr.s, G. G. J. an, I j. ROBINSON, T. C..DI LI,, Jo. JOHN ; ON, J. KOBSON, W. RICHARDSON, J. NICHOLS, 

R. BALDWIN, W. GOLDSMITH, J. MURRAY, W. STUART, P. KLMSLY, W. Fox, S. HA.YES, D. OCILVIE, 

\V. l;. t. I, T. Slid J. E'itRTON, J. Puil.I.ll':,. ;,:nl M. NiWE 

M.DCC.LXX-.W 



R E F A C E. 



IT is the fate of thofe who toil at the lower employments of life, to be rather driven by the fear of 
evil, than attracted by the profpect of good; to be expofed to cenfure, without hope of praife; to be 
difgraced by mifcarriage, or punifhed for neglect, where fuccefs would have been without applaufe, 
and diligence without reward. 

Among thefe unhappy mortals is the writer of dictionaries ; whom mankind have confidered, not as the 
pupil, but the flave of fcience, the pioneer of literature, doomed only to remove rubbifli and clear ob- 
ftructions from the paths through which Learning and Genius prefs forward to conqueft and glory, without 
beftowing a fmile on the humble drudge that facilitates their progrefs. Every other author may afpire to 
praife; the lexicographer can only hope to efcape reproach, and even this negative recompenfe has been yet 
granted to very few. 

I have, notwithftanding this difcouragement, attempted a Dictionary of the Engli/h language, which, 
while it was employed in the cultivation of every fpecies of literature, has itfelf been hitherto neglected -, 
fuffered to fpread, under the direction of chance, into wild exuberance ; refigned to the tyranny of time 
and fafhion; and expofed to the corruptions of ignorance, and caprices of innovation. 

When I took the firft furvey of my undertaking, I found our fpeech copious without order, and 
energetick without rules: wherever I turned my view, there was perplexity to be difentangled, and con- 
fufion to be regulated; choice was to be made out of boundlefs variety, without any eftablifhed principle 
of felection ; adulterations were to be detected, without a fettled teft of purity ; and modes of expreflion 
to be rejected or received, without the fuffrages of any writers of claflical reputation or acknowledged 
authority. 

Having therefore no afTiftance but from general grammar, I applied myfelf to the perufal of our writers ; 
and noting whatever might be of ufe to afcertain or illuftrate any word or phrafe, accumulated in time the 
materials of a dictionary, which, by degrees, I reduced to method, eftablifhing to myfelf, in the progrefs 
of the work, fuch rules as experience and analogy fuggefted to me ; experience, which practice and ob- 
fervation were continually increafing; and analogy, which, though in feme words obfcure, was evident in 
others. 

In adjufting the ORTHOGRAPHY, which has been to this time unfettled and fortuitous, I found it necef- 
fary to diftinguilh thofe irregularities that are inherent in our tongue, and perhaps coeval with it, from 
others.which the ignorance or negligence of later writers has produced. Every language has its anomalies, 
which, though inconvenient, and in themfelves once unneceffary, muft be tolerated among the imperfec- 
tions of human things, and which require only to be regiflered, that they may not be increafed, and afcer- 
tained, that they may not be confounded: but every language has likewife its improprieties and abfurdities, 
which it is the duty of the lexicographer to correct or proscribe. 

As language was at its beginning merely oral, all words of neceflary or common ufe were fpoken be- 
fore they were written ; and while they were unfixed by any vifible figns, muft have been fpoken with 
great diverfity, as we now obferve thofe who cannot read to catch founds imperfectly, and utter them 
negligently. When this wild and barbarous jargon was firft reduced to an alphabet, every penman endea- 
voured to exprefs, as he could, the founds which he was accuftomed to pronounce or to receive, and vi- 
tiated in writing fuch words as were already vitiated in fpeech. The powers of the letters, when they 
were applied to a new language, muft have been vague and unfettled, and therefore different hands would 
exhibit the fame found by different combinations, 

7 From 



PREFACE. 

From this uncertain pronunciation arife in a great part the various dialects of the fame country, which 
>fcrved to grow fewer, and lefs different, as books are multiplied ; and from this arbitrary 
rc'irrfv-nt.uion of founds by letters, proceeds that divcrfity of fpelling obfervable in the Saxon remains, 
and I fuppofc in the firft books of every nation, which perplexes or deftroys analogy, and produces ano- 
nulous formations, that, being once incorporated, can never be afterwards difmified or reformed. 

Of this kind are the derivatives length from long, Jirngtb from ftrong, darling from dear, breadth from 
JiW, from dry, drought, and from high, height, which Milton, in zeal for analogy, writes %M ; 
t\empia jnvat Jpinis de plttribus una ? to change all would be too much, and to change one is 
nothing. 

is mod frequent in the Vowels, which are fo capriciou fly pronounced, and fo differ- 
ent by accident or affectation, not only in every province, but in every mouth, that to 
tlu .veil known to etymologifts, little regard is to be fhewn in the deduction of one language from 
icr. 

Such defects arc not crrours in orthography, but fpots of barbarity imprefied fo deep in the Englijh 
language, that criticifm can never wafh them away : thefe, therefore, muft be permitted to remain un- 
hcd ; but many words have likcwife been altered by accident, or depraved by ignorance, as the pro- 
.on of the vulgar has been weakly followed ; and fome ftill continue to be varioufly written, as 
authors differ in their care or fkill : of thefe it was proper to enquire the true orthography, which 1 have 
always confidered as depending on their derivation, and have therefore referred them to their original lan- 
guages : thus I write enchant, enchantment, enchanter, after the French, and incantation after the Latin ; thus 
e is chofcn rather than intire, becaufe it paffcxl to us not from die Latin integer, buc from the French 
tntur. 

Of many words it is difficult to fay whether they were immediately received from the Latin or the 
French, fince at the time wjien we had dominions in France, we had Latin fervice in our churches. It is, 
however, my opinion, that the Frejtcb generally fupplied us; for we hav<f few Latin words, among the 
terms of domeftick ufe, which are not French; but many French, which are very remote from Latin. 

Even in words of -which the derivation is apparent, I have been often obliged to facrifice uniformity to 
cuflom ; thus I write, in compliance v.-ith a numberlefs majority, convey and inveigh, deceit and receipt, 
fancy and phantom ; fometimes the derivative varies from the primitive, as explain and explanation, repeat 
ar.d repetition. 

Some combinations of letters having the fame power, are ufed indifferently without any difcoverable 
on of choice, as in cboak, choke-, Joap,fope; fewel, fuel, and many others; which I have fometimes in- 
ice, that thofe who fearch for them under either form, may not fearch in vain. 

In examining the orthography of any doubtful word, the mode of fpelling by which it is infmed in the 
ferics of the dictionary, is to be confidered as that to which I give, perhaps not often rafhly, the prefer- 
ence. I have left, in the examples, to every author his own practice unmolefted, that the reader may 
ir.ce fuffr.it-s, and judge between us : but this queftion is not always to be determined by reputed or 
; fome men, intent upon greater things, have thought little on founds and derivations; 
n the ancient tongues, h . ''ted thofe in which our words are commonly to be fought. 

- feajiblenefs, becaufe I fuppofe he imagined it derived immediately 

.1 the Lai in ; and fonie words, fuch as dependant, dependent; dependance, >:ce, van.' their final 

.;blc, as one or another language is prcfent to the writer. 

In this part of the work, where caprice has long wantoned without controul, and vanity fought praife 
. umation, I h.ivr endeavoured to proceed with a Ichol rent e for antiquity, and a gram- 

. ian's rrg.ml to the genius of our tongue. I have attempted few alterations, and among thofe few, 
taps the greater part is from the modern to the ancient pr.irtice; and I hope I may be allowed to re- 
vhofe thoughts have been perhaps employed too anxioufly OB verbal fingulai itics, not 
n narrow views, or for minute propriety, the orthography of their fathers. It has been 
afT' t for the hw to be kntnsii, is of more importance than to be right. Change, 1'ivs Hooker, is 

. ithout inconvenience, even from worfe to better. There is in conftancy and liability a general 
'ing advantage, which will always overbalance the fiow improvements of gradual correction. 
$ Much 



PREFACE. 

Much lefs ought our written language to comply with the corruptions of oral utterance, or copy that 
which every variation of time or place makes different from itfelf, and imitate thofe changes, which will 
again be changed, while imitation is employed in obferving them. 

This recommendation of fteadinefs and uniformity does not proceed from an opinion, that particular 
combinations of letters have much influence on human happinefs ; or that truth may not be iuccefsfully 
taught by modes of fpelling fanciful and erroneous : I am not yet fo loft in lexicography, as to forget that 
wcrds are (be <hiughters of earth, and that things are the Jens of heaven. Language is only the inftrument 
of fcience, and words are but the figns of ideas : I wifh, however, that the inftrument might be lefs apt to 
decay, and that figns might be permanent, like the things which they denote. 

In fettling the orthography, I have not wholly neglected the pronunciation, which I have directed, 
by printing an accent upon the acute or elevated fyllable. It will fometimes be found, that the accent 
is placed by the author quoted, on a different fyllable from that marked in the alphabetical feries ; it is 
then to be underftood, that cuftom has varied, or that the author has, in my opinion, pronounced wrong. 
Short directions are fometimes given where the found of letters is irregular ; and if they are fometimes 
oiniued, defect in fuch minute obfervations will be more eafily excufed, than fuperftuity. 

In the inveftigation both of the orthography and fignifkation of words, their ETYMOLOGY was necef- 
farily to be considered, and they were therefore to be divided_ into primitives and derivatives. A pri- 
mitive word, is that which can be traced no further to any Englijh root ; thus circumfpeff, circumvent, cir- 
cumftance, delude, concave, and complicate, though compounds in the Latin, are to us primitives. Deri- 
vatives are all thofe that can be referred to any word in Englijh of greater fimplicity. 

The derivatives I have referred to their primitives, with an accuracy fometimes needleis ; for who does 
not fee that remotenefs comes from remote, lovely from love, concavity from concave, and demonftrative from 
demon/bate ? but this grammatical exuberance the fcheme of my work did not allow me to reprefs. It is 
of great importance, in examining the general fabrick of a language, to trace one word from another, by 
noting the ufual modes of derivation and inflection ; and uniformity muft be preferved in fyftemaucal 
works, though fometimes at the expence of particular propriety. 

Among other derivatives I have been careful to infert and elucidate the anomalous plurals of nouns and 
preterites of verbs, which in the Teutonick dialects are very frequent, and, though familiar to thofe who 
have always ufed them, interrupt and embarrafs the learners of our language. 

The two languages from which our primitives have been derived are the Roman and Teutonick : under 
the Roman I comprehend the French and provincial tongues ; and under the Teutonick range the Saxon y 
German, and all their kindred dialects. Moft of our polyfyllables are Roman, and our words of one fyl- 
lable arc very often Teutonick. 

In aligning the Roman original, it has perhaps fometimes happened that I have mentioned only the 
, when the word was borrowed from the French; and confidering myfelf as employed only in the 
illuftration of my own language, I have not been very fcareful'to obferve whether the Latin word be pure 
.irbarous, or the French elegant or obfolete. 

For the Teutonick etymologies I am commonly indebted to Junius and Skinner, the only names which I 
have forborn to quote when I copied their books ; not that I might appropriate their labours or ufurp their 
honours, but that I might fpare a general repetition by one general acknowledgment. Of thefe, whom I 
ought not to mention bur with the reverence clue to inftructors and benefactors, Junius appears to have 
excelled in extent of learning, and Skinner in rectitude of underftanding. Junius was accurately {killed in 
all the northern languages, Skinner probably examined the ancient and remoter dialects only by occafional 
infpection into dictionaries ; but the learning of Junius is often of no other ufe than to fhow him a track by 
which he may deviate from his purpofe, to which Skinner always prefies forward by the fhorteft way. 
Skinner is often ignorant, but never ridiculous : Junius is always full of knowledge; but his variety diftraifls 
his judgment, and his learning is very frequently difgraced by his abfurdities. 

The votaries of the northern mufes will not perhaps eafily reftrain their indignation, when they find the 
name of Junius thus degraded by a difaLivantageous comparifon ; but whatever reverence is due to his di- 
ligence, or his attainments, it can be no criminal degree of cenlbrioufnefs to charge that etymologift with 
want of judgment, who can ferioufly derive dream from drama, becaufe life is a drama, and a drama is a 

dream ; 



REFACE. 

dream ; and who declares with a tone of defiance, that no man can fail to derive moan from /*<W, manor, 



Jingle or Jolitary, who confiders that grief naturally loves to be alone 

Our knowledge of the northern literature is fo fcanty, that of words undoubtedly Teiitonick, the original is 
not always to be found in any ancient language ; and I have therefore inferted Dutch or German fubftitutes, 
which I confider not as radical, but parallel, not as the parents, but fifters of die Englifo. 

The words which are reprefented as thus related by defcent or cognation, do not always agree in fenfe; 
for it is incident to words, as to their authors, to degenerate from their anceftors, and to change their manners 
when they change their country. It is fufficient, in etymological enquiries, if the fenfes of kindred words 
be found fuch as may eafily pafs into each other, or fuch as may both be referred to one general idea. 

The etymology, fo far as it is yet known, was eafily found in the volumes where it is particularly and 
profeffedly delivered ; and, by proper attention to the rules of derivation, the orthography was foon ad- 
jufted. But to COLLECT the WORDS of our language was a tafk of greater difficulty : the deficiency of 
dictionaries was immediately apparent ; and when they were exhaufted, what was yet wanting muft be 
fought by fortuitous and unguided excurfions into books, and gleaned as induftry fhould find, or chance 
ihould offer it, in the boundlcfs chaos of a living fpeech. My fearch, however, has bten either fkilful or 
lucky j for I have much augmented the vocabulary. 

As my defign was a dictionary, common or appellative, I have omitted all words which have relation to 
proper names; fuch as Arian, Socinian, Cafoinift, BenediEline, Mahometan; but have retained thofe of at 
more general nature, as Heathen, Pagan. 

Of the terms of art I have received fuch as could be found either in books of fcience or technical dic- 
tionaries j and have often inferted, from philofophical writers, words which are fupported perhaps only by 
a fingle authority, and which being not admitted into general ufe, ftand yet as candidates or probationers, 
and muft depend for their adoption on the fuffrage of futurity. 

The words which our authors have introduced by their knowledge of foreign languages, or ignorance 
of their own, by vanity or wantonnefs, by compliance with fafhion or luft of innovation, I have regiftered 
as they occurred, though commonly only to cenfure them, and warn others againft the folly of naturalizing 
ufelefs foreigners to the injury of the natives. 

I have not rejected any by defign, merely becaufe they were unneceflary or exuberant ; but have re- 
ceived thofe which by different writers have been differently formed, as vifcid, and vifcidity, vifcous, and 
'vifcf/ity. 

Compounded or double words I have feldom noted, except when they obtain a fignification different 
from that which the components have in their fimple flate. Thus highwayman, woodman, and Iforfecourfer, 
require an explanation ; but of thieflike or coachdriver no notice was needed, becaufe the primitives contain 
the meaning of the compounds. 

Words arbitrarily formed by a conftant and fettled analogy, like diminutive adjectives in i/h, as greenijk* 
bluifh; adverbs in ly, as dully, openly, fubfb.utives in nefs, as vilenejs, faultinefs ; were lefs diligently fought, 
anil fometimes have been omitted, when I had no authority that invited me to infert them ; not that they 

That I may not appear to have fpoken too irreverently of ubi antique fcriptum.invenimus ^emoeteb hrt emeti5. " Inve- 
Junius, I have here fubjoined a few fpecimcns of his etyinolo- " nit earn vacantem." 
gical extravagance. Hl L L> man ^ {olli ^ A _ s _ h - lL Q^J vider ; poteft ab f c jfl- um 

BANISH, religare, ex banna vel territcrio exigere, in exil'uim ex xeVi'i) vel xoXwvo?. Collis, tumulus, locus in piano editior. 

Agere. G. bannir. It. bandire, bande^giare. H. bandir. B. ban- Horn. II. b. v. 811. JV' Si TI? Tfowo^oiSi wo?i!o{ oumTa. x-jXin;. 

ncn. JEvi medii fcriptores bannire dicebant. V. Spclm. in Ban- Ubi authori brevium fcholiorum xohvrn exp. TOTTO; u; o4/o{ in*u, 

num & in Banleuga. Quoniam vcro regionum urbiumq; limites ytu\^<>^ i^<>x' ! - 

:is plerurn.i; raontibus, altis fluminibus, longis deniq; Qcx- NAP> ta take a aafi D orm i re , conttormifcere. Cym. heppian. 

fq; anguftiffimarum viarum amfmfubus mcludebantur, fieri A- S- hna;ppan. Quod poftremum videri potcft di-iumptiim ex 

hmites tan dici ab eo quod Bamir.. & B^.aTjai ^-^ obfcuritas, teuebra: : nihil enim ieque folet conciliare 

i tradit Hefychu,.,, vocabkntur .' ^i * v j- omnunl) quim caliginofa profunds nodis obfcuritas. 

p* ^St/Tix.V V oo, "ohhquaj acminimc in reilum tendcntes vire." _ ,. r , c , , ,,. A c 

Ac fortafle quoque hue facit quod Bi,, eodem Hdychio tefte, STAMMERER, Balbus Wsfus. Goth S S. rra- 

dicebant tp, r~r&, montcs arduos. me n. I^amup. D. ftam. B. ftamder. Su. ftamrna. r ftamr. Sunt 

_ . a ruu.uhit'r vcl rw/^v^it, nimu loquacitate alios orrer.ai.-rc ; quod 

tMpry, emtie.^ara^, i,a,,n. A. S. JS.iKV.-f.. Nefcio an fmt i mpe dite loquenrcs libentiflime garrire foleant ; vel (juoJ alib 

b ^ vel ipM*. Vomo, evomo, vomitu evacuo. Videtur intcvim ^ feniper yideantur, etiam parciffime loquentcs. 
etyraologiam hanc non obfcure .'iinjareeodex Rufli. Mat, xii. 22. 

are 



PREFACE. 

arc not genuine and regular offsprings of Englijh roots, but becaufe their relation to the primitive being 
always the fame, their fignification cannot be miftaken. 

The verbal nouns in ing, fuch as th keeping of the cajlle, the leading of the army, are always neglected, 
or placed only to illuftrate the fenfe of the verb, except when they fignify things as well as actions, and 
have therefore a plural number, as d-welling, living 5 or have an abfolute and abftract fignification, as colour- 
ing, painting, learning. 

The participles are likewife omitted, unlefs, by fignifying rather habit or quality than action, they take 
the nature of adjectives ; as a.- thinking man, a man of prudence ; a pacing horfe, a horfe that can pace: thefe 
I have ventured to call participial adjetthef. But neither are thefe always inferted, becaufe they are com- 
monly to be understood, without any danger of miftake, by confulting the verb. 

Obfolete words are admitted, when they are found in authors not obfolete, or when they have any force 
or beauty that may deferve revival. 

As compofition is one of the chief characterifticks of a language, I have endeavoured to make fbme 
reparation for the univerfal negligence of my predecefibrs, by inferting great numbers of compounded- 
words, as may be found under after, fore, new, night, fair, and many more. Thefe, numerous as they 
are, might be multiplied, but that ufe anfl curiofity are here fatisfied, and the frame of our language and 
modes of our combination amply difcovered. 

Of fome forms of compofition, fuch as that by which re is prefixed to note repetition, and * to fignify 
contrariety or privation, all the examples cannot be accumulated, becaufe the ufe of thefe particles, if not 
wholly arbitrary, is fo little limited, that they are hourly affixed to new words as occafion requires, or is 
imagined to require them. 

There is another kind of compofition more frequent in our language than perhaps in any other, from 
which ariies to foreigners the greateft difficulty. We modify the fignification of many words by a particle 
fubjoined ; as to come off, to eicape by a fetch ; to fall on, to attack j to fall off, to apoflatize -, to break 
off, to flop abruptly; to bear out, to julbfy; to fall in, to comply ; to give over, to ceafej to Jet off, to 
embellifh ; to Jet in, to begin a continual tenour ; to Jet nut, to begin a courfe or journey; to lake off, t<5 
copy ; with innumerable exprefiions of the fame kind, of which fome appear widely irregular, being fo 
far diftant from the fenfe of the fimple words, that no fagacity will be able to trace the fteps by which 
they arrived at the prefent ufe. Thefe I have noted with great care; and though I cannot flatter myfelf 
that the collection is complete, I believe I have fb far aflifted the ftudents of our language, that this kind 
of phrafeology will be no longer infuperable ; and the combinations of verbs and particles, by chance 
omitted, will be eafily explained by comparifon with thofe that may be found, 

Many words yet ftand fupported only by the name of Bailey, ^in/worth, Philips, or the contracted ZX'<#. 
for Dictionaries fubjoined ; of thefe I am not always certain that they are read in any book but the works 
of lexicographers. Of fuch I have omitted many, becaufe I had never-read them ; and many I have in- 
ferted, becaufe ' they may perhaps exift, though they have efcaped my notice : they are, however, to be 
yet confidered as rcfting only upon the credit of former dictionaries. Others, which I confidefed as ufeful, 
or know to be proper, though I could not at prefent fupport them by authorities, I have funwed to ftand 
upon my own atrcfration, claiming the fame privilege with my predecefibrs, of being fometimes credited 
without proof. 

The words, thus fclected and difpofcd, are grammatically confidered ; they are referred to the different 
parts of fpeech ; traced, when they are irregularly inflected, through their various terminations-; and il- 
luftratcd by obfervations, not indeed of great or frriking importance, feparately confidered, but necefiary 
to the elucidation of our language, and hitherto neglected or forgotten by Englijh grammarians. 

That part of my work on which I expect malignity mofl frequently to faften, is the Explanation -, in 
which I cannot hope to fatisfy thofe, who are perhaps not inclined to be pleafed, fince I have not always 
been able to fatisfy myfelf. To interpret a language by itfelf is very difficult ; many words cannot be 
explained by fynonimes, becaufe the idea fignified by them has not more than one appellation ; nor by 
paraphrafe, becaufe fimple ideas cannot be defcrib'ed. When the nature of things is unknown, or the 
notion unfcttled and indefinite, and various in various minds, the words by which fuch notions are con- 
veyed, or fuch things denoted, will be ambiguous and perplexed. And fuch is the fate of haplefs lexico- 
.graphy, that not only darknefs, but light, impedes and diftrefies it ; things may be not only too little, but 

VOL. I. b tqo 



PREFACE. 

too much known, to be happily illultrated. To explain, requires the ufe of terms lefs abftrufe than tlut 
which is to be explained, ami fuch terms cannot always be found ; for as nothing can be proved but the 
fuppofing fomething intuitively known, and evident without proof, fo nothing can be defined but by die 
ufc of words too plain to admit a definition. 

Other words there are, of which the fenfe is too fubtle and evanefcent to be fixed in a paraphrafe ; fuch 
are all thofe which are by the grammarians termed expletives, and, in dead languages, are fuffered to pafs 
for empty founds, of no other ufe than to fill a verfe, or to modulate a period, but which are eafily per- 
ceived in living tongues to have power and emphafis, though it be fometimes fuch as no other form of 
expreflion can convey. 

My labour has likewife been much incrcafed by a clafs of verbs too frequent in the Englijb language, 
of which the fignification is fo loofe and general, the ufe fo vague and indeterminate, and the fenfes de- 
torted fo widely from the firft idea, that it is hard to tract them through the maze of variation, to catch 
them on the brink of utter inanity, to circumfcribe them by any limitations, or interpret them by any 
words of diftinct and fettled meaning; fuch are bear, break, come, caft,full, get, give, do, put, Jet, go, run, make, 
take, turn, throw. If of thefe the whole power is not accurately delivered, it muft be remembered, 
that while our language is yet living, and variable by the caprice of every one that fpeaks it, thefe words 
are hourly fhifting their relations, and can no more be afcertained in a dictionary, than a grove, in die agi- 
tation of a ftorm, can be accurately delineated from its pifture in the water. 

The particles are among all nations applied with fo great latitude, that they are not eafily reducible under 
any regular fcheme of explication : this difficulty is not lefs, nor perhaps greater, in Englijh, than in other 
languages. I have laboured them with diligence, I hope with fuccefs ; fuch at leaft as can be expected in 
a taflc, which no man, however learned or fagacious, has yet been able to perform. 

Some words there are which I cannot explain, becaufe I do not underftand them ; thefe might have 

been omitted very often with little inconvenience, but I would not fo far indulge my vanity as to decline 

this confeffion : for when Tully owns himfelf ignorant whether leffus, in the twelve tables, means a funeral 

fong, or mourning garment ; and Arijlatle doubts whether ou^ ju;, in the Iliad, fignifies a mule, or muleteer t 

I may furely, without fhame, leave fome obfcurities to happier induftry, or future information. 

The rigour of interpretative lexicography requires that tbe explanation, and the word explained, Jhould be 
tlways reciprocal -, diis I have always endeavoured, but could not always attain. Words are feldom ex- 
actly fynonimous; a new term was not introduced, but becaufe the former was thought inadequate: 
names, therefore, have often many ideas, but few ideas have many names. It was then neceffary to ufe 
the proximate word, for the deficiency of fingle terms can very feldom be fupplied by circumlocution ; 
nor is the inconvenience great of fuch mutilaced interpretations, becaufe the fenfe may eafily be collected 
entire from the examples. 

In every word of extenfive ufe, it was requifite to mark the progrefs of its meaning, and {how by what 
gradations of intermediate fenfe it has pafled from its primitive to its remote and accidental fignification ; 
fo that every foregoing explanation fhould tend to that which follows, and die feries be regularly concate- 
nated from thc~firit notion to tbe laft. 

This is fpecious, but not always practicable ; kindred fenfes may be fo interwoven, that the perplexity 
cannot be difentangled, nor any reafon be alTigned why one fhould be ranged before the other. When the 
radical idea branches out into parallel ramifications, how can a confecutive feries be formed of fenfes in 
the ir nature collateral ? The fhades of meaning fometimes pafs imperceptibly into each other ; fo that 
though on one fide they apparently xlifier, yet it is impoflible to mark the point of contact. Ideas of the 
fame race, though not exactly alike, are fometimes fo little different, that no words can exprefs the difllmi- 
litude, though the mind eafily perceives it, when they are exhibited together ; and fometimes there is fuch 
a confufion of acceptations, that difcernment is wearied, and diflinction puzzled, and perfeverance herfelf 
hurries to an end, by crowding together what flie cannot feparate. 

Thefe complaints of difficulty will, by thofe that have never confidcred words beyond their popular ufe, 
be thought only the jargon of a man willing to magnify his labours, and procure veneration to his fhidies 
by involution and obfcurity. But every art is obfcure to thofe that have not learned it : this uncertainty of 
terms, and commixture of ideas, is well known to diofe who have joined philofophy with grammar; and if 

I have 



PREFACE. 

I have not exprefled them very clearly, it muft be remembered that I am fpeaking of that which words are 
infufficient to explain. 

The original fenfe of words is often driven out of ufe by theif metaphorical acceptations, yet muft be 
inferted for the fake of a regular origination. Thus I know not whether ardour is ufed for material heat, 
or whether flagrant, in Englijh, ever fignifies the fame with burning ; yet fuch are the primitive ideas of thefe 
words, which are therefore fet firft, though without examples, that the figurative fenfes may be commo- 
dioufly deduced. 

Such is the exuberance of fignifkation which many words have obtained, that jt was fcarccly poifible to 
collect all their ft-nfes ; fometimes the meaning of derivatives muft be fought in the mother term, and 
fometimes deficient explanations of the primitive may be fupplied in the train of derivation. In any cafe 
of doubt or difficulty, it will be always proper to examine all the words of the fame race ; for fome words 
are flightly pafled over to avoid repetition, fome admitted eafier and clearer explanation than others, and all 
will be better underftood, as they are confidered in greater variety of ftructures and relations. 

All the interpretatipns of words are not written with the fame flcill, or the fame happinefs : things equally 
eafy in themfelves, are not all equally eafy to any fingle mind. Every writer of a long work commits 
errours, where there appears neither ambiguity to miflead, nor obfcurity to confound him ; and in a fearch 
like this, many felicities of exprefiion will be cafually overlooked, many convenient parallels will be 
forgotten, and many particulars will admit improvement from a mind utterly-unequal to the whole 
performance. 

But many feeming faults are to be imputed rather to the nature of the undertaking, than the negligence 
of the performer. Thus fome explanations are unavoidably reciprocal or circular, as hind, the female of 
the flag; Jlag, the male of the hind: fometimes eafier words are changed into harder, as burial into fepul- 
ture or interment, drier into deftccative, drynefs into Jiccity or aridity, fit into paroxyfm ; for the eafieft word, 
whatever it be, can never be tranflated into one more eafy. But eafinefs and difficulty are merely relative, 
and if the prefent prevalence of our language fhould invite foreigners to this dictionary, many will be af- 
fifted by thofe worde which now feem only to increafe or produce obfcurity. For this reafon I have en- 
deavoured frequently to join a Teutonick and Roman interpretation, as to CHEER, to gladden, or exhilarate, 
that every learner of Englijh may be affifted by his own tongue. 

The folution of all difficulties, and the fupply of all defects, muft be fought in the examples, fubjoined 
to the various fenfes of each word, and ranged according to the time of their authors. 

When I firft collected thefe authorities, I was defirous that every quotation ftiould be ufeful to fome 
other end than the illuftration of a word ; I therefore extracted from philofophers principles of fcience ; 
from hiftorians remarkable facts ; from chymifts complete procefies ; from divines ftriking exhortations ; 
and from poets beautiful defcriptions. Such is defign, while it is yet at a diftance from execution* 
When the time called upon me to range this accumulation of elegance and wifdom into an alphabetical 
feries, 1 foon difcovered that the bulk of my volumes would fright away the ftudent, and was forced to 
depart from my fcheme of including all that was pkafing or ufeful in Englijh literature, and reduce my 
trar.\cripts very often to clufters of words, in which fcarcely any meaning is retained ; thus to the wearinefs 
of copying, I was condemned to add the vexation of expunging. Some pafTuges I have yet fpared, which 
may relieve the labour of verbal fearches, and interfperfe with verdure and flowers the dufty defarts of 
barren philology. 

The examples, thus mutilated, are no longer to be confidered as conveying the fentiments or doctrine 
of their authors ; the word for the fake of which they are inferted, with all its appendant claufes, has been 
carefully preferved ; but it may fometimes happen, by hafty detruncation, that the general tendency of 
the fentence may be changed : the divine may defert his tenets, oj: the philofopher his Tyilem. 

Some of the examples have been taken from writers who were never mentioned as matters of elegance 
or models of llyle ; but words muft be fought where they are ufcd ; and in what pages, eminent for purity, 
can terms of manufacture or agriculture be found? Many quotations ferve no other purpofe, than that 
of proving the bare exiftence of words, and are therefore felected with leis fcrupulouihefs than thofe which 
arc to teach their ftructures and relations. 

My purpofe was to admit no teftimony of living authors, that I might not be mifled by partiality, and 
that none of my contemporaries might have reafon to complain ; nor have I departed from this refolution, 

i> 2 but 



PREFACE. 

but when fome performance of uncommon excellence excited my veneration, when my Ytiemofy fuppliecf 
me, from late books, with an example that was wanting, or -when my heart, in the tendernefs of friendfhip, 
folicited admiffion for a favourite name. 

So far have I been from any care to grace my pages with modern decorations, that I have ftudioufly en- 
deavoured to collect examples and authorities from die writers before the reftoration, whofe works I re- 
gard as the wells of Englifi undefiled, as the pure fources of genuine diction. Our language, for almoft 
a century, has, by the concurrence of many caufes, been gradually departing from its original Teutonick 
jcharacter, and deviating towards a Callick ftructure and phrafeology, from which it ought to be our en- 
deavour to recal it, by making our ancient volumes the ground-work of ftyle, admitting among the ad- 
ditions of later times, only fuch as may fupply real deficiencies, fuch as are readily adopted by the genius 
of our tongue, and incorporate eafily with our native idioms. 

But as every language has a time of rudenefs antecedent to perfection, as well as of falfe refinement and 
declenfion, I have been cautious left my zeal for antiquity might drive me into times too remote, and 
crowd my book with words now no longer underftood. I have fixed Sidney's work for the boundary, be- 
yond which Imake few excurfions. From the authors which rofe in the time of Elizabeth, a fpeech might 
be formed adequate to all th& purpofes of ufe and elegance. If the language of theology were extracted 
from Hooker and the tranflation of the Bible ; the terms of natural knowledge from Bacon , the phrafes of 
fx>licy, war, and navigation from Raleigh ; the dialect of poetry and fiction from Sfenfer and Sidney ; and 
the diction of common life from Sbakejpeafe, few ideas would be loft to mankind, for want of EngKJh words, 
in which they might be exprefled. 

It is not fufficient that a word is found, unlefs it be fo combined as that its meaning is apparently deter- 
rtnined by the tract and tenour of the fentence ; fuch paflages I have therefore chofen, and when it happened 
rhat any author gave a definition of a term, or fuch an explanation as is equivalent to a definition, I have 
placed his authority as a fupplement to my own, without regard to the chronological order, that is other- 
wife obferved. 

Some words, indeed, ftand unfupported by any audiority, but they are commonly derivative nouns, or 
adverbs, formed from their primitives by regular and conftant analogy, or names of things feldom occur- 
ring in books, or words of which I have reafon to doubt the exiftence. 

There is more danger of cenfure from the multiplicity than paucity of examples ; authorities will 
fometimes feem to have been accumulated without neceffity or ufe, and perhaps fome will be found, which 
might, without lofs, have been omitted. But a work of this kind is not haftily to be charged with 
fuperfluities : thofe quotations, which to carelefs or unfkilful perufers appear only to repeat the fame 
fenfe, will often exhibit, to a more accurate examiner, diverfities of fignification, or, at leaft, afford different 
lhades of the fame meaning: one will fliew the word applied to perfons, another to things; one will ex- 
prefs an ill, another a good, and a third a neutral fenfe ; one will prove the exprefTion genuine from an 
ancient author ; another will fhew it elegant from a modern : a doubtful authority is corroborated by 
another of more credit ; an ambiguous fentence is afcertained by a paffage clear and determinate ; the 
word, how often foever repeated, appears with new afTociates and in different combinations, and every quo- 
tation contributes Ibmething to the (lability or enlargement of the language. 

When words are ufed equivocally, I receive them in either fenfe ; when they are metaphorical, I adopt 
them in their primitive acceptation. 

I hare fometimes, though rarely, yielded to the temptation of exhibiting a genealogy of fentiments, by 
(hewing how one author copied the thoughts and diction of another: fuch quotations are indeed little more 
than repetitions, which might juftly be ceniured, did they not gratify the mind, by affording a kind of in- 
tellectual hiftory. 

The various fyntactical ftructures occurring in the examples have been carefully noted 5 the licence or 
negligence with which many words have been hitherto ufed, has made our ftyle capricious and indeter- 
minate ; when the different combinations of the fame word are exhibited together, the preference is readily 
given to propriety, and I have often endeavoured to direct the choice. 

Thus have I laboured by fettling the orthography, difplaying the analogy, regulating the ftructures, and 
afceruining the fignification of Mnglijb words, to perform all the parts of a faithful lexicographer : but I 

hav 

4 



PREFACE. 

have not Always executed my own fcheme, or fatisfied my own expectations. The work, whatever proofs 
of diligence and attention it may exhibit, is yet capable of many improvements: the orthography which 
I recommend is ftill controvertible, the etymology which I adopt is uncertain, and perhaps frequently er- 
roneous > the explanations are fometimes too much contracted, and fometimes too much diffufed, the 
fignifications are diftinguiftied rather with fubtilty than fkill, and the attention is harafied with unneceflary 
minutenefs. 

The examples are too often injudicioufly truncated, and perhaps fometimes, I hope very rarely, alleged 
in a miftaken fenfe ; for in making this collection I trufted more to memory, than, in a ftate of difquiet and 
embarraffment, memory can contain, and purpofed to fupply at the review what was left incomplete in the 
firft tranfcription. 

Many terms appropriated to particular occupations, though neceflary and fignificant, are undoubtedly 
omitted , and of the words moft ftudioufly confidered and exemplified, many fenfes have efcaped ob- 
fervation. 

Yet thefe failures, however frequent, may admit extenuation and apology. To have attempted 
much is always laudable, even when the enterprize is above the ftrength that undertakes it : To reft 
below his own aim is incident to every one whofe fancy is active, and whofe views are comprehenfive ; 
nor is any man fatisfied with himfelf becaufe he has done much, but becaufe he can conceive little. 
When firft I engaged in this work, I refolved to leave neither words nor things unexamined, and pleafed 
myfelf with a profpect of the hours which I ftiould revel away in feafts of literature, the obfcure 
recefTes of northern learning which I ftiould enter and ranfack, the treafures with which I expected 
every fearch into thofe neglected mines to reward my labour, and the triumph with which I ftiould dif- 
play my acquifitions to mankind. When I had thus enquired into the original of words, I refolved to 
ftiow likewife my attention to things ; to pierce deep into every fcience, to enquire the nature of every 
fubftance of which I inferted the name, to limit every idea by a definition ftrictly logical, and exhibit every 
production of art cr nature in an accurate defcription, that my book might be in place of all other dictio- 
naries whether appellative or technical. But thefe were the dreams of a poet doomed at laft to wake a 
lexicographer. I foon found that it is too late to look for inftruments, when the work calls for execution, 
and that whatever abilities I had brought to my tafk, with thofe I muft finally perform it. To deliberate 
whenever I doubted, to enquire whenever I was ignorant, would have protracted the undertaking without 
end, and, perhaps, without much improvement ; for I did not find by my firft experiments, that what I 
had not of my own was eafily to be obtained : I faw that one enquiry only gave occafion to another, that 
book referred to book, that to fearch was not always to find, and to find was not always to be informed ; 
and that thus to purfue perfection, was, like the firft inhabitants of Arcadia, to chafe the fun, which, 
when they had reached the hill where he fcemed to reft, was ftill beheld at the fame diftance from them. 

I then contracted my defign, determining to confide in myfelf, and no longer to folicit auxiliaries, which 
produced more incumbrance than afliftance : by this I obtained at leaft one advantage, that I fee limits to 
my work, which would in time be ended, though not completed. 

Defpondency has never fo far prevailed as to deprefs me to negligence ; fome faults will at laft appear 
to be the effects of anxious diligence and perfevering activity. The nice and fubtle ramifications of 
meaning were not eafily avoided by a mind intent upon accuracy, and convinced of the necefllty of dif- 
entangling combinations, and fcparating fimilitudes. Many of the diftinctions, which to common readers 
appear ufelefs and Idle, will be found real and important by men verfed in the fchool philofophy, without: 
which no dictionary can ever be accurately compiled, or fkilfully examined. 

Some fenfes however there are, which, though not the fame, are yet fo nearly allied, that they are 
often confounded. Moft men think indiftinctly, and therefore cannot fpeak-with exactnefs; and con- 
fequently fome examples might be indifferently put to either fignification : this uncertainty is not to be 
imputed to me, who do not form, but regifter the language ; who do not teach men how they ftiould 
think, but relate how they have hitherto exprefTcd their thoughts. 

The imperfect fenfe of fome examples I lamented, but could not remedy, and hope they will be com- 
penfated by innumerable paffages fclechd with propriety, and preferred with exactnefs ; fome fhining 
with fparks of imagination, and fome replete with treafures of wifdom. 

The orthography and etymology, though imperfect, are not imperfect for want of care, but becaufe 
care will not always be fucce&ful, and recolle&iwi or information come too late for ufe. 

Thai 



PREFACE. 

That many terms of art and manufacture are omitted, muft be frankly acknowledged ; but for this 
defect I may bokily allege that it was unavoidable: I could not vifit caverns to learn the miner's 
language, nor take a voyage to perfect my {kill in the dialed of navigation, nor vifit the warehoufes 
of merchants, and (hops of artificers, to gain the names of wares, tools and operations, of which no 
mention is found in books ; what favourable accident, or eafy enquiry brought within my reach, has 
not been neglected ; but it had been a hopclefs labour to glean up words, by courting living informa- 
tion, and contefting with die fullenncfs of one, and the roughnefs of another. 

To furnifh the academicians della Crufca with words of this kind, a feries of comedies called lei 
Fiera, or (be Fair, was profefledly written by Buonaroti ; but I had no fuch afliftant, and therefore 
w as content to want what they muft have wanted likewife, had they not luckily been fo fupplied. 

Nor are all words which are not found in the vocabulary, to be lamented as omifiions. Of the 
laborious and mercantile part of the people, the diction is in a great meafure cafual and mutable ; many 
of their terms are formed for fome temporary or local convenience, and though current at certain times 
and places, are in others utterly unknown. This fugitive cant, which is always in a ftate of increafe or 
decay, cannot be regarded as any part of the durable materials of a language, and therefore muft be 
fuffered to perifli with other things unworthy of prefervation. 

Care -will fometimes betray to the appearance of negligence. He that is catching opportunities which 
feldom occur, will fuffer thofe to pafs by unregarded, which he expects hourly to return ; he that is fearch- 
jng for rare and remote things, will neglect thofe that are obvious and familiar : thus many of the moft 
common and curfory words have been inferted with little illuftration, becaule in gathering the authorities, 
I forbore to copy thofe which I thought likely to occur whenever they were wanted. It is remark- 
able that, in reviewing my collection, I found the word SEA unexemplified. 

Thus it happens, that in things difficult there is danger from ignorance, and in things eafy from 
confidence ; the mind, afraid of greatnefs, and difdainful of littlenefs, haftily withdraws herfelf from 
painful fearches, and pafles with fcornful rapidity over tafks not adequate to her powers, fometimes too 
fecure for caution, and again too anxious for vigorous effort ; fometimes idle in a plain path, and fome- 
times diftracted in labyrinths, and difiipated by different intentions. 

A large work is difficult becaufe it is large, even though all its parts might fingly be performed with 
facility ; where there are many things to be done, each muft be allowed its fhare of time and labour, 
in the proportion only which it bears to the whole ; nor can it be expected, that the ftones which form 
the dome of a temple, Ihould be fquared and polilhed like the diamond of a ring. 

Of the event of this work, for which, having laboured it with fo much application, I cannot but 
have fome degree of parental fondnefs, it is natural to form conjectures. Thofe who have been per- 
fuaded to think well of my defign, will require that it fhould fix our language, and put a ftop to 
thofe alterations which time and chance have hitherto been fuffered to make in it without oppofition. 
"With this confequence I will confefs that I flattered myfelf for a while ; but now begin to fear that I 
h.ive indulged expectation which neither reafon r.or experience can juftify. When we fee men grow old 
and die at a .certain time one after another, from century to cenrury, we laugh at the elixir that promifes 
to pralong life to a thoufand years ; and with equal juftice may the lexicographer be derided, who 
being able to produce no example of a nation that has preferved their words and phrafes from mutability, 
/hall imagine that his dictionary can embalm his language, and fecure it from corruption and decay, 
that it is in his power to change fubiunary nature, and clear the world at once from folly, vanity, and 
affectation., 

\Vith this hope, however, academies have been inftituted, to guard the avenues of their languages, 
<o retail* fugitives, and repulfe intruders ; but their vigilance and activity have hitherto been vain ; 
founds are too volatile and fubtile for legal reftraints ; to enchain fyllables, and to lafh the wind, are 
equally the undertakings of pride, unwilling to meafure its defires by its ftrc'ngth. The French language 
h.'.s vilibly changed under the infpection of the academy; the ftyle of Amdofs tranQation of father Paul 
Is obferved by Le Courayer to be vn feu fajfe \ and no Italian will maintain, that the diction of any 
modern writer is not perceptibly different from that of Boccaee, Macbiavel, or Caro. 

Total and fudden transformations of a language feldom happen j conqucfts and migrations are now 
very jrare : but there arc other caufes of change, which, though flow in their operation, and inv.ifible in 

their 



P R E FACE. 

their progrefs, are perhaps as much fuperiour to human refiflance, as the revolutions of the (ky, of 
intumefcence of the tide. Commerce, however necefTary, however lucrative, as it depraves the manners, 
corrupts the language ; they that have frequent intercourfe with ftrangers, to whom they endeavour to 
accommodate themfelves, muft in time learn a mingled dialect, like the jargon which ferves the traffickers 
on die Mediterranean and Indian coafts. This will not always be confined to the exchange, the warehoufe, 
or the port, but wi'l be communicated by degrees to other ranks of the people, and be at lalt incorporated 
with the current fpeech. 

There are likewife internal caufes equally forcible. The language moft likely to continue long 
without alteration, would be that of a nation raifed a little, and but a little, above barbarity, fecluded 
from ftrangers, and totally employed in procuring the conveniencies of life ; either without books, or, 
fike fome of 'the Mahometan countries, with very few : men thus bufied and unlearned, having only fuch 
words as common ufe requires, would perhaps long continue to exprefs the fame notions by the fame 
figns. But no fuch conftancy can be expected in a people polifhed by arts, and clafled by fubordination, 
where one part of the community is fuftained and accommodated by the labour of the other. Thofe 
who have much leifure to think, will always be enlarging the flock of ideas; and every increafe of 
knowledge, whether real or fancied, will produce new words, or combinations of words. When the 
mind is unchained from neceffity, it will range after convenience > when it is left at large in the fields 
of fpeculation, it will fhift opinions ; as any cuftom is difufed, the words that expreffed it muft perifh with- 
it ; as any opinion grows popular, it will innovate fpeech in the fame proportion as it alters practice. 

As by the cultivation of various fciences a language is amplified, it will be more furnifhed with 
words deflected from their original fenfe ; the geometrician will talk of a courtier's zenith, or the 
eccentrick virtue of a wild hero, and the phyfician of fanguine expectations and phlegmatick delays. 
Copioufnefs of fpeech will give opportunities to capricious choice, by which fome words will be pre- 
ferred, and others degraded; viciffitudes of fafhion will enforce the ufe of new, or extend the fignificatioa 
of known terms. The tropes of poetry will make hourly encroachments, and the metaphorical will. 
become the current fenfe: pronunciation will be varied by levity or ignorance, and the pen mult 
at length comply with the tongue ; illiterate writers will, at one time or other, by publick infatuation, 
rife into renown, who, not knowing the original import of words, will ufe them with colloquial ficen- 
tioufnefs, confound diftindtion, and forget propriety. As politenefs increafes, fome exprefTion* will be 
confidered as too grofs and vulgar for the delicate, others as too formal and ceremonious for the gay 
and airy; new phrafes are therefore adopted, which muft, for the fame reafons, be in time difmifieci. 
Swift, in his petty treatife on ihe f Et/t/b language, allows that new words muft fometimes be intro- 
duced, but propofes that none fhould be fuffered to become obfolete. But what makes a word obfolete, 
more than general agreement to forbear it ? and how (hall it be continued, when it conveys an offenfive- 
idea, or recalled again into the mouths of mankind, when it has once become unfamiliar by difufe, and 
unpleafing by unfamiliarity ? 

There is another caufe of alteration more prevalent than any other, which yet in the prefent ftate of the 
world cannot be obviated. A mixture of two languages will produce a third diftinct from both, and 
they will always be mixed, where the chief part of education, and the moft confpicuous accomplishment, 
is (kill in ancient or in foreign tongues. He that has long cultivated another language, will find its 
words and combinations crowd upon his memory ; and hafte and negligence, refinement and affectation;, 
will obtrude borrowed terms and exotick exprefllons. 

The great peft of fpeech is frequency of tranflation. No book was ever turned from one language into- 
another, without imparting fomething of its native idiom -, this is the moft mifchievous and comprehen- 
five innovation ; fingle words may enter by thoufands, and the fabrick of the tongue continue the fame; 
but new phrafeology changes much at once ; it alters not the fingle ftones of the building, but the order 
of the columns, if an academy fhould be eftablifhed for the cultivation of our ftyle, which I, who can? 
never wifh to fee dependance multiplied, hope the fpirft of Englijb liberty will hinder or deftroy, let them, 
inftead of compiling grammars and dictionaries, endeavour, with all their influence, to flop the licence of 
tranflators, whofe idlenefs and ignorance, if it be fuflfered to proceed, will reduce us to. babble a dialect: 
of France. 

If the changes that we fear be thus irrefiftible, what remains but to acquiefce with filentre, as in the other 

insurmountable diftrefles of humanity ? It remains that we retard what we cannot repel, that we palliate 

what we cannot cure. Life may be lengthened by care, though death cannot be ultimately defeated ,5 

5 tongues* 



PREFACE. 

tongues, like governments, have a natural tendency to degeneration ; we have long prefcrved our confiU 
tution, let us make fome ftruggles for our language. 

In hope of giving longevity to that which its own nature forbids to be immortal, I have devoted this 
book, the labour of years, to the honour of my country, that we may po longer yield the palm of philology, 
without a conteft, to the nations of the continent. The chief glory of every people arifes from its au- 
thors : whether I fhall add any thing by my own writings to the reputation of Englijh literature, muft be < 
left to time : much of my life has been loft under the preflbres of difeafe ; much has been trifled away ; 
and much has always been fpent in provifion for the day that was pafiing over me ; but I fhall not think . 
my employment ufelefs or ignoble, if by my afliftance foreign nations, and diftant ages, gain accefs to 
the propagators of knowledge, and underftand the teachers of truth ; if my labours afford light to die 
repofitories of fcience, and add celebrity to Bacon, to Hooker, to Milion, and to Style. 

"When I am animated by this wifh, I look with pleafure on my book, however defective, and deliver 
it to the world with the fpirit of a man that has endeavoured welL That it will immediately become 
popular I have not promifed to myfelf : a few wild blunders, and rifible abfurdities, from which no work 
of fuch multiplicity was ever free, may for a time furnifh folly with laughter, and harden ignorance in 
contempt ; but ufeful diligence will at laft prevail, and there never can be wanting fome who diftinguifh 
defert ; who will confider that no dictionary of a living tongue ever can be perfect, fince while it is haften- 
ing to publication, fome words are budding, and fome falling away ; that a whole life cannot be fpent upon 
fyntax and etymology, and that even a whole life would not be fufficient ; that he, whofe defign includes 
whatever language can exprefs, muft often fpeak of what he does not underftand , that a writer will 
fometimes be hurried by eagernefs to the end, and fometimes faint with wearinefs under a talk, which 
Scaliger compares to the labours of the anvil and the mine ; that what is obvious is not always known, 
and what is known is not always prefent ; that fudden fits of inadvertency will furprize vigilance, flight 
avocations will feduce attention, and cafual eclipfes of the mind will darken learning ; and that the writer 
fhall often in vain trace his memory at the moment of need, for that which yefterday he knew with intui- 
tive readinefs, and which will come uncalled into his thoughts to-morrow. 

In this work, when it fliall be found that much is omitted, let it not t>e forgotten that much likewife 
is performed ; and though no book was ever fpared out of tendernefs to the author, and the world is 
little felicitous to know whence proceeded the faults of that which it condemns ; yet it may gratify curio- 
firy to inform it, that the Englijh Dictionary was written with little afliftance of the learned, and without 
any patronage of the great 5 not in the foft obfcuriries of retirement, or under the (helter of academick 
bowers, but amidft inconvenience and diftraction, in ficknefs and in fomw. It may reprefs the triumph 
of malignant criticifm to obferve, that if our language is not here fully difplayed, I have only failed in an 
attempt which no human powers have hitherto completed. If the lexicons of ancient tongues, now im- 
mutably fixed, and comprized in a few volumes, be yet, after the toil of fucceffive ages, inadequate and 
dclufive ; if the aggregated knowledge, and co-operating diligence of the Italian academicians, did not 
fecure them from the cenfure of Beni , if the embodied critjcks of France, when fifty years had been 
fpent upon their work, were obliged to change its ceconomy, and give their fecond edition another form, 
I may furely be contented without the prsiife of perfection, which, if I could obtain, in this gloom of fo- 
litude, what would it avail me ? I have protracted my work till moft of thofe whom I wifhcd to pleafe 
have funk into the grave, and fuccefs and miicarriage are empty founds : I therefore dilrnifs. it with frigid, 
tranquillity, having little to fear or hope from cenfure or from praifc. 



THE 



THE 



HISTORY 



OF THE 



ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 



THOUGH the Britains or Weljh were the 
firft pofiefibrs of this ifland, whofe names 
are recorded, and are therefore in civil hif- 
tory always confidered as the predeceflbrs of the 
prefent inhabitants; yet the deduction of the Eng- 
lijh language, from the earlieft times of which we 
have any knowledge to its preient ftate, requires 
no mention of them: for we have fo few words 
which can, with any probability, be referred to Bri- 
tijh roots, that we juftly regard the Saxons and Weljh 
as nations totally diftinct. It has been conjectured, 
that when the Saxons feized this country, they fuf- 
fered the Britains to live among them in a ftate of 
vaflalage, employed in the culture of the ground, 
and other laborious and ignoble fervices. But it is 
fcarctly poffible, that a nation, however deprefled, 
fhould have been mixed with another in confidcr- 
able numbers without fome communication of their 
tongue, and therefore, it may, with great reafon, be 
imagined, that thofe, who were not fheltered in the 
mountains, periftre d by the iword. 

The whole fabrick and fcheme of the Englijh 
language is Gothick or Teutonick : it is a dialect of 
that tongue, which prevails over all the northern 
countries of Europe, except thofe where the Scla- 
vonian is fpoken. Of theie languages Dr. Hickes 
has thus exhibited the genealogy. 

GOTHICK, 



1 

ANGLO-SAXON, 

Dutch 
Frifick, 
fc.nglifli, 


FRANCICK, 
German. 


CIMBRICK, 


Iflandick, 
Norwegian, 
Swedifh, 
Danim. 



VOL. I. 



Of the Gotbifk, the only monument remaining 
is a copy of the gofpels fomewhat mutilated, which, 
from the filver with which the characters are adorn- 
ed, is called thejiher bock. It is now preferved at 
Upfal, and having been twice publimed before, has 
been lately reprinted at Oxford, under the infpec- 
tion of Mr. Lye, the editor of Junius. Whether 
the diction of this venerable rnaauicri.pt be purely 
Gotbicky has been doubted j it feems however to 
exhibit the moft ancient dialed now to be found of 
the Teutonick race ; and the Saxon, which is the 
original of the preient Englijh, was either derived 
from it, or both have defcended from fome com- 
mon parent. 

What was the form of the Saxon language, when, 
about the year 450, they firft entered Britain, can- 
not now be known. They feem to have been a 
people without learning, and very probably with- 
out an alphabet ; their fpeech, therefore, having 
been always curfory and extemporaneous, muft 
have been artlefs and unconnected, without any 
modes of tranfition or involution of claufes; which 
abruptnefs and inconnection may be obferved even 
in their later writings. This barbarity may be 
fuppofed to have continued during their wars with 
the Britain*, which for a time left them no leifure 
for fofter ftudies; nor is there any reafon for fup- 
pofing it abated, till the year 570, when. Auguftine 
came from Rome to convert them to Chriftianity. 
The Chriftian religion always implies or produces 
a certain degree of civility and learning; they 
then became by degrees acquainted with the Ro- 
man language, and fo gained, from time to time, 
fome knowledge and elegance, till in three centu- 
ries they had formed a language capable of ex- 
preffing all the fentiments of a civiliied people, as 
c appears 



THE HISTORY OF THE 

appears by k ; ng Alfred's paraphrafe or imitation of CAP. II. 

Bcettius, and his Ihort preface, which I have fe- DA hog - e (C a lurr'.rrphce 

letted as the firft fpecimen of ancient Engltjb. |C rceal nu j^p^ pI1 - ni -, mit) rp un 

t>um popt>um jererran. beah ic jeo npilum je- 
C A P. I. coplice punt>e. ac ic nu^pepentoe ] jijMChtv- op 



^ 

Tepatmi popfca rmrpo. me ablenfcan bar unrer- 

/-\N Sspe rbe pe Goran O F SiBSiu mrrjpe g* ^ ' ]o } me j, a fcoAi 

o. - 



pip Komana pice jepm upahopon. -] i hlint>ne on b.r fcimme hoi. Da bepeapotx>n 

heopa cynmjum. Rxbjora ant) Gallepica pEEpon <T | cejne luprba-pnepre pa Sa ic him rrppe berpr 

harae. Romane bupi 3 abparcon. anb call rpupofce. Sa penfcon hi me heopa base ro ant) me 

p.ce jJ ij- berpux pam munrum ] i mit) ealle ^om^epiran. To phon jreoltja-i la 

ealonte in anpalb jepehron. ] pa stjrep pam m]fie pjlient) rC TTan bsr ic -reraeliT mon pjcne. 

poperpjtecenan cynm^um Deotjp.c penj ro pam hu m beon ^i,-, re ^ o 

ilcan p:ce. r e Deobpic pa T Amulmja. he pp r ^ U nhpuman ne mor:- 
Epipren. J>eah he on pam /\jipnnircan jeCpolan 

Suphpunot>e. pe ^eher Romanum hip ppeont)- CAP. III. 
rcii>e. rpa ji hi morran heopi ealt>pihra pvpSe 

beon. Ac he ba -rehar rpiSe ypele S els r re. DA ic pa Bijr leop. cpaeBBoe 

T rp^e PP4 e Teentoo?)e mib maneTum mane, apunjen hxpfee. a com ^a2ji jan in ro me heo- 

4 psr ro eacan ofpum unapimet)um yplum. f he pencunt) pirt)om. ] f mm mupnentoe COot) mrt> 

lohanner bone papan her oprlean. Da p.pr rum hirpopbum jejperre. "] pup cpsp. pu ne eapr 

conrul. /pe heperoha har-b. Boeriup pasp P" pe mon be on mmpe pcole pn?pe apet) ] je- 

haren. re vxr in boccpceprum -3 on popult) P^ Ac hponon puptoejm mit) pippum pppult* 

beapumpepihrpirepra. 8e Sa onrear pa manij- rP3 um feT FP 1 ^ S e rP ence ' D - buron Ic par f 

pe.ilmn ypel be re cynmr Deojpic pip pam pu h^ppr Sapa p:tpna ro hpape poppren fee ic 

Epiprenant)ome -} pib pam Romanircum pirum > e S P r ealt5e - Da dipcWe pe pipfcom ] cp.tb. 

Dyce. he pa -remunt5e apa epneppa ^ papa eal- Oepirab nu apipjette popult) popja op mmcp 

fcpihra$ehiunt>ep3amEarepumhaspt>onheopa pe^enep COofte. poppam TC pinb pa mzpcan 

ealT>hlapopt>um. DJ onjan he pmeajan ] leopm- pceapan. Lsrap hme epr hpeoppan ro mmum 

Tan on him pelpum hu he fpice 8am unpihrpipan Japum. Da eot)e pe pirtjom neap, cptp Boeriup. 

cymnTe apeppan mihre. T on pyhr 5 eleappul- mmum hpeoppientsan jepohre. -3 hir ppa mopohl 

pa anb on pihrpippa anpalb jebpmjan. Senfce ?= hpeja upap^t)e. atjpijbe pa mmenep 

pa bi-rellice spenbreppiru ro pam Eapepe ro C0ot)ep eagan. ant> hit ppan biipum popfcum. 

tonrranrmopolim. pxp ip Epeca heah bupj ] hpspep hir oncneope hip poprepmotjop. miti 

heopa cyneprol. pop bam pe Dapepe pjep heopa ^am pe Sa -f COob pip bepent)e. Sa jecneop hir 

ealbhlapoptt cynnep. b^bon hme p.-er he him ro rP'F e rP eorele h T a 3 ne moDop. jJ psp pe pip- 

heopa Epipren-oome -] ro heopa ealfcpihrum je- tom pe hir lanje sp rybe -j tept)e. ac hir on- 

pulrumebe. Da J5 onrear pe paslhpeopa cynmj S^ar hip lape ppipe roropenne -3 ppij;e robpo- 

Deobpic. *a hsr he hme Tebpmgan on capcepne cenne ml *> ^yr'3J u hflbu. ~\ bine pa ppan hu 

-] top inne belucan. Da Inr a jelomp -JJ j-e f jepupbe. Da ant>ppypt>e pe pipbom him -7 

appyp*a pap on ppa nvcelpe neapaneppe be- p^be. ^ hip jmjpan ha;pbon hme ppa roropenne. 

corn, ba piep he ppa micle ppiSop on hip COotoe KJ 1 F^J 1 hl reobhcX)n j> hi hine eallne habban 

rebpepeb. ppa hir OOofc tep ppiSon ro p im pceotoon. ac hi jejatoepiaS mompealti Dypij on 

popult) ps pum unjepot) pasp. ] he 3a nanpe p.t-pe poprp'upunja. ] on j?am jilpe buran heopa 

ppoppe be mnan pain cap ,epne ne jemunbe. ac hpelc epr ro hype bore jecippe:- 

he sepeoll nipol op t>une on pa plop, -j hme T hj s rnay perhaps be confideretl as a fpecimen 

.-iprpehre ppipe unpor. anb opmob hme pelpne of the Saxon in lts higheft ftatc of purity, for here 

ponjan pepan -} pup pmgenbe cpep. are f carce i y any wor j s borrowed from the Roman 

dialects. 



Of 



ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 



Of the following verfion of the gofpels the age 
is not certainly known, but it was probably writ- 
ten between the time of Alfred and that of the Nor- 
man conqueft, and therefore may properly be in- 
fened here. 

Translations fcldom afford juft fpecimehs of a 
language, and leaft of all thofe in which a fcrtipu- 
lous and verbal interpretation is endeavoured, be- 
caufe they retain the phraieology and ftrufture of 

LUCJE, CAP. I. 

ORDA~QD j?e pirotihce mane^i pohron papa 
F ln 6 a P* c<i 5 e -ent>ebypt>an pe on up ;$epyl- 
letie p ynr. 

- 2 Spa up berashrun pa Be hit op ppym'Se 
repapon. ai.b ptpe pppiece penap prcpon. 

3 ODe jepuhre [op-pyh^be ppom ppuma] 

fiopnlice eallum. [mi^] entiebypfcneppe pprran 
e. pu Se pelupra Theophilup. 

4 Dxr jju oncnape papa poptu poSpasprneppe. 
op pam e fu ^elaspefc eapr:- 

5 On J^epoOep t>ajum Iut>ea cymncjep. pasp 
pum pacept> on naman Zachajuap op Sbian rune. 
] hip pip psp op Sajionep Oohrjium. ant> hype 
nama paef Glizaberh:- 

6 So^lice hij pasrion buru jiihrpipe beporian 
D Be. g.mjentic on eallum hip bebot>um ] phr- 
pipnejjum buran priohte:- 

7 Ant> hij na-5t>on nan beajin. portpam Se 
Glizaberh pjep unbertentse. ] hy on hyjxa t>agum 
buru jojiS-eotiun:- 

8 SoSlice pnep jepojaben pa Zachapiap hyp pa- 
cepvt)'iat)ep bjieacon nipjeprnxlepentfebyfitineppe 
beporian tjot>e. 

9 /Eprep. jepunan p?ep pacervtihaioep hlorep. 
he eome jj he lup oppriunje perre, Sa he on 
Eotiep rempel eobe. 

10 Gall pepot ]?n?p polcep psep ure jebit)t>entoe 
on paeneoppriunjeriman:- 

1 1 Da asrypt)e him Dpihrnep enjel pranbentie 
on J:rep peopobep ppiSpan healpe. 



the original tongue; yet they have often this con- 
venience, that the fame book, being tranflated in 
different ages, affords opportunity of marking the 
gradations of change, and bringing one age into 
comparifon with another. For this purpofe I have 
placed the Saxon verfion and that of Wickliffe, writ- 
ten about the year 1380, in oppofite columns, be- 
caufe the convenience of eafy collation feems greater 
than that of regular chronology. 

LUK, CHAP. I. 



1 2 Da pearit) Zachapiap Tetipepet) -p 
ont)e. ] him eje onhpeap:- 

13 Da cpjt^peen^el him ro. Ne ont>pfE?>pu 
^e Zachapiap. poppam pin ben ip jehypet). ] 
|;in pip Ghzaberh |;e punu cenS. ant) pu nempr 
hyp naman lohannep. 

14 -3 he byS pe ro jepean ^ ro bhppe. ] 
maneja on hyp acennebneppe gep^nia^:- 

15 SoSlice he bye) mrcpe bepopan Dpihrne. 
anb he ne bpmcSpm ne beop. ~\ lie biS jepyliet) 
on halrgum Dapre. |;onne jyr op hip motiop in- 
r.oSe. 

i (j Anb maneja Ippahela beapna he jecyjiS ro 
Dpihrne hypa Dobe. 

6 17 



IN the dayes of Eroude kyng of Judee ther was a 
* preft Zacarye by name : of the fort of Abia, and 
his wyf was of the doughtris of Aaron : and hir 
name was Elizabeth. 

2 An bothe weren jufte bifore God: goynge in 
alle the maundementis and juftifyingis of the Lord 
withouten playnt. 

3 And thei hadden no child, for Elizabeth was 
bareyn and bothe weren of greet age in her dayes. 

4 And it bifel that whanne Zacarye fchould do 
the office of prefthod in the ordir of his courfe to 
fore God. 

5 Aftir the cuftom of the prefthod, he wente 
forth by lot and entride into the temple to encenfen. 

6 And at the multitude of the puple was with- 
out forth and preyede in the our of encenfying. 

7 And an aungel of the Lord apperide to him: 
and flood on the right half of the auter of en- 
cenfe. 

8 And Zacarye feynge was afrayed : and drede 
fcl upon him. 

9 And the aungel fayde to him, Zacarye drede 
thou not: for thy preier is herd, and Elizabeth 
thi wif fchal here to thee a fone: and his name fchal 
be clepid Jon. 

10 And joye and gladyng fchal be to thee: and 
manye fchulen have joye in his natyvyte. 

11 For he fchal be great bifore the Lord : and 
he fchal not drinke wyn ne fydyr, and he fchal be 
fulfild with the holy goft yit of his modir wombe. 

12 And he fchal converte manye of the children 
of Ifrael to her Lord God. 

13 And 



THE HISTORY OF THE 



58 ~] hype nehchebupaj- ~j hype cufean f je- 
hyptwn. -Ji Dpihren hip rmit>-heoprneppe r.no 
hype m.Tpput>e -j hij mit> hype blippot>on:- 

59 Da en bam ehreofean tisje mj comon -J> 
cite ymbpnifean. ant) nemtoon bine hip prcfcep 
naman Zathapia'm:- 

60 Da ant>ppapot>e hip mot)op. Ne pe pofeep. 
ac he bife lohannep jene:nnetx- 

6 1 D.i cpxtton.m ro hype. Nip nan on j?mpe 
nrt rfee }-yppum naman jenemnet):- 

63 Da bicnobon hi ro hip picCep. hpar he 
polfce hyne jenemnetsne beon:- 

63 pa ppar hejebetJenum pex-bpebe. lohan- 
ner hip nama. fea punt>potx>n hij ealle:- 

64 Da peapfe pona hip miife -j hip runge ge- 
openot). ] he pppasc. Dpihren blerpijenfce:- 

65 Da peapfe eje jepopfcen opep ealle hypa 
nehchebupap. ant) opep ealle luoea munr-lant> 
p.rpon pap popt) jepibniscppotie. 

66 ] ealle pa fee hir jehyptjon. on hypa heop- 
ran percun -] cprebon. penpr Su hpsr byS pep 
cnapa. pirot)lice Dpilvcnep hant) psp mit> him:- 

67 Snt Zachapiap hip psfcep psp mit> hale- 
jum Capre jepyllet). -] he pirejobe anb cp^S. 

68 Deblerput) py Dpihren Ippahela Gots. pop- 
pirn Jrehe jeneoputie. "3 hip polcep alypettneppe 
t5yt)e. 

69 Snt) he up hcele hopn apaspt>e on Dauit)ep 
hupe hip cnihrep. 

70 8pa he pppjec puph hip halejpa pirejena 
mu8. pa fee op popltiep ppym fee ppprecon. 

71 ] he alypt>e up op upum peontium. anb op 
ealpa papa hantia pe up harebon. 

jz C0ilt)-heoprneppe ro pypcenne mit> upum 
paetjepum. ~] ^emunan hip halejan cyfeneppe. 

73 JJync u y ^ pyllenne pone afe pe he upum 
pzt>ep Sbpahame fpop. 

74 Di-r pe buran eje. op upe peonfca hant)a 
alypet>e. him peopian 

75 On hahjneppe bepopan him eallum upum 
tiajum:- 

76 Snt) pu cnapa bipr pzp hehpran pireja 
jenerr.neb. pu jsepr bepopan Dpihrnep anpyne. 

hi r P e s j r 3 e fpp |j "- 

77 To pyliene hip poke hade jepir on hypa 
j-ynna popjypneppe. 

78 Duph innofeap upep Eot>ep milti-heopr- 
neppe. on pam he up jeneoput)e op eaprbasle 
up-pypmjenfce. 

79 Onlyhran pam pe on Jryprpum "] on tieafeep 
pceabe pirrafe. upe per ro jepeccenne on pibbe 



o Sofe'ice pe cnap^ peox. -j pasp on ^ 
eprpanjot). -] psp on peprenum oo pone 
yp asrypetjneppum on Ippahei:- 
6 



^4 And the neyghbouris and cofyns of hir 
herden that the Lord hadde magnyfied his mercy 
with hir, and ihci thankiden him. 

55 And it was duon in the eightithe day t!wi 
camen to circumfide the child, and thei clcpidcn 
him Zacarye by the name of his fadir. 

56 And his modir aniwcridc and fade, nay; 
but he fchal be clepid Jon. 

57 And thci fcidcn to hir, for no man is in tht 
kyndrede that is clepid [his name. 

58 And thei bikenyden to his fadir, what he 
wolde that he were clepid. 

59 And heaxinge a poyntel wroot feyinge, Jon 
is his name, and alle men wondriden. 

60 And annoon his mouth was openyd and his 
tunge, and he fpak and bit (Tide God. 

61 And drede was maad on all hir neighbours, 
and all the wordis weren puplifchid on alle the 
mounteynes of Judee. 

62 And alle men that herden puttiden in her 
herte, and feiden what manner child fchal this be, 
for the hond of the Lord was with him. 

63 And Zacarye his fadir was fulfillid with the 
holy Goft, and profeciede and feide. 

64 Blelfid be the Lord God of Ifrael, for he has 
vifuid and maad redempcioun of his puple. 

65 And he has rered to us an horn of helthe in 
the hous of Dauith his child. 

66 As he fpak by the mouth of hife holy pro- 
phetis that weren fro the world. 

67 Helth fro oure enemyes, and fro the hond of 
alle men that hatiden us. 

68 To do merfy with oure fadris, and to have 
mynde of his holy teftament. 

69 The grete ooth that he fwoor to Abraham our 
fadir, 

70 To geve himfelf to us, that we without 
drede delyvered fro the hond of our enemyes ferve 
to him, 

71 In holynefie and rightwifnefle before him, 
in alle our dayes. 

72 Arid thou child fchalt be clepid the profete of 
the higheile, for thou fchalt go before the face of 
the Lo& to make redy hife weyes. 

73 To geve fcience of heehh to his puple into 
remiffioun of her iynnes. 

74 By the inwardenefs of the merfy of oure God, 
in the which he fpringyng up fro on high hath 
vifited us. 

75 T geve light to them that fitten in dark- 
neffis, and in fchadowe of deeth, to drefie our feet 
into the weye of pees; 

76 And the child wexide, and was confortid in 
fpiryt, and was in defert placis till to the day of his 
fthewing to Yfrael. 

Of 



ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 



Of the Saxon poetry fome fpecimcn is necefiary, 

though our ignorance of the laws of their metre and 
the quantities of their fyllables, which it would be 
very ditficult, perhaps impoffible, to recover,, ex- 
cludes us from that plealure which the old bards 
undoubtedly gave to their contemporaries. 

The firft poetry of the Saxons was without rhyme, 
ami confcquently mult have depended upon the 
quantity of their fyllables ; but they began in time 
to imitate iheir neighbours, and clofe their verfes 
with correfpondent founds. 

The two paflages, which I have felefted, contain 
apparently the rudiments of our prefent lyrick mea- 
fures, and the writers may be juftly confidered as 
the genuine anceftors of the Englijh poets. 
e mai him pope at>pet>en, 
Dxr he Sanne ojie bittoe ne mujen,. 
Uop f bihmpeS ilome. 
$x ip pip f bir ant> bore 
Ant) ber biuopen borne. 
DeaS com on Sip mit>elapt> 
DupS Sasp Oeplep ont>e, 
Snt> penne ant) popje ant> ippmc, 
On pe ant) on lonfce. 

Ic am elfceji Sanne ic pep, 
A pmrpe -3 ec a fope. 
Ic ealtii mope Sanne ic t)et)e, 
ClOi pir ojhre ro bi mope. 

8e -f hine pelue uopjer, 
Uop piue opep uop chilt>e. 
jDe pal comen on euele prefce, 
Bure got) him bi miltie. 

Ne hopie pip ro hipe pepe 
Ne pepe ro hip piue. 
Bi poji him pelue eujiich man, 
Daeji pile he bieS ahue. 
Gujiich man mit> $ he 
CDai bejjen heuejiiche. 
8e Se lejye -j j-e Be mope, 
Jjepe aitiep iliche. 

^euene ant) ep<$e he o 
^ip ejhen biS pulbpihr. 
Eunne ~\ mone -3 alle preppen, 
Bie5 Siej^rpe on hip hhre. 

^e por hper SencheS ant) hper t)op, 
Alle quike pihre. 
Nip no louept) j'pich ir" xij^r, 
Ne no kmj ppich ip tjpihre. 

euene -\ epSe -3 all Sar ip, 
Biloken ij" on hip honfce. 
^e t)e al f hip pille ip, 
On j-ea ant) ec on iontie. 
J3e ir* opt) alburen optie, 

entie alburen eiit>e. 
one ip eupe on eche f ret>e, 
pep ^u pent>e. 



J?e ip buuen up ant) bmeSen, 
Biuopen ant) ec bihmt). 
Se man ^ jot)ep pille tieS, 
pie mai hine aihpap. umt)e. 

Gche pune he ihepS, 
!Snt> por eche tietie. 
pe ^uph piTS echep i^anc, 
lUai hpar pel up ro pet>e. 

Se man neupe nele ton 30*), 
Ne neupe got> hp let>en. 
6p t)eS ~\ t)om come ro hip tupe, 
^e mai him pope at>pet)en. 

punjep -3 Suppr here -\ chele, 
GcSe ant) all unhel'Se. 
Cuph t>eS com on Sip mit)elapt>, 
Snt) oSep umpelSe. 

Ne mai non hepre hir ipenche, 
Ne no runge relle. 
^u muchele pmum ant) hu uele, 
BieS inne helle. 

Louie Dot) mit) upe hiepre. 
!Snt> mit) all upe mihre. 
Snt) upe emcjuprene ppo up 
8po up lepeS tpihre. 

8ume Sen habbeS leppe mepgfte, 
Snt> pume Sep habbeS mope, 
Gch eprep San $ he tietoe, 
Gprep -p he ppanc pope, 

Ne pel Sep bi bpet> ne pin, 
Ne opep kennep ej^re. 
Dot) one pel bi echep lip, 
!Snt> bhpce ant) eche pepra. 

Ne pal Sap bi pcere ne pcput>, 
Ne popltiep pele none. 
~Rc pi mepjpe f men up bihar, 
!ffll pall ben jot) one. 

Ne mai no mepjpe bi ppo muchel, 
8po ip jot)ep ipihSe. 
^i ip pop pune ant) bpihr, 
Hnt) t)ai bure nihre. 

Dep ip pele bure pane, 
7nt> pepre buren ippmche. 
8e $ mai ant) nele oet>ep come, 
Sope hir pel uopSenche. 

Dep ip blipce buren rpeje, 
Knt) lip buren t)eaSe. 
Der eupe pullen pume Sep, 
BhSe hi biep ant) eaSe. 

Dep ip jeujepe buren elt)e, 
Snt) eltie buren unhelpe. 
Nip Sep popje ne pop non, 
Ne non umpilSe. 

Dep me pel tipihren ipen, 
8po ape he ip mit> ipippe. 
pe one mai ant) pel al bien, ' 
Goglep ant) mannep bhpce. 



To 



THE HISTORY OF THE 



To %ape blipce up bpinj job, 
Per pixeft buren enbe. 

nue he upe paula unbmr, 
Of lichamlice benb. - 

Cprpr jeue i*f lebe fpich lip, 
habbe fpichne enbe. 
pe nioren Sibep curnen, 
Danne pe hennep peabe. 

About the year 1150, the S:IXOH began to take a 
form in which the beginning of the prefent Englijh 
may be plainly dilcovered; this change ieems not to 
have been the effeft of the Norman conqueft, for 
very few French words are found to have been in- 
troduced in the firft hundred years after it; the 
language muft therefore have been altered by caufes 
like thofe which, notwithitanding the care of writers 
and focicties inftituted to obviate them, are even 
now daily making innovations in every living Ian- 
guage. I have exhibited a fpecimen of the Ian- 
guage of this age from the year 1 1 35 to 1 140 of the 
Saxon chronicle, of which the latter part was ap- 
parcrftly written near the time to which it relates. 

Dip jscpe pop J?e kmj Srephne opep ps ro 
Nopmandi. ] pep pep untjep-pan^en. popSi jJ 
hi pent>en j> he j-cultx ben alpuic alpe pe eom pep. 
] pop he haT)te jer hip rpepop. ac he ro t>elt> 
ir ] pcarepeD porlicc. OOicel hat5t>e ^cnpi kmj 
jabepet) jolb -j pyluep. ant) na jot> ne t)it)e me 
pop hip paule pap op. Da pe kmj Srephne ro 
Gnjla-lant) com pa macot) he hip jabepmj zer 
Oxene-popt). ~] bap he nam be bipcop Rojep op 
Sepepbepi. ~\ Slexantiep bipcop op Lincoln. 
] re Hancelep Ro^fp hipe neuep. ~\ t)it>e jelle 
in ppir-un. ril hi japen up hepe caprlep. Da pe 
puikep unt^pgeron -p he miltw man pap ] popre 
j jot*. -] na jupripe ne tube, pa biben hi alle 
punrx-p. pi hat-ben him manpeb makeb ant 
aSep piopen. ac hi nan rpeuSe ne heolben. alle 
he pspon pop-ppopen. -j hepe rpeoSep pop- 
lopen. pop azupic pice man hip caprlep makebe 
anb agtnep him heolben. anb pylben pe lanb pull 
op -caprk-p pi puencrcn pui^e pe ppecce men 
op p<- lanb mib caprel-peopcep. pa pe caprkp 
papen makib. pa pylben hi mib beou'ep anb yuele 
mon. Da namen hi pa men pe hi penben -j> am 
job hepben. bae be uihrep anb be banrp. capl- 
m n -3 pimmen. anb bib>n hiom in j pipun eprep 
jolb anb pyluep. ~] pmcb heom un-relknbhce 
pimnj. pop n prepen na^upe nan maprypp ppa 
pmcb alpr hi pm-pon. COe henjeb up bi pc per 
anb pmokeb hvom mib pul pmoke. me henjcb 
bi ]?r pumbt-p o^ep bipe hepeb. -] ; enjen bpynijep 
on hep per. COe bibe cnorceb prpenji p aburon 
hepe hataieb. ] uupySen ro f ir jt-be ro p 
h^pncp. pi bibcn heom in quaprejinc faji nabpep 



-] pnakep -} pibep pa?pon inne. -j bp-jpen heom 
ppd. Sume hi biben in cpucer hup. $ ip in an 
ccpre $ pap pcopr ] napeu. ] un bep. ] bibe 
pcseppe pranep pep inne. ] ppengbe pe man paep 
inne. j5 hi bprtcon alle pe hmep. In mam op pe 
caprkp pjepon lop ~] jpT. j> pa.pon pachenrejep 
-f rpa o<Sep ppe men hat)t>en onoh ro ba?pon 
onne. f pap j-pa maceb f ip pasprneb ro an 
beom. -] biben an pcaspp ipen aburon pa mannep 
ppore ] hip halp. ^ he ne mihre nopibeppapbep 
neptren. ne hen. ne plepen. oc bzpon al j> ipen. 
COani pupn hi t>papen miti hunjjep. Jnecanne. 
-] ne mai rellen alle pe punfcep ne alle pe pmej" f 
hi fcifcen ppecce men on hip lantx -j -f lapreDe pa 
xix. pinrpepile Srephnepap kin^. ] asupe ir pap 
uueppe anb uueppe. 5 1 lasitten^siIOep on pe 
runep setipeu pile. ~\ clepetjen ir renpepie. pa 
J?e ppecce men ne hafct>en nan mopero giuen. pa 
pa?uet>en hi ant) bpent>on alle pe runep. -p pel bu 
mihrep papen all at>aeip pape pcult)ej-r pu neupe 
pmtien man in rune pirrentse. ne lant> nlet). Da 
pap copn t>aspe. ~j plec. -j caspe. -j burepe pop 
nan ne psep o pe lant). UJpecce men prupuen op 
hungup, pume jetien on slmep pe papen pum 
pile pice men. pum plujen ur op lant>e. UJep 
nasupe j^sr mape ppeccehet) on lantx ne nasupe 
he'cSen men pepj-e ne t)iten pan hi t>it>en. pop 
ouep piSon ne pop-bapen hi nouSep cipce. ne 
cypce-uept. oc nam al pe jot) j> pap inne pap. 
-] bpent>en py^en pe cypce ] alrejfebepe. Ne hi 
ne pop-bapen bij-copep Iant5. ne abborep. ne 
ppeoprep. ac pasuetien munecep. -] clepckep. ] 
a?upic man o^6ep pe ouep myhre. Dip rpa men 
oSep ppe coman pitient) ro an run. al pe run- 
pcipe plujsn pop heom. penten $ hi prepon 
pseuepcp. De bipcopep -3 lepet) meh heom cup- 
pet>e asupe. oc pap heom nahr pap op. pop hi 
pa?pon all pop-cupj-scti -3 p.op-puopen ] pop'open. 
ICap pe me rilcbe. pe ep^e ne bap nan copn. pop 
pe lant pap all pop-bon mib piilce basbep. ] hi 
p.tben openlice f Hpipc plep. ] hiphalechen. 8uilc 
] mape panne pe cunnen pasin. pe polenben xix. 
pmrpe pop upe pinnep. On al pip yuele rime 
heolb CPaprm abbor hip abborpice xx. pmreji 
-3 halp jaep. -^ vin. ba?ip. mib micel puinc. ] 
panb pe munekep. -] re jeprep al f heom hehoueb. 
-3 heolb mycel capireb in rhe hup. anb poS pe- 
^epe ppohre on pe cipce ] perre pap rolanbep ~\ 
penrep. ^ jobeb ir puy^c anbla;r irpepen. anb 
bpohre htom inropenepa; mynprpe on p. Perpep 
majpe-ba?i mib micel puprpcipe. f pap anno ab 
incapnarione Dom. MCXL. a combuprione loci 
xxui. Snb he pop ro Rome ] pasp pa?p pa;l 
unbep-p.mjtn ppam pe Pape Gujcme. ] beyer 
rhape ppiuilejiep. an op alle pe ianbep op pabbor- 
pice.-] an ofcep op pe lanSep pe lien ro pe cipce- 
pican. ] jip he lenj mopre huen. alpe he mmr 

ro 



ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 

ro Don op pe hopbep-pycan. !Snt> he beg?er in ppac pib Robbept eopl -3 pib pempepice anbppop 

lantiep j? pice men hepfcen mit) prpenjpe. op heom aSap'f he neupema mib re king hip bpo&ep 

UJillelm CDalCuir pe heolt) Rojmjham pas caprel polbe halben. *] cuppebe alle pe men pe mib him 

he pan Eorinjham -3 6p:un. -3 op pujo op UJalr- heolben. anb paebe heom j5 he polbe ifuen heom 

uile he pan Jjyprlinjb. -3 Sranepig. -3 LX. pof. up Ulin-ceprpe. -3 bibe heom cumen pibep. Da 

op Stoepingle elc gasp. Xnt) he maket)e manie hi Jnep inne pa:pen pa com pe kmgep cuen . . . 

munekep. ~j planrct>e pimaspt). -3 maket)2 manie hipe prpengSe -3 bepasr heom. jj pep pasp inne 

peojikep. -3 pent)e pe run berepe pan it asp pasp. micel hungasp. Da hi ne leng ne mohren polen. pa 

anb p.tp rot) munec ] jot) man. *j popBi hi luuetien prah hi ur -\ plugen. -j hi pupSen pap piiSuren ] 

Got) anb got)e men. Nu pe pillen p^jen pum tel polecheben heom. anb namen Rot>benr eojil op 

par belamp on Srephne kin jep time. On hip Dlou-ceptrjie ant) lebben him t:o Roue-ceprjie. ant* 

rime f>e Jut>eup op Noji-pic bohton an Ejiipten t)iben him j^ajie in pnipun. anb re empejiice pleh 

cilt) beponen Sprjien. ant) pinetien him alle j?e mro an mynprjve. Da peoj\T)en Sa pipe men be- 

ilce pimnT^ ujie Djiihnn pap pmet). ant) on lang- rpyx. |?e kingep pjieonb"] re eojilep ppeonb. ant) 

pmtm him on j\ot)e hengen pojv ujie Dpihrnep pahrlebe pua ^ me pculbe leren ur |>e kmj op 

luue. *] py^en byfiiet)en him. liUent)en j> ir pjiipun pop J?e eojil. ~] reeopl pop f>e king, -j pua 

pcult)e btn poji holen. oc ujre Djiihnn arypet)e bitien. 8iSen ^ep. epreji parhleben fe king 1 ] Ran- 

j5 he pap hah mapryp. ] ro munekep him namen. t)olp eopi ar 8ran-pont) ] aSep ppopen antJ 

] bebypiet) him heglice. in Se mynprpe. ] he rpeu^ep psepron ~p hep nou^ep pculbe bepuiken 

maker ]?up upe Dpihrm punt>ephce ant) mam- ooep. -j ir ne pop-prob nahr. pop f>e king him 

paslt)!ice mipaclep. ~j harre he p. UJillelm:- piSen nam in ^amrun. }?uphe Jjicci past). ] bit)e 

On pip ja?p com Dauit) kmj op Scorlant) mit) him in ppipun. ] ep ponep he ler him ur Juphe 

opmtre parpt) ro ):ip lant) polt)e pinnan }?ip lant)." ] pasppe pet>ro ^ popepaptie -^ he puop on halit)om. 

him com rojznepUJillelmeoplop Xlbamap^ekmj ] jyplep panb. f he alle hip caprlep pcult>e fiuen 

at>t>eberehr Suop-pic. -j ro ooepuez men mit> up. Sume he fap up anb pume ne fap he nohr. 

rasu men -j puhren pit) heom. ] plemt)en pe kmgsr anb bibs panne pasppe Sanne he hasp pculbe. Da 

re prant>apt>. ^ plojen ptrtSe micel op hip genje:- pap Snjle-lanb puiSe ro-belcb. pume helben mib 

Jn pip gsp polt)e pe king Srephne rascen Rot)- re king. ] pume mib j^empepice. pop |>a pe king 

bepr eopl op Dlouceprpe. j?e kingeppune^enpiep. pap in ppipun. pa penben |?e eoplep ] re pice 

ac he ne mihre pop he papr ir pap. Da eprep hi men }> he neupe mape pculbe cumme ur. -j 

fe lenjren J?eprepebe pe punne ~] re t)a;i aburon paehrleben pyb J7empepice. ~\ bpohren hipe inro 

nonnt) ttejep. pa. men eren J me hhret)e canblep Oxen-popb. ant) iauen hipe pe bupch:- Da 3e kinj 

ro sren bi. ~] f pap xui. kr. Appil. paspon men pap ure. pa. hepbe f paejen. anb roc hip peopb 

ruiSe oppunt)pet). Dep eprep popt)-peopt>e Uiil- ] bepaer hipe in pe rup. "j me la;r hipe bun on 

lelm ^pce-bipcop op fcanrpap-bypij. -j re king mhr op pe rup mib papep. -j pral ur ] peas pleh 

maket)e Teobalt) ^pce-bipcop. |?epap abbor in pe ^ isebe on pore ro UJalmg-popb. Dsp eprep 

Bee. Dep eprep pasx puioe micel uueppe beruyx pcs pepbe opep pas. ] hi op Nopmanbi penben 

p e king -] Ranbolp eopl op Eseprpe nohr pop^i alle ppa pe king ro pe eopl op Snjaeu. pume hepe 

f he ne jap him al f he cufte axen him. alpe he pankep ~\ pume hepe un-fankep. pop he bepast 

t)it>e alle oSpe. ocasppe pemape lap heom J?epa?ppe heom nl hi aiauen up htpe caprlep. ] hi nan 

hi pspon him. De eopl heolb Lmcol ajaenep pe helpe ne haepben op ]?e king. Da pepbe Guprace 

kinj. ~] benam him al f he ahre ro hauen. -3 re pe kinjeppuneroFpance. ^namfiekingeppuprep 

kmj pop pitiep ~j bepasrre him ] hip bpoSep op Fpance ro pipe, pentie ro bijirron Nopmant)i 

UJilielm t)^ R . . . ape in pe caprel. ] re eopl |><p puph. oc he ppet>t)e hrel. ] be Tot)e pihre. 

jra;l ur -3 p^ptie eprep Rot>bepr eopl op Clou- pop he pap an yuel man. pop pape pe he .... t)it>e 

ceprpe. -3 bpohr him pit)ep mit) micel pepb. mape yuel panne jot*, he peuet)e pe lantep ] lasitsc 

anb puhren ppiSe on Lant>elmappe-t)ei ajenep mic pon. hebpohre hippiproGnTle-lantx 

heope lauept). -3 namen him. pop hip men him -3 t)it>e hipe in pe capre reb. jot) pimman 

ruyken -] plujaen. ant) last) him ro Bpiprope ant) pea? psep. oc peas het>t>e hrel bhppe mit) him. "3 

bit>cn pap in ppipun. "3 ... repep. Da pap all xpipr ne poltie j5 he pcult)e lanje pixan. -3 paspb 

Gngle-lant) pry-pet) map pan aep pasp. ant) all yuel tiebant) hip mot>epbelen. ^reeoplopSn^cupaept) 

psep in lant>e. Dep eprep com pe kinjep t)ohrep t)et). -3 hip pune J)enpi roc ro pe pice. Snb re cuen 

^enpj' j p pe heptie ben Gmpepic on Tvlamame. -3 nu op Fpance ro-t>aslbe ppa pe king. -3 peas com ro pe 

pep cunreppe in Snjou. -3 com ro Lunt)ene. -3 re lunje eopl enpi. -3 he roc hipe ro pipe. -3 al Peirou 

Lunt5emppce pole hipe poltse rscen -3 peas pleh. -3 mit> hipe. Da pepbe he mit) micel paspb mro 

poplep pap micel:- Dep eprep pe bipcop op Gn^le-lanb. -3 pancaprlep. -3 re king pepbe ajenep 

UJin ceprpe ^enpi. pe kinjep bpo'Scp Srephnep. him micel mape pepS. ^poSpcepepepurenhinohr. 

VOL. 1. e oc 



THE HISTORY OF THE 



oc pepben fe JEpce bipcop ] re pipe men be- 
rpux licom. -j makcbe f pahrcf re king pcuibe 
bui lam pb ] king pile he liutbe. ] aprep hip baei 
p. p J): npi kinj. ~j he helbe him pop pabep "j he 
him pop pune. ant) pib -j psehre pculfce ben berpyx 
heo;n ~\ on al Gnjlc lant). Dip ant) re o&pe 
popuuapbrp per I.I maktben puopen ro halben 
f c kinT ] re cop', ant) re bipcop. ] re eoplcp. 
-j piceivcn alle. Da pap fe eopl untx-ppanjen 
aer U)m ceprpe ar.b aer L.unbcne mib micel 
puprpcipe. anb alle t)iten him man-pcb. ant) 
puopen fe paip ro halt>en. ant) hir papb pone 
puiot job paip pua -f neupe pap hepe. Da pap 
Se kiujprpmjepe panne he aeuepr hep pap. ~] re 
eopt pepbe ouep pae. ] al pole hi:n luuet>e. pop he 
Dit>e jot) jupripe ] makttte 



Nearly about this time, the following pieces of 
poetry feem to have been written, of which I have 
inferted only fhort fragments ; the firft is a rude 
attempt at the prefent meafure of eight fyllables, 
and the fccond is a natural introduction to Robert 
of Gfaucefter, being compofed in the fame meafure, 
which, however rude and barbarous it may feem, 
taught the way to the Alexandrines of the French 
p6etry. 

"C* U R in fee bi wefr fpaynge. 
If a lont) ihore cokaygne. 
Der nif lontJ unt)er heuennche. 
Of wel of gotmif hir iliche. 
Doy parafcif be min ant) briyr. 
Ilokaygn if of fairir fiyr. 
Whar if per in paratnf. 
Bor grafle ant) flure ant? grenenf. 
Doy per be 101 ant) grer Cure. 
Der nif mer bore frure. 
Dcr nif halle bure no bench. 
Bor warn* man if J?urfro quench. 
Beb per no men bur rwo. 
J3ely ant) enok alfo. 
Oinglich may hi go. 
Whar per womj? men no mo. 
In cokaygne if mer ant) t)rink. 
Wijjure care how ant> fwmk. 
De mer if rrie pe brink fo clcre. 
To none ruflln ant) fopper. 
I figge for foj? boure were. 
Der nif lont) on er|?e if pere. 
Untxr hcuen nif lont) i wifle. 
Of fo mochil 101 ant) bluTe. 
Der if mam fwcre fiyre. 
Al if fcai nif per no myre. 
Der nif barer no)>er frrif. 
Nif j?er no t)e|? ac euer lif. 
Dcr nif lac of mer no clop. 
Der nif no man no woman wroj>. 



Der nif ferpenr wolf no fox. 
orf no capil. kowe no ox. 
Dcr nif fchepe no Iwme no gore. 
No non horwyla got) ir wore. 
No"pcr harare nober frot) . 
De latit) if ful of ober got>e. 
Nif per flei fle no lowfc. 
In clop in roune bet) no houfe. 
Der nif tHinnir flere no hawle. 
No non vile worme no fnawile. 
No non frorm rein no wintJe. 
Der nif man no woman bhnt)e. 
Ok al if game 101 anr gle. 
Wel if him )?ar ]?er mai be. 
Der bep riverf grer ant) fine. 
Of oile mclk honi ant) wine. 
Wanr feruib per ro noting. 
Bor ro fiyr ant) ro wauffing. 

SANCTA MARGARETTA. 

OLD E anr yonge i preir ou cure folief for ro 
Jere. 
Dencher on got) far yef ou wir oure funnef ro 

bere. 

^cre mai rellen ou. wit) worbef feire ant) fwere. 
De vie of one meitian. waf horen COaregrere. 

^ire fat>er waf a parnac. af ic ou rellen may. 
In aunrioge wif tchef i Se falle lay. 
Deve gotf anr fcoumbe. he fervet) nut anr t)ay. 
So t)et)en mony ofere. far finger weilawey. 
Theotxafius waf if nome. on crift ne levetie he 

noutt. 
pe levetie on be falfe gofcef. Sar peren wit) hontoen 

wroutt. 
Do par chilt) fcultoe chnftine ben. ic com him well 

in foutt. 

6 bet) wen ir were ibore. ro txpe ir were ibpoutt. 
De metier waf an hefene wif far hire ro wyman 

bere. 

Do f ar chilt) ibore waf. nolfce ho hir furfare. 
po fent)e ir mro afye. wit> mefTagerf ful yare. 
To a nopice far hire wifte. anr ferre hire ro 

lore. 

De nonce far hire wifte. children aheuet>e feuene. 
De eittef e waf maregrere. crifref may of heuene. 
Talef ho am rolfce. ful feire anr ful euene. 
Wou ho folct>en marrirtiom. fem Laurence anr 
feinre Sreuene. 

In thefe fragments, the adulteration of the Saxon 
tongue, by a mixture of the Norman, becomes 
apparent ; yet it is not fo much changed by the 
admixture of new words, which might be imputed 
to commerce with the continent, as by changes 
of its own forms and terminations i for which no 
realbn can be given. 

Hitherto 



ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 



Hitherto the language ufed in this ifland, how- 
ever different in fucceflive time, may be called 
Saxon; nor can it be expefled, from the nature of 
things gradually changing, that any time can be 
afilgned, when the Saxon may be faid to ceafe, and 
the Englifh to commence. Robert of Glcucejter 
however, who is placed by the criticks in the thir- 
teenth century, feems to have ufed a kind of in- 
termediate diction, neither Saxon nor Englijb ; in 
his work therefore we fee the tranfition exhibited, 
and, as he is the firft of our writers in rhyme, of 
whom any large work remains, a more extenfive 
quotation is extracted. He writes apparently in the 
fame meafure with the foregoing authour of St. 
Margarite, which, polifhfd into greater exactnefs, 
appeared to our anceftors fo fuitable to the genius 
of the Englijh language, that it was continued 
in ufe almoft to the middle of the feventeenth 
century. 

1 fe batayles of Denemarch, fat hii dude in 

fys londe 
fat worft were of alle ofere, we mote abbe an 

honde. 

Worft hii were, vor ofere adde fomwanne ydo, 
As Romeyns & baxons, & wel wufte fat lond 

ferto. 
Ac hii ne kept yt holde nojt, bote robby, and 

fltnde, 
And deftrue, & berne, & fle, & ne couf e abbe non 

ende. 
And bote lute yt nas worf, fey hii were ouercome 

ylome. 
Vor myd flypes and gret poer as preft effone hii 

come. 

Kyng Adelwolf of fys lond kyng was tuenty jer. 
fe Deneys come .by hym ryuor fan hii dude er. 
Vor in be al our vorft jer of ys kynedom 
Myd f re & f rytty flypuol men her prince hyder 

come, 

And at Soufhamtone aryuede, an hauene by Soufe. 
Anofer gret oft fulke tyme aryuede at Portef- 

moufe. 

f e kyng nufte wefer kepe, at delde ys oft atuo. 
fe Denes adde fe mayftre. fo al was ydo, 
And by Eftangle and Lyndefeye hii wende vorf atte 

lafte, 
And fo hamward al by Kent, &c flowe & barnde 

vafte, 
Ajen wynter hii wende hem. anofer jer eft hii 

come. 

And deftrude Kent al out, and Londone nome. 
f us al an ten jer f ac lond hii brojte fer doune, 
So fat in fe tefe jer of fe kynge's croune, 
Al byfoufe hii come alond, and fet folc of Somer- 

fete 

f oru f e byflbp Alcfton and fet folc of Dorfete 
6 



Hii come & fmytc an batayle, 8c fere, f oru Code's 

grace, 
f e Deneys were al bynej? e, & f>e lond folc adde J>e 

, place, 
And more prowefie dude Jx>, fan |?e kyng myjte 

byuore, 

feruore gode lond men ne bej? nojt al verlore. 
J?e kyng was j?e boldore J?o, & ajen hem fe more 

drou, 

And ys foure godes fones woxe vafte y nou, 
Edelbold and Adelbryjt, Edelred and Alfred. 
J>ys was a ftalwarde tem, & of gret wyfdom & red, 
And kynges were al foure, & defendede wel )?ys 

Jond, 

An Deneys dude flame ynou, f>at me volwel vond. 
Is fyxtefe jere of J?e kynge's kynedom 
In eldeftc lone Adelbold gret oft to hym nome, 
And ys fader alfo god, and oj?ere heye n?en al fo, 
And wende ajen_bys Deneys, |?at muche wo adde 

y do. 
Vor myd tuo hondred flypes & an alf at Temfe 

mouj? hii come, 
And Londone, and Kanterbury, and ofer tounes 

nome, 

And fo vorp in to So|7ereye, & flowe & barnde vafte, 
Jjere J?e kyng and ys fone hem mette atte lafte. 
fere was batayle ftrong ynou yfmyte in an frowe. 
fe godes kynjtes leye adoun as gras, wan medej> 

mowe. 

Heueden, (fat were of yfmyte,) &: ofer lymes alfo, 
Flete in blode al fram f e grounde, ar f e batayle were 

ydo. 

Wannefat blod ftod al abrod, vas fer gret wo y nou. 
Nys yt reufe vorto hure, fat me fo vole flou ? 
Ac our fuete Louerd atte lafte flewede ys fuete grace, 
And fende be Criftyne Englyfle men f e mayftrye in 

fe place, 
And fe hefene men of Denemarch bynefe were 

echon. 

Nou nas fer jut in Denemarch Criftendom non ; 
fe kyng her after to holy chyrche ys herte fe more 

drou, 
And tefegede wel & al ys lond, as hii ajte, wel y 

nou. 

Seyn Swythyn at Wyncheftre byflbp fo was, 
And Alcfton at Syrebourne, fat amendede muche 

fys cas. 

f e kyng was wel f e betere man f oru her beyre red, 
Tuenty wynter he was kyng, ar he were ded. 
At Wyncheftre he was ybured, as he jut lyf fere. 
Hys tueye fores he jef ys lond, as he byjet ham ere. 
Adelbold, the eldore, fe kynedom of Eftfex, 
And fuffe Adelbryjt, Kent and Weftfex. 
Eyjte hondred jer yt was and feuene and fyfty al fo, 
After fat God anerfe com, fat fys dcde was ydo. 
Bofe hii wufte by her tyme wel her kynedom, 
At f e vyfte jer Adelbold out of fys Jyue nome. 

At 



THE HISTORY OF THE 



At Sfyrcbourne he was ybured, & y-s broker Adel- 

bryjt 

His kynedom adde after hym, as lawe was and rygt. 
By ys daye f e verde com of fe hefene men wel prout, 
And Hamteflyre and deftrude Wyncheftre al out. 
And fat lond folc of HamteflTyre her red fo nome 
And of BarcfTyre, and fojte and fe flrewen ouer- 

come. 

AdelbryTt was kyng of Kent jeres folle tene, 
And of Weftfex bote vyue, f o he dcyde ych wene. 



A DEL RED was after hym kyng y mad in fe 

place, 

Eygtehondred&feuene&fyxty as infejerof grace. 
J?e vorfte jer of ys kynedom'fe Deneys f ycke com, 
And robbede and deftrude, and cytes vafte nome. 
Mayftres hii adde of her oft, as yt were dukes, tueye, 
Hynguar and Hubba, fat flrewen were beye. 
In Eft Angle hii byleuede, to rett hem as yt were, 
Myd her oft al fe wynter, of fe vorft jerc. 
feoferger hii dude hem vorf , & ouer Homber come, 
And flowe to grounde & barnde, &Euerwyk nome. 
fer was batayle ftrong y nou, vor yflawe was fere 
Ofryc kyng of Homberlond, & monye fat with hym 

were. 
JJQ Homberlond was f us yflend, hii wende & tounes 

nome. 

So fat atte lafte to Eftangle ajen hym come. 
J?cr hii barnde & robbede, and fat folc to grounde 

flowe, 

And, as wolues among flep, reulych hem to drowe. 
Seynt Edmond was fo her kyng, & fo he ley fat 

deluol cas r 

fat me morf rede fo fat folc, & non amendementnas, 
He ches leuere to deye hymfulf, fat fuch Ibrwe to 

yfey. 
He dude hym vorf among hys fon, nolde he nof yg 

fle. 
Hii nome hym & fcourged hym, & fuffe naked 

hym bounde 
To a tre, & to hym fibre, & made hym mony a 

wounde, 
fat f e arewe were on hym f o fycce, fat no ftede 

nas byleuede. 

Atte lafte hii martred hym, and fmyteof y-s heued. 
f e fyxte jer of fe crounement of Aldered be kyng 
A nywe oft com into fys lond, gretforu allefj'ng, 
And anon to Redynge robbede and flowe. 
?e king and Alfred ys brofer nome men ynowe, 
Mette hem, and a batayle fmyte vp Aflefdoune. 
er was mony moder chyld, fat fonelay ferdoune. 
?c batayle yUfte vorte ny^t, and fer were aQawe 
Vyf dukes of Denemarch, ar hii wolde wyf drawe, 
And mony foufend of of er men, & fo gonne hii 

to fle -, 
Ac hii adde alle ybc aflend, gyf f e ny^t madde y be. 



Tueye batayles her after in fe fulf jere 

Hii fmyte, and at bofe fe hefene mayftres were." 

fe kyng Aldered fone f o fen wey of def nome, 

As yt vel, f e vyfty jer of ys kynedom. 

At Wymbourne he was ybured, as God gef fat cas, 

fe gode Alfred, ys brofer, after hym kyng was. 



A LFRED, fys noble man, as infejerof grace 
^ he nom 

Eyjte.hondred & fyxty & tuelue fe kynedom. 
Arit he adde at Rome ybe, &, vor ys grete wyfdom, 
fe pope Leon hym bleflede, fo he f uder com, 
And fe kynge's crouneof hys lond, fat in fys lond 

jut ys : 

And he led hym to be kyng, ar he kyng were ywys. 
An he was kyng of Engelond, of alle fat fer come, 
fat vorft f us ylad was of f e pope of Rome, 
An fuff e of er after hym of f e erchebyflbpes echon. 
So fat hyuor hym pore kyng nas fer non. 
In f e Souf fyde of Temefe nyne batayles he nome 
Agen f e Deneys fe vorft ger of ys kynedom. 
Nye Ter he was fus in fys lond in batayle 82 in wo, 
An ofte fybe aboue was, and bynef e oftor mo ; 
So longe, fat hym nere by leuede bote f re fiyren in 

ys hond, 
Hamteflyre, and Wylteflyre, and Somerfete, of al 

ys lond. 

A day as he wery was, and afuoddrynge hym nome 
And ys men were ywend auyfief , Seyn Cutbert to 

hym com. 

" Icham," hefeyde, "'Cutbert, to be ycham ywend 
" To brynge f e gode tytynges. Fram God ycham 

yfend. 
" Vor fat folc of fys lond to fynne her wylle al 

jeue, 

" And jut nolle herto her fynnes byleue 
" foru me & ofer halewen, fat in fys lond were 

ybore ; 
" fan vor gou byddef God, wanne we bef hym 

byuore, 
" Hour Louerd myd ys cyen of milce on fe lokef 

feruore, 
" Andfypoer fe wole jyue ajen, fat fou aft ney 

verlore. 
" And fat fou fer of fof yfe, fou flak abbe 

tokynynge. 

" Vor fym men, fat bef ago to day auyflynge, 
" In lepes & in coufles fo muche vyls hii Ifolde 

hym brynge, 

" fat ech man wondry fial of fo gret cacchynge. 
*' And fe mor vor fe harde vorrte, fat fe water 

yfrore hys, 

" fat be more ajcn f e kunde of vyflynge yt ys. 
" Of (erueyt welajenGoJ, andylefmeys meflager, 
" And fou flail f y wylle abyde, as ycham ytold 

her." 

As 



ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 



As fys kyng herof awoc, and. of fys fyjte fojte, 
Hys'vyiiares come to hym, & fo gret won of fyfs 

hym brojte, 
fat wonder yt was, & namelyche vor f e weder was 

fo colde. 
fo lyuedefe god man vvel, fat Seyn Cutbert adde 

ytold. 

In Deuenyflyre fer after aryuede of Deneys 
f re and tuenty JTypuol men, all ajen fe peys, 
fe kynge's brofer of Denemarch due of oft was. 
Oure kynge's men of Engelond mette hem by cas, 
And fmyte fer an batayle, and her gret due flowe, 
And eyjte hondred & fourty men, & her caronyes 

to drowe. 

fo kyng Alfred hurde fys, ys herte gladede fo, 
fat lond folc to hym come fo f ycke fo yt inygte go, 
Of Somerfcte, of Wyltefiyre, of Hamteflyre ferto, 
Euere as he wende, and of ys owe folc al fo. 
So fat he adde poer ynou, and atte lade hii come, 
And a batayle at Edendone ajen fe Deneys nome. 
And flowe to grounde, & wonne fe mayftre of the 

velde. 

fe kyng & ys grete duke bygonne hem to jelde 
To fe kyng Alfred to ys wylle, and oftages toke, 
Vorto wende out of ys lond, gyf he yt wolde loke ; 
And jut ferto, vor ys loue, to auonge Criftendom. 
Kyng Gurmnnd, fe hexte kyng, vorft fer to come. 
Kyng Alfred ys godfader was. & ybaptyfed ek fer 

were 

f retty of her hexte dukes, and muche of fat folc fere 
Kyng Alfred hem huld wyf hym tuelf dawes as he 

hende, 
And fuffe he jef hem large jyftes, and let hym 

wende. 

Hii, fat nolde Criftyn be, of lande flowe fo, 
And byjonde fee in France dude wel muche wo. 
gut }?e flrewen come a jen, and muche wo here wrojte. 
.Acfekyng Alfredatte lafte to (Tame hem euere brojte. 
Kyng Alfred was fe wyfoft kynj, fat long was 

byuore. 

Vor fey mefegge felawes bef in worre tyme vorlore, 
Nas yt nojt fo hiis daye. vor fey he in worre were, 
Lawes he made ryjtuollore, and ftrengore fan er 

were. 

Clerc he was god ynou, and jut, as me tellef me, 
He was more fan ten jer old, ar he coufe ys abece. 
Ac ys gode moder oite fmale jyftes hym tok, 
Vor to byleue ofer pie, and loky on ys boke. 
So fat by por clergyc ys ryjt lawes he wonde, 
fat neueie cr nere y mad, to gouerny ys lond. 
And vcr f e worre was fo muche of fe lufer Deneys, 
fe men of fys fulue lond were of fc worfe peys. 
And robbede and flowe of ere, feruor he byuonde, 
fat fer were hondredcs in eche contreye of ys lond, 
And in ech toune of fe hondred a tefynge were alfo, 
And fat ech man wyf oute gret lond in tefynge were 

ydo, 
VOL. I. 



And fat ech man knewe ofer fat in tefynge were, 
And wufte fomdel of her flat, jyf me f u vp hem here. 
So flreyt he was, fat fey me ledde amydde weyes 

heye 
Seluer, fat non man ne dorfte yt nyme, fey he yt 

feye. 

Abbeys he rerde mony on, and mony ftudes ywys. 
Ac Wyncheftrye he rerde on, fat nywe munllre 

ycluped ys. 

Hys lyf eyTte and tuenty jer in ys kynedom ylafte. 
After ys def he wos ybured at Wynciieftreatte lafte. 



Sir John Mandeville wrote, as he himfelf informs 
us, in the fourteenth century, and his work, which 
comprifing a relation of many different particulars, 
confequently required the ufe of many words and 
phrafes, may be properly fpecified in this place. 
Of the following quotations, I have chofen the firft, 
becaule it fliows, in fome meafure, the ftate of Eu- 
ropean fcience as well as of the Englifh tongue j and 
the fecond, becaufe it is valuable for the force of 
thought and beauty of exprefllon. 

TN that lond, ne in many othere bezonde that, 
no man may fee the fterre tranfmontane, that 
is clept the fterre of the fee, that is unmevable, 
and that is toward the Northe, that we clepen 
the lode fterre. But men feen another fterre, the 
contrarie to him, that is toward the Southe, that 
is clept Antartyk. And right as the fchip men 
taken here avys here, and governe hem be the lode 
fterre, right fo don fchip men bezonde the parties, 
be the fterre of the Southe, the which fterre ap- 
perethc not to us. And this fterre, that is toward 
the Northe, that wee clepen the lode fterre, ne 
apperethe not to hem. For whiche caufe, men may 
wel perceyve, that the lond and the fee ben of 
rownde fchapp and forme. For the partie of the 
firmament fchewethe in o contree, that ichewethc 
not in another contree. And men may well preven 
be experience and fotyle compaflement of wytt, that 
zif a man fond paflages be fchippes, that wolde go 
to ferchen the world, men myghte go be fchippe 
alle aboute the world, and aboven and benethen. 
The whiche thing I prove thus, aftre that J have 
feyn. For I have been toward the parties of Bra- 
ban, and beholden the Artrolabre, that the fterre 
that is clept the tninfmontayne, is 53 degrees highe. 
And more forthere in Almayne and Bewme, it 
hathe 58 degrees. And more forthe toward the 
parties leptemtrioneles, it is 62 degrees of hcghte, 
and certyn mynutes. For 1 my felf have mefured 
it by the Aftrolabre. No'/ fchulle.ze knowe, that 
azcn the Tranlmontaync, is the tother fterre, that 
is clept Antanyke-, as I have feyd before. And 
tho 2 fterres ne mecven neverc. And be hem 
f turneth? 



THE HISTORY OF THE 



turnethe alle the firmamenr, righte as dothe a wheel, 
that turnethe be his axille tree: fo that tho fterres 
beren the firmament in 2 egalle parties; fo that it 
h.ithe als mochel aboven, as it hath benethen. Afire 
this, I hsve gon toward the parties meridionales, 
that is toward the Southe : and I have founden, 
that in Lybye, men feen firft the fterre Antartyk. 
And !b fer I have gon more in tho contrees, that I 
have founde that fterre more highe ; fo that to- 
ward the highe Lybye, it is 1 8 degrees of hcghte, 
and ctrteyn rtiinutes (of the whiche, 60 minutes 
maken a degree) after goynge be fee and be londe, 
toward this contree,'of that I have fpoke, and to 
other yles and londes bezonde that concree, I have 
founden the fterre Antartyk of 33 degrees of 
heghte, and mo mynutes. And zif I hadde had 
companye and fchippynge, for to go more bezonde, 
I trowe wel in certyn, that wee fcholde have feen 
alle the roundnefle of the firmament alle aboute. 
For as I have feyd zou be forn, the half of the 
firmament is betwene tho 2 fterres : the whiche 
halfondelle I have feyn. And of the other halron- 
delle, I have feyn toward the Northe, undre the 
Tranfmontane 62 degrees and 10 mynutes; and 
toward the partie meridionalle, I have feen undre 
the Antartyk 33 degrees and 16 mynutes : and 
thanne the halfondelle of the firmament in alle, ne 
holdethe not but 180 degrees. And of tho 180, I 
have feen 62 on that o parr, and 33 on that other 
part, that ben 95 degrees, and nyghe the halfondelle 
of a dearee ; and fo there ne faylethe but that I 
have teen alle the firmament, faf 84 degrees and 
the halfondelle of a degree ; and that is not the 
fourthe part of the firmament. For the 4 partie of 
the roundnefle of the firmament holt 90 degrees : 
fo there faylethe but 5 degrees and an half, of the 
fourthe partie. And a!fo I have leen the 3 parties 
of alle the roundntffe of the firmament, and more 
zit 5 degrees and an half. Be the whiche I feye 
zou certrynly, that men may envirowne alle the 
erthe of alie the world, as wel undre as aboven, 
and turnen azcn to his contree, that hadde com- 
panye and fchippynge and conduyt: and alle weyes 
he fcholde fynde men, londes, and yles, als wel as 
in this contree. For zee wyten welle, that ihei 
that ben toward the Antartyk, thei ben ftreghte, 
feet azen feet of hem, that dwellen undre the Tranf- 
montane ; als wel as wee and thci that dwellyn 
undre us, ben feet azenft feet. For al!e the parties 
of Ice and of lond han here appofuees, habitables 
or trepiffibles, and thei of this half and bezond 
half. And wytethe wel, that afire that, th.it I 
may parceyve and comprehende, the londes of 
Freftre John, emperour of Ynde ben undre us. 
For in goynge from Scotlonu or from b.nglond to- 
ward Jc-rufalem, men gon upward alweys. For 
cure lond is in tlitc- lowe pattic of the tribe, toward 



the Weft: and the lond of Preftre John is the lov/e 
partie of the erthe, toward the Eft : and thei han 
there the day, whan wee have the nyghte, and alfo 
highe to the contrarie, thei han the nyghte, whan 
wee ban the day. For the erthe and the fee ben of 
round forme and fchapp, as I have feyd beforn-. 
And than that men gon upward to o coft, men gon 
dounward to another coft. Alfo zee have herd me 
feye, that Jerufalem is in the myddes of the world; 
and that may men preven and Ichewen there, be a 
fpere, that is pighte in to the erthe, upon the hour 
of mydday, whan it is equenoxium, that fchewethe 
no fchadwe on no fyde. And that it fcholde ben, 
in the myddes of the world, David wytnefifethe it 
in the Pfautre, where he feythe, Deus operatus eft 
falute in medio terre. Thanne thei that parten fro 
the parties of the Weft, for to go toward Jerufa- 
lem, als many iorneyes as thei gon upward for to 
go thidre, in als many iorneyes may, thei gon fra 
Jerufalem, unto other confynyes of thefuperficialtie 
of the erthe bezonde. And whan men gon bezonde 
tho iourneyes, towarde Ynde and to the foreyn yles, 
alle is envyronynge the roundneffe of the erthe and 
of the fee, undre oure contrees on this half. And 
therfore hathe it befallen many tymes of o thing, 
that I have herd cownted, whan I was zong ; how 
a worthi man departed fometyme from oure con- 
trees, for togoferche the world. And fo he pafied 
Ynde, and the yles bezonde Ynde, where ben mo 
than 5000 yles : and fo longe he wente be fee and 
lond, and fo enviround the world be many feyfons,. 
that he fond an yle, where he herde fpeke his owne 
langage, callynge on oxen in the p!ow;he, fuche 
wordes as men fpeken to beftes in his own contree: 
whereof he hadde gret mervayle: for he knewe 
not how it myghte be. But I feye, that he had 
gon fo longe, .be londe and be fee, that he hail 
envyround alle the erthe, that he was comen azet\ 
cnvirounynge, that is to feye, goynge aboute, un- 
to his pwne marches, zif he wolde have pafled 
forthe, til he had founden his contree and his owne 
knouleche. But he turned azen from thens, from 
whens he was come fro ; and fo he lofte moche, 
peynefulle labour, as him felf leyde, a gret while 
aftre, that he was comen horn. For it- befclle aftre, 
that he wente in to Norweye; and there tempett of 
the fee toke him; and he arryved in an yle; and 
whan he was in that yle, he knew wel, that it was 
the yle, where he had herd fpeke his owne lan- 
gage before, and the callynge of the oxen at the 
plowghe : and that was poflible thinge. But how 
it femethe to fymple men unlerned, that men n& 
mowe not go ur.cire the erthe, and alfo that men 
icholde falle towarde the hcvene, from undre ! But 
that n^ay not be, upon lefie, than wee mowe f.iile 
toward hevene, fro the erthe, where wee ben. For 
Iro what partie of the erthe, that men du.MIe, 

outher 



ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 



outher aboven or benethen, it femethe alweyes to 
hem that duellen, that thei gon more righte than 
ony other folk. And righte as it femethe to us, 
that thti ben undre us, righte fo it femethe hem, 
that wee ben undre hem. For zif a man myghte 
falie fro the erthe unto the firmament; be grettere 
rdbun, the erthe and the fee, that ben fo grete and 
fo hevy, fcholde fallen to the firmament: but that 
may not be: and therfore feithe cure Lord God, 
Non timeas me, qui fufpcndi terra ex nichilo? And 
alle be it, that it be pofiible thing, that men may 
fo envyronne al!e the world, natheles of a 1000 
perfones, on ne myghte not happen to returnen in 
to his contree. For, for the gremefie ot the erthe 
and of the fee, men may go be a 1000 and- a 1000 
other weyes, that no man cowde reyde him perfmly 
toward the parties that he cam fro, but zif it were 
be aventure and happ, or be the grace of God. 
For the erthe is fulle large and fulle gret, and holt 
in roundnefie and aboute envyroun, be aboven and 
be benethen 20425 myles, aftre the opynyoun of 
the old wife aftronomeres. And here feyenges I 
repreve noughte. But afcre my lytylle wyt, it 
femethe me, favynge here reverence, that it is 
more. And for to have bettere underftondynge, I 
fcye thus, be ther ymagyned a figure, that hathe a 
gret compas; and aboute the poynt of the gret 
compas, that is clept the centre, be made another 
litille compas: than aftre, be the gret compafs cle- 
vifed be lines in manye parties j and that alle the 
lynes meeten at the centre ; fo that in as many 
parries, as the grete compas fchal be departed, 
in als manye, fchalle be departed the litille, that 
is aboute the centre, alle be it, that the fpaces 
ben kfle. Now thanne, be the gret compas repre- 
fented for the firmament, and the litille cornpas 
represented for the erthe. Now thanne the firma- 
ment is devyied, be aftronomeres, in 12 fignes ; 
and every figne is devyfed in 30 degrees, that is 
360 degrees, that the firmament hathe aboven. 
Alf, be the erthe devyfed in als many parties, as 
the firmament-, and let every partye anfwere to a 
degree of the firmament: and wytethe it wel, that 
aftre the au&oures of aftronomye, 700 furlonges of 
erthe anfweren to a degree of the firmament i and 
tho ben 87 miles and 4 furlonges. Now be that 
here multipiyed be 360 fuhes; and then thei ben 
315000 myles, every of 8 furlonges, aftre myles of 
oure contree. So moche hathe the erthe in round- 
neffi-, and of heghte enviroun, aftre myn opynyoun 
and myn undirftondynge. And zee Ichulieundir- 
ftonde, that aftre the opynyoun of olde wife philofo- 
phres and aftronomeres, oure contree ne Irelond ne 
Wales ne Scotlond ne Norweye ne the other yles 



codynge to hem, ne ben not in the fuperficyalte 
cownted aboven the erthe; as it fchewethe be alle 
the bokes of aftronomye. For the fuperficialtee of 
the erthe is departed in 7 parties, for the 7 planetes: 
and tho parties ben clept cly mares. And oure par- 
ties be not of the 7~clymates: for thei ben defcend- 
ynge toward the Weft. And alfo thofe yles of 
Ynde, which beth evene azenft us, beth noghc 
reckned in the clymates : for thei ben azenft us, 
that ben in the lowe contree. And the 7 clymates 
ftrecchen hem envyrounynge the world. 

II. And I John Maundevylte knyghteabovefeyd, 
(alle thoughe I be unworthi) that departed from 
ouie contrees and patted the fee, the zeer of grace 
1322. that have pafied manye londes and manye 
yles and contrees, and cerched manye fulle ftraunge 
places, and have ben in many a fulle gode ho- 
nourable companye, and at many a faire dede of 
armes, (alle be it that 1 elide none mylelf, for myn 
unable infuffiftnce) now I am comen horn (mawgree 
my lelf) to refte : for gowces, artetykes, that me 
diftreynen, tho dirTynen the ende of my labour, 
azenft my wille (God knowethe.) And thus tak- 
ynge folace in my wrecched rcfte, rccordynge the 
tyme patted, I have fulfilled tlieife thingcs and 
putte hem wryten in this boke, as it wolde come 
in to my mynde, the zeer of grace 1356 in the 34 
zeer that I departede from oure contrees. Wher- 
fore I preye to alle the redcres and hereres of tnis 
boke, zif it plcfe hem, that thei wolde preyen to 
God for me : and I fchalle preye for hem. And 
alle tho that feyn for me a. Pater nofter, with an 
Ave Maria, that God forzeve me my fynncs, I 
make hem partneres and graunte hem part of alle 
the gode pilgrymages and of alle the gode dedes, 
that I have don, zif ony be to his p!dance : and 
noghte only of tho, but of alle that evere I fchalle 
do unto my lyfes ende. And. I befeche Almyghty 
God, fro whom alle godentfle and grace comcthe 
fro, that he vouchefaf, of his excellent mercy and 
habundant grace, to fulle fyUe hire foules with infpi- 
racioun of theHolyGoft, in makynge defence of alle 
hire goftly enemyes here in erthf , to hire falvacioun, 
botheof body andfoule; toworfchipeandthankynge 
of him, that is three and on, with otiten begynnyngc 
and withouten endynge; that is, with outen qua- 
Htee, good, and with outen quantytee, gret ; that 
in alle places is prefent, and alle thinges contenyn- 
ynge , the whiche that no goodneffe may amende, 
ne non evelle empeyre; that in perfeyte trynytee 
lyvethe and regtiethe God, be alle worldes and be 
alle tymes. Amen, Amen, Amen. 



The 



THE HISTORY OF THE 



The firft of our authours, who can be properly 
&id to have written Englijb, was Sir John Cower, 
who, in his Confeffion of a Lover, calls Chaucer his dif- 
ciplc, and may therefore be confidercd as the father 
of our poetry. 



for to fpeke of the commune, 
It is to drede of that fortune, 
Whiche hath befalle in fondrye londcs: 
But ofte for dcfaute of bondes 
All fodeinly, er it be wift, 
A tunne, when his lie arift 
Tobreketh, and renneth all aboute, 
WhKhe els fhulde nought gone out. 

And eke full ofte a littell fkare 
Vpon a banke, er men be ware, 
Let in the ftreme, whiche with gret peine, 
If any man it mall rcftreine. 
Where lawe faillcth, errour groweth. 
He is not wile, who that nc troweth, 
For it hath proued oft er this. 
And thus the common clamour is 
In euery londe, where people dwelleth: 
And eche in his complainte telleth, 
How that the worlde is mifwent, 
And thervpon his argument 
Yeueth euery man in fondrie wife: 
But what man wolde him felfe auife 
His confcience, and nought mifufe, 
He maie well at the firft excufe 
His god, whiche euer ftant in one, 
In him there is defaute none 
So muft it (land vpon vs felue, 
Nought only vpon ten ne twelue, 
But plenarly vpon vs all. 
For man is caufe of that fliall fall. 



CHAUCER. 

ALAS! I wepyng am conftrained to begin verfe 
** of forowfull matter, that whilom in florilhyng 
ftudie made delitable ditees. For lo ! rendyng 
mufes of a Poetes editen to me thinges to be 
writcn, and drerie teres. At lafte no drede ne 
might overcame tho mules, that thci ne werren fei- 
Jowes, and foloweden my wate, that is to faie, 
when I was exiled, thei that weren of my youth 
whilom wclfull and grene, comforten now forow- 
full weirdes of me olde man : for elde is comen 
unwarely upon me, hafted by the harmes that I 
have, and forowe hath commaunded his age to be 
in me. Hcres hore arcn (had overtimeliche upon 
my lied : and the flatke fkinne trembleth of mine 
empted bodie. Thilke deth of men is wclefull, 
that he ne cometh not in yeres that be fwete, but 
5 cometh 



The hiftoryof our language is now brought to the 
point at which the hiftory of our poetry is generally 
fuppofed to commence, the time of the illuftrious 
Geoffry Chaucer, who may, perhaps, with great juf- 
tice, be ftiled the firft of our verfifiers who wrote 
poetically. He does not, however, appear to have 
deferved all the praifc which he has received^ or all 
the cenfure that he has fuffered. Dryden, who, 
miftaking genius for learning, in confidence of his 
abilities, ventured to write of what he had not ex- 
amined, afcribes to Chaucer the firft refinement of 
our numbers, the firft production of eafy and natural 
rhymes, and the improvement of our language, by 
words borrowed from the more polifhed languages 
of the continent. Skinner contrarily blames him in 
harfh terms for having vitiated- his native fpeech by 
whole cartloads of foreign words. But he that reads 
the works of Cower will find fmooth numbers and 
eafy rhymes, of which Chaucer is fuppofed to have 
been the inventor, and the French words, whether 
good or bad, of which Chaucer is charged as the 
importer. Some innovations he might probably 
make, like others, in the infancy or our poetry, 
which the paucity of books does not allow us to dif- 
covcr with particular exadnefs ; but the works of 
Cower and Lydgate fufficiently evince, that his dic- 
tion was in general like that of his contemporaries : 
and feme improvements he undoubtedly made by 
the various dilpofitions of his rhymes, and by the 
mixture of different numbers, in which he feerr.s to 
have been happy and judicious. I have felecled 
feveral fpecimens both of his profe and verfe ; and 
among them, part of his tranflation of Boetius, to 
which another verfion, made in the time of queen 
Man, is oppoied. It would be improper to quote 
very f;>aringly an author of fo much reputation, or 
to make very large extracts from a book fo gene- 
rally known. 

C O L V I L E. 

T THAT in tyme of profperite, and floryming 
A ftudye, made- plcalaunte and delectable dities, 
orverfcs: alas now beyng heauy and fad ouer- 
throwen in atinerfi<ie, am compelled to fele and taft 
htuines and greif. Beholde the mufes Poeticall, 
that is to iaye : the pleafure that is in poetes 
verfes, do appoynt me, and compel me to writ 
thei'e verfes in meter, and the forowfull verfes do 
wet my wretched race with very waterye teares, 
yffuinge out of my eyes for forowe. Whiche mufes 
no ieare without doute could ouercome, but that 
they wold folow me in my iourncy of exile or ba- 
nithrnent. Sometyme the ioy,e of happy and lufly 
delectable youth dyd comfort me, and nowe the 
rourfe of forowfull olde age cauieth me to reioyie. 
For hafty old age vnloked for is come vpon me 

with 



ENGLISH 



LANGUAGE. 



cometh to wretches often icleped : Alas, alas ! 
with how defe an ere deth cruell turneth awaie fro 
wretches, and naieth for to clofe wcpyng eyen. 
While fortune unfaithfull favoured me with light 
godes, that forowfull houre, that is to iaie, the 
deth, had almofte ('rente myne hedde : but now 
for fortune cloudie hath chaunged her decevablc 
chere to mewarde, myne unpitous life drawech 
along ungreable dwellynges. O ye my frendes, 
what, or whereto avauntecl ye me to ben welfull ? 
For he that hath fallin, (lode in no ftedfaft degre. 



with al her incommodities and euyls, and forow 
hath commaunded and bronghteme into the fame 
old age, that is to fay : that forowe caufeth me to 
be oide, before my time come of olde age. The 
hoer heares do growe vntimely vpon my heade, 
and my reuiled fkynne trembleth my flefh, cleans 
confumed and watte with forowe. Mannes death 
is happy, that cometh not in youth, when a man 
is luftye, and in plealure or welth: but in time of 
aduerfuie, when it is often defyred. Alas Alas 
how dull and deffe be the eares of cruel death vnto 
men in mifery that would fayne dye : and yet re- 
fufythe to come and fhutte vp theyr carefull wep- 
yng eyes. Whiles that falfe fortune fauoryd me 
with her tranfitorye goodes, then the howre of 
death had almoft ouercome me. That is to fay 
deathe was redy to opprefTe me when I was in pro- 
fperitie. Nowe for by caufe that fortune beynge 
turned, from profperitie into aduerfitie (as the clere 
day is darkyd with cloudes) and hath chaungyd her 
deceyuable countenaunce : my wretched life is yet 
prolonged and doth continue in dolour. O my 
frendes why haue you fo often bofted me, fayinge 
that I was happy when I had honour pofieffions 
riches, and authorise whych be tranfitory thynges. 
He that hath fallen was in no ftedefaft degre. 



T N the mene while, that I (till record thefe thynges 
* with my felf, and marked my wepelie complainte 
with office of poincte!! : I faugh fiondyng aboven 
the hight of myn hed a woman of full grete reve- 
rence, by femblaunt. Her eyen brennyng, and 
clere, feyng over the common might of menne, 
with a lively colour, and with foche vigour and 
ftrength that it ne might not be nempned, all were 
it fo, that fhc were full of fo grete age, that menne 
wouldrn not trowcn in no manere, that fhe were of 
our elde. 

The ftature of her was of dourous Judgemente, 
for fometyme (he conftrained and fhronke her felven, 
like to the common mefure of menne : And fome- 
tyrre it femed, that (he touched the heven with 
the hight of her hedde. And when fhe hove her 
hedde higher, fhe perced the felf heven, fo that the 
fight of menne lokyng was in ydell : her clothes 
wer maked of right delie thredes, and fubtel craft 
of perdurable matter. The whiche clothes fhe had 
woven with her owne handes, as 1 knewe well after 
by her felf declaryng, and fhewyng to me the 
beautie : The whiche clothes a darknefle of a for- 
leten and difpifed eldc had dufked and darked, as 
it is wonte to darke by fmoked Images. 

In the nethereft hemme and border of thefe 
clothes menne redde iwoven therein a Grekifhe A. 
that fignifieth the life adlive, and above that letter, 
in ihe hieft bordure, a Grekifhe C. that fignifieth 
the life contemplatifr. And betwcne thefe two 

VOL. I. letcers 



that I confiderydde pryuylye with 
my felfe the thynges before fayd, and defcry- 
bed my wofull complaynte after the maner and 
offyce of a wrytter, me thought I fawe a woman 
ftand ouer my head of a reuerend countenaunce, 
hauyng quycke and glyftx-ryng clere eye, aboue 
the common forte of men in lyuely and delectable 
coloure, and ful of ftrength, although fhe femed fo 
olde that by no meanes fhe is thought to be one of 
this oure tymc, her ftature is of douteful know- 
ledge, for nowe fhe fhewethe herfelfe at the corn- 
men length or ftatur of men, and other whiles fhe 
femeth fo high, as though Ihe touched heuen with 
the crown of her hed. And when fhe wold ttretch 
fourth her hed hygher, it alfo perced thorough 
heauen, fo that mens fyghte coulde not attaine to 
behold her. Her veftures or cloths were perfyt of 
the finyfte thredes, and fubtyll workemanfhyp, and 
of fubltaunce permanent, whych vefturs fhe had 
wouen with her own hands as I pcrceyued after by 
her owne faiynge. . The kynde or beawtye of the 
whyche veftures, a certayne darkenes or rather ig- 
noraunce of oldenes forgotten hadde obfcuryd and 
darkened, as the fmoke is wont to darken Images 
that ftand nyghe the fmoke. In the lower parte of 
the fa id veftures was read the greke letter P. wouen 
whych fignifyeth practife or aclyffe, and in the 
hygher partc of the veftures the greke letter T. 
whych eftandeth for theorica, that fignifyeth fpecu- 
lacion or contemplation. And betwene both the 
[ g ] 



THE HISTORY' OF THE 



letters there were feen degrees nobly wrought, in 
mancr of ladders, by whiche degrees menne might 
climben from the ncthereft letter to the uuperert: 
nathclefle handes of Ibme men hadden kcrve that 
clothe, by violence or by ftrength, and evcriche 
manne of 'hem had borne awaie ibche peces, as he 
might getten. And forfothe this foriaied woman 
bare fniale bokes in her right hande, and in her left 
hand (he bare a Icepter. And when (lie fawe thefe 
Poeticall mufes approchyng about my bed, and 
endityng wordes to my wtpynges, fhe was a litle 
amoved, and glowed with cruell cyen. Who (qS 
ftie) hath fuffered approchen to this fike manne 
thele commen ftrompettes, of which is the place 
that menne callen Theatre, the whiche onely ne 
afiwagen not his forowes with remedies, but ihei 
would feden and norifhe hym with fvvete venime ? 
Forfothe, that ben tho that with thornes, and 
prickynges of talentesof affeccions, whiche that ben 
nothyng fructuous nor profitable, diftroien tise 
Come, plentuous of fruiites of refon. For thei 
holden hertes of men in ufage, but thei ne deliver 
no folke fro maladie. But if ye mules had with- 
drawen fro me with your flatteries any unconnyng 
and unprofitable manne, as ben wont to finde com- 
menly emong the peple, I would well fuffre the 
lafie grcvoufly. For why, in foche an unprofitable 
man myn ententes were nothyng endamaged. But 
ye withdrowen fro me this man, that hath ben 
nourifhed in my (Indies or fcoles of Eleaticis, and 
of Academicis in Grece. But goeth now rather 
awaie ye Mermaidens, whiche that ben fwete, till 
it be at the laft, and luffreth this man to be cured 
and heled by my mufes, that is to fay, by my note- 
full fciences. And thus this companie of mufes 
iblamed caften wrothly the chere dounward to the 
yerth, and fhewing by rcdnefTe ther fhame, thei 
pafTeden forowfully the threfholde. And I of whom 
the fight piounged in teres was darked, fo that I ne 
might not know what that woman was, of fo Im- 
perial aucthoritie, I woxe all abalhed and ftonied, 
and caft my fight doune to the yerth, and begin 
ftill ibr to abide what fhe would doen afterward. 
Then came fhe nere, and fct'her doune upon ;he 
uttereit corner of my bed, and fhe beholdyng my 
chere, 'hat was caft to the yerth, hevie and grevous 
of wei yng, complained with thele wordes (that I 
(hall fame) the perturbacion of my thought. 



fayd letters were fcne certayne degrees, wrought 
after the maner of ladders, wherein was as it were 
a paflkge or waye in Iteppes or degrees from the 
lower part wher the letter P. was which is vnder- 
ftand from pmclys or aftyf, unto the hygher parts 
wher the letter T. was whych is vnderftand fpecu- 
lacion or contemplacion. Neuertheles the handes 
of fome vyolente perlbnes had cut the faydc veftures 
and had taken awaye certayne pecis thereof, fuch 
as euery one coulde catch. And fhe her felre dyd 
bare in her ryght hand litel bokes, and in her lefte 
hande a fcepter, which forefayd phylofophy (when 
fhe faw the mufes poetycal prefent at my bed, fpck- 
yng forowiull wordes to my wepynges) beyng angry 
fayd (with terrible or frownynge countenaunce) who 
fuffred thefe crafty harlottes to com to thys fycke 
man ? whych can help hym by no means of hys 
griefe by any kind of medicines, but rather increaie 
the fame with fwete poylbn. Thefe be they that 
doo dyftroye the fertile and plentious commodytyes 
of reafon and the fruytes therof wyth their pryck- 
ynge thornes, or barren affecr.es, and accuftome or 
fubdue mens myndes with fickenes, and heuynes, 
and do not delyuer or heale them of the fame. But 
yf your flatterye had conueyed or wythdrawen from 
me, any vnlernyd man as the comen forte of people 
are wonte to be, I coulde haue ben better con- 
tentyd, for in that my worke fhould not be hurt or 
hynderyd. But you haue taken and conueyed 
from me thys man that hath ben broughte vp in the 
ftudyes of Ariftotel and of Plato. But yet get you 
hence maremaids (that feme fwete untyil you haue 
brought a man to deathe) and fuffer me to heale 
thys my man wyth my mu!es or fcyences that be 
hollbme and good. And after that philoibphy had 
fpoken thefe wordes the fayd companyeof the rmifys 
poeticall beyng rebukyd and fad, cafte down their 
countenaunce to the grounde, and by blufTyng con- 
fefTed their fhamfaftnes, and went out of the dores. 
But I (that had my fyght dull and blynd wyth 
wepyng, fo that I knew not what woman this was 
hauing foo great auc~thomie) was amafyd or afto- 
nyed,and lokyng downeward, towarde ihe grounde, 
I began pryvylye to look what ihyng fhe would 
faye ferther, then fhe had laid. Then fhe ap- 
proching and drawynge nere vnto me, fat downe 
vpon the vftermoft part of my bed, and lokyng 
vpon my face fad with weping, and dcclynyd 
toward the earth for Ibrow, bewayled the trouble of 
my minde wyth thdt layinges folowynge. 



The 



ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 



The conclufions of the ASTROLABIE. 

This book (written to his fon in the year of our 
Lord 1391, =md in the 14 of King Richard II.) 
ftandeth fo good at this day, efpecially for the 
horizon of Oxford, as in the opinion of the 
learned it cannot be amended, fays an Edit, of 
Chaucer. 

LYTEL Lowys my fonne, I perceve well by 
certaine evidences thyne abylyte to lerne fcy- 
ences, touching nombres and proporcions, and 
alfo well coniydre I thy bcfye prayer in efpecyal 
to lerne the tretyfe of the aftrolabye. Than for 
as inoche as a philofopher faithe, he wrapeth hym 
in his frende, that condi'cendeth to the ryght- 
full prayers of his frende : therfore I have given 
the a fufficient aftrolabye for oure orizont, com- 
powned after the latitude of Oxenforde : upon the 
whiche by mediacion of this lytell tretife, I pur- 
p;jfe to teche the a certaine nombre of conclufions, 
pertainynge to this fame inftrumcnt. 1 fay a cer- 
taine nombre of conclufions for thre caufes, tlve 
firft cauie is this. Trufte wel that al the conclufions 
that have be founden, or ells poffiblye might be 
founde in fo noble an inftrument as in the aftro- 
labye, ben unknowen perfitely to anye mortal man 
in this region, as I fuppofe. Another caufe . 
this, that fothely in any cartes of the aftrolabye 
that I have yfene, ther ben fome conclufions, that 
wol not in al thinges perfourme ther beheftes: and 
fome of 'hern ben to harde to thy tender age of 
ten yere to conceve. This tretife divided in five 
partes, wil 1 fhewe the wondir -light rules and 
naked wordes in Englifhe, for Latine ne canft 
thou nat yet but fmale, my litel fonne. But ne- 
verthcleffe fuffifeth to the thefe trewe conclufyons 
in Englifhe, as wel as fuffifeth to thefe noble 
clerkes grekes theie fame conclufyons in greke, 
and to the Arabines in Arabike, and to Jewes 
in Hebrewe, and to the Latin folke in Latyn: 
whiche Latyn folke had 'hem firfte out of other di- 
vers langa^es, and write 'hem in ther owne tonge, 
that is to laine in Latine. 

And God wote that in all thefe langages and in 
manyc mo, have thefe conclufyons ben fufficientlye 
lerned and taug-n, and yet by divers rules, right 
as divers pathes leden divers folke the right waye 
to Rome. 

Now wol I pray mekely every perfon difcrete, 
that redeth or hcreth this lityl tretife to have my 
rude ententing excufed, and my fuperfluite of 
wordes, for two caufes. The firft caufe is, for 
that curious endityng and harde fentences is ful 
hevy at ones, for loch a childe to lerne. And the 
feconde caufe is ihis, that fothely me femeth better 
to writen unto a childe twife a gode fentence, than 

5 



he foriete it ones. And, Lowis, if it be fo that I 
fhewe the in my lith Englifhe, as trew conclu- 
fions touching this mater, and not only as trewe 
but as many and fubtil conclufions as ben yfhewed 
in latin, in any comon tretife of the aftrolabye, 
conne me the more thanke, and praye God fave the 
kinge, thaj is lorde of this langage, and all that 
him faith bereth, and obeieth everiche in his de- 
gree, the more and the laffe. But confydredi 
well, tha,t I ne ufurpe not to have founden this 
werke of my labour or of myne engin. I n'ame 
but a leude compilatour of the laboure of olde 
aflrologiens, and have it tranflated in myn englifhe 
onely for thy dodlrine : and with this fwerde fhal 
I flene envy. 

The firft party. 

The firft partye of this tretife fhal reherce the 
figures, and the membres of thyne aftrolaby, by- 
caufe that thou fhalte have the greter knowinge of 
thine owne inftrument. 

The feconde party. 

Th feconde partye fhal teche the to werken the 
very praftike of the forefai.1 conclufidns, as fer- 
forche and alfo narowe as may be fnewed in fo 
fmale an inftrument portatife aboute. Fur wel 
wote every aftrologien, thai, .fmalleft fractions ne 
wol not be fhewe 1 in fo irrul an inftrument,, as in 
fubtil tables cacuisd for a caufe. 



The PROLOGUE of the TESTAMENT of LOVE. 

l 

"JV/TANY men there ben, that with eres openly 
^-*- fprad fo moche fwalowen the delicioufneffe of 
jeftes and of ryme, by queint knittinge coloures, 
that of the godeneffe or of the badneffe of the fen- 
tence take they Jitel hede or els none. 

Sothelye dulle witte and a thoughtfulle foule fo 
fore have mined and graffed in my fpirites, that 
foche craft of enditinge woll nat ben of mine 
acquaintaunce. And for rude wordes and boiftous 
percen the herte of the herer to the inreft point, and 
planten there the fentence of thinges, fo that with 
litel helpe it is able to fpring, this boke, that no- 
thynge hath of the grete fiode of wytte, ne of 
femelyche colours, is dolven with rude wordes and 
boiftous, and fo drawe togiSer to maken (he catch- 
ers therof ben the more redy to hent fentence. 

Some men there ben, that painten wirh colours 
riche arid fome with wers, as with red inke, and 
fome with coles and chalke : and yet is there gode 
matter to the leude peple of thylke chalkye pur- 
treyture, as 'hem thinketh for the time, and after- 
ward 



THE HISTORY OF THE 



ward the fyght of the better colours yeven to 'hem 
more joye for the firft leudnefle. So fothly this 
leude clowdy occupacyon is not to prayfe, but by 
the leude, for comenly leude leudenefie commend- 
eth. Eke it fhal yeve fight that other precyous 
thynges (hall be the more in reverence. In Latin 
and French hath many foveraine wittes had grete 
delyte to endite, and have many noble thinges ful- 
filde, but certes there ben fome that fpeken ther 
poifye mater in Frenche, of whiche fpeche the 
Frenche men have as gode a fantafye as we 
have in heryng of Frenche mens Englifhe. And 
many termes there ben in Englyfhe, whiche 
unneth we Englifhe men connen declare the 
knowleginge : howe fliould than a Frenche man 
borne ? loche termes connejumpere in his matter, 
but as the jay chatereth Englifhe. Right fo truely 
the underftandyn of tnglifhmen woll not ftretche 
to the privie termes in Frenche, what fo ever we 
boften of ftraunge langage. Let then clerkes en- 
diten in Latin, for they have the propertie of 
fcience, and the knowinge in that facultie: and 
lette Frenche men in ther Frenche alfo enditen ther 
queint termes, for it Js Jcyndcly to ther mouthes ; 
and let us fhewe our fantafies in fuch wordes as we 
lerneden of our dame's tonge. And although this 
boke be lytel thank worthy for the leudnefie in 
travaile, yet loch writing exiten men to thilke 
thinges that ben necefiarie; for every man therby 
may as by a perpetual myrrour fene the vices or ver- 
tues of other, in whyche thynge lightly may be 
conceved to efchue perils, and necefTaries to catch, 
after as aventures have fallen to other peple or 
perfons. 

Certes the foverainft thinge of defire and mod 
creture refonable, have or els fhuld have full ap- 
petite to ther perfeccyon : unrefonable beftes 
mowen not, lithe rclbn hath in 'hem no workinge : 
than relonablc that wol not, is companioned to un- 
refonable, and made lyke 'hem. Forfothe the moll 
foveraine and finall perfeccion of man is in know- 
ynge of a fothe, withouten any entent decevable, 
and in love or. one very God, that is inchaungeable, 
ihat is to knowe, and love his creator. 

Nowe principally the mene to brynge in know- 
leging and lovynge his creatour, is the confidera- 
<yon of thynges made by the creatour, wher through 
by thylke thinges that ben made, underltandynge 
here to our wyttes, arne the unlene pryvities of 
God made to us fyghtfull and knowinge, in our 
contemplacion and underftondinge. Tueie thinges 
than forfothe moche bringen us to the ful know- 
leginge lot he, and to the parfyte love of the maker 
ot luvenly thynges. Lo! David faith: thou hade 
dclittd me in makinge 3 as who faith, to have delice 
in the tune how God hat lent me in confideracion 
of thy makingc. Wherof Ariftotle in the boke 



de Animalibus, faith to naturell philofophers: it is 
a grete likynge in love of knowinge ther cretoure: 
and allo in knowinge of caufes in kindelye thynges, 
confidrid forfothe the formes of kindelye thinges 
and the map, a gret kyndely love we fhulde have 
to the werkman that 'hem made. The crafte of a 
werkman is fhewed in the werk. Herefore trulie 
the philofopliers with a lyvely ftudie manic noble 
thinges, righte precious, and worthy to memorye, 
writen, and by a gret fwet and travaille to us leften 
of caufes the properties in natures of thinges, to 
whiche therfore philofophers it was more joy, more 
lykinge, mere herty luft in kindely vertues and 
matters of refon the perfeccion by bufy ftudy to 
knowe, than to have had all the trefour, al the 
richefTe, al the value glory, that the pafled empe- 
rours, princes, or kinges hadden. Therfore the 
names of 'hem in the boke of perpetuall memorie 
in vertue and pece arne writen ; and in the con- 
trarie, that is to faine, in Styxe the foule pitte of 
helle arne thilke preffed that foch godenes hated. 
And bicaufe this boke fhall be of love, and the, 
prime caufes of ftering in that doinge with paf- 
fions and diiefes for wantinge of defire, I wil that 
this boke be cleped the teftament of love. 

But nowe thou reder, who is thilke that wilt not 
in fcorne laughe, to here a dwarfe or els halfe a 
man, fay he will rende out the fwerde of Hercules 
handes, and alfo he fhulde fet Hercules G.ides a 
mile yet ferther, and over that he had power of 
ftrengch to pull up the fpere, that Alifander the 
noble might never wagge, and that pafimge al 
thinge to ben mayfter of Fraunce by might, there 
as the noble gracious 1'dwarde the thirde for al his 
grete prowefTe in victories nc might al yet conquere? 
Certes I wote well, ther fnall be made more 
fcorne and jape of me, that I fo unworthely clothed 
altogither in the cloudie cloude of unconning, wil 
putten me in prees to Ipeke of love, or els of the 
caufes in that matter, fuhen al the grettefl clerkes 
han had- ynough to don, and as who faith gathered 
up clene loforne 'hem, and with ther lharp fithes of 
conning al mowen and made therof grete rekes and 
noble, tul of al plenties to fede me and many an 
other. Envye forfothe cornmendeth noughte his 
relon, that he hath in hain, be it never fo trulty. 
And although thefe noble repers, as gode work- 
men and worthy ther liier, han al draw ami bounde 
up in the Iheves, and made many fhockes, yet have 
1 enfample to ga'Ser the fmale crommes, and fullin 
ma walet of tho that fallen from the bourde among 
the fmalle houndes, notwithstanding the travaile of 
the almoigner, that hach draw up in the cloth al 
the remiff.tilcs, as trenchours, and the relele to 
bere to the almefle. Yet alfo have I levc of the 
noble hufbande Boece, although I be a llraunger 
of conninge to come after his doctrine, and thefe 

grete 



ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 



grete workmen, and glene my handfuls of the 
fhedynge after ther handes, and yf me faile ought 
of my ful, to encrefe my porcion with that I fhal 
drawe by privy ties out of fhockes; a flye fervaunte 
in his owne helpe is often moche commended ; 
knowynge of trouthe in caufes of thynges, was 
more hardier in ttoe firfte fechers, and Ib fayth 
Ariftotle, and lighter in us that han folowed after. 
For ther parting ftudy han frelhed our wittes, and 
cure underftandynge han excited in confideracion 
of trouth by fharpenes of ther reibns. Utterly 
thele thingcs be no dremes ne japes, to throwe to 
hogges, it is lifelych mete for children of trouth, 
and as they me betiden whan I pilgramed out of 
my kith in wintere, whan the wether out of mefure 
was bo'iftous, and the wyld wynd Boreas, as his 
kind afketh, with dryinge coldes maked the wawes 
of the ocean fe Ib to arife unkindely over the com- 
mune bankes that it was in point to fpill all the 
erthe. 

The PROLOGUES of the CANTERBURY TALES of 
CHAUCER, from the MSS. 

\X7HEN that Aprilis with his (houris fote, 
* " The drought of March had percid to the rote, 
And bathid every veyn in fuch licour, 
Of which vertue engendrid is the flour. 
When Zephyrus eke, with his fwete breth 
Enfpirid hath, in every holt and heth 
The tender croppis ; and that the yong Sunn 
Hath in the Ramm his halve cours yrunn : 
And fmale foul is makin melodye, 
That flepin alle night with opin eye, 
(So prickith them nature in ther corage) 
Then longin folk to go on pilgrimage : 
And palmers for to fekin ftrange ftrondes, 
To fervin hallowes couth in fondry londes: 
And fpecially fro every fhir'is end 
Of England, to Canterbury they wend, 
The holy blisfull martyr for to feke, 
That them hath holpin, whan that they were fcke. 

Befell that in that iefon on a day 
In Southwerk at the Tabberd as I lay, 
Redy to wendin on my pilgrimage 
To Canterbury, with devote corage, 
At night wer come into that hoftery 
Wele nine and twenty in a cumpany 
Of lundrie folk, by aventure yfall 
In felaftiip ; and pilgrimes wer they all: 
That toward Canterbury wouldin ride. 

The chambers and the ftablis werin widr, 
And well we werin efid at the beft : 
And fhortly whan the funne was to reft, 
So had I fpokin with them everych one, 
Thar i was o f ther felafhip anonej 

VOL. I. 



And made forward erli for to rife, 

To take our weye, ther as I did devife. 

But nathlefs while that I have time and fpace, 
Er' that I farther in this tale pace, 
Methinkith it accordaunt to refon, 
To tell you alle the condition 
Of ech of them, fo as it femid me, 
And which they werin, and of what degree, 
And eke in what array that they wer in : 
And at a knight then woll I firft begin. 

The KNIGHT. 

A knight ther was, and that a worthy man, 
That fro the time that he firft began 
To ridin out, he lovid Chevalrie, 
Trouth and honour, fredome and curtefy. 
Full worthy was he in his lordis werre, 
And thereto had he riddin nane more ferre 
As well in Chriftendom, as in Hethnels j 
And evyr honoured for his worthinefs. 

At Aleflandre' he was whan it was won j 
Full oft timis he had the bord begon 
Abovin alle naciouns in Pruce ; 
In Lettow had he riddin, and in Luce, 
No Chriften-man fo oft of his degree 
In Granada ; in the fege had he be 
Of Algezir, and ridd in Belmary ; 
At Leyis war he, and at Sataly, 
Whan that they wer won ; and in the grete fee 
At many'a noble army had he be : 
At mortal battails had he ben fiftene, 
And foughtin for our feith at Tramefene, 
In liftis thrys, and alwey flein his fo. 

This ilke worthy knight hath ben alib 
Sometimis with the lord of Palathy, 
Ayens anothir hethin in Turky ; 
And evirmore he had a fov'rane prize ; 
And though that he was worthy, he was wife 5 
And of his port as mtke as is a maid, 
He nevir yet no villany ne faid 
In all his life unto no manner wight: 
He was a very parfit gentil knight. 
But for to tellin you of his array, 
His hors wer good ; but he was nothing gay ; 
Of fuftian he wend a gipon, 
Alle beimottrid with his haburgeon. 
For he was late ycome from his viage, 
And wente for to do his pilgrimage. 

The HOUSE of FAME. 
The Firft Eoke. 

VT O W herken, as I have you faied, 
** What that I mette or I abraied, 
Of December the tenith daie, 
When it was night, to flepe 1 laie, 



Right 



THE HISTORY OF THE 



Right as I was wontc for to ik.cn, 
And fill aflcpc wondir lone, 
As he that was weiic forgo 
On pilgrimage milis two 
To the corps of fair.c~r. Leonard?, 
To makin lith that erll was harde. 

But as me Qept me mate I was 
Within a temple' imadc of glas, 
In \vhiche there wain mo imac 
Of golde, ftandyng in fondrie llagcs, 
Sctte in mo richc tabirnacles, 
And with perre mo pinnacles, 
And mo curious portraituris, 
And queint manir of figuris 
Of goldc work? , then 1 fa we evir. 

But certainly 1 n'ift nevir 
\Vherc that it was, but well wift I 
I: was of Venus redily 
This temple, for in purtrciturc 
1 fawe anone right her figure 
Nakid ytlctyng in a fe, 
And allb on her hedde parde 
Her rofy garland white and redde, 
And her combe for to kern be her hcdde, 
Her dovis, and Dan Cupido 
1 Icr blinde fonne, and Yulcano, 
That in his face ywas full broune. 

But as I romid up and doune, 
I founde that on the wall there was 
Thus writtin on a table* of bras. 
I woll now fyng, if that I can, 
The armi-s and allb the man, 
That firtl came through his deftine 
Fugitife fro Troye the countre 
Into Itaile, with full moche pine, 
Unto the ftrondis of Lavine, 
And tho began the ftoric' anone, 
As I (hall tellin you echone. 

Firrt fawc I the duUuccion 
Of Troie, thorough the Grekc Sinon, 
With his faffe untrue forfwcrynges, 
And with his chere and his lefynges, 
That made a horte, brought into T: 
By whichc Trojans loftc all their jo\ 

And aftir this was graved, alas ! 
How Ilions caltill aflailed was 
And won, and kyng Priamus flain, 
And Polites his ior.re certain, 
Difpitoufly of Dan Pyrrhus. 

>1 next that fawe I howe Venus, 

.en that flic fawe the caftill brende, 
Doune from hevin (he gan difccnde, 
And bade her fonne ^Encas He, 
And how be fied, and how that he 



Efcapid was from all the pre?, 
And toke his fathre', old Anchifes, 
And bare hym on his backc awaie, 
Crying alas and welawaie ! 
The whiche Anchifes in his hande, 
Bare tho the goddis of the lande 
1 mene thilke that unbrennid were. 

Then fawe I nexc th.it all in fere 
How Creufa, P * ue, 

"Whom that he lovid ail his life, 
And her yong fonne c'.epid Julo, 
And eke Afcanius allb, 
Fleddin eke, with full drerie cherc, 
That it was pite for to here, 
And in a foreft as thei went 
How at a tournyng of a went 
Creufa was iloite, ah- ! 
That rede not I, how that it was 
How he her fought, and how her ghofte 
Bad hym to flic the Grekis hofte, 
And faied he muft into Itaile, 
As was his deftinie, fauns faile, 
That it was pitie for to here, 
\Vhen that her fpirite gan appere, 
The wordis that me to hym laied, 
And for to kepc her fonne hym prated. 

There fawe I gravin eke how he 
His fathir eke, and his meine 
With his Ihippis be ;ile 

Toward the countrey of It-iile, 
As llreight as ere thei mightin D 

There fawe I eke the, cruill Juno, 
That art Dan Jupiter his wife, 
That hsft ihated all thy life 
Merciiefs all the Trojan blode, 
Rennin and crie as thou were wodc 
On /Eolus, the god of windes, 
To blowin out of alie kindes 
So loude, that he mould yJrenclve 
Lordc, and ladie, and grome, and wcnchc 
Of all the Trojanis nacion, 

' of their falvacioru 

There fawe 1 foche tempetl arife v 
Th. herte might agrile, 

To fe it paintid on the wall. 

There Javxc . .a'l, 

Venus, how ye, my .:e, 

pyng with full wofull cherc 
Yprayid Jupiter on hie, 

ivc and kepin that navie 
Of that dere Trojan JEne.\s, 
Sithins that he your fonne yv 



Code 



ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 



Gode counfaile of CHAUCER. 

in L I E fro the prcfe and dwell with fothfaftnefle, 

Suffife unto the gode though it he final!, 
For horde hath hate, and climbyng tilcilnelTr, 
Puce hath cnvie, and wele it brent oer all, 
our no more*hen the behovin mall, 
Kc-de well thy to If, that othir folke canfl rede, 
And trouthe the (hall delivir it 'is no drede. 
Paine the not eche crokid to rcdrefle, 

In trull of her that tournith as a balle, 
Crete reft ft.mdith in litil bulinefie, 
Beware allo to fpurne again a nalle, 
Strive not as doith a crocke with a walle, 
Demith thy felf that derr.ill othir's dcdr, 
And trouthe the fhall deliver it 'is no drede. 
That the is lent receve in buxomenefll- ; 

The wralllyng of this worlds aikith a fall ; 
Here is no home, here is but wildirneflV, 

Fc.r.he pilgrim, forthe o bell out of thy flail, 
Loke up on high, and thanke thy God of all, 
\Veivith thy lufte and let thy gholl the lede, 
And trouthe the (hall delivir, it 'is no drede. 



Balade of the village without paintyng. 

npIUS wretchid world'is tranfmutacion 
* As wele and wo, nowe pore, and now honour, 
\Vithout oru'ir cr due dilcrecion 
GovirniJ is by fortunes errour, 
But nathelefie the lacke of her favour 

Ne maie not doe me fyng though that I die, 
J'ay tout perdu, mon temps & mon labeur 

For finally fortune I doe defie. 
Yet is n-,e left the fight of my relbun 

To knov.in frende fro foe in thy mirrour, 
So moche hath yet thy tournyng up and doun, 
I taughtin me to knowin in an hour, 
But truily no force of thy reddour 

To hym that ovir hymfclf hath maiflrie,. 
My fuffilaunce ylh.il be my fuccour, 

For finally fortune I do defie. 
O Socra;es thou (ledfaib champion, 

She ne might nevir be thy turmentour, 
Thou nevir dreddill her oppreffion, 

Ne in her chcre foundin thou no favour, 
Thou knewe wele the dilcript of her colour, 

And that her molle worfhip is for to lie, 
I knowe her eke a falle diffimulour. 
For finally fortune 1 do defic. 

The anfwerc of Fortune. 

No man is wretchid but hymfelf it wene, 
lie that yhath hymlelf hath fuffilaunce, 
faieft thou then I am to the fo kene, 
That hath thyfelf out of my govirnaunce ? 



Saie thus grant mercie of thin habundauncr,. 

That thou haft lentor this, thou fhah not llrive.. 
What wofl thou yet how I the woll avaunce? 

And eke thou haft thy belle frcndc alive. 
I have the taught divifion betwene 

Frende of effette, and frende of countinaunce, 
The nedith not the galle of an hine, 

That curith eyin derke for ther penaunce, 
Now feeft thou clere that wer in ignoraunce, 
^ Yet holt thine anker, and thou maieft arive 
There bountie bereth the key of my fubftaunce, 

And eke thou hade thy befte frende alive. 
How many have I refuled to fuftene, 

Sith I have the foftrid in thy plcfaunce ? 

Wok thou thrn make a itatute on thy quene, 

That I fliall be aie at thine ordinaunce? 

Thou born art in my reign of variaunce, 

About the whcle with othir muft thou drive 
My loie is bet, then wicke is thy grevaunce, 
And eke thou haft thy beftc frende alive. 

The arrfwere to Fortune. 

Thy lore I dampne, it is adverfitie, 

My frcnd maill thou not revin blind goddefle, 
That I thy frendis knowe I thanke it the, 
Take 'hem again, let 'hem go lie a preflr, 
The nigardis in kepyng ther richcfle 

Fronoftike is thou wolt ther toure aflailc, 
^'icke appetite cometh aie before fickenelle, 
In general! this rule nc maie not faile. 

Fortune. 
Thou pinchift at my mutabilitie, 

For I the lent a droppe of my richefle, 
And now me likith to withdrawin me, 
Why (liouldiil thou my roialtie opprefle ? 
The fe maie ebbe and fl;win more and lefle, 

The welkin hath might to mine, rain, and haile, 
Right fo muft I kithin my brotilnefl'e, 
In generall this rule ne maie not faile, 

The PlaintifTe. 
Lo, the' execucion of the majcflie, 

That all purveighith of his rightwifenefle, 
That fame thyng fortune yclepin ye^ 
Ye blinde beilis full of leudenels ! 
The heven hath propirtie of fikirnefs, 

This worlde hath evir reftlefle travailc. 
The laft daie is the ende of myne entrcfle, 
In generall this rule ne maie not failc. 

Th' envoye of Fortune. 
Princes I praie you of your gentilncfie, 

Let not this man and me thus crie and plain, 
And I fhall quitin you this bufmefTe, 

And if ye liile rcleve hym of his pain, 
Praie ye his bell frende of his noblcnefle 
'1 hat to fome bettir ftate he maie attain. 

Lydgate 



THE HISTORY OF THE 



"Ly agate was a rrtonk of Bury, who wrote about 
the fame time with Chaucer. Out of his prologue 
to his third book of The Fall of Princes a few 
ftanzas are fclefted, which, being compared with 
the ftyleof his two contemporaries, will fhow that 
our language was then not written by caprice, but 
was in a fettled (late. 

T IKE a pilgrime which that goeth on foote, 

And hath none horfe to releue his trauayle, 
Whote, drye and wery, and may finde no bote 
Of wel cold whan thruft doth hym aflayle, 
Wine nor licour, that may to hym auayle, 
Tight fo fare I which in my bufmefie, 
No fuccour fynde my rudenes to redrefle. 

I meane as thus, I haue no frefti licour 
Out of the conduites of Calliope, 
Nor through Clio in rhetorike no floure, 
In my labour for to refrefh me : 
Nor of the fufters in noumber thrife three, 
Which with Cithera on Parnalb dwell, 
They neuer me gaue drinke once of their wel. 

Nor of theyr fpringes clere and chriftaline, 
' That fp range by touchy ng of the Pegafe, 
Their rauour lacketh my making ten lumine 
I fynde theyr bawme of fo great fcarcitie, 
To tame their tunnes with fome drop of plentie 
For Poliphemus fTirow his great blindnes, 
Hath in me derked of Argus the brightnes. 

Our life here fliort of wit the great dulnes 
The heuy foule troubled with trauayle, 
And of memorye the glafyng brotelnes, 
Drede and vncunning haue made a ftrong batail 
"With werines my fpirite to aflayle, 
And with their fubtil creping in moft queint 
Hath made my fpirit in makyng for to feint. 

And ouermore, the ferefull frowardnes 
Of my ftepmother called obliuion, 
Hath a baftyll of foryetfulnes, 
To ftoppe the pafiage, and lhadow my reafon 
That I might haue no clere direccion, 
In tranflating of new to quicke me, 
Stories to write of olde antiquite. 

Thus was I fee and ftode in double werre 
At the metyng of fe.jrefi.il wayes tweyne, 
The one was this, who euer lift to lere, 
"Whereas good wyll gan me conftrayne, 
Bochas taccomplifli for to doe my payne, 
Came ignoraunce, with a menace of drede, 
My pcnne to reft I durft not precede. 



Forte/cue was chief juftice of the Common Pleas, 
in the reign of king Henry VI. He retired in 
1471, after the battle of Tewkefbury, and pro- 
bably wrote moft of his works in his privacy. 
The following pafl'ag^e is felecled from his book 



of The Difference between an abfolute and limited Mo- 
narchy* 

TTYT may peraventure be marvelid by fome men, 
why one Realme is a Lordfhyp only Roya/l, 

and the Prynce thereof rulyth yt by his Law, callid 
"jus Regale ; and another Kyngdome is a Lordfchip, 
Royalland Politike, and the Prince thereof rulyth by 
a Lawe, callyd Jus Politicum &? Regale-, fythen thes 
two Princes beth of egall Aftate. 

To this dowte it may be anfweryd in this man- 
ner 5 The firft Inflitution of thes twoo Realmys, 
upon the Incorporation of them, is the Caule of 
this diverlyte. 

When Nembroth by Might, for his own Glorye, 
made and incorporate the firft Realme, and fub- 
duyd it to hymfelf by Tyrannye, he would not 
have ic governyd by any other Rule or Lawe, 
but by his own Will , by which and for th' ac- 
complifliment thereof he made it. And therfor, 
though he had thus made a Realme, holy Scripture 
denyyd to cal hym a Kyng, Quia Rex dicitur a Re- 
gendo ; Whych thyng he dyd not, but opprefiyd 
the People by Myght, and therfor he was a Ty- 
rant, and callid Primus Tyrannvrum. But holy 
Writ callith hym Robujius Venator coram Deo. For 
as the Hunter takyth the wyld belle for to fcleand 
eatehym; fo Nembroth fubduyd to him the People 
with Might, to have their fcrvice and their goods, 
ufing upon them the Lordfchip that is callid Domi- 
imim Regale tantum. After hym Belus that was 
callid firft a Kyng, and after hym his Sone Nynus, 
and after hym other Panyms ; They, by Example 
of Nembroth, made them Realmys, would not 
have them rulyd by other Lawys than by their own 
Wills. Which Lawys ben right good under good 
Princes; and theirKyngdoms a then moftrefemblyd 
to the Kyngdome of God, which reynith upon Man, 
rulyng him by hys own Will. Wherfor many 
Cryftyn Princes ufen the fame Lawe; and therfor it 
is, that the Lawys fay en, Quod Principi placuit Legis 
habet vigorem. And thus 1 fuppofe firft beganne in 
Realmy-s, Dominiuin tantum Regale. But afterward, 
whan Mankynd was more manluete, and better dif- 
pofyd to Vertue, Crete Communalties, as was the 
Felifhip, that came into this Lond with Brute, 
wyllyng to be unyed and made a Body Politike 
callid a Realme, havyng an Heed to govcrne it ; as 
after the Saying of the Philosopher, every Com- 
munahie unyed of many parts muft needs have an 
Heed ; than they choie the fame Brute to be their 
Heed and Kyng. And they and he upon this In- 
corporation and Jnflitution, and onyng of themfclf 
into a Realme, ordeynyd the fame Realme fo to be 
rulyd and juftyfyd by fiich Lawys, as they al would 
aflent unto ; which Law therfor is callid Politicum; 
and bycaufe it is mynyftrid by a Kyng, it is callid 

Regale. 






ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 



Regale. Dominium Politicum dicitur quaji Regimen, 
fturittm Scientia,Jive Confiiio tniniftratum. The Kyng 
of Scotts reynith upon his People by this Lawe, 
videlicet, Regimine Politico & Regali. And as Dio- 
dorus Syculus faith, in his Boke de prifcis Hijloriis^ 
The Realme of Egvpte is rulid by the fame Lawe, 
and therfor the Kyng therof chaungith not his 
Lawes, without the Aflent of his People. And in 
like forme as he faith is ruled the Kyngdome of 
Saba, in Felici Arabia, and the Lond of Libie; 
And alfo the more parte of al the Realmys in 
dfrike. Which manner of Rule and Lordfhip, the 
fayd Diodorus in that Boke, prayfuh gretely. For 
it is not only good for the Prince, that may thereby 
the more fewerly do Juftice, than by his owne Ar- 
bitriment; but it is alfo good for his People that 
receyve therby, fuch Juttice as they defyer them- 
felf. Now as me feymth, it ys fhewyd opinly 
ynough, why one Kyng rulyth and reynith on his 
People Dominio tantum Regali, and that other rey- 
nith Dominio Politico &? Regali: For that one Kyng- 



dome beganne, of and by, the Might of the Princf, 
and the other beganne, by the Defier and Inftitu- 
tion of the People of the fame Prince. 

Of the works of Sir Thomas More it was necefiary 
to give a larger fpecimcn, both becaule our lan- 
guage was then in a great degree formed and 
fertled, and becaufe it appears from Ben Jon/on^ 
that his works were confidered as models of pure 
and elegant ftyle. The tale, which is placed firft, 
becaufe earlieft written, will Ihow what an atten- 
tive reader will, in perufing our old writers, often 
remark, that the familiar and colloquial part of 
our language, being diffufed among thofe clafies 
who had no ambition of refinement, ..or affectation 
of novelty, has fufifered very little change. There 
is another realon why the extracts from this author 
are more copious : his works are carefully and cor- 
rectly printed, and may therefore be better t> ufted 
than any other edition of the Enghjh books of that, 
or the preceding ages. 



A merry ieft how a fergeant would 
learne to playe the frere. Writ- 
ten by maifter Thomas More in 
hys youth. 



menalway, 
Affyrroc and fay, 

That beft is for a man : 
Diligently, 
For to apply, 

The bufincs that he can, 
And in no wyfe, 
To enterpryfe, 

An other faculte, 
For he that wyll, 
And can no fkyll, 

Is neuer lyke to the. 
He that hath lafte, 
The hofiers crafte, 

And falleth to making fhone, 
The fmythe that (hall, 
To payntyng fall, 

His thrift is well nigh done. 
A blacke draper, 
With whyte paper, 

To goe to writyng fcole," 
An olde butler, 
Becum a cutler, 

I wene fhall proue a fole. 
And an olde trot, 
That can I wot, 

Nothyng but kyfie the cup, 
With her phifick, 
Wil kepe on ficke, 

Tyll (he have foufed hym vp. 

VOL. I. 



A man of lawe, 
That neuer fawe, 

The wayes to bye and fell, 
Wenyng to ryfe, 
By marchaundife, 

I wilh to fpede hym well. 
A marchaunt eke, 
That wyll goo feke, 

By all the meanes he may, 
To fall in fute, 
Tyll he difpute, 

His money cleane away, 
Piety ng the lawe, 
For euery ftrawe, 

Shall proue a thrifty man, 
With bate and ft rife, 
But by my life, 

I cannot tell you whan. 
Whan an hatter 
Wyll go fmatter 

In philofophy, 
Or a pedlar, 
Ware a medlar, 

In theology, 
All that enfue, 
Suche craftes new, 

They driue fo farre a caft, 
That euermore, 
They do therfore, 

Befhrewe themfelfe at laft. 
This thing^was tryed 
And verefyed, 

Here by a fergeaunt late, 



That thriftly was, 
Or he coulde pas, 

Rapped about the pate, 
Whyle that he would 
See how he could, 

A little play the frere : 
Now yf you wyll, 
Knowe how it fyll, 

Take hede and ye fliall here. 
It happed fo, 
Not long ago, 

A thrifty man there dyed, 
An hundred pounde, 
Of nobles rounde, 

That had he layd a fide : 
His fonne he wolde, 
Should haue this golde, 

For to beginne with all : 
But to fuffife 
His chylde, well thrife, 

That money was to fmal. 
Yet or this day 
1 have hard fay, 

That many a man certefie, 
Hath with good caft, 
Be ryche at laft, 

That hath begonne with lefie. 
But this yonge manne, 
So well beganne, 

His money to imploy. 
That certainly, 
His policy, 

To fee it was a joy, 



For 



THE HISTORY OF THE 



For left Cum blaft, 
Myght ouer raft, 

His fhip, or by mifchaunce, 
Men with fum wile, 
Myght hym begyle, 

And minifh his fubftaunce, 
For to put out, 
All mancr dout, 

He made a good puruay, 
For euery whyt, 
By his owne wyt, 

And toke an other way : 
Firft fayre and wele, 
Therof much dele, 

He dygged it in a pot, 
But then him thought, 
That way was nought, 

And there he left it not. 
S ) was he faine, 
From thence agayne, 

To put it in a cup, 
And by and by, 
Couetoufly, 

He fupped it fayre vp, 
In his owne bred, 
He thought it bell, 

His money to enclofe, 
Then- wift he well, 
"What euer fell, 

He coulde it neuer lofe. 
He borrowed then, 
Of other men, 

Money and marchaundife : 
Neuer payd it, 
Up he laid it, 

In like maner wyfe. 
Yet on the gere, 
That he would were, 

He reight not what he fpent, 
So it were nyce, 
As for the price, 

Could him not mifcontent. 
With lufty fporte, 
And with rciort, 

Of ioly company, 
In mirth and play, 
Full many a day, 

Me liU', d merely. 
And men had fworne, 
Some man is borne, 

To haue a lucky howre, 
And Ib was he, 
For fuch degre, 

He gat and fuche honour, 
That without dour, 
"Whan he went out, , 

A fergeaunt well and fayre, 



Was redy ftrayte, 
On him to wayte, 

As fone as on the mayre. 
But he doubtlcfie, 
Of his mekenefie, 

Hated fuch pompe and pride, 
And -would not go, 
Companied fo, 

But drewe himfelf a fide, 
To faint Katharine, 
Streig^t as a line, 

He gate him at a tyde, 
For deuocion, 
Or promocion, 

There would he nedes abyde. 
There fpent he faft, 
Till all were part, 

And to him came there meny, 
To afke theyr debt, 
But none could get, 

The valour of a peny. 
With vifage flout, 
He bare it our, 

Euen vnto the harde hedge, 
A month or twaine, 
Tyll he was fayne, 

To lay his gowne to pledge. 
Than was he there, 
In greater feare, 

Than ere that he came thither, 
And would as fayne, 
Depart againe, 

But that he wift not whither. 
Than after this, 
To a frende of his, 

He went and there abode, 
Where as he lay, 
So fick alway, 

He myght not come abrcde. 
It happed than, 
A marchaunt man, 

That he ought money 10, 
Of an officere, 
That gan enquere, 

What him was bed to do. 
And he anfwerde, 
Be not aferde, 

Take an accion therfore, 
I you belittle, 
I (hall hym rede, 

And than care for no more. 
I fearc quod he, 
It wyl! not be, 

For he wyll not come out, 
The ferge.'unt laid, 
Be not afrajd, 

It (hall be brought about. 



In many a gamr, 
Lyke to the fame, 

Haue I bene well in vre, 
And for your fake, 
Let me be bake, 

But yf I do this cure. 
Thus part they bodr, 
And foorth then goth, 

A pace this officere, 
And for a day, 
All his array, 

He chaunged with a frcrc. 
So was he dight, 
That no man mighr, 

Hym for a frere deny, 
He dopped and dooked, 
He fpake and looked, 

So religioolly. 
Yet in a glafle, 
Or he would pafi'e, 

He toted and he peered, 
His harte for pryde, 
Lepte in his fyde, 

To fee how well he free red. 
Than forth a pace, 
Unto the place, 

He goeth withouten (hame 
To do this dede, 
But now take hede, 

For here begynneth the game. 
He drew hym ny, 
And foftely, 

Streyght at the dore he knocked : 
And a damfell, 
That hard hym well, 

There came and it vnlocked. 
The frere fayd, 
Good fpede fayre mayd, 

Here lodgeth fuch a man, 
It is told me : 
Well fyr quod (lie, 

And yf he do what than. 
Quod he mayftrefle, 
No harm doutleffe : 

It longeth for our order, 
To hurt no man, 
But as we can, 

Euery wight to forder. 
With hym truly, 
Fayne fpeake would I. 

S;r quod (he by my fay, 
He is fo fike, 
Ye be not lyke, 

To fpeake with hym to day. 
Quod he fayre may, 
Yet i you pray, 

This muclr at my defire, 

Vouchefafe 



ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 



Vouchefafe to do, 
As go hym to, 

And fay an auften frere 
Would with hyrn fpeke, 
And matters breake, 

For his auayle certayn. 
Quod {he I wyll, 
btonde ye here ftyll, 

Tyll I come downe agayn. 
Vp is (he go, 
And told hym fo, 

As (he was bode to fay, 
He miftruftyng, 
Jso maner thyng, 

Sayd mayden go thy way, 
And fetch him hyder, 
That we togyder, 

May talk. A downe (he gothe, 



Vp (he hym brought, 
No harme (lie thought, 

But it made fome folke wrothe. 
This officere, 
This fayned frere, 

Whan he was come aloft, 
He dopped than, 
And grete this man, 

Religioufly and oft. 
And he agayn, 
Ryght glad and fayn, 

Toke hym there by the hande, 
The frere than fayd, 
Ye be difmayd, 

With trouble I underftande. 
In dede quod he, 
It hath with me, 

Bene. better than it is. 
Syr quod the frere, 
Be of good cherc, 

Yet (hall it after this. 
But I would now, 
Comen with you, 

In counfayle yf you pleafe, 
Or ellys nat 
Of matters' that, 

Shall fet your heart at eafe. 
Downe went the mayd, 
The marchaunt fayd, 

No fay on gentle frere, 
Of thys tydyng, 
That ye me bryng, 

I long full fore to here. 
"Whan there was none, 
But they alone, 

The frere with cuyll grace, 



Sayd, I reft the, 
Come on with me, 

And out he toke his mace : 
Thou (halt obay, 
Come on thy way, 

I have the in my douche, 
Thou goeft not hence, 
For all the penfe 

The mayre hath in his pouche. 
This marchaunt there. 
For wrath and fere^ 

He waxyng we'nygh wood, 
Sayd horlon thefe, 
With a mifchefe, 

Who hath taught thee thy good. 
And with his flit, 
Vpon the lyft, 

He gaue hym fuch a blow, 



That backward downe, 
Almoft in fowne, 

The frere is ouerthrow. 
Yet was this man, 
Well fearder than, 

Left he the frere had (layne, 
Till with good rappes, 
And heuy clappes, 

He dawde hym vp agayne. 
The frere toke harte, 
And vp he ftarte, 

And well he layde about, 
And fo there goth, 
Betwene them both, 

Many a lufty clout. 
They rent and tere, 
Eche others here, 

And claue togyder fad, 
Tyll with luggyng, 
And with tuggyng, 

They fell downe bothe at lad. 
Than on the grounde, 
Togyder roundr, 

With many a fadde ftroke, 
They roll and rumble, 
They turne and tumble, 

As pygges do in a poke. 
So long aboue, 
They heus and (houe, 

Togider that at laft, 
The mayd and wyfc, 
To breake the flrife, 

Hyed them vpward faflr. 
And whan they fpye, 
The captaynes lye, 

Both waltring on the place, 

[ij 2 



The freres hood, 
They pulled a good, 

Adowne about his face. 
Whyle he was blynde, 
The wenche behynde, 

Lent him leyd on'lhe flore, 
Many a ioule, 
About the noule, 

With a great batyldore. 
The wyfe came yet, 
And with her fete, 

She holpe to kepe him downe, 
And with her rocke, 
Many a knocke, 

She gaue hym on the crowne. 
They layd his mace, 
About his face, 

That he was wood for payne : 
The fry re frappe, 
Gate many a fwappe, 

Tyll he was full nygh (layne. 
Vp they hym lift, 
And with yll thrift, 

Hcdlyng a long the ftayre, 
Downe they hym threwe, 
And fayde adewe, 

Comrnende us to the mayre. 
The frere arofe, 
But I fuppofe, 

Amafed was his hed, 
He fhoke his eares, 
And from grete feares, 

He thought hym well yfled. 
Quod he now loft, 
Is all this coft, 

We be neuer the nere. 
Ill mote he be, 
That caufed me, 

To make my felf a frere. 
Now mafters all, 
Here now I fhall, 

Ende there as I began, 
In any wyfr, 
1 would auyfe, 

And counfayle euery man, 
His owne craft vfe, 
All newe refufe, 

And lyghtly let them gone: 
Play not the frere, 
Now make good chere, 

And welcome euerych one. 



A ruful 



THE HISTORY OF THE 



A ruful lamcntacion (writen by mafter Thomas 
More in his youth) of the deth of quene Elifa- 
bcth mother to king Henry the eight, wife to 
king Henry thefeuenth, and theeldeft doughter 
to king Edward the fourth, which quene Eliia- 
beth dyed in childbed in February in the yere of 
our Lord 1503, and in the 18 yere of the raigne 
of king Henry the feuenth. 

/^\ Y E that put your truft and confidence, 

^-* In worldly ioy and frayle profperite, 

That fo lyue here as ye fhould neuer hence, 

Remember death and loke herevppon me. 

Enfaumple 1 thynke there may no better be. 

Your felfe wotte well that in this realme was I, 

Your quene but late, and lo now here I lye. 
Was I not borne of olde worthy linage ? 

Was not my mother queene my father kyng ? 

Was I not a kinges fere in marriage ? 

Had I not plenty of euery pleafaunt thyng ? 

Mercifull god this is a ftraunge reckenyng : 

Rychefff, honour, welth, and aunceftry, 

Hath me forfaken and lo now here I ly. 

If worfhip myght haue kept me, 1 had not gone. 

If wyt myght haue me faued, I neded not fere. 

If money myght haue holpe, I lacked none. 

But O good God what vayleth all this gere. 

When dtth is come thy mighty meffangere, 

Obey we muft there is no remedy, 

Me hath he fommoned, and lo now here I ly. 
Yet was I late promifed otherwyfe, 

This yere to Hue in welth and delice. 

Lo where to commeth thy blandifhyng promyfe, 

O falle aftrolagy and deuynatrice, 

Of goddes fecretes makyng thy felfe fo wyfe. 

How true is for this yere thy prophecy. 

The yere yet lafteth, and lo now here I ly. 
O bryttil welth, as full of bitternefie, 

Thy fingle pleafure doubled is with payne. 

Account my forow firft and my diftrefie, 
In fondry wyfe, and recken there agayne, 
The ioy that I haue had, and I darefayne, 
For all my honour, endured yet haue I* 
More wo than welth, and io now here I ly. 

Where are our cartels, now where are our towers, 
Goodly Kychmonde fone art thou gone from me, 
At Weftminfter that coftly worke of yours, 
Myne owne dere lorde now (hall I neuer fee. 
Almighty god vouchefafe to graunt that ye, 
For you and your children well may edery. 
My paly.e bylded is, and lo now here I ly. 

Adew myne owne dcre fpoufe my worthy lorde, 
The faithfull loue, that dyd vs both combyne, 
In mariage and peafable concorde, 
Into your han.ies here I cleane refyne, 
To be beftowed vppon your children and myne. 
Erft wer you father, and now muft ye fupply, 
The mothers part alfo, for lo now here 1 ly. 



Farewell my doughter lady Margerete. 
God wotte full oft it greued huh my myndr, 
That ye fliould go where we mould feldome mete. 
Now am I gone, and haue left you behynde. 
O mortall folke that we be very blynde. 
That we lead feare, full oft it is mod nye, 
From you depart I fyrft, and lo now here I ly. 

Farewell Madame my lordes worthy mother, 
Comfort your fonne, and be ye of good chere. 
Take all a worth, for it will be no nother. 
Farewell my doughter Katherine late the fere, 
To prince Arthur myne owne chyld fo dere, 
It booteth not for me to wepe or cry, 
Pray for my foule, for lo now here I ly. 

Adew lord Henry my louyng fonne adew. 
Our lorde encreafe your honour andeftate, 
Adew my doughter Mary bright of hew, 
God make you vertuous wyfe and fortunate. 
Adew fwete hart my litle doughter Kate, 
Thou (halt fwete babe fuche is thy defteny, 
Thy mother neuer know, for lo now here I ly. 

Lady Cicyly Anne and Katheryne, 
Farewell my welbeloved fifters three, 

lady Briget other fifter myne, 

Lo here theende of worldly vanitee. 
Now well are ye that earthly foly fiee, 
And heuenly thynges loue and magnify, 
Farewell and pray for me, for lo now here I ly, 

A dew my lordes, a dew my ladies all, 
A dew my faithful feruauntes euerych one, 
A dew my commons whom I neuer fhall, 
See in this world wherfore to the alone, 
Immortal] god verely three and one, 

1 me commende. Thy infinite mercy, 
Shew to thy feruant, for lo now here I ly. 



Certain meters in Englifh written by mafter Thomas 
More in hys youth for the boke of fortune, and 
caufed them to be printed in the begynnyng of 
that boke. 

The wordes of Fortune to the people. 

TV/TINE high eftate power and aucloritie, 

If \e ne know, enferche and ye mail fpye, 
That richefle, worfhip, welth, and dignitie, 
Joy, reft, and peace, and all thyng fynally, 
That any pleafure or profit may come by, 
To mannes comfort, ayde, and fuftinaunce, 
Is all at my deuyfe and ordinaunce. 

Without my fauour there is nothyng wonne. 
Many a matter haue I brought at laft, 
To good conckifion, that fondly was begonne. 
And many a purpole, bounden lure and laft 
With wife prouifion, I haue ouercaft. 
Without good happe there may no wit fuffife. 
Better is to be fortunate than wy'e. 

And 



ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 



And therefore hath there fotne men bene or this, 
My deadly foes and written many a boke, 
To my difprayfe. And other caufe there nys, 
But for me lift not fiendly on them loke. 
Thus lyke the fox they fare that once forfoke, 
The pleafaunt grapes, and gan for to defy them, 
Becaufe he lept and yet could not come by them, 

But let them write theyr labour is in vayne. 
For well ye wote, myrth, honour, and richeifc, 
Much better is than penury and payne. 
The nedy wretch that lihgereth in diftrefie, 
Without myne helpe is euer comfortlefie, 
A wery burden odious and loth, 
To all the world, and eke to him felfe both. 

But he that by my fauour may afcende, 
To mighty power and excellent degree, 
A common wele to goticrne and defende, 
O in how blift condition ftandeth he: 
Him felf in honour and felicite, 
And ouer that, may forther and increafe, 
A region hole in ioyfull reft and peace. 

Now in this poynt there is no more to fay, 
Eche man hath of him felf the gouernaunce. 
Let euery wight than folowe his owne way, 
And he that out of pouertee and mifchaunce, 
Lift for to Hue, and wyll him felfe enhaunce, 
In wealth and richeffe, come forth and wayte on 

me. 
And he that wyll be a beggar, let hym be. 

THOMAS MORE to them that truft in Fortune. 

'T'HOU that art prowde of honour fhape or kynne, 
That hepeft vp this wretched worldes treafure, 
Thy fingers fhrined with gold, thy tawny fkynne, 
With frefh apparyle garnifhed out of meafure, 
And weneft to haue fortune at thy pleafure, 
Call vp thyne eye, and loke how flipper chaunce, 
llludeth her men with chaunge and varyaunce. 

Sometyme fhe loketh as louely fayre and bright, 
As goodly Uenus mother of Cupyde. 
She becketh and me fmileth on euery wight. 
But this chere fayned, may not long abide. 
There cometh a cloude, and farewell all our pryde. 
Like any ferpent fhe beginneth to fwell, 
And looketh as fierce as any fury of hell. 

Yet for all that we brotle men are fayne, 
(So wretched is our nature and fo blynde) 
As foone as Fortune lift to laugh agayne, 
\Yith fayre countennunce and difceitfull mynde, 
To crouche and knele and gape after the wynde, 
Not one or twayne but thoufandes in a rout, 
Lyke fwarmyng bees come flickeryng her aboute. 

Then as a bayte fhe bryngeth forth her ware, 
Siluer, gold, riche perle, and precious ftone: 
On whiche the ma(ed people gafe and ftare, 
And gape therefore, as dogges doe for the bone. 
Fortune at them laugheth, and in her trone 



Amyd her treafure and waueryng rychefie, 
Prowdiy me houeth as lady and emprefie. 

Faft by her fyde doth wery labour ftand, 
Pale fere alfo, and forow all bewept, 
Difdayn and hatred on the other hand, 
Eke reftles watchefro flepe with trauayle kept, 
His eyes drowfy and lokyng as he flept. 
Before her ftandeth daunger and enuy, 
Flattery, dyfceyt, mifchicfe and tiranny. 

About her commeth all the world to begge. 
He alketh lande, and he to pas would bryng, 
This toye and that, and all not worth an egge: 
He would in loue profper aboue all thyng: 
He kneleth downe and would be made a kyng: 
He forceth not fo he may money haue, 
Though all the worlde accompt hym for a knaue. 

Lo thus ye fee diuers heddes, diuers wittes. 
Fortune alone as diuers as they all, 
Vnftable here and there among them flittes: 
And at auenture downe her giftes fall, 
Catch who fo may fhe throweth great and fmall 
Not to all men, as commeth fonne or dewe, 
But for the moft part, all among a fewe. 

And yet her brotell giftes long may not laft. 
He that (he-gaue them, loketh prowde and hye. 
She whirlth about and pluckth away as fad, 
And geueth them to an other by and by. 
And thus from man to man continually, 
She vfeth to geue and take, and flily tofie, 
One man to wynnyng of an others loffe. 

And when fhe robbeth one, down goth his pryde. 
He wepeth and waylc-th and curfeth her full fore. 
But he that receueth it, on that other fyde, 
Is glad, and blefth her often tymes therefore. 
But in a whyle when fhe loueth hym no more, 
She glydeth from hym, and her giftes to, 
And he her curfeth, as other fooles do. 

Alas the folyfh people can not ceafe, 
Ne voyd her trayne, tyll they the harme do fele. 
About her alway, befely they preace. 
But lord how he doth thynk hym felf full wele. 
That may fct once his hande vppon her whele. 
He hokleth faft: but vpward as he flieth, 
She whippeth her whele about, and there he lyeth, 

Thus fell Julius from his mighty power. 
Thus fell Darius the worthy kyng of Perfe. 
Thus fell Alexander the great conquerour. 
Thus many mo then I may well reheife. 
Thus double fortune, when fhe lyft reuerfe 
Her flipper fauour fro them that in her truft, 
She fieeth her wey and leyeth them in the duft. 

She fodeinly enhaunceth them aloft. 
And fodeynly mifcheueth all the flocke. 
The head that late lay eafily and full loft, 
In ftede of pylows lyeth after on the blocke. 
And yet alas the moft crucll proude mocke: 
The deynty mowth that ladyes kitted haue, 
She bryngeth in the cafe to kyfTe a knaue. 

In 



T II E HISTORY OF THE 



In chaungyng of her courfe, the chaunge fliewth 

tRis 

Vp ftartth a knaue, and downe there faith a knight, 
The beggar ryche, and the ryche man pore is. 
Hatred is turned to loue, loue to defpyght. 
This is her fport, thus proueth (be her myght. 
Great bode (he maketh yf one be by her power, 
"Wclthy and wretched both within an howre. 

Foucrtec that of her giftes wyl nothing take, 
Wyth mery chere, looketh vppon the prece, 
And feech how fortunes houlhold goeth to wrake. 
Faft by her ftandetlvthe wyfe Socrates, 
Arriftippus, Pythagoras, and many a lefe, 
Of olde philofophers. And eke agaynft the fonne 
Btkyth hym poore Diogenes in his tonne. 

With her is Byas, whofe countrey lackt defence, 
And whylom of their foes ftode fo in dout, 
That eche man haftely gan to cary thence, 
And alked hym why he nought caryed out. 
I bere quod he all myne with me about: 
Wii'edam he ment, not fortunes brotle fees. 
For nought he counted his that he might leefe. 

Heraclitus eke, lyft felowlhip to kepe 
With glad pouertee, Democritus allb: 
Of which the fyrft can neuer ceafe but wepe, 
To fee how thick the blynded people go, 
With labour great to purchafe care and wo. 
That other laugheth to fee the foolyfh apes, 
How earneftly they walk about theyr capes. 

Of this poore feel, it is comen vfage, 
Onely to take that nature may fuftayne, 
}'. i:u!hing cleane all other furplufage, 
They be content, and of nothyng complayne. 
No nygarde eke is of his good to fayne. 
But they more picture haue a thoulande folde, 
'1 he iccrete draughtes of nature to beholde. 

Set fortunes iervauntes by them and ye wull, 
Ti.at one is free, that other euer thrall, 
That one content, that other neuer full, 
That one in furetye, thar other lyke to fall. 
Who lyft to aduile them bothe, parceyue he fhall, 
As grc-at difference between them as we fee, 
Beuixte wretchednes and fciicite. 

.Miie I (hewed you bothe: thefe whiche ye 
lyfr, 

S'ntdy fortune, or humble pouertee: 
That is to lay, nowe lyeth it in your fyft, 
I'o take here bondage, or free libertee. 
But in thys poynte and ye do after me, 
Dr.iw you to fortune, and labour her to pleafe, 
Jf that ye thynke your felfe to well at cafe. 

And fyrft vppon the louely (hall (he (mile, 
And frcndlv on the call her wandering eyes 
Embrace the in her armes, and for a why'.c, 
Puc the and kepe the in a fooles paradife: 
And foorth with all wh.u fo thou lyft deuife, 
She wyll the graunt it liberally perhappes : 
But for all that beware of after clappcs. 



Recken you neuer of her fauoure fure: 
Ye may in clowds as eafily trace an hare, 
Or in drye lande caufe fifhes to endure, 
And make the burnyng fyre his hcate to fpare, 
And all thys workie in compace to forfare, 
As her to make by craft or engine ftable, 
That of her nature is euer variable. 

Serue her day and nyght as reuerently, 
Vppon thy knees as any feruaunt rmy, 
And in conclution, that thou (halt winne thereby 
Shall not be worth thy fervyce I dare fay. 
And looke yet what fhe geueth the to day, 
With labour wonne fhe mall happly to morow 
Plucke it agayne out of' thyne hand with forow. 

Wherefore yf thou in furetye lyft to ftande, 
Take pouerties parte and let prowde fortune go> 
Receyue nothyng that commeth from her hande. 
Loue maner and vertue: they be onely tho. 
Whiche double fortune may not take the fro. 
Then may ft thou boldly defye her turnyngchaunce: 
She can the neyther hynder nor auaunce. 

But and thou wylt nedes medle with her treafure/ 
Truft not therein, and fpende it liberally. 
-Beare the not proude, nor take not out of meafure. 
Bylde not thyne houle on heyth vp in the flcye. 
Nonne falkth farre, but he that climbeth hye. 
Remember nature fent the hyther bare, 
The gyftes of fortune count them borowed ware. 

THOMAS MORE to them that feke Fortune. 



WHO fo delyteth to prouen and affay, 
Of waveryng fortune the vncertayne lot, 
If that the aunfwere pleafe you not alway, 
Blame ye not me: for I commaunde you nor, 
Fortune to truft, and eke full well ye wor, 
I haue of her no brydle in my fift, 
She renneth loofe, and turnetn where (lie lyft. 

The rollyngdyfe in whomeyourluckedoth ftande, 
With whole vnhappy chaunce ye be fo wroth, 
Ye knowe your felfe came neuer in myne hande. 
Lo in this ponde be fyflie and froggcs both. 
Caft in your nette: but be you liefe or loue, 
Hold you content as fortune lyft aiiyne: 
For it is your owne fyftiyng and not myne. 

And though in one chaunce fortune you offend, 
Grudge not there at, but beare a mery face. 
In many an other Ihe (hall it amende. 
There is no manne fo farre out of her grace, 
But he ibmctyme hath comfort and folace: 
Ne none agayne fo farre foorth in her fauour, 
That is full latisfyed with her behaviour. 

Fortune is llately, folemne, prowde, and hye: 
And rycheffe geueth, to haue feruyce therefore. 
The nedy begger catcheth an halfpeny. 
Some manne a thoulande pounde, fome lelTe fome 

more. 
But for all that fhe kepeth euer in (lore, 

From 



ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 



From euery manne fome parcell of his wyll, 
That he may pray therfore and ferue her ftyll. 

Some manne hath good, but-chyldren hath he 

none. 

Some manne hath both, but he can get none health. 
Some hath al thre, but vp to honours trone, 
Can he not crepe, by no maner of ftelth. 
To fome fhe fendeth, children, rychcs, welthe, 
Honour, woorfhyp, and reuerence all hys lyfe: 
But yet Ihe pyncheth hym wiih a fhrewde wyfe. 

Then for afmuch as it is fortunes guyfe, 
To graunt to manne all thyng that he wyll axe, 
But as her ft: lie lyft order and deuyfe, 
Tech euery manne his parte diuide and tax, 
I countayle you eche one trufTe vp your packes, 
And take no thyng at all, or be content, 
With fuche rewarde as fortune hath you fent. 

All thynges in this boke that ye fhall rede, 
Doe as ye lyft, there fhall no manne you bynde, 
Them to beleue, as furely as your crede. 
But notwithltandyng certes in my mynde, 
I durft well 1'vvere, as true ye fhall them fynde, 
In euery poynt eche anfwere by and by, 
As are the iudgementes of aftronomye. 

The Defcripcion of RICHARD the thirde. 

"pICHARDE the third fonne, of whom we 
^^ nowe entreate, was in witte and courage egall 
with either of them, in bodye and prowefle farre 
vnder them bothe, little of ftature, ill fetured of 
limmes, croke backed, his left fhoulder much 
higher than his right, hard fauoured of vifage, and 
fuch as is in flates called warlye, in other menne 
otherwife, he was malicious, wrathfull, enuious, 
and from afore his bir:h, euer frovvarde. It is for 
trouth reported, that the duches his mother had fo 
much a doe in her trauaile: that fhee coulde not 
bre deliuered of hym vncutte, and that he came 
into the world with the feete forwarde, as menne 
bee borne outwarde, and (as the fame runneth) alfo 
not vntothed, whither menne of hatred reporte 
aboue the trouthe, or elles that nature chaunged 
her courfe in hys beginninge, whiche in the courfe 
of his lyfe many thinges vnnaturallye committed. 
None euill cn.ptaine was hee in the \varre, as to 
whiche his difpoficion was more metcly then for 
peace. Sundrye victories hadde hee, and fomme- 
tirr.s ouerthrowes, but neucr in defaulte as for his 
owne parfone, either of hardineffe or polytike order, 
free was hee called of dyfpence, and ibmmewhat 
aboue hys power liberal!, with large giftes hee get 
him vnftedfafte frendelhippe, for whiche hee was 
i and fpoyle in other places, and get him 
A\ hatred. Hee was dole and fecrete, a deepe 
:, lowlye of" counteynaunce, arrogant of 
twardly coumpinable where he inwardrly 



hated, not letting to kifle whome he thoughte to 
k) 11: difpitious and cruell, not for euill will alway, 
but after for atnbicion, and either for the furetie arvd 
encreafe of his eftate, Frende and foo was muche 
what indifferent, where his aduauntage grew, he 
fpared no mans deathe, whofe life withftoode his 
purpofe. He flewe with his owne handes king 
Henry the fixt, being ptifoner in the Tower, as 
menne ccnftantly faye, and that without com- 
maundement or knoweledge of the king, whiche 
woulde vndoubtedly yf he had emended that thinge, 
haue appointed that boocherly office, to fome other 
then his owne borne brother. 

Somme wile menne alfo weene, that his drifc 
couertly conuayde, lacked not in helping furth his 
brother of Clarence to his death: whiche hee refifted 
openly, howbeit fomwhat (as menne deme). more 
faintly then he that wer hartely minded to his 
welch. And they that thus denie, think that he 
long time in king Edwardes life, forethought to be 
king in that cafe the king his brother (whole life 
hee looked that euil dyete Ihoulde fhorten) ilioulde 
happen to deceafe (as in dede he did) while his 
children wer yonge. And thei deme, that for thys- 
intente he was gladde of his "brothers death the 
duke of Clarence, whole life muft nedes haue hin- 
dered hym fo entendynge^ whither the fame duke 
of Clarence hadde kepte him true to his nephew 
the yonge king, or enterprifed to be kyng him- 
felfe. But of al this pointe, is there no certaimie, 
and whofo diuineth vppon conitftures, maye as wel 
fhote to farre as to fhort. Howbeit this h-.ue I by 
credible informacion learned^ that the iclfe nighte 
in whiche kynge Edwarde died, one Myftlebrooke 
longe ere mornynge, came in greate hafte to the 
houle of one Pottyer dwellyng in Reddecroffc ftrete 
without Crepulgate : and when he was with haftye 
rappyng quickly letten in, hee fhewed vnto P->ttyer 
that kynge Edwarde was departed. By my trouthe 
marine quod Pettier then wyll my mayfter the duke 
of Gloucefter bee kynge. What caufe hee hadde foo 
to thynke hirde it is to faye, whyther hee being to- 
ward him, snye thynge !;newe that hee fuche thynge 
purpofed, or otherwyie had anye inkclynge thereof: 
for hee was not likelye to fpe.ike it of noughte. 

Bat nowe to returne to the courfe of this hyftorye, 
were it that the duke of Gloucefter hadde of old 
fore-minded this conclufion, or was nowe at erfte 
thereunto moued, and putte in hope by the occa- 
fion of the tender age of the younge princes, his 
nephues (as opportunitye and lykely hoode of fpede, 
putteth a manne in cdurage of that hee neuer en- 
tended) certayn is it that hee contriued theyr de- 
ftruccion, with the vfurpacion of the regal dig- 
nitye vppon hymfelfe. And for as muche as, het; 
well wiite and holpe to mayntayn, a long continued 
grudge and hearte brennynge becwcne the quenes 
5 kiarcd 



THE HISTORY OF THE 



kinred and the kinges blood eyther partye enuying 
others authoritye, he nowe thought that their de- 
uifion fhoulde bee (as it was in dede) a fortherlye 
begynnynge to the purfuite of his interne, and a 
lure ground for the foundacion of al his building 
yf he might firlte vnder the pretext of reuengynge 
of olde difpleafure, abufe the anger and ygnoraunce 
of the tone partie, to the deftruccion of the tother: 
and then wynne to this purpofe as manye as he 
coulde: and thole that coulde not be wonne, myght 
be lofte ere they looked therefore. For of one 
thynge was hee certayne, that if his entente were 
perceiued, he {hold Ibone haue made peace bee- 
twene the bothe parties, with his owne bloude. 

Kynge Edwarde in his life, albeit that this dif- 
cencion beetwene hys frendes fommewhat yrked 
hym : yet in his good healthe he fommewhat the 
lefle regarded it, becaufe hee thought whatfoeuer 
bufines (houlde falle betwene them, hymfelfe 
Ihould alwaye bee hable to rule bothe the parties. 

But in his laft ficknefie, when hee receiued his 
natural! ftrengthe foo fore enfebled, that hee dyf- 
payred all recouerye, then hee confyderynge the 
youthe of his chyldren, albeit hee nothynge lefle 
miftrufted then that that happened, yet well for- 
feynge that manye harmes myghte growe by theyr 
debate, whyle the youth of hys children flioulde 
lacke difcrecion of themfelf, and good counfayle of 
their frendes, of whiche either party (hold coun- 
fayle for their owne commodity and rather byplea- 
faunte aduyfe too wynne themfelfe fauour, then by 
profitable aduertiiemente to do the children good, 
he called fome of them before him that were at 
variaunce, and in eipecyall the lorde marques Dor- 
fette the quenes fonne by her fyrfte houfebande, 
and Richarde the lorde Haftynges, a noble man, 
than lorde chaumberlayne agayne whome the quene 
Ipecially grudged, for the great fauoure the kyng 
bare hym, and alfo for that (hee thoughte hym fe- 
crctclye familyer with the kynge in wanton coum- 
panye. Her kynred alfo bare hym fore, as well 
for that the kynge hadde made hym captayne of 
Calyce (whiche office the lorde Ryuers, brother to 
the quene, claimed of the kinges former promyfe) 
as for diuerfe other great giftes whiche hee receyued, 
that they loked for. When thefe lordes with di- 
uerTc other of bothe the parties were comme in 
prefence, the kynge liftinge vppe himfelfe and 
vndcrfctte with pillowes, as it is reported on this 
\vylc i'ayd vnto them, My lordes, my dere kinf- 
menne and alies, in what plighte I lye you fee, and 
I feele. By whiche the lefle whyle I looke to 
Jyue with you, the more depelye am I moued to 
care in what cafe I leaue you, for fuch as 1 leauve 
you, fuche bee my children lylce to fynde y>u. 
Whiche if they fhoulde (that Godde forbydde) 
fynde you at varyaunce, myght nappe to fall tlum- 



felfe at warre ere their difcrecion woulde fcrue to 
fette you at peace. Ye fee their youthe, of whiche 
I recken the onely furctie to refte in youre con- 
cord. For it fuffifeth not that al you loue them, 
yf eche of you hate other. If they wer menne, 
your faithfulnefle happelye woulde furfife. But 
childehood mult be maintained by mens authoritye, 
and flipper youth vnderpropped with elder coun- 
fayle, which neither they can haue, but ye geue ir, 
nor ye geue it, yf ye gree not. For wher eche la- 
boureth to breake that the other maketh, and for 
hatred of eche of others parfon, impugneth eche 
others counlayle, there muft it nedes bee long ere 
anye good conclufion goe forwarde. And alfo 
while either partye laboureth to be chiefe, flattery 
(hall haue more place then plaine and faithfull ad- 
uyfe, of whyche mufte needes enfue the euyll bring, 
ing vppe of the prynce, whofe mynd in tender 
youth infedl, (hal rediiy fal to mifchief and riot, and 
drawe down with this noble relme to ruine: but if 
grace turn him to wifdom, which if God fend, 
then thei that by euill menes before pleafed him 
beft, (hal after fall fartheft out of fauour, fo that 
euer at length euil driftes dreue to nought, and 
good plain wayes profper. Great variaunce hath 
ther long bene betwene you, not alway for great 
caufes. Sometime a thing right wel intended, our 
mifconftruccion turneth vnto worfe or a fmal dif- 
pleafure done vs, eyther our owne affeccion or euil 
tongues agreueth. But this wote I well ye neuer 
had fo great caufe of hatred, as ye have of loue. 
That we be al men, that we be chriften men, this 
(hall I leave for prechers to tel you (and yet I wote 
nere whither any prechers wordes ought more to 
moue you, then his that is by and by gooyng to 
the place that thei all preache of.) But this (hal I 
defire you to remember, that the one parte of you 
is of my bloode, the other of myne alies, and eche 
of yow with other, eyther of kinred or affinitie, 
which fpirytuall kynred of affynyty, if the facra- 
mentes of Chriftes churche, beare that weyghte 
with vs that would Godde thei did, flioulde no 
lefle moue vs to charitye, then the refpe&e of 
flelhlye confanguinitye. Oure Lorde forbydde, that 
you loue together the work, for the felfe caufe that 
you ought to loue the better. And yet that hap- 
peneth. And no where fynde wee fo deadlye de- 
bate, as amonge them, whyche by nature and lawe 
moitc oughte to agree together. Such a peftilcnte 
ferpente is ambicion and defyre of vaine glorye and 
foueraintye, whiche amonge ftates where he once 
entreth crepeth foorth fo farre, tyll with deuifion 
and variaunce hee turneth all to mifchiefe. Firfle 
longing to be nexte the bed, afterwarde egall with 
the belle, and at lafte chiefe and aboue the befte. 
Of which immoderate appetite of woorfhip, and 
thereby of debate and diflencion what lofle, what 

ibrowe, 



ENGLISH LANGUA' 



E. 



forowe, what trouble hathe within thefe feweyeares 
growen in this realme, I praye Godde as wel for- 
geate as wee wel remember. 

Whiche thingesyf I coulde as wel haue forefene, 
as I haue with my more payne then pleafure proued, 
by Goddes blefied Ladie (that was euer his bthe) 
1 woulde neuer haue won the courtefye of mennes 
knees, with the lofie of foo many heades. But fithen 
thynges pafied cannot be gaine called, muche oughte 
wee the more beware, by what occafion we haue 
taken loo greate hurte afore, that we eftefoones fall 
not in that occafion agayne. Nowe be thofe griefes 
pafled, and all is (Godde be thanked) quiete, and 
likelie righte wel to profper in wealthfull peace 
vnder youre cofeyns my children, if Godde fende 
them life and you loue. Of whiche twoo thinges, 
the lefie lofle wer they by whome thoughe Godde 
dydde hys pleafure, yet fhoulde the realme alway 
finde kinges and paraducnture as good kinges. But 
yf you among your felfe in a childes reygne fall at 
debate, many a good man fhall perifh and happely 
he to, and ye to, ere thys land finde peace again. 
Wherforc in thele laft wordes that euer 1 looke to 
fpeak with you : I exhort you and require you al, 
for the loue that you haue euer borne to me, for 
the loue that I haue euer borne to you, for the loue 
that our Lord beareth to vs all, from this time for- 
warde, all grieues forgotten, eche of you loue 
other. Whiche I verelye trufte you will, if ye any 
thing earthly regard, either Godde or your king, 
affinitie or kinred, this realme, your owne coun- 
trey, or your owne lurety. And therewithal the 
king no longer enduring to fitte vp, laide him 
down on his right fide, his face towarde them: and 
none was there prefent that coulde refrain from 
weping. But the lordcs recomforting him with as 
good wordes as they could, and anfwering for the 
time as thei thought to ftand with his pleafure, 
there in his prefence (as by their wordes appered) 
eche forgaue other, and ioyned their hands toge- 
ther, when (as it after appeared by their dedes) 
their hearts wer far a fonder. As fone as the king 
was departed, the noble prince his fonne drew to- 
ward London, which at the time of his deceafe, 
kept his houihold at Ludlow in Wales. Which 
countrey being far of from the law and recourfe to 
iuftice, was begon to be farre oute of good wyll 
and waxen wild, robbers and riuers walking at li- 
bertie vncorreded. And for this enchealbn the 
prince was in the life of his father feme thither, to 
the ende that the authoritie of his prefence ftiould 
refraine euill difpofed parfons fro the boldnes of 
their former outerages, to the gouernaunce and or- 
dering of this yong prince at his fending thyther, 
was there appointed Sir Anthony Woduile lord 
Riuers and brother vnto the quene, a right ho- 
nourable man, as valiaume of hande as politike in 

VOL. I. 



counfaylc. Adioyned wer there vnto him other of 
the fame partie, and in effect euery one as he was 
nereft of kin vnto the quene, fo was. planted next 
about the prince. That drifte by the quene not 
vnwifely deuifed, whereby her bloode mighte of 
youth be rooted in the princes fauour, the duke of 
Gloucefter turned vnto their deftruccion, and vpon 
that grounde fet the foundacion of all his vnhappy 
building. For whom foeuer he perceiued, either 
at variance wi?h them, or bearing himfelf their fauor, 
hee brake vnto them, fome by mouth, fom by 
writing or fecret meflengers, that it neyther was 
reafon nor in any wife to be fuffered, that the yong 
king their mafter and kinfmanne, (hoold bee in the 
handes and cuftodye of his mothers kinred, fe- 
queftred in maner from theyr compani and at- 
tendance, of which eueri one ought him as faith- 
ful feruice as they, and manye of them far more 
honorable part of kin then his mothers fide : 
whofe blood (quod he) fauing the kinges pleafure, 
was ful vnmetely to be matched with his: whiche 
nowe to be as who fay remoued from the kyng, 
and the lefie noble to be left aboute him, is (quod 
he) neither honorable to hys mageftie, nor vnto 
vs, and alfo to his grace no furety to haue the 
mightieftof his frendes from him, and vnto vs no 
little ieopardy, to futfer our welproued euil willers, 
to grow in ouergret authoritie with the prince in 
youth, namely which is lighte of beliefe and fone 
perfwaded. Ye remember 1 trow king Edward 
himfelf, albeit he was a manne of age and of dif- 
crecion, yet was he in manye thynges ruled by the 
bende, more then (lode either with his honour, or 
our profite, or with the commoditie of any manne 
els, except onely the immoderate aduauncement of 
them felfc. Whiche whither they forer thirfted 
after their owne weale, or our woe, it wer hard I 
wene to gefle. And if fome folkes frendfhip had 
not holden better place with the king, then any re- 
fpect of kinred, thei might peraduenture eafily 
haue be trapped and brought to confufion fomme 
of vs ere this. Why not as eafily as they haue 
done fome other alreadye, as neere of his royal 
bloode as we. But our Lord hath wrought his wil, 
and thanke be to his grace that peril is paite. Howe 
be it as great is growing, yf wee fuffer this yonge 
kyng in oure enemyes hande, whiche without his 
wyttyng, might abufe the name of his commauii- 
dement, to ani of our vndoing, which thyng God 
and good prouifion forbyd. Of which good pro- 
uifion none of vs hath any thing the lefle nede, for 
the late made attonemente, in whiche the kinges 
pleafure hadde more place then the parties willes. 
Nor none of vs I beleue is fo vnwyfe, oucrfone to 
trufte a newe frende made of an olde foe, or to 
think that an houerly kindnes, fodaindy contract in 
one houre continued, yet fcant a fortnight, Ihold 
[k] be 



THE HISTORY OF THE 



be deper fetled in their ftomackes : then a long 
accuftomed malice many yeres rooted. 

With thefe wordes and writynges and fuche other, 
the duke of Gloucefter fone fet a fyre, them that 
were of themfelf ethe to kindle, and in efpeciall 
twayne, Edwarde duke of Buckingham, and Rich- 
arde lorde Haftinges and chaumberlayn, both men 
of honour and of great power. The tone by longe 
fucceflion from his anceftrie, the tothtr by his office 
and the kinges fauor. Thefe two n$ Bearing eche 
to other fo muche loue, as hatred bothe vnto the 
quenes parte : in this poynte accorded together 
wyth the duke of Glodcefter, that they wolde 
vtterlye amoue fro the kinges companye, all his 
mothers frendes, vnderthe name of their enemycs. 
Vpon this concluded, the duke of Gloucefter vnder- 
ftandyng, that the lordes whiche at that tyme were 
aboute the kyng, entended to bryng him vppe to 
his coronacion, accoumpanied with fuche power of 
theyr frendes, that ic fhoulde bee harde for hym to 
brynge his purpofe to pafie, without the gathering 
and great afiemble of people and in maner of open 
warre, whereof the ende he wifte was doubtous, 
and in which the kyng being on their fide, his part 
fhould haue the face and name of a rebellion: he 
fecretly therefore by diners meanes, caufed the 
quene to be perfwaded and brought in the mynd, 
that it neither wer nede, and alfo (hold be ieopard- 
ous, the king to come vp ftrong. For where as 
nowe euery lorde loued other, and none other thing 
ftudyed vppon, but aboute the coronacion and ho- 
noure of the king : if the lordes of her kinred 
fhold affemble in the kinges name muche people, 
thei mould geue the lordes atwixte whome and 
them hadde bene fommetyme debate, to feare and 
fufpedte, lefte they fhoulde gather thys people, not 
for the kynges fauegarde whome no manne em- 
pugned, but for theyr dtflruccion, hauying more 
regarde to their old variaunce, then their newe at- 
tonement. For whiche caufe thei fhoulde aflemble 
on the other partie muche people agayne for their 
defence, whofe power (he wyfte wel farre (tretched. 
And thus fhould all the realme fall on a rore. And 
cf al the hurte that therof (hould enfue, which was 
likely not to be litle, and the moft harme there like 
to fal wher (he left would, al the worlde woulde 
put her and her kinred in the wyght, and fay that 
thei had vnwyfelye and vntrewlye alfo, broken the 
amitie and peace that the kyng her hufband fo pru- 
denttlye made, betwene hys kinne and hers in his 
death bed, and whiche the other party faithfully 
obferued. 

The quene being in this wife perfwaded, fuche 
woorde lent vnto her fonne, and vnto her brother 
being aboute the kvrge, and ouer that the duke of 
Gloucefter hymltlfe and other lordes the chiefe of 
hys bende, wrote vnto the kyhge foo reuerentlye, 



and to the queenes frendes there foo louyngelye, 
that they nothyngeearthelye my ftruftynge, broughte 
the kynge vppe in greate hafte, not in good fpede, 
with a fober coumpanye. Nowe was the king in 
his waye to London gone, from Northampton, 
when thefe dukes of Gloucefter and Buckyngham 
came thither. Where remained behynd, the lorde 
Riuers the kynges vncle, entendyng on the mo- 
rowe to folow the kynge, and bee with hym at 
Stonye Stratford miles thence, earcly or 

hee departed. So Was there made that nyghte 
muche frendely chere betwene thefe dukes and the 
lorde Riuers a greate while. But incontinente afrer 
that they were oppenlye with greate courtelye de- 
parted, and the lorde Riuers lodged, the dukes 
fecretelye with a fewe of their mofte priuye frendes, 
fette them downe in counfayle, wherin they fpent a 
great parte of the nyght. And at their rifinge in the 
dawnyng of the day, thei fent about priuily to their 
feruantes in the innesand lodgynges about, geuinge 
them commaundemente to make them lelfe fhortely 
readye, for their lordes wer to horfebackward. 
Vppon whiche meflages, manyeof their folke were 
attendaunt, when manye of the lorde Riut-rs fer- 
uantes were vnreadye. Nowe hadde thefe dukes 
taken alfo into their cuftodye the kayesof the inne, 
that none flioulde pafie foorth without theyr li- 
cence. 

And ouer this in the hyghe waye toward Stonye 
Stratforde where the kynge laye, they hadde bce- 
ftowed certayne of theyr folke, that (houlde fcnde 
backe agayne, and compel! to retourne, anye manne 
that were gotten oute of Northampton toward 
Sconye Stratforde, tyll they fhould geue other 
lycence. For as mucbe as the dukes themfelfe en- 
tended for the (hewe of theire dylygence, to bee the 
fyrfte that (houlde that daye attende vppon the 
kynges highnefle oute of that towne : thus bare 
they folke in hande. But when the lorde Ryuers 
vnderftode the gates clofed, and the wayes on euerye 
fide befette, neyther hys fcruauntes nor hymfelf fuf- 
fcred to.gooute, parceiuyng well fo greate a thyng 
without his knowledge not begun for noughte, 
comparyng this maner prefent with this laft nightcs 
chere, in fo few houres fo gret a chaunge maruel- 
ouflye mifliked. How be it fuhe hee coulde not 
geat awaye, and keepe himfelfe clofe, hee woulde 
not, lefte he (houldc feeme to hyde himfelfe for 
fome fecret feare of hys owne faulte, whereof he 
faw no luch cauie in hym felf : he determined vppon 
the furetie of his own confcience, to goe boldelye 
to them, and inquire what this matter myghte 
meane. Whome as foone as they fa we, they be- 
ganne to quarrell with hym, and laye, that hee in- 
tended to lette diftaunce beetweene the kynge and 
them, and to brynge them to confulion, but it 
fhoulde not lye in hys power. And when hee be- 
6 ganne 



ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 



ganne (as bee was a very well fpoken manne) in 
goodly wife to excufe himfelf, they taryed not the 
ende of his aunfwere, but fhortely tooke him and 
putte him in warde, and that done-, foorthwyth 
wente to horfebacke, and tooke the waye to Stonye 
Stratforde. Where they founde the kinge wiih his 
companie readye to leape on horfebacke, and departe 
forwarde, to leaue that lodging for them, becaufe it 
was to ftreighte for bothe coumpanies. And as 
fone as they came in his prefence, they lighte 
adowne with all their companie aboute them. To 
whome the duke of Buckingham faide, goe afore 
gentlemenne and yeomen, kepe youre rowmes. 
.And thus in goodly arraye, thei came to the kinge, 
and on theire knees in very humble wife, falued his 
grace ; whiche receyued them in very ioyous and 
amiable maner, nothinge eirthlye knowing nor 
miftruftinge as yet. But euen by and by in his 
prefence, they piked aquarell to the lorde Richarde 
Graye, the kynges other brother by his mother, 
fayinge that hee with the lorde marques his brother 
and the lorde Riuers his vncle, hadde coumpafied 
to rule the kinge and the realme, and to fette vari- 
aunce among the ftat.es, and to fubdewe and de- 
ftroye the noble blood of the realm. Toward the 
accoumplifhinge whereof, they fayde that the lorde 
Marques hadde entered into the Tower of London, 
and thence taken out the kinges treafor, and fent 
menne to the fea. All whiche thinge thefe duke* 
wilte well were done for good purpoles and neceffari 
by the whole counfaile at London, failing that 
fommewhat thei muft fai. Vnto whiche woordes, 
the king aunfwered, what my brother Marques hath 
done I cannot faie. But in good faith I dare well 
aunfwere for myne vncle Riuers and my brother 
here, that thei be innocent of any fuch matters. 
Ye my liege quod the duke of Buckingham thei 
haue kepte theire dealing in thefe matters farre fro 
the knowledge of your good grace. And foorth- 
with thei arrelted the lord Richarde and Sir Thomas 
Waughan knighte, in the kinges prefence, and 
broughte the king and all backe vnto Northampton, 
where they tooke againe further counfaile. And 
there they fent awaie from the kinge whom itpleafed 
them, and fette newe feruames aboute him, fuche as 
lyked better them than him. At whiche dealinge 
hee wepte and was nothing contente, but it booted 
nor. And at dyner the duke of Gloucefler fente a 
dime from hisowne table to thelordRiaers,prayinge 
him to bee of goodchere, all fhould be well inough. 
And he thanked the duke, and prayed the meflenger 
to beare it to his nephewe the lorde Richarde with 
the fame meflage for his comfort, who he thought 
had more nedeof coumfort, as one to whom fuch 
aduerfitie was ftraunge. But himfelf had been al 



his dayes in vre therewith, and therfore coulde 
beare it the better. But for al this coumfortable 
courtefye of the duke of Gloucefter he fent the 
lord Riuers and the lorde Richarde with Sir Tho- 
mas Vaughan into the Norrhe countrey into diners 
places to prilbn, and afterward al to Pomfrait, 
where they were in conclufion beheaded. 

A letter writteo with a cole by Sir THOMAS MORE 
to hysdoogNtermaiftresMAR GAR ErRopER, with- 
in a whyle after he was prilbner in the Towre. 

A/TYNE own good doughter, our lorde be 
^^ thanked I am in good helthe of bodye, and 
in good quiet of tninde : and of worldly thynges I 
no moredefyer then I haue. I befeche hym make 
you all mery in the hope of heauen. And fuch 
thynges as I fomewhat longed to talke with you all, 
concerning the worlde to come, our Lorde put theim 
into your myndes, as I trufte he dothe and better to 
by hys holy fpirite : who blefie you and preferue 
you all. Written wyth a cole by your tender louing 
father, who in hys pore prayers forgetteth none of 
you all nor your babes, nor your nurfes, nor your 
good hufbandes, nor your good hufbandes flirewde 
wyues, nor your fathers fhrewde wyfe neither, nor 
our other frendes. And thus fare ye hartely well 
for lacke of paper. 

THOMAS MORE, knight. 

Two fliort ballettes which Sir THOMAS MORE made 
for hys paftyme while he was prilbner in the 
Tower of London. 

LEWYS the loft louer. 

Y flatering fortune, loke thou neuer fo fayre, 
Or neuer fo plefantly begin to fmile, 
As though thou wouldft my ruine all repayre, 
During my life thou {halt not me begile. 
Truft (hall 1 God, to entre in a while. 
Hys hauen or heauen fure and vniforme. 
Euer after thy calme, loke I for a florme. 

DAUY the dycer. 

T O N G was I lady Luke your feruing man, 

' And now haue loft agayne all that i gat, 
Wherfore whan I thinke on you nowe and than, 
And in my mynde remember this and that, 
Ye may not blame me though 1 befhrew your cat, 
But in fayth I blefie you agayne a ihoufand times, 
For lending me now fome layiure to make rymes. 

At the fame time with Sir Thomas Mere lived 

Skelton, the poet laureate of Henry VI1J. from whole 

[ k ] 2 works. 



THE HISTORY OF THE 



works it feems proper to infert a few ftanzas, though 
he cannot be faid to have attained great elegance of 
language. 

The prologue to the Bouge of Courte. 

TN Autumpne whan the fonne in vyrgyne 

By radyante hete enryped hath our corne 
When Luna full of mutabylyte 
As Emperes the dyadcme hath worne 
Of our pole artyke, fmylynge halfe in fcorne 
At our ibly and our v. ttedfaftnefle 
The time whan Mars to warre hym dyd dres, 

I callynge to mynde the greate audtoryte 
Of poeces olde, whiche full craftely 
Vnder as couerte termes as coulde be 
Can touche a trouth, and cloke fubtylly 
With fresfhe vtteraunce full fentencyoully 
Dyuerfe in ftyle fome fpared not vyce to wryte 
Some of mortalitie nobly dyd endyte 

Whereby I rede, theyr renome and theyr fame 
May neuer dye, but euermore endure 
I was fore moued to a forfe the fame 
But ignoraunce full foone dyd me dyfcure 
And (hewed that in this arte I was not fure 
For to illumine fhe fayd I was to dulle 
Aduyfynge me my penne awaye to pulle 

And not to wryte, for he fo wyll atteyne 
Excedyng ferther than his connynge is 
His heed maye be harde, but feble is brayne 
Yet haue I knowen fuche er this 
But of reproche furely he maye not mys 
That clymmeth hyer than he may fotinge haue 
What and he flyde downe, who fhall him faue ? 

Thus vp and downe my mynde was drawen and 

caft 

That I ne wyfte what to do was befte 
So fore enwered that I was at the lafte 
Enforfed to flepe, and for to take fome refte 
And to lye downe as foone as 1 my drefte 
At Harwyche porte flumbrynge as I laye 
In myne nodes houfe called powers keye. 

Of the wits that flourifhed in the reign of 
Henry VIII. none has been more frequently cele- 
brated than the earl of Surry , and this hiftory would 
therefore have been imperfect without fome fpeci- 
mens of his works, which yet it is not eafy to diftin- 
guifh from thofe of Sir Thomas Wyat and others, 
with which they are confounded in the edition that 
has fallen into my hands. The three firft are, I 
believe, 6'rr/s > the reft, being of the fame age, 
are fc.efted, ibme as examples of different meafures, 
and one as the oldelt competition whLh I have 
fount] in blank verie. 



Defcription of Spring, wherein eche thing renewes, 
fave only the lover. 

H E foote feafon that bud, and bloome fourth 

bringes, 

With grene hach cladde the hyll, and eke the vale, 
The Nighringall with fethers new flie tinges j 
The turtle to her mate hath told the talc : 
Somer is come, for every fpray now fpringes, 
The hart hath hunge hys olde head on the pair, 
The bucke in brake his winter coate he flynges ; 
The fifhes flete with newc repayred fcale : 
The adder all her Hough away file fiynges-, 
The fwift fwallow purfueth the flyes fmalle, 
The bufy bee her honey how fhe mynges ; 
Winter is worne that was the floures bale. 
And thus I fee among thefe pleafant thynges 
Eche care decayes, and yet my forrow fprynges. 

Defcripcion of the reftlefs eftate of a lover. 

HEN youth had led me half the race, 
That Cupides fcourge had made me runne; 
I looked back to meet the place, 
From whence my weary courfe begunne : 

And then I faw howe my defyre 
Mifguiding me had led the waye, 
Myne eyne to greedy of theyre hyre, 
Had made me lofe a better prey. 

For when in fighes I fpent the day, 
And could not cloake my grief with game ; 
The boyling fmokedyd ftill bewray, 
The prelent heat of fecret flame : 

And when fak teares do bayne. my breaft, 
Where love his plealent traynes hath fown, 
Her beauty hath the fruytes oppreft, 
Ere that the buddes were fpronge and blowne. 

And when myne eyen dyd ftill purfue, 
The flying chafe of theyre requeft ; 
Theyre greedy looks dyd oft renew, 
The hydden wounde within my brefte. 

When every loke thefe cheekes might ftayne, 
From dedly pale to glowing red ; 
By outward fignes appeared playne, 
To her for helpe my harte was fled. 

But all to late Love learneth me, 
To paynt all kynd of Colours new ; 
To blynd theyre eyes that elfe fhould fee 
My fpeckled chekes with Cupids hew. 

And now the covert breft I clam 1 :, 
That wormipt Cupide fecretely ; 
And nourifhed hys lacred flame, 
From whence no blairing fparks do flye. 



Defcripcion 



ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 



Defcripcion of the fickle Affections, Pangs, and 
Sleightes of Love. 

UCH wayward wayes hath Love, that moft part 

in dii'cord 
Our willes do (land, whereby our hartes but fel- 

dom do accord : 

Decyte is hys delighte, and to begyle and mocke 
The fimple hartes which he doth ftrike with fro- 

ward divers ftroke. 
He caufeth th' one to rage with golden burning 

darte, 
And doth alay with Leaden cold, again the others 

harte. 
Whofe gleames of burning fyre and eafy fparkes of 

flame, 

In balance of unequal weyght he pondereth by ame 
From eafye ford where 1 myghte wade and pals full 

we!!, 
He me withdrawes and doth me drive, into a depe 

dark hell: 

And me witholdes where I am calde and offred place, 
And willes me that my mortal foe 1 do befcke of 

Grace j 

He lettes me to purfue a conqueft welnere wonne 
To follow where my paynes were loft, ere that my 

fute begunne. 

So by this means 1 know how foon a hart may turne 
From warre to peace, from truce to ftryfe, and Ib 

agayne returne. 

I know how to content my fclf in others luft, 
Of little ItufTe unto my lelf to weave a webbe of 

truft: 
And how to hyde my harmes with fole dyfiembling 

chere, 

Whan in my face the painted thoughtes would out- 
wardly appeare. 
I know how that the bloud forfakes the face for 

dred, 
And how by flume it ftiynes agayne the Chckes 

with flaming red : 

1 know under the Grene, the Serpent how helurkes : 
The hammer of the reftlefs forge 1 wote eke how it 

workes. 

I know and con by roate the tale that I woulde tell 
But ofte the woordes come fourth awrye of him that 

loveth well. 

I know in hcate ^nd colde the Lover how he (hakes, 
In fynging how he doth complayne, in deeping how 

he w. kes 

To languifh without ache, fickelefie for to confume, 
A thoufdnd thynges for to devyfc, reiolvyngeof his 

fume ; 
And though he lyfle to fee his Ladyes Grace full 

lore 
Such pleafurcs as delyght hys Eye, do not his helthe 

reftore. 



I know to feke the trafte of my defyred foe, 
And fere to fynde that 1 do feek, but chiefly this I 

know, 

That Lovers muft transfourme into the thynge be- 
loved, 
And live (alas! who would believe ?) with fprite 

from Lyfe removed. 

I knowe in harty fighesand laughters of the fpleene, 
At once to chaunge my ftate, my will, and eke my 

colotfr clene. 

I know how to deceyve my felf wythe others helpe, 
And how the I.yon chaftifed is, by beatynge of the 

whelpe. 

In ftandy nge nere the fyre, I know how that I freafe ; 
Farre of I burne, in bothe I wafte, and fo my Lyfe 

I lecfe. 

I know how Love doth rage upon a yeyldingmynde, 
How fmalle a nete may take and mafe a harte of 

gentle kynde : 

Or elfe with feldom fwete to feafon hepes of gall, 
Kevived with a glympfe of Grace old ibrrowes to 

let fall. 
The hydden traynes I know, and fecret fnares of 

Love, 
How foone a loke will prynte a thoughte that never 

may remove. 
The flypper ftate I know, the fodein turnes from 

wehhe 
The doubtfull hope, the certaine wooe, and fure 

defpaired helthe. 

A praife of his ladie. 

EVE place you ladies and be gone, 

Boafl not your felves at all, 
For here at hande approcheth one, 
Whofe face will ftayne you all. 

The vertue of her lively lookes 
Excels the precious ftone, 
I wifhe to have none other bookes 
To reade or look upon. 

In eche of her two chriftall eyes, 
Smyleth a naked boy; 
It would you all in heart fufKfe 
To fee that lampe of joye. 

I think nature hath loft the moulde, 
Where (he her (hape did take; 
Or elfe I doubte if nature coulde 
So fayre a creature make. 

She may be well comparde 
Unto the Phenix kinde, 
Whofe like was never feene nor heard, 
That any man can fynde. 

In lyfe (he is Diana chalt 
In trouth Penelopey, 
In woord and eke in dede ftedfaft j 
What will you more we fay : 

If 



THE HISTORY OF THE 



If all the world were fought fo farre, 
Who could finde fuchc a wight, 
Her beauty twmkleth lykc a flarre 
Within the frofty night. 

The Lover refufed of his love, embraceth vertue. 

Y youthfull yeres are part, 
My joyfull dayes are gone, 
My lyfe it may not laft, 
My grave and I am one. 

My myrth and joyes are fled, 
And I a Man in wo, 
Defirous to be ded, 
My mifciefe to forego. 

[ burne and am a colde, 
I freefe amyddes the fyer, 
J fee me doth vvitholde 
That is my honeft defyre. 

I fee my helpe at hande, 
I fee my lyfe alfb, 
I fee where fhe doth ftande 
That is my deadly fo. 

I fee how (he doth fee, 
And yet fhe wil be blynde, 
I fee in helpyng me, 
She fekes and wil not fynde. 

I fee how me doth wrye, 
When I begynne to mone, 
I fee when I come nye, 
How fayne (he would be gone. 

I fee what wil ye more, 
She will me gladly kill, 
And you [hall fee therfore 
That (he (hall have her will. 

I cannot live with ftones, 
It is too hard a foode, 
I wil be dead at ones 
To do my Lady good. 

The Death of ZOROAS, an Egiptian aftronomer, 
in the firft fight that Alexander had with the 
Perfians. 

"^ O W clattring armes, now raging broyls of warre, 
* Gan pafle the noys of dredfull trumpetts clang, 
Shrowded with fhafts, the heaven with cloude of 

dartes, 

Covered the ayre. Againft full fatted bulles, 
As forceth kyndled yre the lyons keene, 
Whofe greedy gutts the gnawing hunger prickes; 
So Macedons againft the Perfians fare, 
Now corpfes hyde the purpurde foyle with blood -, 
Large (laughter on eche fide, but Perles more, 
Moyft ficldes bebled, theyr heartes and numbers 

bate, 
Fainted while they gave backe, and fall to flighte. 



The Utening Macedon by fwordes, by gleaves, 
By bandcs and troupes of footemt-n, with his garde, 
Speedes to Dary, but hym Im tnereft kyn, 
Oxate prefcrves with horle:r>en on a plumpe 
Before his carr, that none his charge mould give. 
Here grunts, here groans, eche where ftrong youth 

is fpent: 

Shaking her bloudy hands, Bellone among 
The Peries foweth all kind of cruel death: 
With throte yrent he roares, he lyeth along 
His entrailes with a launce through gryded quyte, 
Hym fmytes the club, hym woundes farre Itrykmg 

bowe, 

And him the fling, and him the mining fwordj 
He dyeth, he is all dead, he panics, he reftcs. 
Right over ftoode in fnowwhite armour brave, 
The Memphite Zoroas, a cunnyng clarke, 
To whom the heaven lay open as his booke; 
And in celeftiall bodies he could tell 
The moving meeting light, afpeifr, eclips, 
And influence, and constellations all; 
What earthly chaur.ces would betyde, what yere, 
Of plenty (torde, what figne forewarned death, 
How winter gendreth fnow, what temperature 
In the prime tyde doih feafon well the foyle, 
Why fummer burnes, why autumnehath ripe grapes, 
Whither the circle quadrate may become, 
Whether our tunes heavens harmony can yelde 
Of four begyns among themfelves how great 
Proportion is-, what (way the erryng lightes 
Doth fend in courfe gayne that fy rft movy ng heaven ; 
What grees one from another diftance be, 
What (tarr doth let the hurtfull fyre to rage, 
Or him more mylde what oppoficion makes, 
What fyre doth qualifye Mavorfes fyre, 
What houfe eche one doth feeke, what plannett 

raignes 

Within this heaven fphere, nor thatfmall thynges 
I fpeake, whole heaven he clofeth in his breit. 
This fage then in the ftarres hath fpyed the fates 
Threatned him death without delay, and, fith, 
He faw he could not fatall order chaunge, 
Foreward he preft in battayle, that he mig-ht 
Mete with the rulers of the Macedons, 
Of his right hand defirous to be (lain, 
The bouldeft borne, and worthieft in the feilde; 
And as a wight, now wery of his lyfe, 
And feking death, in fyrft front of his rage, 
Comes delperately to Alexanders face, 
At him with dartes one after other throvves, 
With recklefle wordes and clamour him provokes, 
And fayth, Nedlanaks baltard fhamefull (layne 
Of mothers bed, why lofell thou thy rtrokes, 
Cowardes among, Turn thee to me, in cafe 
Manhood there be fo much left in thy heart, 
Come fight with me, that on my helmet weare 

Apollo's 



ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 



Apollo's laurell both for learnings laude, 
And eke for martiall praife, that in my fhieldc 
The feven fold Sophi of Minerve contein, 
A match more mete, Syr King, then any here. 
The noble prince amoved takes ruth upon 
The wilfull wight, and with foft words ayen, 

monftrous man (quoth he) what fo thou art, 

1 pray thee live, ne do not with thy death 
This lodge of Lore, the Mufes manfion marre; 
That treafure houfe this hand thall never fpoyle, 
My fword fliall never bruife that fkillful brayne, 
Long gathered heapes of fcience fone to fpill ; 

O howe fayre fruites may you to mortall men 
From Wifdoms garden give; how many may 
By you the wifer and the better prove: 
What error, what mad moode, what frenzy thee 
Perfwades to be downe, fent to depe Averne, 
Where no artes flourifh, nor no knowledge vailes 
For all thefe fawes. When thus the ibvereign 

faid, 

Alighted Zoroas with fword unfheathed, 
The carelefs king there fmoate above the greve, 
At th' opening of his quifhes wounded him, 
So that the blood down trailed on the ground : 
The Macedon perceiving hurt, gan gnafhe, 
But yet his mynde he bent in any wife 
Hym to f.rbeare, fett fpurrs unto his ftede, 
And turnde away, left anger of his fmarte 
Should caufe revenger hand deale balefull blowes. 
But of the Macedonian chieftaines knights, 
One Meleager could not bear this fight, 
But ran upon the faid Egyptian rude, 
And cut him in both knees: he fell to ground, 
Wherewith a whole rout came of fouldiours 

fterne, 

And all in pieces hewed the fely feg, 
But happely the foule fled to the ftarres, 
Where, under him, he hath full fight of all, 
Whereat he gazed here with reaching looke. 
The Perfians waild fuch fapience to forgoe, 
The very fune the Macedonians wifht 
Me would have lived, king Alexander felfe 
Demde him a man unmete to dye at all; 
Who wonne like praife for conqueft of his Yre, 
As for ftoute men in field that day fubdued, 
Who princes taught how to difcerne a man, 
' That in his head fo rare a jewel beares, 

But over all thofe fame Camenes, th-ofe fame, 
Divine Camenes, whofe honour he procurde, 
As tender parent doth his daughters wcale, 
Lamented, and tor thankes, all that they can, 
Do cherifh hym deceaft, and fett him free, 
From dark oblivion of devouring death. 



Barclay wrote about 1550 ; his chief work is the 
Ship of Fcoles, of which the following extract will 
fhew his ftyle. 

Of Mockers and Scorners, and falfe Accufers. 
HEARTLESS fooks, hade here to our doctrine, 
Leaue off the wayes of your enormitie, 
Enforce you to my preceptes to encline, 
For here fhall I fhewe you good and veritie : 
Encline, and ye finde lhall great profperitie, 
Enfuing the doctrine of our fathers olde, 
And godly lawes in valour worth great golde. 

Who that will followe the graces manyfolde 
Which are in vertue, fhall finde auauncement: 
Wherfore y fooles that in your finne are bolde, 
Enfue ye wifdome, and leaue your lewde intenr, 
Wifdome is the way of men moft excellent: 
Therfore haue done, and fliortly fpede your pace, 
To quaynt your felf and company with grace. 

Learne what is vertue, therin is great folace, 
Learne what is truth, fadnes and prudence, 
Let grutche be gone, and grauitie purchafe, 
Forfake your folly and inconuenience, 
Ceafe to be fooles, and ay to fue offence, 
Followe ye vertue, chiefe roote of godlynes, 
For it and wifedome is ground of clenlynes. 

Wifedome and vertue two thinges are doubtles, 
Whiche man endueth with honour fpeciall, 
But fuche heartes as flepe in foolilhnes 
Knoweth nothing, and will nought know at all: 
But in this little barge in principall 
All foolifh mockers 1 purpofe to repreue, 
Claw'e he his backe that feeleth itch or greue. 

Mockers and fcorners that are harde of beleue, 
With a rough comb here will I clawe and grate, 
To-proue if they will from their vice remeue, 
And leaue their folly, which caufeth great debate: 
Suche caytiues fpare neyther poore man nor eftate, 
And where their felfe are moft worthy derifion, 
Other men to fcorne is all their moft condition. 

Yet are mo fooles of this abufion, 
Whiche of wife men defpifeth the doctrine, 
With mowes, mockes, fcorne, and collufion, 
Rewarding rebukes for their good difcipline: 
Shewc to fuche wifdome, yet fhall they not encline 
Unto the fame, but let nothing therby, 
But mocke thy doctrine, ftill or openly. 

So in the worlde it appeareth commonly, 
That who that will a foole rebuke or blame, 
A mocke or mowe fhall he haue by and by: 
Thus in derifion haue fooles their fpeciall game. 
Correct a wife man that woulde elchue ill name, 
And fayne would learne, and his lewde life amende, 
And to thy wordes he gladly fhall intende. 

If 



THE HISTORY OF THE 



If by misfortune a rightwife man offende, 
He gladly fuffercth a iufte correction, 
And him that him teacheth taketh for his frende, 
Him felfe putting mekely unto fubiedtion, 
Folowing his prcceptes and good direction: 
But yf that one a foole rebuke or blame, 
He mall his teacher hate, (launder and diffame. 

Howbeit his wordes oft turne to his own fliame, 
And his owne darces rttourneto him agayne, 
And fo is he fore wounded with the fame, 
And in wo endeth, great mifery and payne. 
It alfo proued full often is certayne, 
That they that on mockers alway their mindes caft, 
Shall of all other be mocked at the laft. 

He that goeth right, ftedfaft, fure, and faft, 
May him well mocke that goeth halting and lame, 
And he that is white may well his fcornes caft, 
Agaynft a man of Inde : but no man ought to blame 
Anothers vice, while he vleth the fame. 
But who that of finne is cleaneindeedeand thought, 
May him well fcorne whofe liuing is ftarke nought. 
The fcornes of Naball full dere mould haue been 

bought, 

If Abigayl his wife difcrete and fage, 
Had not by kindnes right crafty meanes fought, 
The wrath of Dauid to temper and affwage. 
Hath not two beares in their fury and rage 
Two and fortie children rent and torne, 
For they the prophete Helyfeus did fcorne. 

So might they curfe the time that they were borne, 
For their mocking of this prophete diuine: 
So many other of this fort often mourne 
For their lewde mockes, and fall into ruine. 
Thus is it foly for wife men to encline, 
To this lewde flocke of fooles, for fee thou fliall 
Them mofte fcorning that are moft bad of all. 

The Lenuoy of Barclay to the fooles. 

Ye mocking fooles that in fcorne fet your ioy, 
Proudly defpifing Gods punition: 
Take ye example bv Cham the fonne of Noy, 
Which laughed his father vnto derifion, 
Which him after curfed for his tranfgrefilon, 
And made him fcruaunt to all his lyne and ftocke. 
So mail ye caytifs at the conclufion, 
Since ye are nought, and other fcorne and mocke. 



About the year 1553 wrote Dr. Wtlfon, a nun 
celebrated for the politcnefs of his ftyle, and the 
extent of his knowledge : what w.is the (late of our 
language in his time, the following may be of ufe 
to mow. 

TDRonunciation is an aptc orderinge bothe of the 
voyce, countenauncc, and all the whole bodye, 
accor lynge to the worthines of fuche woordes and 
mater as by fpeache are declared. The vfe 
hereof is fuche for anye one that liketh to haue 
prayfe for tellynge his tale in open afcmblie, that 
hauing a good tongue, and a comelye countenaunce, 
he (hal be thought to paffe all other that haue the 
like vtteraunce : thoughe they haue much better 
learning.. The tongue geueth a certayne grace to 
euerye matter, and beautifieth the caufe in like 
maner, as a fwete foundynge lute muche fctteth 
forthe a meane deuifed ballade. Or as the founde 
of a good inftrumente ttyrreth the hearers, and 
moueth muche delite, fo a cleare foundyng voice 
comforteth muche our deintie eares, with muche 
fwete melodic, and caufeth vs to allowe the matter 
rather for the reporters fake, then the reporter for 
the matters fake. Demofthenes therforc, that fa- 
moufe oratour, beyng aflced what was the chiefeft 
point in al oratorie, gaue the chiefe and onely 
praife to Pronunciation ; being demaunded, what 
was the feconde, and the thirde, he (till made 
aunfwere, Pronunciation, and would make none 
other aunfwere, till they lefte afkyng, declaryng 
hereby that arte without vtteraunce can dooe no- 
thyng, vtteraunce without arte can dooe right 
muche. And no doubte that man is in outwarde 
apparaunce halfe a good clarke, that hath a cleane 
tongue, and a comely gefture of his body. ^Efchines 
lykwyfe L'eyng bannifhed his countrie through De- 
mofthenes, when he had redde to the Rhodians his 
own oration, and Demofthenes aunfwere thereunto, 
by force whereof he was bannifhed, and all they 
marueiled muche at the excellencie of the fame : 
then (q d .flSfchines) you would have marueiled 
muche more if you had heard hymfclfe fpeak it. 
Thus beyng caft in miferie and bannifhed foreuer, 
he could not but geue fuch greate reporte of his 
deadly and mortal ennemy. 



Thus have I deduced the Englijb language from eafily traced, and the gradations obferved, by which 

the age of Atfredm that of Elizabeth; in fome parts it advanced from its firft rudenefs to its preieat 

imperfectly for want of materials; but I hope, at elegance, 
leaft, in fuch a manner that its progrels may be 



A GRAM.; 



R 



M M A R 



OF THE 



ENGLISH TONGUE. 



G 



RAM MAR. which \ftheart oftifing'worJs properly, com 
prifes four parts; Orthography, Etymology, Syntax 
and Profody. 

In this divifion and order of the parts of grammar I folio* the common gram 
marians, without enquiring whether t fitter distribution might not be (bum 
Experience has long fnowu this method to be fo ditKnft ai to obviate confuuon 
and fo comprehenfive as to prevent any inconvenient omiflions. I likewife u 
the terms already received, and already nderftood, though perhaps others mor 
proper might fometimes be invented. Sylburgius, and other innovators, whol 
new terms have fynk their learning into negleft, have left fufficieut warnin 
againft the trifling ambition of teaching arts in a new language. 

ORTHOGRAPHY is the art of combining letters into fyllalhs 
nd fyllables into 'words. It therefore teaches previously the form 
and found of letters. 



Saxon. 

T: a 

B b 

E c 

D b 

e e 

r F 

E 7> 

fe h 

I i 



k 

1 



K 

L 

TO m 

N 

O 

P P 



n 
o 



R n 

6 T I 

U u 

V v 

W p 

X x 

X y 

Z z 



VOL, I. 



The letter* of the EHglifh laaguage are, 



Roman. 

A 

B 



a 
b 

C c 

D d 

E e 

F f 

G g 

H h 

I i 

J J 

K k 

L 1 

M m 

N n 

O o 

P P 

^ q 

R r 

S fs 

T t 

U a 

V T 

W w 

X 

Y y 

Z z 



Italick. 

A a 

B b 

C e 

D d 

e t 

F f 

G g 

H h 

I i 



L I 

M m 

N , 

O o 



r 

S f, 
T t 
U u 
V i, 

W TV 
X X 



Old Englifh. Name. 

38 a 

25 b ie 

/ 



C 

t 

f 

3 8 



< 



% I 

$1 m 

M n 

O 

P P 

4D (] 

fc t? 



Jet 



eitck 



J confonant, 
ka. 
// 

em 

M 

o 
fie 

cue 



tee 

" (or tia 
*> confonant, 
doable u 
<* 



t 

U 

D b 

ID to 
$ f 

g. p '"y 

& 3 zed, more 

commonly izzard 
or uxx.ard, that is 
/bar*. 



To thefe may be added certain combinations of letters univer- 
fally ufed in printing ; as <S, ft, fl, fl, fb, flc, ff, fl", fi, fli, fi, ffi, ffl, 
and &, or and 'per fe, and. l>ft,fl,ft,Jb,Jk,ff,j r ,f; > fj;,Ji,ffi, l gl, *. 

(t, a, a, a, ff, ft, a, 8, te, m, <t . 

Our letters are commonly reckoned twenty-four, becaufe anciently i and /, 
as well as u and v , were expreffed by the fame character ; but at thofe letters, 
which had always different powers, have now different forms, our alphabet may 
be properly faid to conlifl of twenty-fix letters. 

None of the fmall confonants have a double form, except/, > ; of which/is 
ufed in the beginning and middle, and t at the end. 

Vowels are five> a, e, i, o> u. 

Such 5s the number generally received ; but for ' it is the 
praftice to write y in the end of words, as thy, holy ; before /, 
as from die, dying ; from beautify, beautifying ; in the words fays, 
days, eyes ; and in words derived from the Greek, and written 
originally with v, nsfiffem, o-vrvn* fympathy, o-i/ftn-aSn*. 

For we often write iu after a vowel, to make a diphthong { 
as rafui, gre<u>, 'uievi, r vo i \u, fio-iuing, lo'uineft. 

The founds of all the letters are various. 

In treating on the letters, I fhall not, like fome other grammarians, enquire 
into the original of their form, as an antiquarian ; nor into their formation and 
prolation by the organs of fpcech, as a mechanick, anatomift, or phyfiologifl ; 
nor into the properties and gradation of founds, or the elegance or harfhnefs of 
particular combinations, as a writer of univerfal and tranfcendental grammar. I 
confider the Englifh alphabet only as it is Englifh ; and even in this narrow dif- 
quifition, 1 follow the example of former grammarians, perhaps with more reve- 
rence than judgment, becaufe by writing in Englifh I fujpofe my reader already 
icquainted with the Englifh language, and confequen'Jy able to pronounce the 
letters, of which I teach the pronunciation ; and becaufe of founds in general it 
may be obfcrved, that words are unable to defcribe them. An account therefore 
of the primitive and fur.ple letters is ufclefa alinoft alike to thofe who know their 
bund, and thofe who know it not. 

Of VOWELS. 

A. 

A has three founds, the flender, open, and broad. 
A flender is found in moft words, as face, mane; and in word* 
nding in atioti, as creatien,faliiatior., generation. 

The a flender is the proper Englifh a, called very juftly by Erpenius, in hii 
krabick Grammar, a Anglicum cum e niftum, as having a middle found between 
ic open a and the i. The French have a fimilar found in the wo:d (ail, and in 
heir c mafculine. 

A open is the a of the Italian, or nearly fefembles it ; as 
c ather, rather, congratulate, fancy, glafs. 
A broad refembles the a of the German ; as all, <wall, call. 

Many words pronounced with a broad were anciently written with au, at 
Wt, mault ; and we ftill lay fault, wult, Ttyis wa probably the Saxon found, 
E for 



A GRAMMAR OF THE 



for it *t ret retained in the northern d'.uicfts, and in the ruftick pronunciation ; 
at maun for man, taunj tot ktrd. 

The fhort a approaches to the a open, as graft. 

The long a, if prolonged by e at the end of the word, is al- 
ways (lender, is graze, fame. 

A forms a diphthong only with /' or j, and u or w. Ai or ay, 
as in plain, wain, gay, clay, has only the found of the long and" 
(lender a, and differs not in the pronunciation from plane, wane. 

Au or mv has the found of the German a, as raw, naughty. 

At is fometimcs found in Latin words not completely natural'fed or affimi- 
lited, but is no EngUfli diphthong ; and is more properly cxprciled by fingle t, 
as C'JJr, Entas. 

E. 

E is the letter which occurs moft frequently in the Englifh language. 

E is long, as infceue ; or fhort, as in cellar, feparate, celebrate, 
men, then. 

It is always fhort before- a double confonant, or two.confo- 
nants, as in 'vex, perplexity, rile/it, medlar, reptilt,ferpiHt, cellar, 
elation, btijjlng, fell, felling, debt. 

E is always mute at the end of a word, except in monofylla- 
bles that have no other vowel, as the ; or proper names, as Pe- 
nelope, Pbebe, Derbe ; being ufed to modify the foregoing con- 
fonant, asyJk-f, ence, hedgi, oblige ; or to lengthen the preceding 
vowel, as ban, b'.r.i ; can, cane; pin, flue; ti-n, tune; rob, 
ills ; pop, pope ; fir, fire ; cur, cure ; tub, tube. 

Almoft all words which now terminate in con/brunts ended anciently in e, as 

y 



ws perhaps for a time vocal or filent in poetry, as convenience requirej ; but it 
has been long wholly mute. Camden in his Rtmains calls it the nlent t. 

It does not always lengthen the foregoing vowel, as glove, live, 
give. 

It has fometimes in the end of words a found obfcure, and 
Scarcely perceptible, as open, Jhapcn, Jbotten, tbiftle, participle 



This faintnefe of found is found when < feparatcs a mute from a liquid, as in 
rMen ; or follows a mute and liquid, as in cattle. 



E forms a diphthong with a, as near ; with z, as deign, receive; 
and with u or w, us new, few. 

Ea founds like e long, as mean - r or like ee, as dear, clear \ ncar~ 

Ei is founded like e lon, as feize, perceiving. 

Eu founds as u long and foft. 

E, a, u, are combined in beauty and its derivatives, but have 
only the found of a. 

E may be faid to form a diphthong by reduplicatioa, as agree, 
filliping. 

o is found in yetraen, where it is founded as e fhort; and in fiofh, where i 
is pronounced like u. 



/has a found, long, as/la*; and fhort, as/w. 

That is eminently obfervable in i, which may be likcwife remarked in othc 
letters, that the ftort found is not the long found contracted, but a found wholl 
dift'erent. 

The long fannd in monofyllables L always marked by the t 
final, as thin, thine. 

I is often founded before r as a fhort u ; zs. flirt, firft, Jhirt. 

It forms a diphthong only with e, as field, Jh'ie'.d, which is 
founded as the double ee; except friend, which is founded as 
frend. 

I is joined with <u in lieu, and no in vino ; which triphthong) are founded a: 
Ike p ;. u. 

o. 

O is long, as bant, 'sbiditnt, corrvding ; or fhort, &s~lloci, knock, 
c, lull* 



Women is pronounced ivimea, 
The fliort e has fometimes the found of a clofe a, as/or, csir.t, 

O coalefces into a diphthong with a, te moan, groan, approach j 
a has the found of o long. 

U united to f in fome words derived from Creek, as te -ntt^y j but ct being 
not n Englilh diphthong, they are better written aj they are founded, with only t,. 

With /, as oil, foil, moil, noifome. 

Thjs coalition of letters feems to unite the founds of the two letters as far as 
\vo founds can be united without being deftroyed, and therefore approaches more 
nearly than any combination in our tongue to the notion 01' a diphthong. 

With o, as boot, hoot, cooler ; oo has the found of the Italian *. 

With or w, as our, power, flower ; but in fome words has 
only the found -of o long, as itijiul, &vwl,/ow, grew. TJiefe dif- 
ferent founds are ufed to difiinguifh different jigijificatipns ; as 
bow, an inflrument for mooting ; bow, a deprefiion of the head : 
fonv, the fhe of a boar ; foi'j, to fcatter feed : bowl, an orbicular 
x>dy ; bowl, a wooden veffel. 

Ou is fometimes pronounced like o foft, as court ; fometimes 
'ike o fhort, as cough ; fometimes like clofe, as could ; or u open, 
as rough, tough ; which ufe only can teach. 
* 

Ou is frequently ufed in the laft fyllable of words which in Larin end in or, and 
are made Engliih, as bcncur, Idbiur, favour, trorh bcr.'.'i-', lator t favar. 

Some late innovators have ejected the u, without considering that the Inftfy!- 
,ab!e gives the found neither of or nor ur, but a found b-rtwe^r. them, if nut 
pounded of both ; ix-fides tliat they are probably d-jr^.cd to us from the French 



nouns in em, as btnxrur, favc ur. 



U. 



U is long in ffe, confujion ; or fhort, as us, eoncu,pon. 

It coalefces with a, e, i, o ; but has rather in thefe combina- 
tions the force of the w, as quaff", queft, ai/it, ajiiic, languijb ; 
fometimes in ui the /' lofes its found, as in juice. It is fometimes 
mute before a, c, i,y, as guard, gueft, guije, biy. 

U is followed by in virtue, but the e has no fo_und. 

Ue is fometimes mute at the end of a worJ, in imitation of the French, as/- 
rogue,f}nag'>gue,flagut, vague, iarM^ue. 

Y. 

T is a vowel, which, as Quintilian obferves of one of the Ro- 
man letters, we might want without inconvenience, but that we 
have it. It fupplies the place of/ at the end of words, as thy ; 
before an /, as dying ; and is commonly retained in derivative 
words where it was nart of a diphthong in the primitive ; as de- 
ft roy, dcflroyer ; betray, betrayed, betrayer ; pray, prayer ; fay, 
j'aycr ; day, days. 

r being ttie Sanon vowel y, which was commonly ufed where i is now put, 
occurs very frequently in all old books. 

GENERAL RULES. 

A vowel in the beginning or middle fyllable, before two con-- 
fonants, is commonly fhort, as opportunity. 

In monofyllables a fingle vowel before a fingle confonant IS: 
fhort, as flag, .frog. 

Many is pronounced as if it were wrote tnetay. 

Of CONSONANTS.. 
B. 

B has one unvaried found, fuch as it obtains in other Ian.. 



tli^C * 

It is mute in debt, debtor, fubtle, doubt, lamb, limb, dumb, 
thumb, climb, comb, womb. 
It it ufed before I and r, as Hack, 



E N G L I S ,H TONGUE. 






C. 

C has before e and / the found of/; .as Jtncfrelj, centrick, cen- 
tury, circular, 'ci/lern, city, jiccity : before a, a, and , it founds 
like t, as calm, concavity, coffer, incorporate, curiojtty, co/icufif- 
cence. 

C might be omitted in the language without lofs, finre one of its founds might 
be fupplied by/, and the othc. by *, but that it preferves to the eye the etj mologj 
of words, as face from facits, caft'rve from aftivus. 

Ch has a found which is analyfed into tjh, as church, chin, 

trutcb. ft is the fame found which the Italians give to the c 

fimple before / and c, as cilia, cerro. 

Ch is founded like k in words derived from the Greek, as 
".'.ft, febeme, cbohr. Arch is commonly founded ark befor* a 

vowel, as archangel; and with the Englifh found of cb before a 

confonant, as archbijhop. 

Cb, in fome French words not yet aflimihteJ, founds like jb, as machine, 
cbaift. 

C, having no determinate found, according to Eng!i/h ortlngranhy, ntvfr ends 
rd ; therefore we write f,iik, bh;k, which v- -.-, b'.cckc, in 

i'jch words. C is now mute. 

It is ufed before /and r, is clxk, crofs. 

D. 

Is uniform in its found, as death, diligent. 

It is ufed before r, as drtvi, drift j and w, as dwell. 



F, though having a name beginning with a vowel, is num- 
bered by the grammarians among the femi-vowels ; yet has this 
quality of a mute, that it is commodioufly founded before a 
liquid, us Jiajk , fly , freckle. It has an unvariable found, except 
that of is fometimes fpokcn nearly as ov. 

G. 

G has two founds one hard, as in gay, go, gun; the other 
foft, as in gem, giatit. 

At the end of a word it is always hard, ring,fnug, fang, frog. 

Before e and / the found is uncertain. 

G before e is foft, as gem, generation, except in gear, geld, 
getfe, get, ge*wga<w, and derivatives from words ending in g, as 
Jinging, ftrtnger, and generally before er at the end of \vords, as 
Jlnger. 

G is mute before n, as g''.afo,Jign, foreign. 

G before /' is hard, as give, except in giant, gigantic, gibbet, 
gibe, giblets, Giles, gill, gilljf.oiver , gin, ginger, gingle, to which 
may be added Egypt and gypfey. 

Gh, in the beginning of a word, has the found of the hard g, 
as gbajlly ; in the middle, and fometimes at the end, it is quite 
filent, as though, right, fought, fpoken tho' ', rite,foute. 

It has often at the end the found of/, as laugh, whence laugh- 
ter retains the fame found in the middle ; cough, trough, fougb-, 
ttugh, enough , Jlough . 

It is not to be doubted, but that in the original pronunciation gb had 
the force of a confonant, deeply guttural, which i> ftill continued anuug the 
Scotch. 

G is ufed before i, I, and r. 

H. 

H is a note of afpiration, and (hows that the following vowel 
mult be pronounced with a ftrong emiffion of breath, as hat, 
horfe. 

It feldom begins any but the firft fyllable, in which it is 
Always founded with a full breath, except in heir, herb, hoftltr, 
honour, humble, honejl, humour, and their derivatives. 

It fi.metimes begini middle ot final fylhbles in wordj compounded, 
"f derived iron) the Latin, as ttm 



J, 

J confonant founds uniformly like the foft g, and is therefore 
a letter ufelefs, except in etymology, as ejaculation, jeftlr, jocund-, 
juice. 

K. 

K has the (bund of hard c, and is ufed before e and i, where, 
according to Englifh analogy, c vvoiild be foft, 'as kept, king, 
flirt, Jkcptick, for fo it fliould be written, not fcep tick, becaufe/ 
is founded like/, as mfcene. 

It is ufed before , as knell, trot, but totally lofes its found in modern pro- 
nunciation. 

K is never doubled ; but c is ufed before it to fhorten tha 
vowel by a double confonant, as cockle, fickle. 

L. 
L has in Englifh the fame liquid found as in other languages. 

Thecuftom is to double the I at the end of rnonofyllables, as HII, ivill,full. 
Thefe words were originally written ki!U, vvillt, fulli ; and when the e firft 
grew filent, and was afterwards omitted, the //was retained, to give force, ac- 
cording to the analogy of our language, to the foregoing vowel. 

L is fometimes mute, as in calf, half, halves, calves, could, 
would, jhould, pfalm, talk, falmcn, falcon. 

The Saxons, who delighted in guttural founds, fometimes afpirated the / ar 
the beginning of words, as hlaj:, a leaf, or bread; hlapofiS, lord; but this 
pronunciation is now difufed. 

Le at the end of words is pronounced like a weak el, in which 
the e is almoil mute, as table, Jbuttle. 

M. 
AThai always the fame found, as murmur, monumental. 

N. 

N has always the fame found, as noble, manners. 

N is fometimes mute after m, as damn, condemn, hymn. 

P. 

P has always the fame found, which the WeHh and Germans 
confound with B. 

P is fometimes mute, as in pfalm, and between m and /, as 
tempt. 

Ph is ufed for/ in words derived from the Greek, as fhilofa- 
pher, philanthropy, Philip. 



<, as in other languages, is always followed by u, and has a 
found which our Saxon anceftors well exprefled by cp, ciu, as 
quadrant, queen, ejue/!rian, quilt, enquiry, quire, quotidian, >u is 
never followed by u. 

>u is fometimes founded, in words derived from the French, 
like k, as conquer, liquor, ri/que, chequer. 

R. 
R has the fame rough fnarling found as in other tongues. 

The Saxons nfed often to put b before it, as before / at the beginning of 
words. 

Kb is ufed in words derived from. the Greek, as tnyrrb, myrrbint, catarrieut, 
rheum, rbutrmttick, rbymt. 

Re, at the end of fome words derived from the Latin or 
French, is pronounced like a weak er, as theatre, fepulchre. 

S. 
5 has a hifling found, TA fibilatitn, fifter. 

A fingle feldom ends any word, except in the third perfon of verbs, as 
lavti, ym/s j and the plurals of nouns, as trees, tujtei, dijtrtjjet ; the j>ron.>uns 
g 1 this, 



A GRAMMAR OF THE 



tl-ii, Hi, tan, y-trt, ui ; tne tdrerb ttui ; and words derived from Latin, a: 
rttn, jurflut ; the tltl'e being always cither in ft, ai bouji, tcrfe, or in/i, as 
grefi, Jreji, t/ifs, Itfi, anciently grtji, drrjft, 

5 fingle, at the end of words, has a grofler found, like that of 
, as trees, tyei, except this, thus, us, rebus , furplus . 

It founds like x. before ion, if a vowel goes before, as intr.ufan ; 
and like/, if it follows a confonant, as coniierjion. 

It founds like x. before e mute, as refufe, and before _y final, as 
rofy ; and in thofe words bofom, tlefire, inifdom, prifon, prifoner, 
frefent, prefent, damfel, cafement. 

It it the peculiar quality of/, that it may be founded before all confonants, 
except x and x, in which j is comprised, x being only ks, and K a hard or 
grofs/. This / is therefore termed by grammarians jute ptltftatu lit-.ra ; the 
reafon of which the learned Dr. Clarke erroneoufly luppoh-a 1 to be, that in 
fome words it might be *jublcd at pleafurc. Thus we find in fevcral lan- 
guages : 

zCini/jui, fcattfr, jdcgno, fdrucaolo, ffavelfare, (njwyf, fgczibrare, fgraruzrc, 
fl&kt, Jlumbfr, fmcll, jnipt, ff>Jce t jpleitdour 9 fpring, fqueezc, jibrwv, flep t jlrcngtb, 
jlramm, ftrift, fventura, ftvell. 

S is mute in ijle, ifland, demefne, 'vifcount. 

T. 

7" has its cuftoraary found, as take, temptation. 

Ti before a vowel has the found of fi, a.sfal<vation, except an 
J goes before, as quejiion ; excepting likewife derivatives from 
words ending in ty, as mighty, mightier. 

Tb has two founds ; the one foft, as thus, whether ; the other 
hard, as thing, think. Thle found is foft in thefe words, then, 
thrnct, and there, with their derivatives and compounds ; and in 
that, thefe, tbou, thee, thy, thine, their, they, this, thofe, them, 
though, thus, and in all words between two vowels, as father, 
ivhether ; and between r and a vowel, as burthen. 

In other words it is hard, as thick, thunder, faith, faithful. 
Where it is foftened at the end of a woid, an e filent muft be 
added, as breath, breathe ; cloth, clothe. 

V. 
V has a found of near affinity to that of/ 1 , -vain, vanity. 

From f, in the Iflandick alphabet, v is only diltingui&cd by a diacritical 



w. 

Of <ur, which in diphthongs is oftea an undoubted vowel, 
fome grammarians have doubted whether it ever be a confonnnt ; 
and not rather, as it is called, a double u or ou, as 'water may be 
refolved into cuater ; but letters of the fame found are always 
reckoned confoaants ia other alphabets : and it may be ob- 
ferved, that iu follows a vowel without any hiatus or difficulty of 
utterance, as frofty nvinttr. 

Wb has a ibund accounted peculiar to the Englifh, which the 
Saxons better exprefled by hp, tnu, as ivhat, -whence, 'whiting ; 
in tvhort only, and fometimes in ivholtfome, iuh is founded like 
a Ample h. 

X. 

X begins no Englifh word ; it has he found of h, as axle, 
txtraneous. 

Y. 

Y, when it follows a confonant, is a vowel ; when it precedes 
ither a vowel or dipththong, is a confonant, ye, young. It is 
thought by fome to be in all cafes a vowel, But it may be ob- 
ferved ofy as of w, that it follows a vowel without any hiatus, 
as rojy youth. 

The chief argument by which 10 and y appear to be always vowels is, that 
the founds which they arc fuppofed to have as confonants, cannot be uttered 
after vowel, like that of a'.l other confon^nts : thus we fay, tu, tit ; di, edd; 
tot in v*a, 4tw, the two founds vivi hate BO icfenbliuice tu each cclicr> 
8 



Z. 

Z begins no word originally Englifh ; it has the found, a 
its name izzard, or f hard expreffes, of an f uttered with clofer 
compreffion ef the palate by the tongue, as freeze, froze. 

In orthography I have fuppofed crltitfy, or jvjt uttiranci of viirdt, to be in- 
cluded ; orthography being only the art of exprdling certain founds by proper 
characters. 1 have therefore obferved in what words any of the letters are 
mute. 

Moft of the writers of Englifii grammar have given long tables of words pro. 
nounced othcrwife than they arc written, and feem not Sufficient] y to have 
confidcred, that of Engli/h, as of all living tongues, there is a double pro- 
nunciation, one curfory and colloquial, the other regular and folemn. The 
tirtory pronunciation is always vague and uncertain, being made different in 
different mouths by negligence, unfkilfulnefs, or aftgiil.ition. The folemn pr .- 
nunciation, though by no means immutable anil permanent, is yet alw.ij 
lefs remote from the orthography, and lefs liable to capricious innovation. 
They have however generally formed their tablet according to the curfory 
fpccch of thofe with whom they happened to converfe ; and concluding that 
the whole nation combines to vitiate language in one manner, have often 
eltabliihed the jargon of the lowed of the people ai the model of Jpeech. 

For pronunciation the beft general rule is, to confider thole of the mod ele- 
gant fpeakers who deviate leaft from the written words. 

There have been many fchcmes offered for the emendation and fcttlement of 
our orthography, which, like that of other nations, being formed by chance, 
or according to the fancy of the earlier}, writers in rude ages, was at firfl very 
various and uncertain, and is yet fumciently irregular. Of thefe reformers 
fome have endeavoured to accommodate orthography better to the pronunci- 
ation, without confidering that this is to mcafure by a fliadow, to take that for 
a model or ftandard which is changing while they apply it. Others, lefs 
abfurdly indeed, but with equal unlikelihood of fucceis, have endearoured to 
proportion the number of letters to that of founds, that every found may have 
its own character, and every character a fingle found. Such would be the. 
orthography of a new language to ft formed by a fynod of grammarian:; 
upon principles of fciencc. But who can hope to prevail on nations to change 
their practice, and make all their old books ufelefs ? or what advantage would 
a new orthography procure equivalent to the confufion and perplexity of fuch 
an alteration ? 

Some of thefe fchemes I ihall however exhibit, which may be ufcd according 
to the diverfities of genius, as a guide to reformers, or terrour to innovator*. 

One of the firft who propofed a fcheme of regular orthography, was Sir 
Thomas Smith, fecretary of ftate to Queen Elizabeth, a man of real learning, 
and much practifed in grammatical difquilitions. Had he written the following 
lines according to his fcheme, they would have appeared tku* : 

At length Erafmus, that great injur'd name, 
The glory of the priefthood, and the fliame, 
Stemm'd the wild torrent of a barb'rous age, 
And drove thofe holy Vandals off the ftage. 

At lcng$ Erafmus, $at gre't 'm^urd naru, 
Ae glori of 3c pre'fthud, and 8e zam, 
Stcmmd <5e w/ld torrent of a barb'rous aj, 
And drov Sos hbli Vandals bft'Se ftaj. 

After him another mode of writing was offered' by Dr. Gil!, the celebrated 
matter of St. Paul's fchool in London ; which I cannot reprefent exactly for 
want of types, but will approach as nearly as I can by means of character* 
now in ufe, fo as to make it underftood, exhibiting two ftanias of Spenfer in tUc 
reformed orthography. 

Spenfer, book iii. canto 5. 
Unthankful wretch, faid he, is this the meed, 
With which her fovereign mercy thou doft quite ? 
Thy life fhe faved by her gracious deed ; 
But thou doft ween, with villanous defpight, 
To blot her honour, and her heav'nly light* 
Die, rather die, than fo difloyally 
Deem of her high defcrt, or fcera fo light. 
Fair death it is u fliun more fharne ; then die. 
Die, rather die, than ever love difloyally. 

But if to love difloyalty it be, 
Shall I then hate her, that from deathes door 
Me brought ? ah ! far be fuch reproach fiom a'ie. 
What can I lefs do, than her love therefore, 
Sith I her due reward cannot reftorc ? 
Die, rather die, and dying do her fcrve 
Dying her ferve, and living her adore. 
Thy life ihe gave, thy life fht doth defervc ; 
Die, rather die, than ever from her fenrice fwervt, 

Vrljankful wre?, {aid hj, iz ISis S5e mjd, 
Wift tt)i3 htr fothrdin rmiri Sou dull qujt ? 
Dj Ijf fj rafcd bj htr grafius djd ; 
But Sou dull wen. vvijj toiltnus uilj>;t. 

T 



ENGLISH TONGUE. 



Tu blot htr honot, ond her hetonlj Hit. 
Pj, r0$ir dj. 8en A) difloialj 
Pjm of hir hiA dfztrr, or fjm fo Hit. 
Fair a-. Jj it iz tu r*un m*r f am j $tn dj* 
Pj, ra&.r dj, Sin itlir lub diflowlj. 

But if tu lut) difloialtj it bj, 
Sal 1 iSin hat htr Sat from dtSez di-r 
Mj brou&t ? tfh ! \'f bj fua ripro? from mj 
Wat kan I Its du Sin hir lub Serfar, 
Sii I her du riw,;rd kanot reftoir ? 
Dj, raftr dj, and djij du htr firU, 
Djij hir full, and lifo.j hsr ads;r. 
Dj Ijf rj g=*>> *j Ijf ri dui diZEitl; 
Dj, r<iir dj, Sea et)>r from h:r li.to's fvvtrll. 

Dr. Gill was followed by Charles Butler, a man who did not want an un 
ierttanding which might have qualified him for better employment. He teem 
to have been more ("anguine thm his predcceflbrs, for he printed his book ac 
cording to his own fcheuie ; which the following fpecimen will make eafily un 
derftood. 

But whcmfoercr you have occaflon to trouble their patience, or to com 
among them being troubled, it is better to ftanJ upon your guard, than t 
truft to their gentlenefs. For the fifcguard of your face, which they bav 
mod mind unto, provide a purfehood, made of coarfc boulcering, to be draw 
ar.J k:.it abaut your collar, which for more fafety is to be lined againft th 
eminent part-, with woollen cloth. Firft cut a piece about an inch and a hal 
broad, and half a yard long, to reach round by the temples and forehead, from 
one ear to the trtherj which being fowcd in his place, join unto it two fhor 
pieces of the fame breadth under the eyes, for the bails of the checks, and thei 
ftt another piece about the breadth of a /hilling againft the top of the nofe 
At other times, when they are not angered, a litclc piece half a quarter broad 
to cover the ejes and paru about them, may ferve, though it be in th: heat o 
the day. 

Bet penfoever you nav' occafion to trubble Seir patient', or to cm amon, 
35em bing trubled, it is better to ftand upon your gard, $.in to truft to &ei 
gcntlcnc!. For 8e faf jard of your t'uc', pi? Scy hav' moft mind' unto 
provid' a purfehood, mad' of coorfe boultering, to b drawn and kn'rt abou 
your collar, pis for mor' faf'ty is to bcc lined againft 8" eminent parts wit 
we lien clot. Firft cut a pc' about an ina and a half broad, and half 
long, to rcas round by Se temples and for'head, from one ear to Se oSer 
J>i3 king fowed in his plac 1 , join unto it two fort pces of the fam breadr 
under 1Se eys, for the bails of 8e chks, and then fet an o8er pc' about 81 
breadt of a fi"' n ? againft the top o 8c nofe. At oSer tiro's, j-en Sey at 
not angered, a little pice' half a quarter broad, to cover 8e cys and parts abou 
them, may fervc, 8owj it be in the heat of Se day. Butler in Ibe Nature am 
Pnfcrtiei of Bin, 1634. 

In th* time of Charles I. there was a very prevalent inclination to chang. 
the orthography ; as appears, among other books, in fuch editions of the 
works of Milton ac were published by himfclf. Of thefe reformers, every 
man had his own fcheme ; but they agreed in one general dclign of accomm<>- 
dating the letters to the pronunciation, by ejecting fuch as they thought fu- 
f erAuous. Some of them would have written thefe lines thus : 



-All the erth 



Shall then be paradis, far happier place 
Than this of Eden, and far happier dais. 

Bifiiop Wilkins afterwards, in his great work of the philofophical language, 
propofcd, without eipefting to be followed, a regular orthography; by which 
the Lord's prayer it to be written thus : 

Ywr Fadher hitfli art in heven htfHoed bi dhyi njm, dhyi cjngdym cym, dhy 
III bi dyn in erth as it is in heven, Sec. 

We have finee had no general reformers ; but fom ingenious men have 
endeavoured to deferve well of their country, by writing bontr and later for 
fcmiir and labour, rid for riad in the preter-tenfe, fait for jay i, rtfett for refeal, 
txflaru for exflam, or dufami for declaim. Of thefe it may be laid, that as they 
have done no good, they have done little harm ; both bccaufe they have inno. 
vated littie, and becaule few have followed them. 

: Englifli language has properly no dialefls ; the ftyle of writers has no 

profefled diverfity in the ufe of words, or of their flexions, and terminations, 

nor differs but by different degree? of (kill or care, The oral dicliou is uniform 

in no fpacious country, but has lefs variation in England than in moft other 

[ions of equal extent. The language of the northern counties retains many 

word now out of ufe, but which are commonly of the genuine Teutonick 

race, and is uttered with a pronunciation which now fecms harfli and rough, 

but was probably ufcd by our anceftors. The northern fpccch is therefore not 

irbarous but obfolete. The fpcech in the weftern provinces feems to differ 

roro the general diclion rather by * depraved pronunciation, th an by ny real 

d)8?r.ucc which lettcn would 



ETYMOLOGY. 

TT^TYMOLOGY teaches the deduftion of one word from 
j^/ another, and the various modifications by which the fenfe 
of the fame word is diverfified ; as borfe, horfes ; I love, I laved. 

Of /^ARTICLE. 
The Englifh have two articles, an or a, and the. 

An, A. 

jt has an indefinite fignification, and means ant, with fome 
reference to more ; as This is a good book, that is, one among the 
books that are good. He was killed by a fword, that is, ft** 
fvitird. Tbii is a tetter book for a man than a boy, that is, for 
one of thefe that are men than one of thofe that an boys, jtn army 
might enter without reftjtance, that is, any army. 

In the fenfes in which we ufe a or an in the fingular, we fpeak 
in the plural without an article ; as, thefe are good books. 

I have made an the original article, becaufe it is only the Saxon an, or zn, 
me, applied to a new ufe, as the German tin, and the French un : the n being 
cut off before a confonant in the fpeed of utterance. 

Grammarians of the laft age direft, that an mould be ufed 
before h ; whence it appears that the Englifh anciently afpirateJ 
lefs. An is ftill ufed before the filent h, as, an herb, an honejt 
man : but otherwife a ; as, 

A horfe, a horfe, my kingdom for a horfe. Shakeffeafe. 
An or a cm only be joined with a fingular, the correfpondent 
plural is the noun without an article, as Iivant a fen ; I 'want 
fens : or with the pronominal adjeUve_/2wx?, as / ivantfomefeni. 

THE has a particular and definite fignification. 

The fruit 

Of that forbidden tree, whofe mortal tafle 
Brought death into the wor'J. Milton. 

That is, that f articular fruit, and this ivorld in nvhich nut live. 
So, He gi<veth fodder for the cattle, and green berbs for the ufe of 
man ; that is, for tboft beings that are cattle, and his ufe that 



Dryden. J 



The is ufed in both numbers. 

I am as free as Nature firft made man, 
Ere the bafe laws of fervitude began, 
When wild in woods the noble favage ran. 

Many words are nfed without articles ; as, 

1. Proper names, as John, Alexander, Longlnus, Ariftarchus, 
"Jerufalfm, Athens, Rome, London. GOD is ufed as a proper name. 

2. Abilraifl names, as blacknefs, 'witchcraft, "virtue, vice, beauty t 
iglinefs, lo--ve, hatred, anger, good-nature, kindncfs, 

3. Words in which nothing but the mere being of any thing 
s implied : This is not beer, but 'water : this is not brafs, but 

Heel. 

Of NOUNS SUBSTANTIVES. 

The relations of Englifh nouns to words going before or fol- 
owing, are not exprelfed by cafes, or changes of termination, 
mt as in moft of the other European languages by prepofitiont, 
nlefs we may be faid to have a genitive cafe. 

Singular. 

Norn. Magifler, a Matter, the Matter. 

Gen. Magiftri, of a Matter, of the Matter, er Matters, 

the Matters. 

Magiftro, to a Matter, to tht Matter. 
Magiftrum, a Matter, the Matter. 
Magifter, Matter, O Matter. 



Dat. 
Ace. 
Voc. 
Abl. 



Magiilro, frm a Matter, from the Matter. 



Plural. 



A GRAMMAR OF THE 



Plural. 

Nom. Magiflri, Mailers, the Mafters. 

Gen. Magiilrorum, cf Mailers, of the Mafters. 

Dat. Magiftris, to Mailers, to the Mafters. 

Ace. Magiftros, Mafters, the Mailers. 

Voc. Magiftii, Mafters, O Mafters. 

Abl. Magiftris, from Mafters, from the Matters. 

Our nouns are therefore only declined thus : 

Mafter, Gen. Mafters. Plur. Mafters. 

Scholar, Gen. Scholars. Plur. Scholars. 

Thcfe genitives are always written with a mark of elifion, mafltr's, fcbtlar'!, 
according to an opinion 1 r.- rcc/ived, th.it the 's is a contraction of bis, as I'M 
fitctur's valour, for the J-Jdier his va/our i but this cannot be the true original, 
tn-caufe 't is put to female nouns, Woman 'i iitauty ; the Virgin's delicacy ; Haughty 
jtur.t's unrelenting tare : and collective nouns, at Women's fajjions, the rabbtt'i 
inyJtnce, the multitude s folly ', in all thefe cafes it is apparent that bis cannot be 
underftood. We fay likcwife, the foundation's Jirength, the diamond' > lujlre, the 
winter's fevcritr ; but in thel'e cafes tis may be underftood, be and tis having 
formerly been applied ta neuters in the place now fupplicd by it and its. 

The learned and fagzcinui vVTis, to whom evciy Kngliili grammarian owes a 
tribute of reverence, calls this modification of the noun an adjeSi-v; fj/lj/ive ; 
1 think with no more propriety than he might have applied the fame to the geni- 
tive in ccjuitum deem, Tr-jf iris, or any other Latin genitive. Dr. Lowtli, on the 
o r iior part, fuppofcs the pofleflive pronouns mine and ttift to be genitive cafes. 

This termination of the noun feems to conftitutc a jeul genitive indicating 
pofleflion. It is derived to us from thole who declined j-rmiS, afmiib; Gen. 
KtatSeTi cfafmitb ; Piur. finiiSej-, or fcnif^f,jmitbs ; and fo in two other of 
their feven declenfions. 

It is a further confirmation of this opinion, that in the old poets both tlie 
genitive anJ plural were longer by a fyDable than the original word : kni:is, for 
knight's, in Chaucer ; Itaiiis, for leaves, in Spenfcr. 

When a word enJs in s, the genitive may be the fame with the nominative, as 
Vcr.its temple. 

The plural is formed by adding /, as table, tables ; fly, flies ; 
Jtfter,ffters ; wood, ivoods ; or es where s could not otherwife be 
founded, as after ci, s, ft>, x, z. ; after c founded like /, and g 
likey ; the mute e is vocal before s, as lance-, lances ; outrage, 
eut rages. 

The formation of the plural and genitive fingular is the fame. 

A few words yet make the plural in a, as men, women, oxen, fwine, and more 
anciently eyen-anAJhwn. This formation is that which generally prevails in the 
Tcutonick dialects. 

Words that end in /commonly form their plural by ves, as 
liaf, loaves ; calf, calves. 

Except a few, muff, muffs ; chief, chiefs. So hoof, r'.cf, fro'f, relief , m ; fctirf, 
fvff, cuff, divarf, handkerchief, grief. 

Irregular plurals are teeth from t-Mb, lice from loufe, mice from imttfc, getfe 
from-goc-ft, feet frcmfwt, dice from die, fence ffomfinty, bi\:brt:n from brother, 
children from child. 

Plurals -ending in s have for the moft part no genitives ; but 
we fay, Womens excellencies, and Weigh the mens 'wits againft the 
ladies hairs. Pope. 

Dr. Wallis thinks the Lords' b'jufe may be faid for the boufe if Lords ; but fuch 
plu-afes are not now in ufe ; and furely an Englifh ear rebels againit them. They 
would commonly produce a troublefome ambiguity, as the Lord's boufe may be 
the boufe cf Lords, or the boufe of* Lord. Belides' that the mark or elifion is 
improper, for in the Lords' boufe nothing is cut off". 

Some Englilh fubftantives, like thofe of many other languages, change their 
firr.ii nation as they exprcfs diffeient fexes, as prince, frinah > afor, alircfs; fnn, 
Ihn' 's ; hero, heroine. To thcfe mentioned by Dr. Lowth may be added artitrcp, 
fottifs, cbaunlrefs, ducbefs, tigrefs, go-ucrmfs, tutrejs, feerefs, auttorefs, traytrefs, 
and perhaps others. Of thefe variable terminations we have only a fufficient 
number to make us feel our want ; for when we f.iy of a woman that (lie is a 
fb'iUJifbcr, an ajircnon:cr, a iitihlcr, a weaver, a dancer, we perceive an impro- 
priety in the termination which we cannot avoid ; but we can fay that (lie is an 
trchitcH, a botanijl, xjludtnr, bccaufe thefe terminations have not annrxcd to 
tbtm the notion of (ex. Jn wjrds which the ncccfilties of life are often re- 
quiring, the fex is diflinjuifhcd not by different terminations, but by different 
names, as, a bull, a cnu ; a btrft, a marc ; equus, e<]ua ; a cock, a Icn j and fomc- 
times by pronouns prefixed, as a hc-Mf, a (he-goat. 

Of ADJECTIVES. 

Adjectives in the fcnglim language are wholly indeclinable ; 
having neither cafe, gender, nor number, and being added to 
fubftantives in all relations without any change ; as a good wo- 
man, goad women, of a gocd woman ; a goad man, good men, of 
good men. 



The Comparifoa f Adjectives. 

The comparative degree of adjeftives is formed by adding er, 
the fuperlative by adding eft, to the pofitive ; as fair, fairer, 
iweft ; lovely, lovelier, loveli^/? ; fiueet, fwcetrr, fweetf/? ; low, 

,ver, lovff/l ; high, highfr, highf/?. 

Some words are irregularly compared ; as good, better, beft ; 
bad, ivorfe, ivorft ; little, lijs, haft ; near, nearer, next ; much, 
more, moft ; many (or met), mere (tor mocr), moft (for morft") ; late, 
later, late/I or la/}. 

Some comparatives form a fuperlative by adding moft, as 
nether, nethermoft ; outer, eutermoft ; under, undermoft ; up, upper, 
uppfrmt!/? ; fore, former, fortmoft. 

Moft is iometimes added to a fubftantive, as topmoft,fouthmoft. 

Many adjectives do not admit of comparifon by terminations, 
and are only compared by more and moft, as benevolent, more 
benevolent, moft benevolent. 

All adjectives may be compared by mere and rnoft, even when 
they have comparatives and fuperlatives regulurly formed ; as 
fair ; fairer, or more fair ; faireft, or moft fair. 

In adjectives that admit a regular comparifon, the comparative more is oftener 
ufcd than the fuperlative mcjl, as mere- fair is oftener written foifainr, than mij} 
fair for faireji. 

The comparifon. of adjectives is very uncertain ; and being 
much regulated by commodioufnefs of utterance, or agreeablc- 
nefs of found, is not ealily reduced to rules. 

Monofyllables are commonly compared. 

Polyfyllables, or words of more than two fyllables, are feldom 
compared otherwife than by more and moft, as deplorable, mart 
deplorable, moft deplorable. 

Diflyllables are feldom compared if they terminate in feme, 
as fitlfome, toilfome ; in ful, as cartful, fpleenfal, dreadful in 
ing, as trifling, charming ; in ous, as porous ; in lefi, as carelefs, 
harmlefs ; iu td, as --wretched; in id, as ca:idid ; in al, as mortal; 
in eat, as recent, fervent ; in aia, as certain ; in i-ve, as mijji*ve ; 
in tly, as woody ; in fy, as puffy ; in ky, as rocky, except lucky ; 
in my, as roomy ; in ny, as jkinnf ; in y, as rff^y, except bappv ; 
in ry, as hoary. 

Som? comparatives and fuperlat'vcs are yet found in good writers, formed 
without regard to the foregoing rules : but in a language fubjedted fo little and fo 
lately to grammar, fuch anomalies mult frequently occur. 



ParaJife Lofl. 



Paradife Loji. 



dy is compared by Miltcn. 

She \njliadicji covert hid, 
Tun'd her oodurnal note. 

And virtuous. 

What me wills to fay or ds, 
Seems wifeft, virttiiufcft, difcreeteft, be;h 

So trifling, by Ray, who is indeed of no great authority. 

It is not fo decorous, in refpecl of God, that he (hould i 
' 



It is not fo decorous, in refpecl of God, that he (hould immediately 
do all 'the mcaneft and trifingrft tilings himfelf, without making ufe of 
any inferior or fubordinate minifter. Ray on the Creation. 

Fan:om, by Milton. 

1 fliall be namM among ditfamoufej} 

Of women, fung at folemn fcAivals. A'-!t;u's Agottijlct. 

Im/e/ttive, by Ajchcan. 

Thofe have the inventiveji heads for all purpofcs, and roundeft tongues 
in all matters. sljcbam's Sitmltaajrer. 

Alcrfa!, by Bacon. 

The nurulcft poifons prac"lifed by the Weft Indians, have fome mixture 
of the blood, fat, or flcfli of man. Bacon. 

Natural, by Wotton. 

I will now deliver a few of the propercil and naturalkft confederations 
that belong to this piece. Waton's Architecture. 

m-ctcbed, by Jonfan. 

The wietcbeder are the contemners of all helps j fuch as prefuming OR 
their own naturals, deride diligence, and mock at terms when they uu- 
dcrftand not things. Bfn Jsnjm. 

Fmtrfiil, by Milton. 

We have fultain'd one day in doubtful fight, 
What heavVs great King hath f.-ufrfulleft to lend 
Againft us frgm about his throne. P.trjJl'c Left. 

' The 



ENGLISH TONGUE; 



The termination in ijh my be accounted in fomefort a degree of comparifon, 
ky whLh th" :;;.;n:rica,ion is diminifbed beiow the pofttive, as black, blackijb, or 
tending to bhc'inefs ; fah,fa!tyh, or having a little tafte of fait : they therefore 
admit no comparifon. This termination is feldom added but to words expreffing 
fenfibie qualit.es, nor often to words of above one fy)lable, and is fcarccly ulcd 
in the falcon or fublune ftyle. 

O/~PRO NOUNS. 

Pronouns, in the Englifh language, are, I, thsa, he, with tfieir 
plurals, we, ye, they ; it, ivho, 'which, ivhat, --whether, ivhofoe--ver, 
foe-rer, my, mine, our, ours, thy, thine, your, yours, his, h.-r, 
hers, their, theirs, this, that, other, another, the fame , fame. 

The pronouns perfonal are irregularly inflected. 



Singular. 

Norn. \ 

Accuf. and other ) *. 
oblique cafes, j 

Neat. Thou 

Oblique. Thee 



Plural. 
We 

Us 

Ye 

You 



commonly ufed in modern writers far ft, particularly in the language of 
cere uony, where the fecond pcrfon plural is ufed tor the leccr.d peifon iingular, 
r:: } rler '&' 






Norn. 
Oblique. 

N;n. 



Singular. 
Hd 
Him 

She 
Her 

It 



Plural. 

rpi e > Applied to mafculines. 



' | Applied to feminines. 
r^i e ^ i Applied to neuters or things. 



Oblique. Its 

For /'/ the practice of ancient writers was to ufe he, and for 
its, his. 

The pofleflive pronoun?, like other adjectives, are without 
cafes or change of termination. 

The pofleffivS of the firll perfoa is try, mine, our, ears ; of the 
fecond, thy, thine, your, yours ; of the third, from he, his ; fromjhe, 
her, and hers ; and in the plural their* theirs, for both (exes. 

Our', ycun, km, itelrs, are ufed when the ftib'tantive preceding is fcparated 
by a verb, 29 Tbt/e rt our tcoti. Tbrjt tsoti arc curl. Your fbiUrtn acitours 
in ftjture, f'u! ours Jvrpaji yours in letirniitg. 

Curt, yiun, btrs, titin, notwithstanding their fceming plural termination, 
are applied equally to fingular and plural fubifantivcs, as, Tin tat u ours. Tleft 
fio/i art ours. 

Miiu anj thine were formerly ufcd before a vowel, u mine amiable Itiaf ; wh'rh, 
though now difufed in profe, might be ftill properly continued in poetry : they arc 
ofed as curt 3ndjctirt, and are referred to a fubftantive preceding, as thy houle is 
larger than mine, but my garden is more fpacious than tblne. 

Their znd.lbeirs are the pofleflives likewife of they, when they 
\t the plural of it, and are therefore applied to things. 

Pronouns relative are, <uih, -which, ivhat, whether, iuhofoe<ver, 
luhatfoever. 



Sing and Plur. 
Num.. Who 

Gen. Whofe 

Other oblique cafes. Whom 



Sing, and Plur. 
Norn. Which 
Gen. Of which, or whofe 
Other oblique cafes. Which. 



tfta is now ufcd in relation to pcrfons, and -wbit'in relation to things; but 
they were anciently confounded. At lealt it was common to fay, the man which, 
though I remember ne example of the thing ivho. 

Wkett is rather the poetical than regular genitive of wtitt :. 

The fruit 

Of that forbidden tree, ictoft mortal tafle 
Brought de^th into the world. Mi'tcn. 

U^elter is only ufcd in the nominative and accufative cafes ; and has no plural, 
keing applied only to cut of a number, commonly to one of two, at Whether of 
iteje ii lift I kmtu tut. Whetlier Jha/l I tboo/e ? It is now almoft obfoletr. 

What, whether relative or interrogative, is without variation. 
(ftofce-ver , nuhatfie'vcr, being compounded of ivho or vibat, 
follow the rule of their primitives. 



//; all cafes, 



Singular. 

{This 
That 
Other 
Whether 



Plural. 
Thefe 
Thole 
Others 



The plural ethers is not ufed but when it is referred to a fubftantive preceding, 
as / iu-veftnt other L-'jrfa, I have n-.tfcnt the fame torfcs, tut others. 

Another, being only an ether, has no plural. 

Here, there, and where, joined with certain particles, have a 
relative and pronominal ule. Hereof, herein, hereby, hereafter, 
herewith, thereof, therein, thereby, thereupon, therewith, ivhereof, 
I'jherein, ivhereby, 'whereupon, >n*irlrair,'which Jignify, of this,, 
in this, &C. of that, in that, &C. ofivhich, inivhich, &C. 

Therefore and ivherefore, which are properly, there for and 
ivhere for, for that, for ixihich, are now reckoned conjunctions, 
and continued in ufe. The reft feera to be pafling by degrees 
into negleft, though proper, ufeful, and analogous. They are 
referred both to fingular and plural antecedents. 

There are two more words ufed only in conjunction with pro 
nouns, cnvn smdjelf. 

O-ivn is added to pofieffives, both fingular and plural, as my 
own hand, oar own hcufe. It is emphatical, and implies a filent 
contrariety or oppofition ; as / live in my on.au houfe, that is, not 
in a hired houfe. This I did with my o-ivn band, that is, ivithout 
help, or not by proxy. 

Se//'is added to pofTeffives, as myfelf,yourfcl--ues ; and fometimes 
to perfonal pronouns, as him/elf, it/elf, themfel<ves. It then, like 
o-ivn, exprefles emphafis and oppolition, as / did this myfelf, 
that is, MI another \. or it forms a reciprocal pronoun, as We 
hurt tpr/ihtti by iiain rage. 

ll'im^Jf, itf-'If, tbimfelves, are fuppofed by Wallis to be put, by corruption, for 
bis felf, it* jilf,.tb?ir flv:s ~ r fu that yr//" is always 3 fubltantivc. This fcems 
juiliy obftrved, for we- fay, H* ianii L>linf<if\ H'unJJf foall do this j where b'tnifelf 
cannot be an accufativc. 

Of tbc VERB. 

Engli(h verb* are afitiwe, as / love; or neuter, 3.*.I:langmjh f 
The neuters are formed like the aftives. 

: Mod verbs fign!fy!ngr?<<< may likewife fignify cmJitim or hatit, and become 
xiuicrt, a^ / love, I un in love ; JJiriic, I am now {trilling. 

Verbs have only two tenfes inflected in their terminations, the 
prefent, and the fimple preterite ; the other tenfes are compounded 
of the auxiliary verbs have, /hall, will, lee, may, can, and the in* 
finitive of the active or neuter verb. 

The paffive voice is formed by joining the participle preterite 
to the fubftantive verb, as / am lo-ved. 



To have. Indicative Moodi 

Prefent Tenfe. 

Sing. I have ; than haft ; he hath or has ; 
Plur. Ife have ; yt have ; they have. 

Hat is a termination corrupted from bath, but now more frequently ufcd loth 
in verfe and prole. 

Simple Preterite. 

Sing. I had ; thou hadft ; he had ; 
Plur. We had ; ye had ; they had. 

Compound Preterite. . 

Sing. I have had ; then hail had ; he has or hath had ; 
Plur. We have had ; ye have had ; they have had. 

Pfeterpluperfcfl. 

Sing. I had had ; thou hadft had ; ke had had ;. 
Plur. Wi had had ; ye had had ; they had had. 

Future. 

Sing. I mall have ; thou (halt have ; be mall have j 
Plur. W e fliall have ; yt ihall have ; thy thall have, 



A GRAMMAR OF THE 



Second Futurt. 

Sing. I will have ; then wilt have ; be will have ; 
Plur. We will have ; ye will have ; they will hare. 

BY leading thefe future tenfes nay be obfcrved the variation! o! full and 
vj'dl. 

Imperative Mood. 

Sing. Have, or have tbou ; let him have ; 
Blur. Let *r have ; have, or have j* ; let them have. 

Conjunctive Mood. 

Prefent. 

Sing. I have ; tbou have ; < have ; % 

Plttr. We have ; ye have ; they have. 

Preterite fimple as in the Indicative. 

Preterite compound. 

Sing. I have had ; tbou have had ; <r have had ; 
Plur. We have had ; ye have had ; they have had. 

Future. 
Sing. I (hall have ; as in the Indicative. 

Second Future. 

Sing. I (hall have had ; tbou (halt have had ; be (hall have had ; 
Plur. We lhall have had ; ye (hall have had ; they (hall have had. 

Potential. 

The potential form of (peaking is exprefled by may, can, in 
the prefent ; and might, could, or Jbould, in the preterite, joined 
with the infinitive mood of the verb. 

Prefent. 

Sing. I may have ; tbou mayft have ; he may have.; 
flur. We may have ; ye may have ; they may have. 

Preterite. 

Sing. I might have ; tbou mightrl have ; be might have ; 
Plur. We might have ; ye might have ; they might have. 

Prefent. 

S/f. 1 can have ; thou canft have ; he can have ; 
flur. We can have ; ye can have ; they can have. 

Preterite. 

:Si*g. I could have ; tbou couldft have ; be could have ; 
Plur. We could have ; ye could have ; they could have. 

In like manner Jbould is united to the verb. 

There is likewife a double preterite. 
Si*r. 1 mould have had ; tbou (houldll have had ; be ihould have 

had; 
flur. We (hould have had ; jv-Jhould have had ; they mould have 

had. 

In like manner -we ufe, / might have had ; / could have had, 
Uc. 

Infinitive Mood. 

frefent. To have. Preterite. To have had. 

Participle prefent. Having. Partitiplc prcter. Had. 



Verb Active. " To tov , 

Indicative. Prefent. 

Sing, /love; tbou loveft ; he loveth, or loves i 
Plur. We love ; ye love ; /Ay> love. 

Prtter it: Jimple. 

Sing, /loved; ttou lovedll ; ht loved 4 
Plur. We loved ; ye loved ; they loved. 

Preterperftil compound. 1 have loved, &c. 



Preterpluperfea. /had loved, We. 

Future. I (hall love, We. / will love, He. 

Imperative. 

Sing. Love, or love /Aou ; let him love ; 
Plur. Let u love ; love, or \aveye ; let them love. 

Conjunctive. Prejtnt. 
Sing. I love ; / love ; A< love ; 
/Vr. We love ; JK love ; they love. 

Preterite Jimple, as in the Indicative. 
Preterite compound. I have loved, c^r . 
Future. I (hall love, bV. 
Second Future. I lhall have loved, We. 

Potential. 

Prefent. I may or can love, 5?r. 
Preterite, /might, could, or (hould love.fcfc. 
Z)e/; Preterite. I might, could, or (hould have loved, t?V. 

Infinitive. 

Prefent. To love. Preterite. To have loved. 

Participle prefent. Loving. Participle paft. Loved. 

The paflive is farmed by the addition of the participle prete- 
rite to the different tenfes of the verb te be, which mud there* 
fore be here exhibited. 

Indicative. Prefent. 
Sing. I am ; tbou art ; be is ; 
Plur. We are, or be ; yt are, or be ; thy are, or be. 

The plural be is now little in ufe. 

Preterite. 

Sing. I was ; tboit waft, or wert ; be wa* ; 
Plur. We were 4 ^ were $ ry were. 

Jfirr is properly 01 the conjunctive mood, and ought not to be u/ed in the 
indicative. 

Preterite compound, /have been, jfr, 
Preterpluperfea. I had been, fiu- . 
Future. 1 fliall or will be, fcsV. 

Imperative. 

Sing. Be //?> ; let him be ; 
/Yr . Let-ajbe; be_>v; let them be. 

Conjunctive. Prefent. 
Sing. I be ; tbou beefl ; /* be ; 
Plur. We be -; ye be ^ /v*y be. 

Preterite-. 

Sing. I wre ; tbou wert ; if were ; 
Plur. We were ; ye were ; /y were. 

Preterite compound. I have been, fcfr, 
Future. 1 (hall have been, fc?r. 

Potential. 

/ may or can ; would,' could, or (hould be ; could, would, er 
(hould have been, &c. 

Infinitive. 

Prefent. To be. Preterite. To have been, 

Participle prefent. Being. Partitiplc pretty Having been. 

Paflive Voice. Indicative Mood. 
/ am loved, t#r. / was loved, &r, / have been loved, We. 



If /be loved, 
loved, Wf, 



Conjunctive Mood. 
If / were loved, &c , 



If / ftiall have been 
Potential 






ENGLISH TONGUE. 



Potential Mood. 

/may tf tan be loved, tffr. / might, could, or mould be loved, 
lj 'c /might, could, or fliould have been loved, &f<v 

Infinitive. 

Prefent. To be loved. Preterite. To have been loved. 
Participle. Loved. 

There is another form of Englifh verbs, in whieh the infinitive 
mood is joined to the verb do in its various inflections, which are 
therefore to be learned in this place. 

To Do; 

Indicative. Prefent. 
Sing. I do ; thou doft ; he doth ; 
Plur. We do ; ye do ; they do. 

Preterite* 

Sing. I did ; thou didft ; be did ; 
Plur. We&&;ye did ; they did. 
Preterite, &t. I have done, c3V. /had done, &c, 
Future. I (hall or will do, &c . 

Imperative. 

Sing. Do tbau ; let him do; 
Plur. Let us do; do_y*; let them do. 

Conjunctive. Prefent. 
Sing. I do ; /ioa do ; he do ; 
Plur. We do ; j* do ; they do. 

The reft are as in the Indicative. 

Infinitive. To do ; to have done. 

Participle prefent. Doing. Participle prefer. Done. 

Do is fometimes ufed fuperfluoufly, as / do love, /did love; 
fimply for / line, or I lowed; but this is confidered as a vicious 
mode of fpeech. 

It is fometimes ufed emphatically ; as, 

/ do lo-ije tbee, and when I love thee not, 

Chaos is come again. Shakefpearc. 

It Is frequently joined with a negative ; ' as / like her, tut I 
do not Isve her ; I wijbed bimfuccefs, but did not help him. This, 
by cnftom at leaft, appears more eafy than the other form of 
expreffing the fame fenfe by a negative adverb after the verb, / 
like her, but love her not. 

The Imperative prohibitory is feldom applied in the fecond 
perfon, at leaft in profe, without the word do ; as Stop him, but 
do not hurt him ; Praife beauty, but do not dote on it. 

Its chief ufe is in interrogative forms of fpeech, in which it is 
ufed through all the perfons ; as Do / liiie ? Doft thou Jlrike 
me? Do they rebel ? Did I complain ? Didft thou love her? Did 
Jbe die ? So likewife in negative interrogations ; Do / not yet 
grie<vt ? Did fhe not die ? 

Do and did are thus ufed only for the prefent and ftmple pre- 
terite. 

There is another manner of conjugating neuter verbs, which, 
when it is ufed, may not improperly denominate them neuter 
pujji-ves, as they are inflefted according to the paffive form by the 
help of the verb fubftantive to be. They anfwer nearly to the 
reciprocal verbs in French ; as 

/ am rij'en, furrexi, Latin ; Je me fuis leve, French. 

/ was walked out , exieram ; Je m'etois promene. 

In like manner we commonly exprefs the prefcnt tenfe ; a', I am going, . 
I am grieving, 4'Jn. She is dying, Hit mtritur. The tempeft is raging, farir 
frccc/la. I am purfuing an enemy, bnflcm iffejusr. So the other tenfa, as, We 
u.cf -waiting, t\vy-/iiiiw WisiTraiiyiij, / iave ban wu//i;') / bail been walking 

a/? or "will 

VOL. I. 



There is another manner of ufing the aftlve participle, which gives it a pafi 
lire fignification : as, The grammar is now printing, [rtmmatka jam nutit 
cbartis Imfrimltvr. The brafs is forging, ara excuduntur. This is, in my opi- 
nion, a vitious expreflion, probably corrupted from a phrafe more pure, but now 
"omewhat obfolete : The book it a printing, The trafs is a fvgtng ; a being pro- 
jerly at, and printing and forging verbal nouns lignifjing ailion, according to 
:he analogy of this language. 

The indicative and conjunctive moods are by modern writers frequently con- 
"ounded, or rather the conjunctive is wholly neglected, when fome convenienca 
jf verification does not invite its revival. It is ufed among the purer writers of 
r ormer times after if, though, ere, before, till or until, "whether^ except, itnlrfi, 
what/never, ivtcmfoever, and words of wifhing ; as, Doubtlefs thou art our father, 
though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Ifrael acknowledge us not. 

Of IRREGULAR VERES. 

The Englifli verbs were divided by Ben Jonfon into four con- 
jugations, without any reafon arifmg from the nature of the Ian- 
juage, which has properly but one conjugation, fuch as has been 
sxemplified ; from which all deviations are to be confidered as 
anomalies, which are indeed in our monofyllable Saxon verbs, 
and the verbs derived from them, very frequent ; but almoft all 
the verbs which have been adopted from other languages, follow 
the regular form. 

Our verbs are obferved by Dr. Wallis to be irregular only in the formation of 
the preterite, and its participle. Indeed, in the fcantinefs of our conjugations, 
there is fcarcely any other place for irregularity. 

The firft irregularity is a flight deviation from the regular 
form, by rapid utterance or poetical contraction : the laft fy lia- 
ble ed is often joined with the former by fuppreffionof e ; as lo'v'd 
for lowed ; after c, ch,Jh,f, k, x, and after the confonants/, th, 
when more ftrongly pronounced, and fometimes after m, n, r, if 
preceded by a fhort vowel, / is ufed in pronunciation, but very 
feldom in writing, rather than d ; as plac't, fnatch''t,fjh't, wak't, 
dwel't,fmert ; for plac'd, f natch* d,fjh'd, wak'd, d-iuel'd, J'rul 'd ; 
or placed, fnatched, fjhed, waked, dwelled, fme lied. 

Thofe words which terminate in / or//, or p, make their pre- 
terite in /, even in folemn language ; as crept, felt, dwelt, 
fometimea after x, ed is changed into /, as vext ; this is not con- 
ftant. 

A long vowel is often changed into- a fliort one ; thus, kept, 
flept, wept, crept, fwept ; from the verbs, to keep, tojleep, to weep, 
to creep, tofweep. 

Where d or / go before, the additional letter d or /, in thi 
contracted form, coalefce into one letter with the radical d or t : 
if t were the radical, they coalefce into t ; but if d were the ra- 
dical, then into d or /, as the one or the other letter may be 
more eafily pronounced : as read, led,fpread, Jhed, Jhred, bid, hid, 
chid, fed, bled, bred,fped,ftrid,Jlid, rid; from the verbs to read, 
to lead, to/pread, tojhed, tojhread, to bid, to hide, to chide, to 
feed, to bleed, to breed, tofpeed, tojlride, tojlide, to ride. And 
thus, caji, hurt, cofl, burfl, eat, beat, fweet, jit, quit, Jmit, writ, 
bit, hit, met, jhot ; from the verbs to cajf, to hurt, to ccft, to 
bur/I, to eat, to beat, tofweat, to Jit, to quit, toj'mite, to write, 
to bite, to bit, to meet, tojhoot. And in like manner, lent, fent, 
rent, girt ; from the verbs to lend, to fend, to rend, to gird. 

The participle preterite or paffive is often formed in en, 5n- 
ftead of ed ; as been, taken, given, Jlain, known ; from the verbs 
to be, to take, to give, tojluy, to know, 

Many words have two or more participles, as not only written, 
bitten, eaten, beaten, hidden, chidden, Jhotten, chafeit, broken ; but 
likewife writ, bit, eat, beat, hid, chid, Jhot, ehoj'e, broke, arc pro- 
mifcuoufly ufed in the participle, from the verbs to write, to 
bite, to eat, to beat, to hide, to chide, tojhoot, to choofe, to break, 
and many fuch like. 

In the fame manneryoii"/, Jhewu, hewn, mown, loaden, laden, 
as well asyo-tuV, Jhew'd, hew'd, mow'd, loaded, laded, from the 
verbs to ftnti, tojhew, to hew, to mow, to load, or lade. 

Concerning thele double participles it is difficult to give any 
rule ; but he mall feldom err who remembers, that when a verb 
has a participle diftinft from its preterite, as write, wrote, writ- 
ten, that diftincl participle is more proper and elegaut, as The 



A GRAMMAR OF THE 



tnk ii written, is better than Tht book is wrote. Wrote however 
may be uled in poetry; at leaft it" we allow any authority to 
poets, who, in the exultation of genius, think therafelves perhaps 
entitled to trample on grammarians. 

There are other anomalies in the preterite. 
1. Win, /"fin, begin, jwtm,J}rike,JHck, ftng, fting, fling-, ring, 
, fivivg, drink, fink, Jhrink, Jlink, come, run, find, 



luring, Ifirtiif, Jvnng, arin*,Jtnt, jprinn, jrinx, come, TMII,J>I^ 

himi, r/W,<w/W, both in the preterite, imperfect, and partici- 
ple paliive, give wan, fpun, begun, Jwum, ftruck, Jiuck, Jung, 
jiun%, flung, rung, wrung, fprung ,J'wung, drunk, funk, jhrunk, ftunk, 
cor.e, run, found, bound, ground, wound. And moft of them are 
alfo formed in the preterite by a, as began, rang, fang, fprang, 
drank, came, >v'x, and fome others ; but moft of thefe are now 
obiblcte. Some in the participle paffive likewife take en, as 
Jiricken,jirucken, drunken, boundtn. 

Z. Fight, teach, reach, feet, befeech, catch, lay, bring, think, 
noork, make fought, taught, raught, fought, bejbught, caught, 
bought, brought , thought , wrought. 

But a great many of thefe retain likewife the regular form, 
as teached, reached, bejeeched, catcbed, worked. 

3. Take, Jhakt, forfake, wake, awake, fland, break, fpeak, 
bear,Jbear,fwear, tear, wear, weave, cleave, Jlrive, thrive, drive, 
Jhitie, rife, arij'e, fmite, write, bide, abide, ride, choofe, chuj'e, 
tread, get, beget, forget, Jeethe, make in both preterite and partici- 
ple took T Jhook,forfook,woke, awoke, Jlood, broke, fpoke, bore, Jhorc, 

J'u'orf, tore, wore, wove, cbve, Jirove, throve, drove, jhone, rofe, 
arofe,fmote, wrote, bode, abode, rode, chofe, trade, got, begot, for- 
got, Jod. But we fay likewife, thrive, rife, fmit, writ, nbid, 
rid. In the preterite fome are likewife formed by a, as brake, 
/pake, bare, Jhare, fvaare, tare, ware, clave, gat, begat, forgot, 
and perhaps fome others, bit more rarely. In the participle 
paffive many of them are formed by en, as taken, Jhaken, for- 
Jaken, broken, fpoken, born, Jhorn, jworn, torn, worn, woven, 
doven, thriven, driven, rifen, fmitten, ridden, chcfen, trodden, got- 
ten, begotten, forgotten, fodden. And many do likewife retain 
the analogy in both, as waked, awaked, Jheared, weaved, leaved, 
abided, feet bed. 

4. Give, bid, Jit, make in the preterite gave, bade, fate; in 
the participle paffive, given, bidden, Jitten ; but in both lid. 

5. Draw., know, grow, throw, blow, crow like a cock, fly, 
Jiay, Jee, ly, make their preterite drew, knew, grew, threw, 

btew , crew , flew , flew , faw , lay; their participles paffive by , 
drawn, known, grown, thrown, blown, flon.vn, JJain, J'ecn, lien, 
lain. Yet from flee is made fled; from go, went, from the old 
lutnd, the participle is gone. 

Of DERIVATION. 

That the Fngli/h language may be more eafily underftood, it is iwcefiary to 
enquire how its derivative words are deduced from their primitives, and how the 
primitives are borrowed from other languages. In this enquiry I (hall lome- 
times copy Dr. Wallis, and fomctimcs endeavour to fupply his defects, and rec- 
tify his errours. 

Nouns are derived from verbs. 

The thing implied in the verb, as done or produced, is com- 
monly either the prefent of the verb; as to love, love; to fright, 
a fright; to fight, a fight; or the preterite of the verb, as, to 
ftrike, I ftrick or ftrook, ajlroke. 

The action is the fame with the participle prefent, as loving, 
frighting , fighting ,Jhiking. 

The agent, or perfon acting, is denoted by the fyllable er 
added t the verb, as lover, frighter,Jtriker. 

Subftantives, adjectives, and fometimes other parts of fpeech, 
are changed into verbs : in which cafe the vowel is often, 
lengthened, or the conibnant foftened ; as a houfe, to hoitj'e ; 
brafs, to braze ; glafs, to glaze ; grafs, to graze ; price, to prize ; 
breath,, to breathe; a fifh, tofijh; oil, to oil; further, to fur- 
ther ; forward, to fonvard ; hinder, to Under. 

Sometimes the termination en is added, efpecially to ad- 
j'. -lives; as h.ifte, to kajlen; length, / lengthen; Itrength, tc 



JlrengtbcH; (hort, to Jbcrteu; fafl, n fajtea ; white, to 
black, to blacken-, hard, to harden ; foft, tofoften. 

From fubftantives are formed adjectives of plenty, by adding 
the termination y ; as a loufe, loufy ; wealth, wealthy ; health, 
healthy ; might, mighty ; worth, worthy ; wit, witty ; luft, lujly ; 
water, watery ; earth, earthy ; wood, a wood, wnody ; air, airy ; 
a heart, hearty ; a hand, hanth. 

From fubltantives are formed adjectives of plenty, by adding 
the 'termination ful, denoting abundance; as ]Qy, joyful; fruit, 
fruitful; youth, youthful; care, careful; ufe, ujeful; delight, 



delightful; plenty, plentiful; help, he 

Sometimes, in almoft the fame feme, but with fome kind of 

diminution thereof, the termination fome is added, denoting 
fometbing, or in fome degree. ; as delight, delightfome ; game, game- 
fome ; irk, irkfome ; burden, bnrdcnfome ; trouble, troublefome ; 

light, lightfoms ; hand, handjome ; alone, lonejonu ; toil, /oi/fomc. 
On the contrary, the termination left added to fubilantivc?, 

makes adjectives fignifying want ; as worthlefs, ivitlefs, heart- 

le s, joyleji, carclefs, hclpleft. Thus comfort, ccmfortlefs ; lap, 
fafkfs. 



Privation or contrariety is very often denoted by the par- 
ticle un prefixed to many adjectives, or in before words derived 
from the Latin ; as pleafant, unpleafant ; wife, ua-ivife ; profit- 
able, unprofitable ; patient, impatient. Thus unworthy, unhealthy 
unfruitful, unufeful, and many more. 

The original Englifli privative is un; but as we often borrow from the Latin, 
or its defendants, words already fignifying privation, as uirfficacKu:, intffttus, 
itiJifcrcet, the inleparable particles un and in have fallen into confufion, from 
which it is not cafy to dilentangle them. 

Un is prefixed to all words orginally EngliOi ; as untrue, art ruth, xnta*gl>t t 
unhandjome. 

Un is prefixed to all participles made privative adjectives, as unfeeling, ur.ajfjt- 
ing, unaided, unddigbtcd, untndeared. 

Un ought never to be prefixed to a participle prefent, to mark a forbearance of 
action, as unjlghlng ; but a privation of habit, as unpitying. 

Un is prefixed to moft fubftantives which have an Engl'uh termination, as un- 
ftrtiltntfs, unfcrfeflnefs, which, if they have borrowed terminations, take in or int t 
as infertility, inptrfeffiott ; unn-vil, incivility ; unaiiiijc, incf^ivity. 

In borrowing adjectives, if we receive them already compounded, it is ufual 
tojrctain the particle prefixed, as indecent, intleg ast, imfrtfcr ; but if we borrow 
the adjective, and add the privative particle, vw commonly prefix un, as unfclat, 
u n t>allant. 

The prepoiitive particles dis and mis, derived from the da 
and mes of the French, fignify almoft the fame as un ; yet d:s 
rather imports contrariety than privation, fince it anfwers to 
the Latin prepofuion de. Mis infmuates fome error, and for 
the moft part may be rendered by the Latin words male or per- 
peram. To like, to diflike ; honour, dtjhonour ; to honour, to 
grace, to dijhonour, to difgraft ; to deign, to difdeign; chance, 
hap, mifchance, mijhap ; to take, to mijiake ; deed, mi/deed; 
to ufe, to mifuj'e ; to employ, to mi/employ ; to apply, to nif- 
apply. 

Words derived from Latin written with de or dis retain the 
fame figmfication; as dijtinguijh, diftinguo ; detrafi, detraho j 
defame, defamo ; detain, detineo. 

The termination ly added to fubftantives, and fometimes to 
adjectives, forms adjectives that import fome kind of fimilitudc 
or agreement, being formed by contraction of lick or lite. 

A giant, giantly, giantlike ; earth, earthly ; heaven, heavenly ; 
world, worldly ; God, godly; good, goodly. 

The fame termination ly added to adjectives, forms adverb* 
of like fignification ; as beautiful* beautifully; fweet, fweetly ; 
that is, in a beautiful manner ; with fome degree of fweet nefs. 

The termination ijb added to adjectives, imports diminution ; 
and added to fubftantives, imports iimilitude or tendency to a 
character; as green, greenijh ; white, whitijh ; foft, foftijb; a 
thief, thievijh; a wolf, wol<vi]!j; a child, childijh. 

We have forms of diminutives in fubftantives, thoogh not 
frequent; as a hill, a hillock; a cock, a cockrsl; a pike, a 
pickrel ; this is a French termination: a goofe, a gojling; this 
is a German rtrmination : a lamb, a lambkin ; a chick, a chicken ; 
a man, a manikin ; a pipe, a pipkin ; and thus Halkin, whence the 
patromrakk, Hawkins ; Wilkin, Thankin, and others. 

Yet 



ENGLISH TONGUE. 

Yet ftill there is another form of diminution imong the Englilh, by leflening j the letters and the things fignified j and therefore the founds of letters fmiller, 
At found itfelf, efpecially of vowels ; as there is a form of augmenting them I /harper, louder, clofer, fofter, ftronger, clearer, more obfcurc, and more Itridu* 



by enlarging, or even lengthening it} and that fometimes not fo much by 
change of the letters, as of their pronunciation ; as fup, flp, /oof, fif, Jippet, 
where, bcfides the extenuation of the vowel, there is added the French termina- 
tion rr ; t*p, tip ; ffit, ffciut; babe, baby ; tooky, pintus; great pronounced long, 
efpecially if with a ftronger found, grta-t; little pronounced long, lee-tie ; ting, 
tang, ting, imports a fucceffion of fmaller and tiien greater founds; and fo in 
jingle, janglt, tingle, tangle, at ' many other made words. 

Much however cf this it arbitrary ar.d fanciful, depending wholly on oral ut- 
terance, and therefore fcarcely worthy the notice of I" 



lotis, do very often intimate the like effcfls in the things fi^niricd. 

Thus words that begin with fr intimate the force and effeft of the thing 
as if probably derived from foo'wy t !, or Jirenutts ; as Jlrcng, 



: !f, Jlrout, jlrut, flretcb) 
firing, flraf, Jlriam, 



Of concrete adjecTives are made abflraft fubftantives, by add- 
ing the termination nefs, and a few in hood or bead, noting 
character or qualities ; as white, luhitenefs ; hard, hardnefs ; 
great, greatnefs ; ikilful, Jkilfulnefs, unjkilfulnej's ; godhead, man- 
hood, maidenhead, widowhood, knighthood, priejlhood, likelihood, 
faljehood. 

There are other abflraifts, partly derived from adjeflives, and 
partly from verbs, which are formed by the addition of the ter- 
mination th, a fmall change being fometimes made ; as long, 
length; ftrong, jlrength,; broad, breadth; wide, width; deep, 
depth; true, truth; warm , warmth ; dear, dearth ; FLOW, Jlowth ; 
merry, mirth ; heal, health ; well, weal, wealth; dry, dreughtb ; 
young, youth; and fomoon, month. 

Like thefe are Ibme words derived from verbs ; die, death ; 
till, tilth; grow, growth ; mow, later tnawlb, after me-iv'tb ; 
commonly fpoken and written later math, after math ; rteal, 
Jtealth ; bear, birth ; rue, ruth ; and probably earth from to 
ear ot plow; &y, fight; weigh, wight ; day, fright; to draw, 
draught. 

Thefc fiiould rather be written figbtb, frigttb, only that cuftom will no' 
furfcr b to be twice repeated. 

The fame form retain faith, fpifkt, wreathe, viratb, broth, frtjtb, brtatb, 
f'.ctb, wonh, light, wigbt, and the like, whofe primitives are either entirely 
obfolete, or feldom occur. Perhaps they an; derived itom Jey ^tfoy,jpry, wry, 
tvrtak, brew, mrw,fry, bray, fay, work. 

Some ending in Jhip imply an office, employment, or con- 
dition ; as kingjhip, wardjbip, guardian jhi p , partaerjhip, Ji<:-\<jard- 
jhip, head/hip, lordjhip. 

Thus wejrjhip, that is, vnnkjk'.p ; whence locrjhifful, and to worjhip, 

Some few ending in dom, rick, iuick, do efpecially denote 
dominion, at lealt ftate or condition ; as kingdom, dukedom, 
earldom, princedom, popedtm, chrijlendom, freedom, ivifdom, whore- 
dum, bijhoprick, tailyiuict. 

Ment and age are plainly French terminations, and are of 
the fame import with us as among them, fcarcely ever occur- 
ring, except in words derived from the French, as command- 
ment, ufagt. 

There are in EngliJh often long trains of words allied by their meaning and 
derivation j as to beat, a bat, iatoon, a tattle, <i beetle, a hattlc-d'ar, to batter, 
tatter, a kind of glutinous compofition for food, made by beating different bo- 
dies into one mafs. All thefe are of fimilar fignifkation, and perhaps dcriveJ 
from the Latin La'.ao. Thus take, touch, tickle, tack, tackle J all imply a local 
conjunction, from the Latin tango, tetigi, ta'dum. 

i twain, twice, twenty, twelve, twins, twine, twifl, twirl, 
fwig,nui.\b, twinge, between, betwixt, twilight, twibil. 

Ths following remarks, extracted from Wallis, are ingenious, but of more 
ftibtlety than folidity, and fuch as perhaps might in every language be enlarged 
without end. 

Ki Mf'..illy imply the nofe, and what relates to it. From the Latin nafui 

are r.-rivnl the French tux. and the Englirti mfe ; and nejje, a promontory, a^ 

e a nnfc. But as if from the cunionants ui taken from mafu'., 

and IT -i.at they mny the better correfpond, fn denntc tiafut ; snd 

are d'-rivrd many words th relate to the note, as fnout, fneexe, fnore, 

fHH, four, fnitktr, jn;t, j'ntvil, fnite, huff, farfflf, (naffle, jnarle,jnud\'f. 

Thrre is another fn, which may perhaps be derived from the Latin flnuo, as 
/**', ftejk, [mil, /nare ; fo likrwife fnap and /natch, fnii, /nub. 

Bl imply d blafl ; a) b!iw, blafl, to blafl, to kligit, and, metaphorically, to 
tht one's reput ition ; bltat, bleak, a bleak place, to look bleak or wcather- 



flrtw, ftrikc, flrcalte, flroke, flripe, flrive, flrifc, ftrug 
flrait,ftritl,/ireight,t\\K\i, narrow, fiftra'm, flrs/s, difl 
flreamer, flrand, flrip, ftray, flruggk, f range, flrijt, flratldlc. 

St in like manner imply Itrength, but in a lefj degree, fo much only as is 

fufficient to preferve what has been already communicated, rather than acquire 

any new degree ; a* if it were derived from the Latin y?s ; for example, fland,flay, 

chat is, to remain, or to prop ; flajf, flay, that is, to oppofe ; flop , to fluff, 

fl'flt, to flay, that is, to flop ; a flay, that is, an obftacle ; flifk, flut, flutter, 

flammer, flaggcr, flickle, flick, flake, a ftiarp pale, and any thing dspofitei 

at play ; fl'ck, flem, fling, to fling, flinlt, flitch, flutl, fanchion, flub, flubtle, to 

flub up, flump, whence flumble, flallt, to flalk,fltp, toftjirp with the feet, whence 

to flamp, that is, to make an imprellion and a Itainp ; flow, to flow, to beftvtu, 

fleward or floward, flcad, fltady, fleadfufl, flable, a flable, a flail, to flail, fli"!, 

flail, flill, flail, flallagc, flail, flags, flill adj. and flitl adv. flak, flout, fl,., :!,, 

flad, ficjt, flallhn, fliff, flark-dead, to flar-uc with hunger or cold ; flor.e, fled, 

j:an, J'anib, to jiancb blood, tt flare, Jtnf, Jleeple, flair, flindard, a ftated mea- 

furc, ftattly. la ail dicfe, and perhaps i'ume others, fl denote fomethir 5 firra 

and fixed. 

1* imply a more violent degree of motion, as throw, ttnji, throng, thob, 
through, threat, threaten, thrall, throws. 

U'r imply fome fort of obliquity or diftortion, as wry, to wrcat'vf, wrifl, 
. i L ,n::g, iur f ,ng, wrincb, wremb, wrangle, wrinkle, wratb, wreak, wrack, 

Wl'tfb, wrijt. Wrap. 

Sw imp.y a lilent agitation, or a fofter kind, of lateral motion j as fivav r 
/wag, to ]way,/-waggtt;jwcrve,jwtat, /wetp, /will, jwim, /wing, /wift, /wea, 
Jwt.ci, jwir.jrc. 

Nor is there much difference of fm in fmooth, /mug, fmi!e,/ir.ir!i, /Kite, which 
Signifies the fame as to Jirike, but is * liiKtr word j jmall, frrcll, /mack,jn-.t>thtr, 
/mart, a /mart blow propei ly 



Inch a kind of (trokc us \vitli an originally 
proceeds to tjuick violence, denoted by ar fud-- 



., tlrak, t/ay, bleach, bhfttr, blurt, bliflcr, thb, bladdtr, blct, bliflcr, 
b-r-iif-t, blabbcr-ebrck't, bfxtd, tkte-berrings, blafl, blazj, It blow, that is, 



n j and prrhapi blood and 



blab- 

bloj- 



Ja '.lie a:ic *oru. ot jar Wnguc is to b-. founj great agreement between 



lilent motion, implied in jm 
denly ended, as is (hewn by /. 

Cl denote a kind of aihelion or tenacity, as in cleave, day, cling, climb, 
clamber, clammy, clafp, to clafp, to clip, to clinch, cloak, clog, clofi, to cioje, a clod, 
a clot, as 3 cla of blood, chuttd cream, fclutttt, a clufler. 

Sf imply a kind of diilipation or expanfton, efpecially a quick one, particti- 
l.iriy if there be an r, t> if it were from fpa rgo, or ftparo t for example, j'prcad, 
jf ring, /frig, ffrout, /pr'lnklc, fplit, fp/intfr, fall, /fit, /putter, /patter. 

SI denote a kind of filcnt fall, or a lefs obfervable motion ; as in fliae,flide, 
flip, flipper, fly, flight, fit, fnu, Jlack, flight, fling, flap. 

And fo likewife ajh, in crajh, raft, gajh, fajh, ch/h, lajh, fla/h, plajh, trajb, 
indicate fomcthing .idling more nimbly and marply. But ujh, in crujh, ru/b, 
g"Jb, fulb, blttjh, linijh, hujb, puj'h, implies fomething as adling more obtufely 
and duif). Yet in both there is indicated a fwift and fudden motion, not in- 
ftanianeous, but gradual, by the continued foundyi. 

Thus in fling, fling, ding, fwirrg, cling, fing, wring, fling, the tingling of 
the termination ng, and the iharpnefs of the vowel i, imply the continuation of 
a very /lender motion or tremor, at length indeed \anirtiing, but not fuddenly 
interrupted. But in fink, ivir.k, jink, clink, chink, think, that end in a mute 
confonant, there is alfo indicated a fudden ending. 

It there be an /, as in jingle, tingle, tinkle, mingh; fprinklc, twinkle, there is 
implied a frequency, or iteration of fmall als. And the lame frequency of a&s, 
fcut lefs fubtile by rcafon of the clearer vowel *, is indicated in jangle, tangle, 
ffaagle, in:ingU, wrangle, brangle, dangU ; as nlfo in miunhic, grumble, jumble, 
tumble, flun'ble, rumble, crumble, futnblt. But at the fame time the clofe u im- 
plies fomething obfcure or obtunded ; and a congeries of cmifonants mbl, denotes 
a confufed kind of rolling or tumbling, as in ramble, /camble, /cramble, wamblt, 
amble ; but in thefe there is fomething acute. 

Jn nimble, the acutcm.-fs of the vowel denotes celerity. In /parkle, fp denotes 
diiTipation, ar an acute crackling, { a fudden interruption, /a frequent iteration; 
and in like manner in JpriaUe, unlcfs in may imply the fubtility of the difli- 
pated guttulcs. Thick and thin differ, in that the former ends with an obtufc 
confonant, and the latter with an acute. 

In like manner, mf-jucik, fouiak,fc/ucat,fjui>l/, traul, wraul,yaul,/paul, /creek, 
, lbrill,f}arf, Jbr'wil, wrinkle, crark, rnfr, flajh, "a/b, plajh, crujh, hujb, 
k'jjt, fjjc, Hlbifl,/oft, jarr, hurl, turl, whirl, but., buftle, /pin die, dwindle, twine, 
::id in m.i::y m^rc, we may obfcrvc the .igrecmcnt of fuch fort of founds 
with the tilings fignified : and this fo frequently happens, that fcarce Jny language 
vlii h 1 know can be compared with our-,. So that one monofyllablc word, of 
which kind arc almod .ill our-,, emphatically cxprciTcs what in other languages 
can Ic;trcc b'_- explained but by compounds, or decompounds, or fometimes a 
tedious circumlocution. 

We have many words borrowed from the Latin ; but the 
greateft part of them were communicated by the intervention 
of the French ; as grace, face, elegant, elegance, refemble. 

Some verbs, which feem borrowed from the Latin, are form* 
ed from the prefent tenfe, and fome from the fupines. 

From the prefent are formed Ipend, expend, expendo ; conduce, 
cpnduco ; dtfpife, ddpicio ; approve, approbo ; coafdw, con- 



cipio. 



h 2 



From 



A GRAMMAR OF THE 



From the fupines, fapplicatt, fupplico ; dtmonftrate, demonftro ; 
Jiff oft, difpono ; exfatiate, expatior ; /uffrefi, fupprimo ; exempt, 

cadma 

Nothing !i more apparent, than that Wallis goes too far in queft of originals. 
Many of thefe which feem felected as immediate defendants from the Latin, 
are apparently French, as conceive, approve, expefe, exempt. 

Some words purely French, not derived from the Latin, we 
have transferred into our language ; as garden, garter, buckler, to 
advance, to cry, to flead, from the French, jardin,jartier, toucher, 
Avancer, crier, plaider ; though indeed, even of thefe, part is of 
Latin original. 

As to many words which we have in common with the Germans, it is doubt- 
M whether the old Teutons borrowed them from the Latins, or the Latins 
from the Teutons, or both had them from fome common original ; as ivine, 
vinum ; wind, ventus ; incur, veni ; way, via ; wall, vallum ; walkw, volvo ; 
wool, veilus ; mill, volo ; worm, vermis ; worth, virtus ; waff, vefpa ; day, 
dies; draw, traho ; tamr, domo, Js^tia;; yoke, jugum, JfEyoc ; over, upper, 
fuper, inrtJ ; am, fum, ti,w ; break, frango ; fy, volo ; Hem, flo. I make no 
doubt but the Teutonick is more ancient than the Latin ; and it is no left 
certain, that the Latin, which borrowed a great number of words, not only 
from the Greek, efpccially the j3olick, but from other neighbouring languages, 
as the Ofcan and others, which have long become obfolete, received not a few 
from the Teutonick. It is certain, that the Englifh, German, and other Teu- 
tonick languages, retained fome derived from the Greek, which the Latin has 
not ; as ax, acts, mil, ford, pfurd, daughter, techier, micklt, mingle, moon, 
fear, grave, graf, to grave, tojcrape, whole, from a^tn, JUETA, r{0,s{, Suyaryf , 
fxiyiXs;, (uyivii, juwn, !:(((., yfi'fiv, sXof. Since they received thefe immediate- 
ly from the Greeks, without the intervention of the Latin language, why may 
not other words be derived immediately from the fame fountain, though they be 
likcwife found among the Latins ? 

Our anceftors were ftudious to form borrowed words, however 
long, into monofyllables ; and not only cut off the formative 
terminations, but cropped the firii fyllable, efpecially in words 
beginning with a vowel ; and rejefled not only vowels in the 
middle, but likewife confonants of a weaker found, retaining the 
ftronger, which feem the bones of words, or changing them for 
others of the fame organ, in order that the found might become 
the fofter ; but efpecially tranfpofing their order, that they might 
the more readily be pronounced without the intermediate vowels. 
For example, in expendo, fpend ; exemplum, /ample; excipio, 
fcape\ extraneus, Jtrange ; extraclum, ftretch'd; excrucio, to 
fcrew ; exfcorio, tofcour ; excorio, tofcourge ; excortico, to/cratch ; 
and others beginning with ex: as alfo, emendo, to mend; epif- 
copus, bijhop ; in Danifh, bifp\ epiftola, epiflle; hofpitale, /pit- 
tie ; Hifpania, Spain ; hiiloria, > /?0r)>. 

Many of tbefe etymologies are doubtful, and fome evidently miftakcn. 

The following are fomewhat harder, jflexartier, Sander ; Elifabetha, Betty ; 
apis, lee; aper, tar; p palling into k, as in b'ljhip ; and by cutting off a from 
the beginning, which is reftored in the middle : but for the old tar or tare, 
we now fay koar ; as for long, long ; for tain, bane ; for ftane, Jlme ; aprugna, 
trawn, p being changed into b, and a tranfpofed, as in aper, and g changed 
into TO, as in pignus, pawn; lege, law ; o.Mri, fax; cutting off the begin- 
ning, and changing p into /, as in pellis, a fdl\ pullus, a foal; pater, father; 
fzvur,fear; polio, fie; plco, impleo, fit, fall; pifcis, ffi ; and tranfpofing o 
into the middle, which was taken from the beginning; apex, apiece; peak, 
fUe ; zophorus, freeze ; multum, flam; defenfio, fence ; difpenfator, jpencer ; 
atculto, efcouter, Fr. fcout ; exfcalpo, fcrape, reftoring / inftead of r, and hence 
(rap, fcratle, fcrawl; exculpo, fcocp ; cxterritus, ftart ; cxtonitus, attonitus, 
ji-.nn'd ; ftoimchus, maw ; ofiendo, final ; obftipo, flop ; audere, dare ; cavere, 
ware; whenf e a-ware, be-ware, wary, warn, warning, for the Latin v con- 
fonant formeilv founded like our w, and the modern found of the i> confonant 
was formerly that of the letter f, that is, the sEo\ick digamma, which had the 
found of ^>, and the modern found of the letter /'was that of the Greek $ or pb ; 
u'cus, ulcere, wAvr, f.re, and hence ferry, forrt,w, fcrrcwful; ingenium, engine, 
gin; fcalenus, leaning, unlefs you w.'juld rather derive it from xXjva, whence in- 
clino; inhindibulum, funnel; gagatc;, j:tt ; projeflum, to jell forth, a jelly; 
cucullut, a awl. 

There are fyncopes fomcivhat harder; from tempore, time; from nomine, 
name ; domina, itvne ; as the French t ;mme, ftmme, nom, fromhpmine, famina, 
nomine. Thu paging, page ; wcrifiw, pot ; xirrri?,Xa, tup ; cantharus, can ; 
trntorium, lint ; precor, pry ; pncia, prey ; fpccio, fpeculor, fpy ; plico, ply ; 
ini|'lico, imply ; milieu, n-j ly ; complico, comply ; fedes cpifcopalis./tt-. 

A vowel is alfo cut oft" in the middle, that the number of the fyllables 
may be lefl'ened ; as amit.i, aunt ; fpiritus, /fright ; dcbitum, debt; dubito, 

.iif j com??, comitis, count ; c!<:ricus, clerk ; quietus, fail, quite ; acquieto, 
/j fcparo, re Jfaie; ftabilis, Jijiif; iUbjlujn, Jlabie j pa^al'ium, fa- 



lact, place ; rabula, rail ; rawl, vjraul, train/, ralle, trallt j (juafit'o, 
queji. 

As alfo a confonant, or at lead one of a fofter found, or even a whole fyl- 
lable ; rotundus, round; fragili:, frail ; fecurus, Jure ; regula, rule; tegula, 
t':lt ; fubtilis, fubsle ; nomen, man ; decanus, dt.-.r. ; computo, aunt ; fubita- 
neus, fuddain, fotn ; fuperare, tofoar; pcriculum, peril; mirabile, marvel; as 
magnus, main ; dignor, deign ; tingo, fiain; tinOum, tj'mt ; pingo, paint ; prae- 
dari, reach. 

The contractions may feem harder, where many of them meet, as xupiuicf, 
kyrk, church ; pre/byter, pritjl ; facriflanus,^jr/tfff ; frango, fregi, treak, breach { 
fagus, ^>Sya, beerb ; f changed into b, and g into ch, which are letters near 
a-kin; frigefco,y>rt;; frigefco, frejb, fc into Jh, as above in bijhop, fjh, fo in 
(caf\\3,j!iijf t JHp, and refrigefco, refrejh ; butvirefco,/r^!i; phlcbotomus^Mm ; 
bovina, baf \ vitulina, vial; fcutirer, fjuire ; pcenitentia, penance; fanclua- 
rium, fanliuary, fentry ; quxfitio, chafe; perquifitio, purcbafe; anguilla, eel, 
infula, ijle, ilt, iftar.d, iltind ; infuletta, ijlet, ilet ; eygbt ; and more contracted!/ 
ey, whence Owfney, Ruly, Ely ; ciaminare, to fear, namely, by rejecting from 
the beginning and end t and o, according to the ufual manner, the remainder 
xjix'n, which the Saxons, who did not ufe *, write cfamen, or fcamcn, is con- 
trafled into/fj ; as from dominus, don ; nomine, noun; abomino, tan ; and 
indeed ap:im examtn they turned into fciame ; for which we fay faijrme, by 
"mferting r to denote the murmuring; thefaurus, jiore ; fedile, Ji,ol ; L;":;, 
wet ; fudo, fiocat ; gaudium, gey ; jocus, jy ; fuccus, juice ; catena, chain j 
ealiga, calga ; chaufe, chaufle, Fr. btfi ; extinguo, ftancb, faucncb, jacnct, 
flint; foras,/or/i; fpecies,^^; recito, read; adjuvo, aid; aiv, svum, ay, 
age, ever; noccus, lock; excerpo, fcraps, fcraiblc, fcratul; extravagus, firay t 
ftraggle; collegium, clot, clutch ; colligo, coil; recolligo, recoil; fcvero, fwear ; 
Itridulus, Jhrill ; procurator, proxy ; pulib, to pufh; calamus, a quill; impetere, 
to impeach; augeo, auxi, wax ; and vanefco, vanui, wane; fyllabare, to fall j 
puteus,^//; granum, corn ; comprimo, cramp, crump, crumple, crinkle, 

Some may feem harflier, yet may not be rejected, for it at lead appears, 
that fome of them are derived from proper names, and there are others whofc 
etymology is acknowledged by every body ; as Alexander, Elick, Scanner, San- 
der, Sanny, Sandy; Elizabetha, Elizabeth, Elifabetb, Betty, Befs; Margareta, 
Margaret, Afarger, Meg, Peg ; Maria, Mary, Mai, Pal, Malkin, Matvkin, 
Mawtcs; Mattha^us, Mattba, Ma';tew ; Martha, Matt, Pat; Gulirlmu;, 
W/belKU!, Girotam,, Guillaume, Wiliam, Will, Bill, Wilkin, W~ulan, frith, 
Weeks. 

Thus cariophyllus, flos ; gerofilo, Ital, giriflee, gilofer, Fr. gillifiower, \vhich 
the vulgar call julyjlower, as if derived from the month July ; petrofclinum, 
parjley; portulaca, pur/lain ; cydonium, quince ; cydoniatum, quiddeny ; perfi- 
cum, peach; eruca, eruke, which they corrupt to ear-wig, as if it took its 
name from the ear ; annulus geminus, a giamal, or gimial ring; and thus the 
word gimbal and jumbal is transferred to other things thus interwoven ; quelques 
chofes, kickjbaws. Since the origin of thefe, and many others, however forced, 
is evident, it ought to appear no wonder to any one if the ancients have thus 
disfigured many, efpecially as they fo much affefted monofyllables ; and, to 
make them found the fofter, took this liberty of maiming, taking away, chang- 
ing, tranfpofing, and foftening them. 

But while we derive thefe from the Latin, I do not mean to fay, that many 
of them did not immediately 'come to us from the Saxon, Daniih, Dutch, and 
Teutonick languages, and other dialects, and fome taken more lately from the 
French, or Italians, or Spaniards. 

The fame word, according to its different fignifications, often has a different 
origin; as to bear a burden, from fen; but to tear, whence birth, born, bail -n, 
comes from pario, and a bear, at leaft if it be of Latin original, from fen, 
Thus perch, a fifli, from ptrca ; but perch, a meafure, from fert'na, and like- 
wife to perch. To fptll is from fyllaba ; but fpell, an inchantment, by which 
it is believed that the boundaries are fo fixed in lands, that none can pafs them 
againft the mafier's will, from expello ; and fpell, a meflenger, from epiftola ; 
whence gofpel, good-fpell, or god-fpell. Thus frcefe, or freeze, from f'igefcn 
bat freeze, an architectonic word, from xophorus; but freefe, for cloth, from 
Frifta, or perhaps from frigefco, as being more fit than any other for keeping out 
the cold. 

There are many words among us, even monofyllables, compounded of two or 
more words, at leaft ferving inftead of compounds, and comprifmg the fignifi- 
cation of more words than one ; as (mmfcrip and roll, comes fcrc/1 ; from proud 
and dance, prance ; from ft of the verb flay, or Jiand and c:it, is made /oaf j 
fnmfiwt and hardy, Jlurdy ; from ff of ffit or ffna, and cut, comes fpout ; 
from the fame fp, with the termination in, isfpin; and adding out, (fin out ; 
and-from the Czmefp, with it, is /pit, which only differs from fpout in that it 
is fmaller, and with lei's noife and force ; but fputtcr is, bccaufc of the obfcure 
u, fomething between (pit and Jpoat ; and by reafn of adding r, it intimates 
a frequent iteration and noife, but obfcurely confufed : whereas /patter, on ac- 
count of the (harper and clearer vowel a, intimates a more diftinct noife, in 
which it chiefly differs from fputtcr- From the (nmefp, and the termination 
ark, comes fpark, fignifying a fingle emiflioa of (ire with a noife ; namely, ff 
the cmiflion, ar the more acute noife, and k the mute confonant, intimates iis 
being fuddenly terminated ; but adding /, is made the frequentative fpark/e. 
The hmefp, by adding r, that is fpr, implies a more lively impeius of diffufing 
or expanding itfclf; to which adding the termination ing, it becomes fpring ; 
its vigour fj>r imports, its ih-irpnefs the termination ing ; and laMly in acute and 
tremulous, ending in the mute confonant g, denotes the hidden ending of any 
motion, that it is meant in its primary fignification, of a finglr, not a com- 
plicated exilition. Hence we call fpring whatever has an elaliick force ; as 
alfo a fountain of water, and thence the origin of any thing; and to fpring, 
to germinate ; and fpring, OJK ef ihe four feafoas, From ths fame ffr and 

tut, 



ENGLISH TON. CUE. 



Kit, is formed fpruit, and With the termination ig, ffrig; of which the follow- 
ing, for the mod part, is the difference : ffratt, of a groffer found, imports 
a fatter or grofier bud ; ffrig, of a (lenderer found, denotes a fmaller (hoot. 
In like manner, from fir of the verb fir roe, and cut, comes Jtrout and ftrut. 
From the fame fir, and the termination ugglc, is made ftruggle ; and this g 
imports, but without any great noife, by reafon of the obfcure found of the 
vowel v. In like manner from tbrtnv and roll is made trvll j and almoft in 
the fame fenfe is trundle, ">m tbrG<w or llrufi, and rundle. Thus grajf or 
grcugb is compounded of grave and nugt ; and trudge from frwrf or mtf, and 



In thefe obfervations it is eafy to difcover great fagacity and 
great extravagance, an ability to do much defeated by the de- 
fire of doing more than enough. It may be remarked, 

1. That Wallis's derivations are often fo made, that by the 
fame licence any language may be deduced from any other. 

2. That he makes no diftinfUon between words immediately 
derived by us from the Latin, and thofe which, being copied from 
other languages, can therefore afford no example of the genius 
of the Englifh language, or its laws of derivation. 

3. That he derives from the Latin, often with great harmnefs 
and violence, words apparently Teutonick ; and therefore, ac- 
cording to his own declaration, probably older than the tongue 
to which he refers them. 

4. That fome of his derivations are apparently erroneous. 

SYNTAX. 

The eftablifhed practice of grammarians requires that I mould here treat of 
the Syntax; but our language has fo little inflection, or variety of termina- 
tions, that its conftrucTion neither requires nor admits many rules. Wallls 
therefore has totally neglected it ; and Jonfon, whofe deiire of following the 
writers upon the learnei languages made him think a fyntax. indifpenfably ne- 
cefiary, has published fuch petty obfervations at were better omitted. 

The verb, as in other languages, agrees with the nomina- 
tive in number and perfon ; as Thou flicft from good ; He runs to 
death. 

Our adjecYives and pronouns are invariable. 

Of two fubftantives the noun poffefliye is the genitive ; as 
His father's glory, The fun' I h^at. 

Verbs tranfitive require an oblique cafe ; as He loves me ; 
You fear him. 

All prepofitions require an oblique cafe : He gave this to me ; 
He took thii from me ; He fays this of me ; He came with me* 



PROSODY. 

It is common for thofe that deliver the grammar of modern languages, to 
omit their Profody. So that of the Italians is neglected by Satnaattci ; that of 
the French by Dtfmaraii ; and that of the Englifti by Wall'it, Confer, and even 
by Jenfcn, though a poet. But at the laws of metre are included in the idea 
of a grammar, 1 have thought it proper to infert them. 

Profody comprifes orthoepy, or the rules of pronunciation ; 
and orthometry, or the laws of verification. 

PRONUNCIATION is juft, when every letter has its proper 
found, and when every fyllable has its proper accent, or, which 
in Englifh verification is the fame, its proper quantity. 

The founds o/the letter* have been already explained ; and rules for the ac- 
cent or quantity are not eafily to be given, being fubjeft to innumerable excep- 
tions. Such however as I have read or formed, I (hall here propofc. 

1. Of diflyllables formed by affixing a termination, the former 
fyllable is commonly accented, as childijb, kingdom, attsft, atied, 
tiilftmt, Jfatr, fco/er, fairer, foremoft, zealous, f'ulnefs, godly, 
meekly, artijl. 

2. Diffyllables formed by prefixing a fyllable to the radical 
word, have commonly the accent on the latter ; as to begtt, to 
tejeem, to beftowj. 

3. Of diffyllables, which are at once nouns and verbs, the 
verb has commonly the accent on the latter, and the noun on 

ii 



the former fyllable j as to defiant, a defiant ; to cement, a < 
ment ; to contra.lt, a contrail. 

This rule has many exceptions. Though verbs feldom have their accent OB 
the former, yet nouns often have it on the latter fyllable; as, delight, pcrfumt. 

4. All diflyllables ending in y, as cranny ; in our, as labour, 
favour ; in ovj, as <w'illavo, tualltnv, except allow ; in le, as 
battle, bible ; in ijh, as banijh ; in ck, as cambrick, caj/bck ; in 
ter, as to batter ; in age, as courage ; in en, as fajlen ; in et, as 
quiet, accent the former fyllable. 

5. Diffy liable nouns in er, as canker, butter, have the accent 
on the former fyllable. 

6. Diffyllable verbs terminating in a confonant and e final, 
as comprije, efcape ; or having a diphthong in the laft fyllable, 
as appeafe, reveal; or ending in two confonants, as attend, have 
the accent on the latter fyllable. 

7. Diffyllable nouns having a diphthong in the latter fyllable, 
have commonly their accent on the latter fyllable, as afflaufe ; 
except words in aia, certain, mountain. 

8. Triffyllables formed by adding a termination, or prefixing 
a fyllable, retain the accent of the radical word, as Ibvelinefs, 
tendemefs, contemner, ivagoancr, pbijtcal, befpattur, commenting, 
ccmmfnding, ajjlirance. 

9. Triffyllables ending in ous, as gracious, arduous ; in al, as 
capital ; in ion, as mention, accent the firft. ~\ 

10. Triffyllables ending in ce, ent, and ate, accent the firft 
fyllable, as countenance, continence, armament, imminent, elegant, 
propagate, except they be derived from words having the accent 
on the laft, as connivance, acquaintance ; or the middle fyllable 
hath a vowel before two confonants, as promulgate. 

11. Triffyllables ending \ny, as entity, fpecify, liberty, wcJory, 
fubjidy, commonly accent the firft fyllable. 

12. Triffyllables in re or le accent the firft fyllable, as legible, 
tlicatre ; except difciple, and fome words which have a pofuion, 
as example, tpjjllc. 

13. Triffyllables in ude commonly accent the firft fyllable, as 
plenitude. 

14. TrifTyllables ending in ator or atour, as creatour; or hav- 
ing iu the middle fyllable a diphthong, as endeavour j or a 
vowel before two confonants, as Jomejlick, accent the middle 
fyllable. 

15. Triffyllables that have their accent on the laft fyllable arc 
commonly French, as acquiefce, repartee, magazine ; or words 
formed by prefixing one or two fyllables. to an acute fyllable, as 
immature, overcharge. 

1 6. Polyfyllables, or words of more than three fyllables, fol- 
low the accent of the words from which they are derived, as 
arrogating, continency, incontinently, commendable, communicabltnefs. 
We mould therefore fay difputable, indifputable, rather than dif- 
putable, indifputable; and advert'ifement rather than adiiertije 
ment. 

17. Words in ion have the accent upon the antepenult, as 
fal<vation, perturbation, concaflian ; words in atour or ator on the 

penult, as dedicator. 

1 8. Words ending in le commonly have the accent on the firft 
fyllable, as amicable, unlefs the fecond fyllable have a vowel be- 
fore two confonants, as combuftible. 

19. Words ending in ous have the accent on the antepenult, 
as uxorious, 'voluptuous. 

zo. Words ending in ty have their accent on the antepenult, 
as pujlllanimity , aS'ivity. 

Thefe rules are not advanced as complete or infallible, but propofed as ufcful. 
Almcft every rule of every language h^s its exceptions ; and in ETgli(h, as in 
other tongues, much muft be learned by example and authority. Perhaps more 
and betur rules may be given that have efcapcd my obfervation* 

VERSIFICATION is the arrangement of a certain number of" 
fyllables according to certain laws. 

The feet of our verfes are either iambick, as aloft,, create ; 
or trochaick,. as holy, lofty, 

Our 



A GRAMMAR OF THE 



Our iambick meafure comprifc* verfes 

Offourfyllables, 

Moft good, moft fair, 
Or things as rare, 
To call you 's loft ; 
For all the coft 
Words can beftow, 
So poorly (how 
Upon your praife, 
That all the ways 
Senfe hath, come moit. 



Of fir. 



With ravifh'd ears 
The monarch hears. 



This while we are abroad, 
Shall we not touch our lyre ? 

Shall we not fing an ode ? 
Shall that holy fire, 

In us that ftrongly glow'd, 
In this cold air expire I 

Though in the utmoft Peak 

A while we do remain, 
Among the mountains bleak, 

Expos'd to fleet and r^in , 
No fport our hours (hall break, 

To exercife our vein. 

What though bright Phoebus' beams 
Refrelh the fouthern ground, 

And though the princely Thames 
With beauteous nymphs abound. 

And by old Camber's rtreams 
Be many wonders found : 

Yet many rivers clear 
Here glide in filver fwathes, 

And what of all moft dear, 
Buxton's delicious baths. 

Strong ale and noble chear, 

T' aflwage breem winter's fcathes. 

In places far or near, 

Or famous, or obfcure, 
Where wholfom is the air, 

Or where the moft impure. 
All times, and every where, 

The mufe is flill in ure. 



Drajltit. 



Drjden. 



Dray ton. 



Of eight, which is the ufual meafure for fliort poems, 
And may at laft my weary age 
Find out the peaceful hermitage. 
The hairy gown, and mofly cell. 
Where I may fit, and nightly fpell 
Of ev'ry ftar the iky doth mew, 
And ev'ry herb that fips the dew. Milton. 

Of ten, which is the common meafure of heroick and tragick 
poetry, 

Pull in the midft of this created fpace, 

Betwixt heav'n, earth, and dies, there Hands a place 

Confining on all three ; with triple bound; } 

Whence all things, though remote, are view'd around, > 

And thither bring their undulating found. J 

The palace of loud Fame, her feat of pow'r, 

Flac'd on thefummit of a lofty tow'r; 

A thoufand winding entries long and wide 

Receive of frefti reports a flowing tide. 



A thoufand crannies in the walls are made ; 
Nor gate nor bar* exclude the bufy trade. 
'Tis built of brafs, the better to diffufe 
The fpreading founds, and multiply the news ; 
Where echoes in repeated echoes play : 
A mart for ever full ; and open night and day. 
Nor filence is within, nor voice exprefs, 
But a deaf noife of (bunds that never ceafe ; 
Confus'd, and chiding, like the hollow roar 
Of tides, receding from th' infulted more: 
Or like the broken thunder, heard from far, 
When Jove to diftance drives the rolling war. 
The courts are fill'd with a tumultuous din 
Of crowds, or ifl'uing forth, or ent'ring in : 
A thorough-fare of news ; where fome devife 
Things never heard, fome mingle truth with lies: 
The troubled air with empty founds they beat. 
Intent to hear, and eager to repeat. 

In all thefe meafures the accents are to be placed on even 
fyllables; and every line coniidered by itfelf is more harmo- 
nious, as this rule is more ftridlly obferved. The variations ne- 
ceflary to pleafure belong to the art of poetry, not the rules of 
grammar. 

Our trochaick meafures are 

Of three fyllables, 

Here we may 

Think and pray. 

Before death 

Stops our breath : 

Other joys 

Are but toys. Waltoifs Angler. 



Of five. 



In the days of old, 

Stories plainly told, 

Lovers felt annoy. Qld Balla.1. 



Offeven, 

Faired piece of well-form'd earth. 

Urge not thus your haughty birth. Waller. 

In thefe meafures the accent is to be placed on the odd 
yllables. 

Thefe are the meafures which ire now in ufe, and above the reft thofe of 
even, eight, and ten fyllables. Our ancient poets wrote verfes fometimci in 
welvc fyllables, as Drayton's Polyolbion. 

Of all the Cambrian (hires their heads that bear fo high, 
And farth'ft furvey their foils with an ambitious eye, 
Mervmia tor her htlK, as for their matchlefs crowds, 
The ncareft that are laid to kil's the wand'ring clouds, 
Efpccial audience craves, offended with the throng, 
That (he of all the rclt neglected was fo long; 
Alleging for herfelf, when through the Sjxw's pride, 
The godlike race of Brute to Severn's fctting fid 
Were cruelly intbrc'd, her mountains did relieve 
Thofe whom devouring war clfc every where did grieve. 
And when all Wales belide (by fortune or by might) 
Unto her ancient foe refign'd her ancient right, 
A conftant maiden ftill (he only did remain, 
The laft her genuine laws which lloutly did retain. 
And as each one is prjis'd for her peculiar thing , 
So only (he is rich in mountains, meres, and fprings ; 
And holds heifclf a- great in her fuperfiuor.s vvafte, 
As others by their towns and fruitful tillage grac'd. 

And of fourteen, as Chapman's Homer. 

And as the mind of fuch a man, that hath a long way gone, 
And cither knowcth not his way, or tile would let aloac 
His purpos'd journey, is diflract. 

The meafures of twelve and fourteen fyllahles were often m'mglej by our 
Id focts, fomcumcs in alternate lints, and Ibaxctimcs ifl altaie cuuplcu. 



ENGLISH TONGUE. 






Th erfe f Me!e fylUUet, called an Alexandrine, ii now only ufed to 
divcrlify heroick lines. 

Waller was fmooth, but Dryden taught to jo'm T 

The varying verfe, the full-refounding line, > 

Tbt long majfoc march, and energy divine. Pcfe, J 

The paufe in the Alexandrine mull be at the lixth fyllable. 

The verfe of fourteen fyllables is now broken into a foft lyrick meafurs of 
verfej confining alternately of eight fyllables and lix. 

She to receive thy radiant name, 

Selefls a whiter fpace. fcniin. 

When all (hall praife, and ev'ry lay 

Devote a wreath to thee, 
That day, for come it will, that day 

Shall I lament to fee. leva 

Beneath tiit tnmb an infant lies 

To earth wbofe body lent, 
Hereafter (hall more glorious rife, 

But not more innocent. 
When the Archangel's trump (hall blw. 

And fouls to bodies join, 
What crowds (hall wim their lives below 

Had been as ihort as thine 1 

We have another rneifure very quick and lively, and therefore much ufed 
in fongs, which may be called the anafejUck, in which the accent rells upon 
every third fyllable. 

May I govern my palfions with abfolute f 

And grow wifer and better as lite wears away* Dr. Pcfi, 

I this naeifure a fyllable is often retrenched from the firft foot, as 
Diogenes furly and proud. Dr. 

When prefent we love, and when abfent agree,. 
I think not of 1'ris, nor 1'ris of me. 



Drydtn, 



Thefc meafaret are varied by many combinations, and foraetimes by double 
oeing', either with, or without rhyme, is in the hervick meafure^ 



Tis the Divinity that ftirs w'ttila v>t 
Tis Heav'n itfelf that points out an 
And intimates eternity to man. 

So in that of eight fyllables, 

They neither added nor confounded, 
They neither wanted nor abounded* 

In that of feven, 

For refinance I could fear none, 

But with twenty (hips lu-i dune, 
What thou, brave and happy Vernon> 

Haft atchiev'd with fix alone. 

In that of fix, 

'Twas wJien the feas were roaring^ 

With hollow blafts of wind, 
A damfel lay deploring, 
All on a rock redin'd. 



Prier* 



Gltver, 



In the 

When terrible tempefts aflail us, 

And mountainous billows affright,. 
Nor grandeur or wealth can avail us, 

But flcilful induftry fleers right. Bj//a</ 

To thefe meafures, and their laws, may be reduced svtry fpecies of Esglifl*. 
verfe. 

Our verification admits of few licences, except a fynalcepbctf. 
or elifion of e in the before a vowel,, as tb' eternal ; and more 
rarely of o in to, as t' accept ; and a fynterejis, by which two 
fliort vowels coalefce into one iyllable, as quejtion, facial } or a 
word is corrtrafted by the expulfion, of a fhort vowel before a li- 
quid, as av'rice, temp'rance. 

Thus have I collected rules and examples,. by which the Englilh language 
may be learned, if the reader be already acquainted with grammatical terms, 
or taught by a mafter to thofe that arc more ignorant. To have written a 
grammar for fuch as are not yet initiated in the 1'chools, would have been te- 
dious, and p eiharis at I 



A D V E fc T I S E~ 



ADVERTISEMENT 



TO THE 

X 



FOURTH EDITION, 



MANY are the works of human induftry, which to begin and finifli are hardly granted to 
the fame man. He that undertakes to compile a Dictionary, undertakes that, which, if it 
comprehends the full extent of his defign, he knows himfelf unable to perform. Yet his labours, 
though deficient, may be ufeful, and with the hope of this inferior praife, he muft incite his activity, 
and folace his wearinefs. 

Perfection is unattainable, but nearer and nearer approaches may be made ; and finding my Dic- 
tionary about to be reprinted, I have endeavoured, by a revifal, to make it lefs reprehenfible. I will 
not deny that 1 found many parts requiring emendation, and many more capable of improvement. 
Many faults I have corrected, fome fuperfluities I have taken away, and fome deficiencies I have 
fupplied. I have methodifed fome parts that were difordered, and illuminated fome that were obfcure. 
Yet the changes or additions bear a very fmall proportion to the whole. The critick will now have 
lefs to object, but the ftudent who has bought any of the former copies needs not repent j he will 
not, without nice collation, perceive how they differ j and ufefulnefs feldom depends upon little 
things. 

r 

For negligence or deficience, I have perhaps not need of more apology than the nature of the work 
will furnifli : I have left that inaccurate which never was made exact, and that imperfect which never 
was completed, 



A D I C- 



DICTIONARY 



OF THE 



ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 



A The nrft letter of the European 
alphabets, has, in the Englifh 
} language, three different iounds, 
tvhich may be termed the broad, open, 
and (lender. 

The broad found, refembling that of 
the German a, is found in many of our 
monofyllables, as all, wall, malt, fait, in 
which a is pronounced as au in caufe, or 
-TU in la-Tv. Many of thefe words were 
anciently written with au, as fault, 
vault ; which happens to be dill retained 
in fault. This was probably the ancient 
found of the Saxons, fmce it is almoft 
uniformly preferred in the ruftic pro- 
nunciation, and the Northern dialefts, 
as maun for man, baund for hand. 

A open, not unlike the a of the Italians, 
is found in father, rather, and more 
obfcurely in fancy, faft, &c. 

A (lender or clofe, is the peculiar a of the 
Englifti language, refembling the found 
of the French e mafculine, or diphthong 
ai in fait, or perhaps a middle found 
between them, or between the a and e ; 
to this the Arabic a is faid nearly to ap- 
proach. Of this found we have exam- 
ples in the words, place, face, wajle, and 
all thofe that terminate in alien ; as re- 
lation, nation, generation. 

A is fhort, as, glafi, grafs ; or long, as, 
glaze, graze: it is marked long, gene- 
rally, by an e final, plane, or by an i 
added, as plain. The ftiort a is open, 
the long a clofe. 

1. A, ar. article fet before nouns of the 
fingular number; a man, a tree ; de- 
noting the number one, as, a man is 
coining, that is, no more than one ; or an 
indefinite indication, as, a man may 
come this way, that is, any man. This 
article has no plural Ggnification. Be- 
fore a word beginning with a vowel, i 
is written an, as, an ox, an egg, 
which a is the contraction. 
VOL. I. 



2. A, taken materially, or for itfelf, is a' 
noun ; as, a great A, a little a. 

3. A is placed before a participle, or par- 
ticipial noun ; and is confidered by 
Wallis as a contraction of at, when it 
is put before a word denoting fome aftion 
not yet finifhed ; LS, I am a walking. 
It alib feems to be anciently contracted 
from at, when placed before local fur- 
names ; as, Thomas a Becket. In other 
cafes, it feems to fignify to, like the 
French a. 

A hunting Chloc went. Prior. 

They go a begging to a bankrupt's door. Dryden. 

May peace ilill dumber by thefa purling foun- 
tains ! 

Which we may every year 
Find when we come a filling here. Wctton. 

Now the men fell a rubbing of armour, which 
a great while had lain oiled. Wtttcn. 

He will knap the fpears a pieces with his teeth. 
Mtrc's Ant'id. Atbm. 

Another falls a ringing a Pefcennius Niger, and 
judicioufly diftinguilhes the found of it to be 
modern. Atldifen on Mtdalt. 

4. A has a peculiar fignification, denoting 
the proportion of one thing to another. 
Thus we fay, The landlord hath a hun- 
dred a year ; The (hip's crew gained a 
thoufand pounds a man. 

The river Inn paffes through a wide open coun- 
try, during all its ccurfe through Bavaria ; which 
ii a voyage of two days, after the rate of twenty 
leagues a day. Addfm in Italy. 

5. A is ufed in burlefque poetry, to lengthen 
out a fyllable, without adding to the 
fenfe. 

For cloves and nutmegs to the line-a, 
And even tor oranges to China. Dryden. 

6. A is fometimes, in familiar writings, 
put by a barbarous corruption for he ; 
as, will a come, for will he come. 

7. A, in compofition, feems to have fome- 
times the power of the French in thefe 
phrafes, a droit, a gauche, &c. and fome- 
times to be contracted from at ; as, afide, 
ujlope, afoot, ajleef, atkn'Ji, avjare. 



ABA 

I *gin to be a vjcary of the fun ; 
And wiih th ftate of th' world were now undone. 
Sbakefpeare 's Macbeth* 

And now a brecre from more b^'gan to blow, 
The tailors (hip their oars, and ccafe to row ; 
Then hoift their yards a-trf, and all their fails 
Let fall, to court the wind, and catch the gales. 

Drydcn'i Cyx and Alcyone. 

A little houfe with trees a row, 
And, like its mafter, very low. Pf*> Har, 

8. A is fometimes redundant ; as, arife, 
aroufe, aiuaie ; the fame with rife, roufe, 
wake. 

9. A, in abbreviations, (lands for artium, 
or arts ; as, A. B. batchelor of arts, ar- 
tium baccalaureus ; A. M. mafter of arts, 
artium magijhr ; or, anno ; as, A. D. 
anno domini. 

AB, at the beginning of the names of 
places, generally (hews that they have 
fome relation to an abbey, as Abingdon. 

Gibfon. 

ABA'CKE. aa"-v. [from back.] Backwards. 
Obfolete. 

But when they came where thou thy (kill didft 

fho\v, 

They drew atacte, as half with flume confound. 

Sfcnf. Pa/. 

AB ACTOR, n.f. [Latin.] One who drives 
away or fteals cattle in herds, or great 
numbers at once, in diltindlion from 
thofe that Heal only a (heep or two. 

Blount. 

ABACUS, n.f. [Latin.] 

1. A counting-table, anciently ufed ia 
calculations. 

2. [In architecture.] The uppermoft mem- 
ber of a column, which ferves as a fort 
of crowning both to the capital and co- 
lumn. Diil. 

ABA'FT. od-v. [of abaptan, Sax. behind.] 
From the fore-part of the (hip, towards 
the Hern. Dia. 

ABAI'SANCE. n.f. [from the French abai- 
fcr, to deprefs, to bring down.] An aft 
of reverence, a bow. Obeyfance is con- 
fidered by Skinner as a corruption bf 
abaifancc, but is now univerfally ufed. 

B r* 



ABA 

To ABA'LIENATE. <v . a. [from alalieno, 
Lat.] To make that another's which 
was our own before. A term of the civil 
Jaw, not much ufed in common fpeech. 

ABALIENA'TION. n.f, [Lat. a!>alitnatio.~\ 
The aft of giving up one's right to ano- 
ther perfon ; or a making over an eitate, 
goods, or chattels by fale, or due ccxirfe 
oflaw. Dia. 

To AB A'N D. v. a. [A word contracted from 
abandon, but not now in uie. See A- 
BANDON.] To forfake. 

1 h y ftrunger are 
Than they which (ought at firft their helping 

band, 
And Vortiger enforced the kingdom to aland. 

Spender's Fairy S^ff, b. ii. ctat. 10. 

To ABA'NDON. i>. a. [Fr. alandonner. 
Derived, according to Menage, from the 
Italian abanJonare, which fignifies to 
forfake his colours ; bandum \vexillum\ 
deferere. Pafquier thinks it a coalition of 
a ban donner, to give up to a profcription ; 
in which fenfe we, at this day, mention 
the ban of the empire. Ban, in our 
own old dialed, fignifies a curfe ; and 
to abandon, if confideredas compounded 
between French and Saxon, is exaftly 
equivalent to diris drvciiere.] 

i. To give up, refign, or quit ; often fol- 
lowed by the particle to. 

If (he be fo tiband^n'd to her forrow, 
As it is fpoke, (he never wilt admit me. 

Sbateff. Twelfth Night. 

The- paffive gods behold the Grteks defile 
Their temples, and abandon to the fpoil 
Their own abodes ; we, feeble few, confpire 
To fave a finking town, involv'd in fire. 

Dryd. Mnetd. 

Who is he fo abandoned to fottifli credulity, as 
to think, that a c!r>d of earth in a ficlc, may ever, 
by eternal (hiking, receive the fabric of man's 
body ? B.-Kt/cy's Sermons. 

Muft he, whofe altars on the Phrygian fhore, 
With frequent rites, and pure, avow'd thy pow'r, 
Be doomed the word of human ills to prove, 
Unblefs'd, abandon' d to the wrath of Jove ? 

Pofe's Odj/ty, b. i. I. 80. 
a. To defert ; to forfake : in an ill fenfe. 

The princes ufing the portions of fearing evil, 
and dcfiring to efcape, only to ferve the rule of 
virtue, not to abandon one's felf, leapt to a rib of 
the (hip. Sidney, b. ii. 

Seeing the hurt Mag alone, 
Left and abandon' d of his velvet friends, 
*Tis right, quoth he ; thus mifery doth part 
The flux of company* Sbakefp. j^s you like it. 

What fate a wretched fugitive attends, 
Scorn'd by my foes, abandcn'd by my friends. 

Dryd. A'neid, 2. 

But to the pavtisg goddcfs thus (he pray'J j 
Propitious dill be prcfcnt to my aid, 
Nor quite abandon your oncc-favour'd maid. 

Dryd. Fat. 

3. To forfake, to leave. 

He boldly fpake, Sir knight, if knight tliDu be, 
Abandon this (oreftallrd place at erft, 
For fear of further harm, I ccunfel thee. 

Sffnfer's Fairy Sjften, b. ii. cant. 4. flanx. 39. 
To ABANDON OVER. i>. a. [a form of wri- 
ting not ufual, perhaps not exact.] To 
give up to, to refign. 

Look on me as a man abandcn'd o'er 
To an eternal lethargy of love ; 
To pull, and pinch, and wound me, cannot cure, 
And but didurb the <juiet of my death. 

Dryd. Sf. Friar. 

ABA'NDONED. partieip. adj. Corrupted 
in the hi gheit degree ; as, an abandoned 
In this fenfe, it is a contraction 



ABA 

of a longer form, abandoned [given up] 
to wickednefs. 

ABA'NDONINC. [A verbal noun from 
abandon.} Defertion, forlaking. 

He hop'd his pad meritorious actions might out- 
weigh his prcfcnt c,bar.dor.:r.g the thought of future 
iclion. Clarcttd. b. viii. 

AB A'N DONMFNT./r.yi \abaiidonnement ,1' : r ,~\ 

1. The aft of abandoning. 

2. The ftate of being abandoned. Difl. 
ABANNI'TION. n.f. [Lat. abannitio.~\ A 

banimment for one or two years, for 
manflaughter. Obfolete. Difl. 

To ABA'RE. 11. a. [abapian, Sax.] To make 
bare, uncover, or difciofe. Difl. 

AiiARTicutA'TiON.H.y; [from ab , from, 
and articulus, a joint, Lat.] A good and 
apt conftruftion of the bones, by which 
th'ey move flrongly and eafily ; or that 
fpecies of articulation that has manifeft 
motion. DiS. 

To ABA'SE. <v. a. [Fr. abaijfir, from the 
Lat. bafts, or bejjus, a barbarous word, 
fignifying low, bafe.] 

1. To deprefs, to lower. 

It is a point of cunning to wait upon him with 
whom you fpeak with your eye; yet with a demure 
abajing of it fometimes. Bacon. 

2. To caft down, to deprefs, to bring low ; 
in a figurative and pcrfonal fenfe, which 
is the common ufe. 

H?ppy Ihcpherd, to the gods be thankful, that 
to thy advancement their wifdoms have thceaijfcd. 

Sidney, b. i. 

Behold every one that is proud, and abaje him. 

Job, x!. ji. 

With unrefifted might the monarch reigns; 
He levels mountains, and he raifes plains ; 
And, not regarding difT'rence of degree, 
jieas'd your daughter, and exalted me. 

Dryd. Fables. 

If the mind be curbed and humbled too much 
in children ; if their fpirits be abated and broken 
much by too drift an hand over them ; they lofe 
all their vigour and induftry. 

Locke on Education, 46. 

ABA'S ED. adj. [with heralds] a term ufed 
of the wings of eagles, when the top 
looks downwards towards the point of the 
ftiield ; or when the wings are fhut ; the 
natural way of bearing them beingfpread 
with the top pointing to the chief of the 
angle. Bailey. Chambers. 

ABA'SEMENT. n.f. The ftate of being 
brought low ; the aft of bringing low ; 
depreffion. 

There is an abafitncrt becaufe of glory ; and 
there is that lifteth up his head from a low efrate. 
Ecclcfiujl'n'us, xx. ii. 

To ABA'SH. *a. a. [See BASHFUL. Per- 
haps from alaijfer, French.] 
l. To put into confufion ; to make afha- 
med. It generally implies a fudden 
impreflion of mame. 

They heard, and were aiajh'J. 

Mi!t:n's Paradije Loft, b. \. I. 331. 
This heard, th 1 imperious queen fat mute with 

fear ; 

Nor further durft incenfe the gloomy thunderer. 
Silence was in the court at this rebuke : 
Nor could the g^ds, abajb'd, fullain their fove- 
reign's look. Dry den's Fables. 

z. The paflive admits the particle at, fome- 
times of, before the caufal noun. 

In no wilclpeak againftthe truth, but \>cabajbed 

of the error of thy ignorance. Ecclus. iv. 15. 

I faid unto her, From whence is this kid ? Is 

it not ftolcn ? But (be replied upon me, it was 



ABA 

given for a gift, more than the wages: however^ 
I did not believe her, and I was ahalh.-d at her. 

"Jot. ii. 13, 14. 

In the aduirr.tion only of weak mindi 
Led captive : ccafe t' admire, and all her plumes 
Fall Mat, and fink into a trivial toy, 
At every fudden (lighting quite abajht. 

Milan's Paradife L'.ft, b. ii. /. 213. 

The little Cupi.ls hov'ring round, 
(As pictures pruvc) with garhnds crown'd, 
Majlit! at what th'y faw and heard, 
Flew off, nor ever more appcar'd. 

.' WttiUar'ut. 

To AB A'TE. v. a. [from the French abba- 

tre, to beat down.] 
I. To lefTen, to diminifh. 

Who can tell whether the divine wifdom, to 
fide the glory of thole kings, did not refine this 
wo:k to be done by r queen, that it might appear 
to be his own immediate work? 

5/V Jobn Davits on Ireland* 

If you did know to whom I gave the ring, 
And how unwillingly I left the ring, 
.You would abate the drength of your difpleafure. 



Here we fee the hopes of great benefit and light 
from expofitors and commentators, are in a great 
part abated; and thofe who have mod need of their 
help, can receive but little from them. 

Luke's EJJay on St. Paul's Efjilcs. 

2. To dejeft, or deprefs the mind. 

This iron world 

Brings down the (touted hearts to lowed Mate : 
For mifery doth braved minds abate. 

Spenf. Hubbcrd't Tale. 
Have the power ftill 
To banilh your defenders, till at length 
Your ignorance deliver you, 
As moft abated captives to fome nation 
That won you without blows ! 

Siakeffcare'i C-.rioltms, 

Time, that changes all, yet changes us in vain, 
The body, not the mind ; nor can controul 
Th' immortal vigour, or abatt the foul. 

Dryd. JEne'id. 

3. In commerce, to let down the price in 
felling, fometimes to beat down the price 
in buying. 

To ABA'TE. <v. n; 

1. To grow lefs ; as, his paffion abates ; 
the ftorm abates. It is ufed fometimes 
with the particle of before the thing 
leflened. 

Our phyficians have obfcrvcd, that in procefs of 
time, fome difeafes have abated cf their virulence, 
and have, in a manner, worn out their malignity, 
fo as to be no longer mortal. 

Drydcn'i Hind and Panther, 

2. [In common law.] 

It is in law ufed both actively and neuterly ; as, 
to abate a caftle, to beat it down. To abate a writ, 
is, by fome exception, to defeat or overthrow it. 
A ftranger alatetb, that is, entereth upon a houfe 
or land void by the death of him that lair, poflelTcd 
it, before the heir take his pofl'cflion, and fo keep- 
eth him out. Wherefore, as he that putteth out 
him in pofiefllin, is (aid to difTeife : fo he that 
fteppeth in between the former poflcflbr and his 
heir is faid to aba'.e. In the neuter (ignification 
thus: The writ of the d mandment ihMabate, that 
is, (hallbedifablcd, r'ruftrated, or overthrown. The 
appeal abateib by covin, that is, that the accufa- 
tion is defeated by deceit. Cornel. 

3. [In horfemanfhip.] A horfe is faid to 
abate or take down his curvets ; when 
working upon curvets,' he puts his two 
hind legs to the ground both at once, 
and obferves the fame exaftnefs in all 
the times. Difl. 

ABA'TE ME NT. n.f. [abatement, Fr.] 
l. The ad of abating or leffcning. 

Xenophon tells us, that the city contained about 
ten tlioul'and hooks, and allowing one mail to every 

be ufc, 



ABB 

houfe, who could have any (hare in the govern- 
ment (the reft confiding of women, children, and 
(en-ants), and making other obvious abatement!, 
thefe tyrants, if they had been careful to adhere 
together, might have been a majority even of the 
people collective. 

Sv.'ift on tbe Centeji of 'Athens and Rome. 

2. The Hate of being *!iated. 

Coffee has, in common with all nuts, an oil 
ftrongly combined and entangled with earthy par- 
ticles. The moft noxious part of oil exhales in 
roifting, to the abatement of near one quarter of its 
weight. Arbutbnrt on Aliments. 

3. The fum or quantity taken away by the 
aft of abating. 

The law of works is that U\v, which requires 
perfect obedience, without remiflion or abatement , 
fo that, by thatlaw, a man canr.ot bejult, or jufti- 
fied, without an exact performance of every tittle. 

Locke. 

4. The caufe of abating ; extenuation. 

As our advantages towards piutt.fmij and pro- 
nr-ting piety and virtue were gre-iier than thole or" 
other men ; fo will our excufe be lefs, if we neglect 
to rmke ule of them. We cannnt plead in abate- 
ment of our guilt, that we were ignorant of our 
duty, under the prepolTefiion of ill habits, and the 
bias of a wrong education. Alttrburf s Sermons. 

5. [In law.] The aft of the abater ; as, the 
abatement of the heir into the land before 
he hath agreed with the lord. The af- 

, feftion or paffion of the thing abated ; 
as, abatement of the writ. Ctmiel. 

6. [With heralds.] An accidental mark, 
which being added to a coat of arms, 
the dignity of it is abafed, by reafon of 
fome ftain or difhonourable quality of 
the bearer. DiS. 

ABA'TER. n.f. The agent or caufe by 
which an abatement is procured ; that 
by which any thing is leflened. 

Abaters of acrimony or fliarpneis, are cxprellej 
oils of ripe vegetables, and all preparations of 
fuch ; as of almonds, piftach r nuts. 

Atbutkna nit Dirt. 

ABA'TOR. n.f. [a law term.] One who 
intrudes into houfes or land, void by the 
death of the former poiTeflbr, and yet 
not entered upon or taken up by his 
heir. Dift. 

A'r.ATunE. n.f. [old records.] Anything 
diminifhed. Bailey. 

A'BATURE. n.f. [from ataire, French.] 
Thofe fprigs of grafs which are thrown 
down by a (lag in" his pafiirg by. Difl. 

ABB. n.f. The yarn on a weaver's warp ; 
a term among clothiers. Chambers. 

ABBJ. n.f. [Heb. 2] A Syriac word, 
which (\gmhesfatber. 

A'BBACY. n.f. [Lat. abbatia.~\ The rights 
or privileges of an abbot. See ABBEY. 
According to Felinui, an abbacy is t.'.e dignity 
, fmcc an abbot is a term c r word of dignity, 
and not of office ; and, therefore, even a fccular 
perfon, who has the care of fouls, is fometimes, 
in the canon la.v, a!f> Oiled an .ibLot. 

AslffS* Fortran Juris Canonici. 

A'fiBESS.fl.y^ [Lat. abbatijja, from whence 
the Saxon abubij-fe, then probably ab- 
batefi, and by contraction abbtjj'e in Fr. 
and atbej'i, Eng.] The fuperiour or go- 
vernefs of a nunnery or monaftery of 
women. 

They fled 

.is al hfy, whither we purfued them ; 
And hrrr the jlh^s (hu:. '.he gate on us, 
And will ;i9L fuficr us to frtcli him 

Skaief. C. ofErrrs. 



ABB 

I hive a filter, abbcfs in Tercerai, 
Who loft her lo\er on her bridal-day. 

Dryd. D. Silaji 

Conftantja, as foon as the folemnities of her re- 
ception were over, retired with the abbtjs into hcv 
own apartment. Add-on. 

A'BBEY, or ABBY. n.f. [Lat. abbntia; 
from whence probably firit ABBACY ; 
which fee.] A monaflery of religious 
perfons, whether men or women ; di!- 
tinguifhed from religious houfes of other 
denominations by larger privileges. See 
ABBOT. 

With eafy roads he came to Leicefter ; 
Lodg'd in the abbey, where the reverend abbot, 
With all his convent, honourabiy receiv'd him. 

Sbake/f. 
A'BBEY-LUBBER. n.f. [See LuBBER.] 

A flothful loiterer in a religious houfe, 
under pretence of retirement and aufte- 
rity. 

This is no Father Dominic, no huge overgrown 
abbey-lubber ; this is but a diminutive fuckirg 
f iar. Dryrl. Sf. Fr. 

A'BBOT. n.f. [in the lower Latin abbas, 
from l father, which fenfe was Hill 
implied ; fo that the abbots were called 
patres, and abbefles malres monajtcrii. 
Thus Fortunatus to the abbot Paternus : 
Nominis cjficiumjure, Patcrne,geris.] The 
chief of a convent, or fellowfhip of ca- 
nons. Of thefe, fome in England were 
mitred, fome not : thofe that were mi- 
tred, were exempted from the jurifdic- 
tion of the diocefan, having in them- 
felves epifcopal authority within their 
precinfts, and being alfo lords of parlia- 
ment. The oth/r fort were fubjeft to 
the diocefan in all fpiritual government. 



See AIIBEY. 
A'BBOTSHIP. n.f. The ftate or privilege 

of an abbot. DiS. 

To ABBREVIATE, v. a. [Lat. abbre- 

111 are.} 

it To (horten by contraction of parts with- 
out lofs of the main fubftance ; to abridge. 

It is one thing to abbreviate by contracting, an- 
other by cutting off. Baecn, FJJuy 26. 

The only invention of late years, which hath 
contributed towards pslirenels in dilcourfc, is that 
of abbreviating or reducing words of many fyllsbles 
into one, by lopping off the reft. Sicift. 

2. To ftiorten, to cut fhort. 

Set the jtrength of their dajs before the flood ; 
which wer^: .ifter, and contracted into 

hundreds and thrcefcores. 

Brr,ivt:"s Vulgar Errors, b. vi. c. 6. 

ABBREVI A'TION-. n.f. - 

i. Tie aft of abbreviating. 

z. The means ufed to abbreviate, as cha- 

rafters fignifying whole words ; words 

contracted. 

Such is the propriety and energy in them all, 

that they never can be cluij,- ,\, but to di 

fage, except in the circumftance of ufmg aibre-.'ia- 

tiatis. Siuifi. 

ABBREVIA'TOR. n.f. \abbrcviateur, Fr.] 

One who abbreviates, or abridges. 
An E R E'VI ATURE. a. f, \abbreiiiatura, 
Lat.] 

1. A mark ufed for the falce of (hortening. 

2. A compendium or abridgment. 

H>: is a good man, who grit-tut r.i.her tor him 
that injures him, than fur hij own fuffcring; who 
prays for him that wrongi him, forgiving all his 



A B D 

faults; who fooner (hews mercy thah anger; wh 
offers violence to his appetite, in nil things endea- 
vouring to I'ubdue the flefli to the fpirit. This is 
an excellent abbreviature of the whole duty of a 
Chrirtian. Taylor*: Guide to Drvotic*. 

ABBREUVOl'R. [in French, a watering, 
place. Ital. abbe--verato, dal verbo beiiere. 
Lat. bibcre. Abbeverari i cavalli. This 
word is derived by Menage, not much 
acquainted with the Teutonic dialecls, 
from adbibare for adbibere ; but more 
probably it comes from the fame root 
with bre-iu. See BREW.] Among ma- 
fons, the joint or juncture of two Hones, 
or the interftice between two Hones to be 
filled up with mortar. Dicl. 

A'BBY. See ABBEY. 

A, B, C. 

1. The alphabet; as, he has not learned 
his a, i, c. 

2. The little book by which the elements 
of reading are taught. 

Then comes queition like an a, b, c, book. 

Skakeffeare. 

To A'BDICATE. i;. a. [Lat. aMict.] To 
give up right ; to refign ; to lay down 
an office. 

Old Saturn, here, with upcaft eyes, 
Beheld his ttdufted flsies. Add'ifa*, 

ABDICA'TION. n.f. [al>di*:a:io,Lat.] The 
aft of abdicating ; refignation ; quitting 
an office by one's own proper act before 
the ufual or dated expiration. 

Neither doth it appear how a princa's abdication 
can make any other fort of vacancy in the throne^ 
than would be caufed by his death ; fince he can - 
not abdicate for his children, otherwife than by his> 
own confent in form to a bill from the two houfes. 
Swift m the Ser.tiir.cnts of a Church of 
England Man* 

A'BDICATIVE. adj. That which caufes.or 
implies an abdication. Di3. 

A'BDICATIVE. adj. [from a bdo, to hide.] 
That which has the power or quality of 
hiding. ViS. 

AEDO'MEN. n. f. [Lat. from aide, to 
hide.] A cavity commonly called the 
lower venter or belly : It contains the 
ftoinach, guts, liver, fplcen, bladder, 
and is within lined with a membrane 
called the peritonaeum. The lower part 
is called the hypogaltrium ; the foremoll 
part is divided into the epigaftrium, the 
right and left hypochondria, and the 
navel ; 'tis bounded above by the car- 
tilago enfiformis and the diaphragm, 
fideways by the fhort or lower ribs, and 
behind by the vertebra; of the loins, the 
bones of the coxendix, that of the pubes, 
and os facrum. It is covered with feve 
ral mufcles, from whofe alternate relaxa- 
tions and contractions in refpiration,. 
digeilion is forwarded, and the due mo- 
tioa of all the parts therein contained 
promoted, both for fecretion and expul- 
fion. 0>uii:<y. 

The abtlatmn confifls of parts containing ajid con- 
tained. fPljttnatfs Surgery. 

ABDO'MINAL. 1 <*>{/ Relating to the ab- 

ABDO'MINOUS. J domen. 

To ABDU'CE. -v. a. [Lat. abduco.] To 
draw to a different part ; to withdraw 
one part from another. A word chiefly 
ufed in phyfic or fcience. 

B i if 



ABE 



A B H 



If w elivct the eye unto either comer, the 
object will not duplicate; fjr, in that pofition,the 
axii of the cones remain in the fm plain, as is 
demoaftrated in the optics delivered by Galen. 

BrovtlCl Vulgar Errours, b. iii. C. 2O. 

ABDU'CENT. adj. Mufcles abducent are 
thofe which ferve to open or pull back 
divers parts of the body ; their oppofues 
being called adducent. Difl. 

ABDUC'TION. n.f. [abduflii, Lat.] 

1. The art of drawing apart, or withdraw- 
ing one part from another. 

2. A particular form of argument. 
AEDlfCTOR. n.f. [abduflor, Lat.] The 

name given by anatomifts to the muf- 
cles, which ferve to draw back the fe- 
veral members. 

H fuppofcd th : conftrictors of the eye-lids mud 
be ftrenginened in the fupcrcitious j the abdufltrs 
in drunkards, and contemplative men, who have 
the fame fteady and grave motion of the eye. 

Arbuibnct and Pope's A''artittus Scriblcrus. 

ABECEDARIAN, n.f. [from the names of 
a, t, c, the three firlt letters of the al- 
phabet.] He that teaches or learns the 
alphabet, or firft rudiments of literature. 
This word is ufed by Wood in his 
Atbenet Oxonienfes, where mentioning 
Farnaby the critic, he relates, that, in 
forne part of his life, he was reduced to 
follow the trade of an abecedarian by his 
misfortunes. 

A'BKCEDARY.ai^'. [See AB ECE D A R I AN.] 

1. Belonging to the alphabet. 

2. Infcribed with the alphabet. 

This is pretended from the fympathy of two 
needles touched with the loadftonc, and placed in 
th: center of two abecedary circles, or rings of let- 
ters, defcribed round about them, ene friend keep- 
ing one, and another the other, and agreeing upon 
\*^o hour wherein they will communicate. 

Brvwn'i Vulgar Erreurs, b. ii. c. 3. 

ABE'D. aifa. [from a, for at, and bed.} In 
bed. 

It was a fhame for them to mar their com- 
plexions, yea and conditions too, with long lying 
tbtd : when (he was of their age, flie would have 
made a handkerchief by that time o'day. 

Sidrey, b ii. 

She has not been abed, but in her chapel 
All night devoutly watch' d. Dryd. Kfan. Friar. 
ABE'RRANCE. In./, [from aberra, Lat. 
ABE'RRANCY. \ to wander from the 
right way.] A deviation from the right 
way ; an errour ; a miftake ; a falfe opi- 
nion. 

They do not only fwarm with errours, but vices 
depending thereon. Thus they commonly affect 
no man any farther than he deferts his reafon, or 
complies with thrir aberranaes. 

Brown'* Vulgar Errours, b. 3. c. 3. 
Could a man be compofed to fuch an adv 
of conftitution, that it mould not at .ill a 
the images of his mind; yet this fecond natuic 
would alter the era/is of his underft/mding, and 
render it as obnoxious to aberrance:, as no.v. 

GlanvillCs Sccpfis Stientijica, c. 16. 

ABE'RRANT. adj. [from aberrant, Lat.] 

Deviating, wandering from the right or 

known way. Difl. 

ABERRA'TION. n.f. [fromaterratio, Lat.] 

The act of deviating from the common 

or from the right track. 

If it be a miitake, there is no herefy in fucli an 
haimlefs aberratiin; the probability of it will ten- 
der it a lapfe of cafy pardon. 

Glan-uilU s Scefjis Scientlfca, c. u. 

ABE'RRIKC. ///. [from the verb aberr, 



cf alirri, Lat.] Wandering, going a- 
itray. 

Of the verb aberr I have found no 
example. 

Divers were out in their account, al-erring feve- 
ral ways from the true and jult compute, and call- 
ing that one year, which perhjpj might be another. 
Bravin's Vulgar Errours, b. iv. c. 12. 

To ABERU'NCATE. j. a. [a-verunco, Lat.] 
To pull up by the roots ; to extirpate 
utterly. Difl. 

To ABE'T. v. a. [from beran, Sax. fig- 
nifying to enkindle or animate.] To 
puih forward another, to fupport him in 
his defigns by connivance, encourage- 
ment, or help. It was once indifferent, 
but is almoft always taken by modern 
writers in an ill fenfe : as may be feen 
in ABETTER. 

To abet fignifie:h, in our common law, as much 
as to encourage or fet on. Cowel. 

Then fliall I foon, quoth he, return again, 
Abet that virgin's caufe difconfolate, 
And ftiortly back return. Fairy Soften, b. i. 

A widow who by folemn vows, 
Contracted to me, for my fpoufe, 
Combin'd with him to break her word, 
And has abttttd all. Hudibras, f. iii. cant. 3. 

Men lay fo great weight upon right opinions, 
and eagernefs of abating them, that they account 
that the unum neceiTarium. Decay of fitly. 

They abated both parties in the civil war, and 
always furniflied fupplies to the weaker fide, left 
there Humid be an end put to thefe fatal divisions. 
Addifcn. Freeholder, NO 28. 

ABE'T MENT. n.f. The aft of abetting. 

Dia. 

ABE'TTER, or ABE'TTOR. ti.f. He that 
abets ; the fupportsr or encourager of 
a:vnher. 

Whilft calumny has two fuch potent abaters, 
we are not to wonder at its growth : as long as 
men are malicious and defigning, they will be tra- 
ducing. Govern, of the Tuttguc. 

You (hall be ftill plain Torrifmond with me, 
TV aittur, partner (if you like the name), 
The huiband of a tyrant, but no king ; 
Till you dcfervc that title by yourjuftice. 

Drydens Spamjb Friar, 

Thefe confederations, though they may have no 
influence on the multitude, ought to fink into the 
minds of thoCe who are their abettors, and who, 
if they cfcape punilhment here, mud know, that 
thefe fcvcral mifchiefs will be one day laid to their 
charge. Addifc-r.. Freeholder, N 50. 

ABEY'ANCE. n.f. [from the French ako- 
yer, allatrare, to bark at.] This word, 
in Littleton, cap. Difcontinuance, is thus 
ufed. The right of fee-fimple lieth in 
abeyance, when it is all only in the re- 
membrance, intendment, andconfidera 
tion of the law. The frank tenement of 
the glebe of the parfonage, is in no man 
during the time that the parfonage is 
void, but is in abeyance. 
ABGRE,GA'TION. n. f. [akgregatio, Lat.] 
A feparation from the flock. Did. 

To ABHO'R. -v. a. [abhorree, Lat.j To 
hate with acrimony ; to detelt to extre- 
mity ; to loath ; to abominate. 

\Vhillt I was i> g in clamou:, <:a:nc a man, 
Who having (Ven ;;ie in my worfcrftate, 
Shunn'd my abhorr'ii fociety. 

Sbai 'feart's K. Liar. 
Juftly thou albjrr'Ji 
That fon, who on the qmet llatc of men 
Such trouble brought, affecting to fubdue 
Rational liberty. 

Milt. Farad. Lcjl, t. xii. 1. 79. 



A B I 

The felf.fame thing they will alt* 
One way, and long another for. 

HuJibras, f. i. calf, i, 

A church of England man abhors the humour 
of the a.je, in delighting to fling fcandals upon the 
clergy in general; which, betides the difgrace tr 
the reformation, and to religion itfelf, cafts an ig- 
nominy upon the kingdom. Swift. Cb. t 
ABHO'RRENCE. 
ABHO'RREKCY. 

1. The aft of abhorring, deteftation. 

It draws upon him the hatred and abhorrence of 
all men here j and fubjects him to the wrath of 
God hereafter. South' s Sermons. 

2. The difpofition to abhor, hatred. 

Even a juft and neceflary defence does, by giv- 
ing men acquaintance with war, take off fome- 
what from the abhorrence of it, and infenuhly dif- 
pofe them to hoiMlities. Dewy of Piety. 

The firft tendency to any injuftice that appears, 
muft be fupprefled with a fliow of wonder and ab- 
borrer.cy in the parents and governours. 

Locke on Education, IIO. 

ABHO'RRENT. adj. [from abhor.} 

1. Struck with abhorrence ; loathing. 

For if the worlds 

In worlds inclos'd could on his fenfes burft, 
He would abhorrent turn. 

Tbomfvn's Summer, I. 310. 

2. Contrary to, foreign, inconfiftent with. 
It is ufed with the particles from or to, 
but more properly with from. 

This I conceive to be an hypothefis, well worthy 
a rational belief; and yet it is fo abhorrent fri-.x 
the vulgar, that they would as foon believe Anaxa- 
goras, that fnow is black, as him that mould af- 
firm it is not white. 

Glanvil/e's Scefjis Scieitt. c. 12. 
Why then thefe foreign thoughts of ftate em- 
ployments, 

Albtrrcnt to your function and your breeding ? 
Poor droning truants of unpractis'd cells, 
Bred in the fellowship of bearded boys, 
What wonder is it if you know not men ? 

Drjden. 

ABHO'R RER. n.f. [from abhor.} The per- 
fon that abhors ; a hater, detefler. 

The lower clergy were railed at, for difputing 
the power of the bifliops, by the known abborrcrl 
ot epilcopacy, and abufed for doing nothing .n 
the convocations, by thefe very men who wanted 
to bind up their hands. S-wift. Examiner, N 21. 

ABHO'R RING. The objeft of abhorrence. 
This feems not to be the proper ufe of 
the participial noun. 

They fliall go forth, and look upon the carcafes 
of the men that have tranl'grefl'ed againft Me : 
for their worm fliall not die, neither fliall their 



fire be quenched, and they fliall be an abhorring 
unto all flerti. Ijaiab, Ixvi. 44. 

To ABI'DE. -v. n. I abode or abid. [from 

bibian, or aubibian, Sax.] 
i. To dwell in a place ; not remove ; to 

Ray. 

'1 liy fervant became furety for the lad unto my 
father, faying, It' 1 bring him not unto thee, then 
I fliall bear the blame to my father for ever. Now 
therefore I pray thee, let thy fervant abide inftead 
f f the lad, a bondman to my lord ; and let the 
l.ul g-i up with his brethren. Gen. xliv. 32, 33-. 
To dwell. 

The Marquis Dovfet, as I hear, is fled 
To Richmond, in the p.irU where he abides. - 

Sbakcfp, Richard III. 

Thofe who apply themfclves to learning, are 

forced to acknowledge one God, incorruptible and 

ten ; who is the only true being, ana aliJ<-* 

: . t om whence 

He berw'.Js ail the things that arc done in heaven, 
and earth. 

f till'mgf. -Defence of Difc, on Rim. Idolat. 

3. To 






A B I 

3. To remain ; not ceafe or fail 5 to be 
immoveable. 

They that trud in the Lcrd (hall be as mount 
Zi-n, '.vh <-h cannot be removed, but abidetb for 
ev?r. Pjalm cxxv. I. 

4. To continue in the fame ftate. 

The fear of the Lord teJeth to life ; and hi 
tha: hath i: Jhall aiide fatisiied. Pr',<v. xix. 23 

'I iiete can be no ftudy without time; and the 
rr.ir.d mull zbide and dwell upon things, or be al- 
ways a ftranger to the inlije of them. South. 

5'. To endure without offence, anger, or 
contradiction. 

Who can abi^e, that, againft their own doctors, 
fix whole books ihould by their fatherhoods be nn- 
peru>ufly obtruded upon God and his church ? 

Hall. 

6. It is ufed with the particle --with be- 
fore a perfon, and at or in before a place. 

It is te"_er that I give her to thee, than that I 
fluuU give her to another mm : AMe u-iti me. 

G- r.. xxix. 19. 

For thy fervant vowed a vow, while, I abode at 
Gelhur in Syria, faying, if the Lord ihall brin^ me 
again indeed to Jerufalem, then 1 vfill ferve th= 
Lord. 2 Sam. xv. 8. 

7. It is ufed with by before a thing; as, to 
abide by his teftimony ; to abide by his 
own fkill ; that is, to rely ufon them ; to 
abide by an opinion ; to maintain it ; to 
abide by a man, is alfo, to defend or jup 
pert him. But thefe forms are fome- 
thing low. 

Of the participle abid, I have found 
only the example in Woodward, and 
(hould rather determine that abidein the 
aftive fenfe has no paffive participle, or 
compounded preterite. 
"To As I'D E. -v. a. 

1. To wait for, expe&, attend, wait upon, 
await : ufed of things prepared for per- 
fons, as well as o/ perfons expecting 
things. 

Ho ighc, and laij in fumptuous bed, 

Where many Ifciiful leeches him abide, 
To f.Ke his hurts. Fiiry Sjtten, b. i. t. 5. Jl. 17. 

While lions war, an: battle for their dens, 
Poor h.irm^-f', lambs abide their enmity. 

Sbak-ff. Hen. VI. p. 3. 

Bonds and afBicli ns abide me. Act'., xx. 23. 

2. To bear or fupport the confequences ot 
a thing. 

Ah me ! they little know 
How dearly I atide that boalt fo vain. 

Milton's Par. Ltjl. 

3. To bear or fupport, without being con- 
quered or deftroyed. 

But the L>rd he is the true God, he is the 
liv ? ng God, and an everlafting king: At his 
wrath the earth (hill tremble, and the nations 
(hill n t be /ble K abide his indignation. 'Jfr. x. 10. 

It rnuft ce allawed a fair prefurnption in favour 
of the truth of my do&rinfs, that they have abid 
a very rigorous ted r.ow for above thirty years, 
and the more ftnftly they are looked into, the 
moie they are confirmed. Wood-ward, Litter \. 

4. To bear without averfion ; in which 
fenfe it is commonly ufed with a nega- 
tive. 

ii cand not abide Tiridates; this is but 
lu-.c of trr.fcl.. Sidney, b. ii. 

Thy vile race, 
Though thou didrt learn, hdd true in't, which 

. natures 

not abide to be with; therefore wad thou 
Defcrvcdly confm rl unto this rock. 

Sbaleff. Timftjl. 

5. To bear or uffer. 



A B J 

Girt with circumfluous tides, 
He ftill calamitous conftraint abides. 

Pope'i O.t'y/ b. iv. /. 750 

ABI'DER. n.f. [from abide.} The perfon 
that abides or dwells in a place ; per- 
haps that lives or endures. A wore 
little in uie. 

ABI'DINC. n.f. [from abide.] Continu- 
ance ; ftay ; fixed ftate. 

We are ftrangers before Thee and fojourners, as 
were all our fathers : our days on the earth are as 
a fhadow, and there is none abidirg. 

1 Cbron. xxix. 15 

The air in that region is fo violently removed, 
and carried about with fuch fwiftnefs, as nothing 
in tlut place can crmfi't or have abiding. 

Rjw'rty', Hifliry oflbf Wirld. 

A'BJECT. adj. [abjetfus, Lat. thrown 
away as of no value.] 

1. Mean; worth! efs ; bafe; groveling: 
fpoken of perfons, or their qualities. 

Rebellion 

Came like itfelf in bafe and aljeS routs, 
Led on by bloody yourh goaded with rage, 
And councenanc'd by boys ami beggary. 

Sbalejf care's Henry IV. 
I wa5 at fird, as other beads that graze 
The trodden herb, of atijtSi timu^hts and low. 

Mi.'t. Paia ';, L-ft, b. ix. /. 571. 

Honed men, who tell their fovereigns what they 

expect Irom them, and wh.,t obedience they fliall 

be always ready to pay them, are not upon an 

equal foot with bafe and a/yeff flatterers. 

'n't Whig Examiner. 

2. Being of no hope or regard ; ufed of 
condition. 

The rarer thy example Itands, 
I-y h v the top of wond'rous glory, 

Strongeft of m, .-:.., 
To loweft pitch of utjtS fortune thou art fall'n. 

Milton's Samff'jn Agtmjics. 
We fee man jnd woman in the higheft inno- 
cence and perfection, and in the moft abjeB ftate 
of guilt and infir.nity. 

Mdifai. Sfeftator, N 279. 

3. Mean and defpicable ; ufed of aftions. 

'i hi: rapine is f > ahjtfl and profan-.-, 
They not from trifles, nor from gods refrain. 

Drydcn's Juvenal, Sat. 8. 
To what bafe ends, and by what atjeCI ways, 
Are mortals urg'd through facred luft of praif > 
Pope's Eflty on Criticijm. 

A BJECT. n.f. A man without hope ; a 
man' whofe miferies are irretrievable; 
one of the loweft condition. 

', the etjefii gathered themfelves together 

againft me. Pjalm xxxv. 15. 

To ABJE'CT. v. a. [abjicio, Lat.] To 

throw away. A word rarely ufed. 
ABJE'CTEDNESS. n.f. [from atjea.] The 
ftate of an abjedt. 

Our Saviour would love at no !efs rate than 
death; and, from the fuper : ht of 

glory, ftooped and abafed himfelf i., tire lufi^rance 
of the extremed of indignities, anJ lunk himfelf 
to the bottom of abjcfledncf;, to exalt our condi- 
tion to the contrary extreme. Boylt't Works. 
ABJE'CTION. n.f. [from abjea.} Mean- 
nefsofmind; wantoffpirit; fervility; 
bafenefs. 

That this mould be termed bafenefs, abjelllon 
of mind, or fervility, is h 

Ihn'tcr, b. v. 47. 

The j'ift medium lies betwixt pride and the 
aljcftian, the two extrcn, L'Eft 'range. 

A'BJECTI.Y. adv. [from abjefl.} In an 
abjcfl manner, meanly, bafely, fer- 
vilely, contemptibly. 
'BJECTKES5. n.f. [from abjetl.] Ab- 
jeftion/ fcrvility, meannefs. 



A B J 

Servility and aljeSncfs of humour is implicitly 
involved in the charge of lying. 

Cmicrmnevt of the Tongue, 8. 
By humility I mean not the abjtfimjs of a bafe 
mind : but a prudent care not to over-value our- 
felves upon any account. 

Grtiu*s Cofmclog'ut Sacra, b. ii. c. 7* 
ABI'LITY. n.f. [Habilfte, Fr.] 

1. The power to do any thing, whether 
depending upon fkill, or riches, or 
ftrength, or any other quality. 

Of finging thou haft got the reputation, 
Good Thyrfis, mine I yield to thy ability ; 
My heart doth feek another eftimation. 

Sidney, b. i, 

If aught in my ability may ferve 
To lighten what thou iufler'ft,. and appeafe 
Thy mind with what amends is in my powV. 

Milton"! S^mfj'on slgoniftts, 1. 744. 

They gave after their ability unto the treafure. 
Exra, ii. 69. 

If any man minifter, let him do it as of the- 
ability which Cod givcth : that God in- all things 
may be glorified through Jefus Chrift. I PC!, iv. ij. 

Wherever we. find our abilities too weak for the 
performance, he affures us of the afliftance of his 
Holy Spirit. Rogers' s Sermons. 

2. Capacity of mind; force of underftand- 
ing ; mental power. 

Children in whom tbere was no blemi/h, buf 
well-favoured, and (k.lful in all wifdom, and cun- 
ning in knowledge, and ujidcrftanding fcience, 
and fuch as had ability in them, to ftand in the 
king's palace. > an . ;. ^ 

2. When it has the plural number, abili^ 
ties, it frequently fignifies the faculties, 
or powers of the mind, and fometimes 
the force of underftanding given, by na- 
ture, as diftinguifhed from acquired qua- 
lifications. 

Whether it may be thought neceflary, that in 
certain trafts of country, like what we call pa- 
rities, there flioulJ be one man, at lead, of abili- 
lics to read and write ? Swift. 

ABINTE'STATE. adj. [of tit, from, and 
intejtattis, Lat.] A term of law, im- 
plying him that inherits from a man,. 
' who, though he had the power to make 

a will, yet did not make it. 
To A'BJUOATE. it. a. [abjugc, Lat.] To 
unyoke, to uncouple. Did 

To ABJU'RE. v. a. \_abjuro, Lat.] 
I . To caft off upon oath, to fwear not to 
do or not to have fomething. 

Either to die the death, or to abjure 
For ever the fociety .. man. 

Sbakejpear/>s Midjum. Nigbfs Dreaa* 

No man, therefore, that hath not abjured hia 

reafin, <inJ (worn allegiance to a preconceived 

fantaftical hypothecs, can undertake the defence 

of fuch a fuppofition. Hale 

^. To retraft, recant,, or abnegate a po. 

fition upon oath. 

ABJIJRA'TION. n.f. [from aljure.~\ The 
act of abjuring. The oath taken for 
that and. 

Until Henry VIII. his time, if a man, having 
committed felony, could go into a church, c 
church-yard, before he were apprehended, he might 
not be take<i from thence to the ufu.il trial of law, 
but conferring his fault to the jultice;, or to the 
coroner, gave his oath to forfakc the realm for 
ever, which was called abjuration. 

There are fame abjurations dill in force among 
U3 here in Em.laml ; as, by the Itatui of tin: zjth. 
of, king, Charles II. all p._-rtoiis that are admitted 
into any office, civil or military, murt take the 
left; which is an alyuratim-oi luinc doChines o* 
the church of Rome. 

There is likewife another oath of e.kjurat'.m, 

wnick 



-which liym:n and clergymen are both obliged to 
take 5 and that is to aljure th* Pretender. 

Ail'fci Parcrgan Jura Cantrtci 

To ABLA'CTATE. <u. a. [aklatfo, Lat.; 
To wean from the breaft. 

ABL ACTA'T ION. n.j. One of the me- 
thods of grafting ; and, according to 
the fignification of the word, as it were 
a weaning ol a cyon by degrees from it 
mother Itock ; not cutting it off wholly 
from the Itock, till it is firmly unitec 
to that on which it is grafted. 

ASIA o^u t A'T ION. . / [al/laqueatio, Lat. ~ 
The art or practice of opening the 
ground about the roots of trees, to let 
the air and water operate upon them. 

Trench thc'ground, and make it read 
fpring : Prepare alto foi!, and ufc it where you 
have occafion : Dig borders. Uncover as yet roots 
of tiees, where tUapitatmi is requifite. 

vfffn'i Kalcnder. 

The tenure in chief is the very root that doth 
maintain tliis filver ftem, that by many rich ami 
fruitful branches fpreadcth itfelf : fo if it be (of- 
fered to darve, by want of ablaqueatkn, anJ 
other good huibondry, this yearly fruit will much 
decrcafe. BacaCtOtta <,j~ Al'icnarions. 

ABLA'TION. n.f. \aOatu, Lat.] The 

aft of taking away. 
A'BLATIVE. . a. [stlativus, Lat.] 

1 . That which takes away. 

2. The fixth cafe of the Latin nouns ; the 
cafe which, among other fignHications, 
includes the perfon from whom fome- 
thing is taken away. A term of gram- 
mar. 

A'BLE. adj. [habile, Fr. babilis, Lat. 
fldlful, ready.] 

1 . Having itrong faculties, or great ftrength 
or knowledge, riches, or any other 
power of mind, body, or fortune. 

Henry VII. was not afraid of an able man, as 
LewTs the Eleventh was. But, contrariwife, he 
was ferved by the ablfft men that were to be found j 
without which his affairs could not have profpercd 
a? they did. Baccn's Her.iy VII. 

Such gambol faculties he hath, that (hew a 
weak mind and an able body, for the which the 
prince admits him. Sbakejf. Henry IV. f. \\. 

2. Having power fufficient ; enabled. 

All mankind acknowledge themlelves able and 
fufficient to do many things, which actually they 
never do. Soutb'i Sera. 

Every man (hall give as he is able, according to 

the Welling of the Lord ft-.y God, which he hath 

. given thce. Deut. xvi. 17. 

3. Before a verb, with the particle to, 
it fignifies generally having the power. 

Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but 
who is able la (land before envy > Priv. xxvii. 4. 

4. With for it is not often nor very pro- 
perly ufcd. 

There have been fomc inventions alfo, which 
have been able fur the utterance of articv'atc 
founds, as the (peaking of cert lin v. r ord. 

Wllkim'i Mathematical Magic. 

To A'BLE. v. a. To make able; to en- 
able, which is the word commonly ufed. 
See ENABLE. 

Plate fin with gold, 

And the ftrong lance of judicc hurticfs breaks: 
Arm it with rags, a pigmy's draw doth pierce it. 
None does offend, none, 1 fay none, I'll able 'em 5 
Take that of me, my friend. 

SbaJteff care's King Lear. 

ABLE-BODIED, adj. Strong of body. 

It lies in the power of every fine woman, to fc- 
ture at lead half a dozen abli-btdicit men to his 
jnajcdy's fervice. Aadijin. Frabsldcr, N 4. 



ABO 

To A"BLEGATE. <v. a. [atlego, Lat/ 
To fend abroad upon fome employment ; 
to fend out of the way. Dil. 

ABL EG A'T i ON. u.f. [from ablcgate.] Tht 
aft of fending abroad. DieS. 

A'BLENESS. n.f. [from abh.~\ Ability o 
body or mind, vigour, force. 

That nation Joth fo excel, both for comelinefs 
and ablenejs, that from neighbour countries the) 
ordinarily come, fome to drive, fome to learn 
fome to behold. Sidmy, b. ii. 

A'BLEPSV. . /. [affxi^ia, Gr.] Want 

of fight, blindnefs; unadvifednefs. Ditf 
ABLICURI'TION. n.f. [atliguritio,Lat.~ 

Prodigal expence on meat and drink. 

Di3. 
To A'BLIGATE. v. a. [abligo, Lat.] To 

tie up from. - Difl. 

To A'BLOCATE. v. a. [abloco, Lat.] To 

let out to hire. 

Perhaps properly by him who has hirec 

it from another. 

Cal-vin's Lexicon Juridicum. 
ABLOCA'TION. n. /. [from ablocate.} A 

letting out to hire. 
To ABLU'DE. i>. n. \abludo, Lat.] To be 

unlike. Dift. 

A'u L u E N T . adj. \abluens, Lat. from abluo, 

to warn away.] 

1. That which wafties clean. 

2, That which has the power of cleaning. 

Dia. 
ABLU'TION. n.f. \ablutio, Lat.] 

1 . The aft of cleanfmg, or wafhing clean. 

There is a natural analogy between the ablution 
of the body and the purification of the foul ; be- 
tween eating the holy bread and drinking the (acred 
chalice, and a participation of the body and blood 
of Chrift. Taylor's Worthy Communicant. 

2. The water ufed in wafhing. 

Wafh'd by the briny wave, the pious train 
Are cleans'd, and caft th' ablutions in the main. 

Pope's Iliad. 

3. The rinfing of chemical preparations in 
water, to diflblve and warn away any 
acrimenious particles. 

4. The cup given, without confecration, 
to the laity in the popifti churches. 

To A'BNEGATE. <i>. a. [from abnego, 
Lat.] To deny. 

ABNEGA'TION. n. f. \_abnegatie, Lat. de- 
nial, from abnego, to deny.] Denial, 
renunciation. 

The abnegation or renouncing of all his own 
holds and interefts, and trulls of all that man is 
mod apt to defend upon, that he may the more 
cxpeditely follow Chrift. Hammond. 

ABNODA'TION. n.f. \abnodatio, Lat.] 
The aft of cutting away knots from 
trees : a term of gardening. Di<3. 

ABNO'RMOUS. adj. [atnormis, Lat. out 
of rule.] Irregular, miihapen. Dii. 

ABO'ARD. adv. [a fea-term, but adopted 
into common language; derived im- 
mediately from the French a hard, as, 
aller a lord, eirvoyer a bord. Hard is 
itfelf a word of very doubtful original, 
and perhaps, in its different accepta- 
tions, deducible from different roots. 
Bopb, in the ancient Saxon, fignified a 
boufc ; in which fenfe, to go aboard, is 
to take up refidence in a fhip. 

I. In a ihip. 



ABO 

He loudly call'd to fuch as were aboard, 
The little bark unto the (hore to draw, 
Aj>d him to ferry over that deep ford. 

Fairy Queen, b. ii. cant. 6, 
He might land them, if it plcafcd him, or 
otherwife keep them attar d. 

Sir W. Ratuleigb's EJJayi. 

2. Into a (hip. 

When morning rofe, I fent my mates to bring 
Supplies of water from a ncighb'ring fpring, 
Whild I the motions of the wind explo.'d j 
Then fummon'd in my crew, and went aboard, 

Addifa: . 0-vui'i Metamerjibojfi, ct. iii* 

ABO'DE. n.f. [from abide,] 
i. Habitation, dwelling, place of refi- 
dence. 

But I know thy abcdc and thy going out, and 
thy coming in. i King;, xix. 17. 

Others may ufe the ocean as their road, 
Only the Englilh make it their abide \ 
Whofe ready fails with every wind can lly, 
And make a cov'nant with th' incondant (ky. 

Wtlhr. 
*. Stay, continuance in a place. 

Sweet friends, your patience tor my long abide ; 
Not I, but my attaiis, have rua.lc you wait. 

Sbakefpcare's Merchant cf Venice. 

Making a ihort abode in Sicily the fecond time, 
landing in Italy, and making the ar, ir.ay be rea- 
fonably judged the bufmefs but often months. 

Dryden's Dedicat. to jEntui 1 . 

The woodcocks early vifit, and abode 
Of long continuance in our tcmp'rate clime, 
Foretcl a liberal harvefi. Pbl'tips. 

3. To make abode. To dwell, torefide, to 
inhabit. 

Deep in a cave the Sibyl makes abode ; 
Thence full of fate return;, and of the God. 

Dry a 1 . s*. 6. 

To ABO'DE. 11. a. [See BODE.] To fore- 
token or fbreftiow ; to be a prognoilic, 
to be ominous. It is taken, with its de- 
rivatives, in the fenfe either of good or 
ill. 

Every man, 

After the hideous dorm that follow'd, was 
A thing infpir'd ; and, not confuking, broke 
Into a general prophecy, that this temped, 
Dafhing the garment of this peace, a'ocdtd 
The fudden breach of it. Xbjkrfp. Henry VIII. 

ABO'DEMENT. n.f. [from To abode.~\ A 
fecret anticipation of fomething future ; 
an impreflion upon the mind of fome 
event to come ; prognostication ; omen. 

I like not this. 

For many men that (tumble at the thrc/hold, 
Are well foretold that danger luiks within. 
Tuih ! man, ^bodaneati mud not now affright us. 
' Henry VI. f. iii. 

My lord biihop aikcd him, Whether he had never 
any (ecret abcdtircnt in: his mind > No, replied the 
duke; but I think ibrhe adventure inay kill me as 
well as another man. ' 



To AB'OLISH. v. a. [abcleo, Latin.] 

1. To annul ; to make void. Applied to 
laws or inltitutions. 

For us to abolijb what he hath cftablifhed, were 
prefumption molt intolerable. L . ^ 10. 

On the parliament's part it was propofed, that 
all the billions, deans, and chapters, might be im- 
mediately taken aw.iy, and abo/ijh;l. 

Clarendon, b. viii. 

2. To put an end to, to deftroy. 

The long continued wars between the Englifli 
and the Scots, had then raifed invincible jea- 
loufies and hate, which long continued peace hath 
fince abdijbrd. Sir Jtbn Hay-ward. 

That (hall Peroclcs well requite, 1 wot, 
And, with thy blood, abctijh fo reproachful blot. 

fairy i^iiecn* 

More dedroy'd than thcv, 
We fliould be quite abdgb'd, and expire. ' 

Miltcn. 
Or 



ABO 

Or wilt thou tliyftlf 
thy creation, and unn-ake 
For him, what for thy glory thou haft made * 

Milton, t. iii. /. 163 
Nor could Vulcanian flame 
The flench aiolijh, or the favour tame. 

Dryd. Virg. Gio. iii 

Fermented fpirits contric% harden, and con- 
folidate many fibres together, aboliibing many ca- 
nals ; efpecnlly where the fibres are the tendereft 
as in the brain. Arbutb. on Aliments 

ABO'MSH ABr.E.a^r. [from abolijh.} That 

which may be abolifhed. 
ABO'LISHER. a.f. [from abolijh.] He that 

abolifties. 

AEO'LISHMENT. n.f. [from abolijh.~\ The 
aft of abolifhing. 

The plain and direct way had been to prove 
that all fuch ceremonies, as they require to be 
abolilhed, are retained by us with the hurt of the 
church, or with lefs benefit than the abolifimer.t 
of them would bring. Hootir, b. iv. 

He (hould think the abol'fimcnt of epifcopacy 
among us, would prove a mighty fcandal and cor 
ruption to our faith, and manifcQly dangerous to 
our monarchy. Swift's Church of England Man. 

ABOLI'TION. n.f. [from eiLoUjb.'] The aft 
of abolifhing. '1 his is now more fre- 
quently ufed than abolijhment. 

From the total abolition of the popular power, 
may be dated the ruin of Rome : for h;-d the re- 
ducing hereof to its ancient condition, propofed 
by Agrippa, been accepted inftead of Maecenas's 
model, that ftate might have continued unto this 
day. Grtxu's Cojmdogia Sticra, b. iii. c. 4. 

An apoplexy is a fudden abolition of all the 
fenfes, and of all voluntary motion, by the ftop- 
page of the flux and reflux or the anima! fpirits 
through the nerves declined for thofe motions. 

Aibutlnot on Dif'. 

ABO'MIN ABLE. aJj. \alominabilii, Lat.] 

1. Hateful, deteltable ; to be loathed. 

This infernal pit 
Abominable, accurs'd, the houl'e of woe. 

The queen and miniftry might eafily redrefj 
this abominable grievance, by endeavouring ti> 
choofc men ot virtuou; principles. 

Swift's Pry tf) for tic Advancement of Religion. 

2. Unclean. 

The foul that (hall touch any unclean beaft, or 
any abominable unclean thing, even that foul lhall be 
cut off from his people. Leviticus, vii. 2 i. 

3. In low and ludicrous language, it is 
a word of loofe and indeterminate cen- 
fure. 

They fay you are a melancholy fellow. I am 

fo ; I do love it better than laughing. Thnfe 

i^ : are in extremity of either, are abominable 

-.s, and betray tbemfelves to every modern 

ccnfure, worfe than drunkards. 

Sbakefpeare's As you like it. 

ABO'MINABLENESS. n.f. [from alomin- 
atle.~\ The quality of being abomin- 
able ; hatefulnefs, odioufnefs. 

Till we hav: proved, in its proper place, the 
eternal and effential difference between virtue and 
vUe, we muft forbear to urge athcifts with the 
corruption and abominablinefi of their prin- 

Bentley's Sermons. 

ABO'MIN ABLY. adv. [from abominable.] 
A word of low or familiar language, 
fignifying exceflively, extremely, ex- 
ceedingly ; in an ill fenfe. It is not 
often ferioufly ufed. 

I have ui.i'crved great abufea and diforders in 
your family ; your fervantJ are mutinous and 
cjuarrelfomc, and cheat you moft abu:., 

Arlutlnot. 

To ABO'MINATE. -v. a. [abominor, Lat.] 
To abhor, deteft, hate utterly 



ABO 

Pride gees, hated, curfed, nd eliminated fc 
all. Hammond 

We are not guilty of your injuries, 
No way confent to them ; but do atlior, 
Abominate, and loath this cruelty. 

Southern's Oromok 

He profefled both to abominate and defpife a 
myftery, refinement, and intrigue, either in 
prince or minifter. Swift 

ABOMJN A'TION. n.f. 

1. Hatred, defoliation. 

To aflift king Charles by Englifli or Dutcl 
forces, would render him odious to his new fub 
jects, who have nothing in fo great abomination 
as thcf: whom they hold for heretic?. Swift 

2. The objeft of hatred. 

Every flicpherd is an abomir.afion to the Egyp 
tians. Genefu, xlvi. 34 

3. Pollution, defilement. 

And there (hall in no wife enter into it an 
tiling that defileth, neither whatsoever worker! 
ab'jminatkn, or maketh a lie. Rrv. xxi. 27 

4. Wickednefs ; hateful or fhameful vice. 

Th' adulterous Antony, nieft large 
In his abominations , turns you orT, 
And gives his potent regiment to a trull, 
That nofcs it againtr. us. 

Sbahfp. Antony and Cleopatra 

j. The caufe of pollution. 

And the high places that were before Jerufa- 
1cm, which were on the right hand of the mouni 
of corruption, which Solomon the king of Ifrae 
had buildeJ for Aflitoreth the abomination of tht 
Zidonians, and for Chemofh the abomination of 
the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination ot 
the children of Ammon, did the king defile. 
2 Kit<Fi, xxiii. 

JBORI'GINES. n.f. [Lat.] The earlieft 
inhabitants of a country ; thofe of whom 
no original is to be traced; as, the Wellh 
in Britain. 

To ABO'RT. v. n. [abcrto,Lzt.'] To bring 
fa th before the time ; to mifcarry. Did. 

ABO'RTION. n.f. [ator/io, Lat.] 

1. The aft of bringing forth untimely. 

Thcie then need caufe no abortion. Sandys 

2. The produce of an untimely birth. 

His wife mifcarricd j but, as the abortion proved 
only a female fcetus, he comforted himfclf. 

Arbuthnot ar.d Pope's Martinus Scriblervs. 
Behold my arm thus blaftcd, dry and withcr'd, 
Sh'unk like a foul alortun, and decay'd, 
Like fome untimely product of the feafons. 

Rmve. 

ABO'RTIVK. n.f. That which is born be- 
fore the due time. Perhaps anciently 
any thing irregularly produced. 

No c mmon wind, no cultomcd event, 
But they wi lipluck away its nat'ral caufes, 
And call them meteors, prodigies, and ligns, 
Abortives^ and prcfages, tongues or heav'n, 
Plainly denouncing vengeance upon John. 

Sbakeip. King Join. 

T T ce the fine /kin of an abortive, and, with 

ftarch thin laid on, prepare ynur ground or tablet. 

Peacbam on Drawing. 

Many are preferved, and do lignal fervicc to 

their c nintry, who, without a provifion, might 

*uimcd as abcrtit-fs, or hn-e come to an 

untimely end, and perhaps have brought upon 

their guilty parents the like destruction. 

AJdifon. Guardian, N 106. 

TIVK- adj. [abortiviu, Lat.] 
i. That which ii brought forth before the 
due time of birth. 

. ,- he have child, abortive be it, 
Prodigious, and untimely brought to light. 

;. R.,-harJ\\\. 

All th' unaccompliOi'd works of nature's hand, 
Ali-,rtmt, monftroui, or unkin.lly mix'd, 
Dillo.v'd on earth, fleet hither. 

Miltan ' i Paradifc Lojl,t,\\i, 56. 



ABO 

Nor will his fruit expect 
Th' autumnal feafon, but, in Cummer's pride 
When other orchards fmile, abortive fail. 

PKlKpi. 

2. Figuratively, that which fails for want 
of time. 

How often haft thou waited at my cup, 
Remember it, and let it make thee creft-fall'n ; 
Ay, and allay this thy abortive pride. 

Sbakeff. Henry VI. f* ii 

3. That which brings forth nothing. 

The void profound 

Of uneflential night receives him next, 
Wide-gaping ; and with utter lofs of being 
Threatens him, plung'd in that aiorri-vf gulf. 

Milton'! Paradifc Left, b, ii. /. 4JI. 

4. That which fails or mifcarries, from, 
whatever caufe. This is lefs proper. 

Many politic conceptions, fo elaborately formed 
and wrought, and grown at length ripe for delivery, 
do yet, in the iflue, mifcarry and prove abortive. 

Souths Sermons* 

ABO'RTIVELY. adv. [from abortive.'} Born 
without the due time; immaturely, un- 
timely. 

ABO'RTIVENESS. n. f. [from aitrtive^ 
The Hate of abortion. 

ABO'RTMENT. n. f. [from abort.'] The 
thing brought forth out of time ; an un- 
timely birth. 

Concealed treafures, now loft to mankind, (hall 
be brought into ufe by the induftry of converted 
penitents, whofe wretched carcafes the impartial 
laws dedicate, as untimely feafts, to the worms 
of the earth, in whofe womb thofe defcrted mi- 
neral riches muft ever lie buried as loft abortmen'Sy 
unlefs thofe be made the active midwives to de- 
liver them. Bacon's Pbyjical Remains,. 
ABO'VE. prep, [from , and bupan, 
Saxon ; bo<ven, Dutch.] 

1. To a higher place ; in a higher place. 

So when with crackling flames a cauUron fries, 
The bubbling waters from the bottom rife; 
Above the brims they force their fiery way ; 
Black vapours climb aloft, and cloud the day, 

Dryderty jQLnfid vii. /. 643* 

2. More in quantity or number. 

Every one that paffeth among them, that are- 
numbered from twenty years old and above, ihall 
give aq off.ring unto the Ix>rd. 

Exodus, xxx. 14. 

3. In a fuperiour degree, or to a fuperiour 
degree of rank, power, or excellence. 

The Lord is high above all nations, and his 
glory above the heavens. Pfalm. cxiii. 4. 

The public power of all focieties is above every 
foul contained in the fame focieties. 

//"^(r, b. i. 

There is no riches above a found body, and no 
joy above the joy of the heart. 

Eccltjiajiicus, xxx. n6* 
To her' 

Thou didft refign thy manhood, and the place 
Wherein God fet thee ab'.ve her, made of thee, 
And for thee : whole perfection far cxceU'd 
Hers, in all real dignity. 

Mi/ion't ParaJife Loft, b. X. /. 147. 
Latona fees her thine above the reft, 
And feeds with fecret joy her filent breaft. 

Drydcns sErttiJ. 

[. In a ftate of being faperior to ; unat- 
tainable by. 

It is an old and true dift'nction, that things 
may be above our re.tfon, without being contrary 
to it. Of this kind are the power, the nature, 
and the univerfal pretence of God, wich innu- 
merable other points. Swift- 

. Beyond ; more than. 

We were pr-fl'ed out of meafure, above ftrength ) 
infomuch that we defpaired even of life. 

2 Cor. i. 8. 
In having thoughts unconfufed, and being sb'/r 



ABO 

*o d'flinguim one thing from another, where there 
is but the leaft difierencc, confifts the exaflnefs of 
judgment nd clearncfs of rcafon, which ii in one 
man abo-.'c another. Locke. 

The inhabitants of Tirol have many privileges 
ekove thofe of the other hereditary countries of 
the emperor. MJifan. 

6. Too proud for ; too high for. A phrafe 
chiefly ufed in familiar expreflion. 

King's and princes, in the earlier ages of the 
world, laboured in arts and occupations, and were 
tlxrvc nothin; that tended to promote the con- 
veniences of life. Pipe's OJy/y; KSUS. 

AEO'VE. ad-v. 

I. Over-head ; in a higher place. 



To men (landing below, men (landing aloft 
fcem much leflcnr d ; to thofe abirve, men (landing 
kelow, feem not fo much lefiened. Bacon. 

When he crbblifhed the clouds above ; when 
he (lengthened the fountains of the deep ; when 
he gave to the fea his decree, that the waters fliould 
not pafs his cemmandment; when he appointed 
the foundations of the earth ; then 1 was by him, 
a, one brought up with him; and I was dally hii 
delight, rejoicing always before him. 

Proverbs, viii. 18. 

Every good gift, and every perfect .gift, is from 
above, and comrth down from the Father of 
lights, with whom is no variablenefs, neither 
fliadow of turning. James, i. 17. 

The Trojansyi-ow abwi their foes beheld ; 
And with arm'd legions all the rampircs fill'd. 

Dry den, Mncid. 

x. In the regions of heaven. 

Your praile the birds (hall chant in every grove, 
And winds Aall waft it to the pow'rs above. 

Pofe's Pafti/rals. 

3. Before. [See ABOVE-CITED.] 

I faid above, that thefe two machines of the ba- 
lance, and the dira, were only ornamental, and 
that the /uccel's of the duel had been the fame 
\vithout them. Dryd. Dedlcat. /Eneid. 

ABOVE ALL. In the firft place ; chiefly. 

I ftudied Virgil's defign, his difpofition of it, 
his manners, his judicious management of the 
ii .ures, the fober retrenchments of his fenfe, which 
always leaves fomething to gratify our imagina- 
tion, on which it may enlarge at pleafure ; but 
above all, the elegance of his expreflion, and the 
harmony of his numbers. 

Dryden's Dedication to the Mneid. 
ABOVE-BOARD. 

1. In open fight ; without artifice or trick, 
A figurative expreffion, borrowed from 
gamelters, who, when they put their 
hands under the table, are changing 
their cards. It is ufed only in familiar 
language. 

It is the part alfo of an honeft man to deal 
above-board, and without tricks. L'Ejirange. 

2. Without difguife or concealment. 

Though there have not been wanting fuch 
heretofore, as have practifed thefe unworthy arts, 
for as much as there have been villains in all 
places and all ages, yet now-a-days they are 
ov.-ned above-board. Soutb's Sermons. 

ABOVE-CITED. Cited before. A figu- 
rative expreffion, taken from the ancient 
manner of writing books on fcrolls ; 
where whatever is' cited or mentioned 
before in the fame page, mult be abonje. 

It appears from the authority above-cited, that 
this is a iiSt confelTcd by heathens themfelves. 

Add-on on the Cbriftian Religion, 

ABOVP.-CROUKD. An expreflion ufed to 

fignify alive ; not in the grave. 
ABOVE-M E NT ION ED. See ABOVE CITED. 
I do not remember, that Homer any where falls 
into the faults above-mentioned, which were indeed 
the Ub~c refinements of latter ages. 

Sfel}ator,ti" 175. 



ABO 

To ABO'UND. i. n. \abunde, Lat. alonder, 
French.] 

1. To have in great plenty ; to be co- 
pioufly ftored. It is ufed fometimes 
with the particle in, and fometimes the 
particle with. 

The king-becoming graces, 
1 have no relifli of them, but abound 
In the divifion of each feveral crime, 
Acting it many ways. Sbakefpearc's Macbeth, 

Corn, wine, and oil, arc wanting to this ground, 
In which our countries fruitfully abound, 

Dryden's Indian Emperor. 

A faithful man fliall abound io'ab bleflings : 
but he that makcth hade to be rich, fliall not be 
innocint. Prov, xxviii. 20. 

Now that languages are made, and abound ivith 
words Handing for combinations, an ufual way of 
getting complex ideas, is by the explication of 
thofe terms that Hand for them. Loch. 

2. To be in great plenty. 

And becaufe iniquity fliall abound, the love of 
many fliall wax cold. Matthew, xxiv. n. 

Words re like' leaves, and where they moft 

abound, 
Much fruit of fenfe beneath is rarely found. 

Pope's EJ/ay tin Crilicifm. 

ABO'UT. prep, [aburan, or aburon, Sax. 
which feems to fignify encircling on the 
outfide. ] 

1. Round, furrounding, encircling. 

Let not mercy and truth forfake thee. Bind 
them about thy neck; write them upon the table 
of thy heart. Proverbs, iii. 3. 

She cries, and tears her checks, 
Her hair, her veft ; and, (looping to the fands, 
dbout his neck flie caft her trembling hands. 

Dryden's. Fables. 

2. Near to. 

Speak unto the congregation, faying, get you 
up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Da than, 
and Abiram. Exodus. 

Thou doft nothing, Sergius, 
Thou canft endeavour nothing, nay, not think ; 
But 1 both fee and hear it ; and am with thee, 
By and before, about and in thee too. 

Ben Jonf. Cataline. 

Concerning, with regard to, relat- 
ing to. 

When Conftantine had finished an houfe for 
the fervice of God at Jerufalem, the dedication 
he judged a matter not unworthy, about the fo- 
lemn performance whereof, the greatcft part of 
the bifliops in Chriftendom fliould meet together. 

Hooter* 

The painter is not to take fo much pains about 
the drapery as about the face where the principal 
refemblance lies. Dryden. 

They are moft frequently ufed as words equi- 
valent, and do both of diem indifferently fignify 
either a fpeculative knowledge of things, or a 
practical (kill about them, according to the exi- 
gency ot the matter or thing fpoken of. 

77//:r. Sermon i. 

Theft is always a fin, although the particular 



ABO 

erTufion of wine ; to fignify to ui the nature and 
faueunefs of the liturgy we are about. '1 

Labour, for labour's fake, is aga'mft nature. 
The understanding, as well as all the other fa- 
culties, choolcs always the fliorteft way to in 
end, would prefently obtain the knowledge it is 
about, and then fet upon Come new enquiry. But 
this, whether laziacfs or hafte, often mifleadt 
Lockt. 

Our armies ought to be provided with fccre- 
taries, to tell their ftory in plain Englifti, and to 
let us know, in our mother tongue, what it is 
our brave countrymen are at 

Mdifon. Sfeff. N 309. 

5. Appendant to the perfon; as cloaths. 

If you have this about jou, 
As I will give you when we go, you may 
Boldly afiault the necromancer's hall. 

M'.lton's Comut. 

It is not ftrange to me, that perfons of the 
fairer fex mould like, in all things about them, 
that handfomenefs for which they find themfclves 
moft liked. Boyle on Colours. 

6. Relating to the perfon, as a fervant, or 
dependant. 

Liking very well the young gentleman, fuch I 
took him to be, admitted this Deiphantus about 
me, who well (hewed, there is no fervice like hi* 
that ferves becaufe he loves. Sidney, b. ii. 

7. Relating to perfon, as an aft or office. 

Good co;poral, for my old dame's fake, (land 

my friend : (he hath no body to do any thing 

abeut her when I am gone, and flie is old and can- 

not^help herfelf. Sbakcff tare's Henry IV. 

ABO'UT. adv. 

1. Circularly, in a round ; circtim. 

The wey.vard filter,, li.ir.d in hand, 
Pofters of the fea and land, 
Thus do go about, about, 
Thrice to thine, and thrice to mine, 
And thrice again to make up nine. 

Sbakeff. Macietb, 

2. In circuit, in compafs. 

I'll tell you what I am about. "Two yards anj 
more No quips now, Piftol : indeed I am in 
the v.-.iiir. two yards about ; but I am about n 
waftc, I am about thrift. Sbakeffeari. 

A tun about was ev'ry pillar there, 
A polifli'd mirrour flione not half fo clear. 

Dryd. Fables. 

3. Nearly ; arctftr. 

When the boats were come within about fixty 
yards of the pillar, they found thcmfelvcs all 
bound, and could go no farther; yet fo as they 
might move to go about, but might not approach 
nearer. Bacon's New sttalantis. 

4. Here and there ; every way ; circa. 

Up rofe the gentle virgin from her place, 
And looked all about, if flie might fpy 
Her lovely knight. 

Fairy S^uecn, b. \. cant. ii. ftatix. 33. 

A wolf that was pall labour, in his old age, 
borrows a habit, and fo about he goes, begcing 
charity from door to door, under the difguife of a 
pilgrim. L'Eflrange, 



fpecies of it, and the denomination of particular 
acts, doth fuppofe pofitive laws about dominion and 
property. Stillinffett. 

Children fliould always be heard, and fairl) anc 
kindly anfwcred, when they aflc after any thing they 
would know, and defire to be informed abeut. 
Curiofity fliould be as carefully cheiiflied in chil- 
dren, as other appetites fupprefled. Lzckf. 

It hath been practifed as a method of making 
men's court, when they are afked al:ut the rate 
of lands, the abilities of tenants, the flatc of 
trade, to anfwer that all things arc in a flourish- 
ing condition. Swift's Short View of Inland. 

(.. In a Hate of being engaged in, or em- 
ployed upon. 

Our blelied l.nrd was pleafed to command the 
rcprefentation of his death and fncrifice on the 
crols fliould be made by breaking of bicad and 



5. With to before a verb ; as, about lofy, 
upon the point, within a fmall dirtance 
of. 

Thefe dying lovers, and their floating fons, 
Sufpcnd the fight, and filence all our guns : 
Beauty and ynuth, abaut to perifh, finds 
Such m b!e pity in br-r.e Eiii;!;ih minds. Waller, 

6. Round ; the longed: way, in oppoiition 
to the fhort rtraight way. 

C.ild had thcfe natuic.-, ; g;e.itnefs of weight; 
clofcnefs of parts ; fixation j pliantnefs, or foft- 
unmurity from rjft ; colour, or tincture 
of yellow: Therefore the fure way (though moil 
about) to make gold^ to know the caulcs of the 
level al natures before rehe.ii fed. 

Bacon's Natural HJi. N 318. 
Spies (it the Voifi-ians 
Held me in chate, that 1 was forced to wheel 

Three 



A B R 

Three or font miles about ; elfe hJ I, Sir, 
Hail an hour fince brought my report. 

SbakeCp. Coriolanui. 

7. To bring about ; to bring to the point 
or ftate defired ; as, be has brought about 
bis purpofts. 

Whether this will be brought aicsr, by breaking 
his head, I very much queftion. Sftflator. 

8. To come about ; to cume to fome certain 
ftate or point. It has commonly the 
idea of revolution, or gyration. 

Wherefore it came to pals, when the time was 
come about, after Hannah had conceived, that (he 
"e a fon. iSam.i.zo. 

One evening it befel, that looking out, 
The wind they long had wifli'd was come about ; 
Well pleas'd they went to reft ; and if the gale 
Till morn continued, both refolv'd to fail. 

Drfd. Fables. 

9. To go about ; to prepare to do it. 

Did not Moles give yon the law, and yet none 
of you keepeth the law ? Why go ye about to kill 

John, vii. 19. 

In common language, they lay, to 

tome about a man, to circumvent him. 
Some of thefe phrafes feem to derive 

their original from the French a bout ; 

verrir a bout d'une chafe ; <ve*ir a bout de 

quelqu'ua. 

A. Bp. for Archbimop ; which fee. 
JBRACADA'BRA. A fuperftitious charm 

againft agues. 
To ABRA'DE. <v. a. [abrado, Lat.] To 

rub off ; to wear away from the other 

parts ; to wafte by degrees. 

By thii mrans there may be a continued fup- 
ply of what is lucccffivcly tbraded from them by 
decurfion of wate.. Hale. 

ABRAHAM'S BAI.M. The name of an 

herb. 
ABRA'SION. n.f. [See ABRADE.] 

1. The aft of abrading, or rubbing off". 

2. [In medicine.] The wearing away of 
the natural mucus, which covers the 
membranes, particularly thofe of the 
ftomach and guts, by corrofive or (harp 
medicines, or humours. ^uincy. 

3. The matter worn off by the attrition of 
bodies. 

ABRE'AST. adv. [See BREAST.] Side by- 
fide ; in fuch a pofition that the breads 
may bear againft the fame line. 

My coufin Suffolk, 

My foul (hall thine keep company to heav'n : 
Tarry, fwect foul, for mine, then fly abreaft. 

Sbakefp. Htnry V. 

For honour travels in a ftreight fo narrow, 
Where one but Qx^abieaft, 

Stakeff. Troilu, and CreJJida. 
The nders rode abreaft, and one his (hield, 
His lance of cornel wood another heli 
,, Dryden't Fablii. 

ft BRICOT. See APRICOT. 

To VWl'DGE. v. a. \abreger, Fr. abbre- 

vto, Lat.] 

1. To make fhorter in words, keeping 
ftill the fame fubftance. 

All thefe fayings, being declared by Jafon of 
Cyrene in five books, we will eflay to abridfi in 
one volume. z Mjcc.i* 23. 

3. I o contradl, to diminim, to cut fhort. 

The determination of the will, upon enquiry, 
is following the direction of that guide ; and he, 
that ha a power to a or not to aft, according 
i determination direfls, U f ree . Such de 
termination abridge, not that power wherein li- 
berty confifts. Locke 
3. To deprive of; to cut off from. In 
VOL. I. 



A B R 

which fenfe it is followed by the particle 
from, or of, preceding the thing taken 
away. 

I have difaMed mine eftate, 
By flu-wing fomething a more fwelling poit, 
Than my faint means would grant continuance ; 
Nor do I now make moan to be abrulg'd 
from fuch a noble rate. 

Statejptare'i Merchant of Venice. 

They were formerly, by the common law, dif- 

charged from pontage and murage ; but this pri- 

vile^e has been abridged them fince by feieral 

ftatutes. Ml/is Porrrgr.n Juris C.mcnici 

ABRI DCED or. fart. Deprived of, de- 
barred from, cut fliort, 
ABRI'DGER. n.f. 

1. He that abridges ; a fhortener. 

2. A writer of compendium* or abridg- 
ments. 

ABRIDGMENT, n.f. [abrcgcmtnt, French.] 

1. The epitome of a larger work con- 
tracted into a fmal] compafs ; a com- 
pend ; a fummary. 

Surely this commandment contained! the law 
and the prophets; and, in this one word, ii the 
abridgment of all volumes or" Icriptuie. 

Heater, b. ii. 5. 

Idolatry is certainly the firft-bcrn of folly, the 
great and leading paradox ; nay, the very abridg- 
ment and fum total of all abfu.ditics. 

. Soutb's Sernicm. 

2. A diminution in general. 

All trying, by a love of littlencfs, 
To make abridgments, and to draw to lefs, 
Even that nothing, which at firft we were. 

DC- tint. 

3. Contraction ; reduction. 

The conftant delire of happinefj, and the con- 
ftramt it puts upon Us, no body, I think, ac- 
counts an abridgment of lib.-rTy, or at L-aft an 
abridgment of liberty to be complained of. Lorke 



4. Reftraint from any thing pleafing ; 
contraction of any thing enjoyed. 

It is not barely a man's abridgment in his ex- 
ternal accommodations which makes him mife- 
rable, but when his confcience (hall tell him that 
it was his fin and hit folly which brought him 
under that abridgment. South. 

ABROACH, adv. [See To BROACH.] 

1. In a pofture to run out, or yield the 
liquor contained ; properly fpoken of 
vefiels. 

The jars ofgen'rous wine 
He fet abroach, and for the fcaft prepar'd. 

Dry4. Virgil. 

The Templer fpruce, while ev'ry Ipout'sabroact, 
Stays till 'tis fair, jet feems to call a coach. 

Siaifi'i Mifctl. 

2. In a figurative fenfe ; in a ftate to be 
diffufed or extended, in a ftate of fuch 
beginning as promifes a progrefs. 

That man, that fits within a monarch's heart, 
And ripens in the funfhine of his favour, 
Would he abufr the count'nance of the king, 
Alack ! what mifchicfs might be let abroach, 
In (hadow of fuch greatnefs ! 

, ytaieffrare'i HenrylV. f.'ii. 

ABROAD, adv. [compounded of a and 

broad. See BROAD.] 
I. Without confinement; widely; at large. 
Intermit no watch 



A B R 

And fubjefls none abroad. Sbalcffeare'i TtmftJI. 

Lady walked a whole hour abroad, with. 

out dying after it Pofc'i Letten. 

3. In another country. 

They thought it better to be fomewh.it hardly 
yoked at home, than for ever abroad, and difcre- 
dited. Hooker, frcf. 

Whofoever offers at verbal tran/larion, Ihjil 
have the misfortune of that young traveller, who 
loft his own language abroad, md brought home 
no other inftead of it. Sir J. Deitbam- 

What learn our youth abroad, but to refine 
The homely vices of their native land ? 

Dryd. Span. Friar. 

He who fojourns in a foreign country, refen 
what he fees and hears abroad, to the ftate of 
things at home. _ Attcrb. Serm. 

4. In all directions, this way and that ; 
with wide expanfion. 

Full in the midft of this infernal road, 
An elm difpljys her dufliy arms abroad. 

Dryd. firg. Jn. ri. 
S- Without, not within. 

Bodies politic, being fubjeft, as much as na- 
tural, to dillolution, by divers means, there are 
undoubtedly more Hates overthrown through ctif- 
wies- bred within themfelves, than through vio- 
lence from abroad. Hooker, Dedication. 



Agjinft a wakeful foe, while I abroad, 
Thro' all the coafts of dark deftruclion feck 
Deliverance. Milton's Parad'ift Loft, b. ii. 1.463. 

Again, the lonely fox roams fa abroad, 
On Itcret rapine bent, and midnight fraud; 
Now haunts the cliff, now traverfrs the lawn, 
And flies the hated neighbourhood of man. Prior. 

2. Out of the houfe. 

Welcome, Sir, 
This cell'i mycoyrt ; here hv 1 few attendants, 



ToA'BROGATE.v.a. l _... 4 ., } ._ 

take away from a law its force ; to re- 
peal; to annul. 

Laws have been made upon fpecial occafions, 
which octiiions cealing, laws of that kind do ab- 
rogatt themfelves. Hooter, b. iv. 14. 

The negative precepts of men may ccafc by 
many inftrumcnts, by contrary cuftoms, by pub- 
lic difrelim, by long omiflion : but the negative 
precepts of God never can ccafe, but when they 
are exprefily abrogated by the fame authority. 

Taylor', Rule of living boly. 

ABRO'CATION. n.f. [abrogatio, Lat.] 
The acl of abrogating ; the repeal of a 
law. 

The commifiioners from the confederate Ro- 
man catholics, demanded the abrogation and repeal 
or all thofe Iaw4, which were in force Jgainft the 
exercife of the Roman religion. Clartndm, b. viii. 
To ABRO'OK. v. a. [from To brook, with 
,< fuperabundant, a word not in ufe.J 
To brook, to bear, to endure. 

Sweet Nell, ill can thy noble minJ abrotk 
The abjcd people gazing on thy face 
With envious looks, ftill laughing at thy m.ime. 
Shakefftare', Henry VI. p. if. 

ABRU'PT. adj. \abruftus, Lat. broke* 
oft".] 

1. Broken, craggy. 

Refiftlels, roaring, dreadful, down it comes 
From the rude mountain, and the motfy wild, 
Tumbling through rocks abruft. Thomf. Witter. 

2. Divided, without any thing intervening. 

Or fpread his airy (tight, 
Upborn with indefatigable wings, 
Over the vaft abrupt, ere he arrive 
The happy ifle. 

Milton', Paredift Ly?, b* ii. /. 4091 

3. Sudden, without the cuftomary or pro- 
per preparatives. 

My lady craves 
To know the caufeof your abrupt departure. 

Sbake/peare. 

The abrupt and unkind breaking off the two 
firft parliaments, was wholly imputed to the duke 
of Buckingham. Clarendon* 

Abruft, with eagle-fpeed (he cut tho flcy j 
Inftant invifible to mortal eye. 
Then firft he recogniz'd th' ethereal gueft. 

Pope', OJy/. b. \. 

4. Unconnected. 

The abruft ftilc, which hath many breaches, 
and doth not fce<n to end but fall. 

Bin Jonfon't Dijecverf. 

C ABRV'PTEB. 



A B S 

AB*U'PTED. adj. [alruftui, Lat. a word 
!c in life.] Broken off fuddenly. 

The effefts of their afli . ity are not precipi- 
toufly atritfttd, but gradually proceed to their 
ccrTi-.ions. Brtwu's Vttgtr Frrmirs, b. vi. io. 

ABRu'pTiON.n.y.'fa^V/yo.Lat.] Break- 
ing off, violent and fudden feparation. 

Thofe which are inclofed in (tone, marble, or 
fuch other folid matter, being difficultly feparable 
from it, becaufe of its adhefion to all fides of 
thi-m, bae commonly fume of that matter liil! 
adhering to them, or at leaft marks of its mt- 
,: from them, .-n all thtir fides. 

H'odvxird's Nat. Hijl. f. 4- 
ABRU'PTLY. adv. [See ABRUPT.] Haf- 
tily, without the due forms of prepara- 
tion. 

The fweetnefs of virtue's difpofition, jealous 
even over itfelf, fufFered her not to enter abruptly 
into queftions of Mufidorus. Sidney, b. ii. 

Now mifling from their joy fo lately found, 
So lately found, and fo abruptly gone. 

Par. Regained, b. ii. 

They both of them punctually obfervcd the 
time thus agreed upon, and that in whatever com- 
pany or bufinefs they were engaged, they left it 
abruptly, as foon as the clock warned them to 
retire. Addijtui, Spectator, N 241 

ABRU'PTNSSS. ./. [from abrupt.] 

1. An abrupt manner, halle, fuddennefs, 
untimely vehemence. 

2. The ftate of an abrupt or broken thing ; 
roughnefs, cragginefs ; as of a fragment 
violently disjoined. 

The cryftallized bodies found in the perpendi- 
cular interval;, have always their root, as the jew- 
rllert call it, which, is only the abrupttuf:, at the 
end of the body whereby it adhered to the ftonr, 
or fides of the intervals; which abruptness is 
eauled by its being broke off from the faid ftone. 
Woidio. Nat. Hlfl.f.Ar 

A'BSCESS. ./ [abfceffus, Lat.] Amor- 
bid cavity in the body ; a tumour filled 
with matter ; a term of ehirurgery. 

If the patient is not relieved, nor dies in eigh 
days, the inflammation ends ill a fuppuration anc 
an abfeefs in the lungs, and fometimes in fome 
other part of the body. Arlutb. of Diet. 

Lindanus conjefturcd it might Be fome hidden 
abftefi in the mefentery, which, breaking fome 
few days after, was discovered to be an apoftem o 
the mefentery. Har-vy on Confumfriiont 

To ABSCI'ND. f. a. To cut off, either 
in a natural or figurative fenfe. 

JBSCfSSA. [Lat.] Part of the diame- 
ter of a conic fecYton, intercepted be- 
tween the vertex and a femi-ordinate. 

ABSCI'SSION. n. f, [atfcijfio, Lat.] 

1. The aft of cutting off. 

Fabricius ab AquipenJente renders the abfci! 
fan of them difficult enough, and not witiiou 
danger. Woman's Surgery 

2. The ftate of being cut off. 

By cefTation of jraclcv, with Montacutius, w 
may underlland this .ntc.cifion, not atfi iflitai, o 
confumirute defoUtion. 

Brmun 'i Vulgar Errours, b. vi. c. T2 

To ABSCOND, v.n. [alfcondo, Lat.] To 
hide one's felf ; to retire from the pub 
lie view : generally nfed of perfons ii 
debt, or criminals eluding the law. 

'Ihsmarniottco. n.. ./-fc/uils t: 

*' t -. . -. t Its Tor i.i autumn, whe 

it fhutt itfslf up in its hole, it is very it:; b>i 
in the fpring-time, when it comc forth agaiii, ver 
Iran. Ray on tit Creation 

ABSCO'NDER. a./, [f/om abjcand.} Th 
perfon that abfconds. 

A'BSENC*. n.f. [Sec ABSENT.] 
I 



A B S 

. The ftate of being .ibfent, oppafed to 
prefence. 

Sir, 'tis fit 

You hive ftrong party to defend yiurfelf 
By calmnels, or by aifence: all's in danger. 

Sbak.'Jpeare's Coriolanus. 
His friends beheld, and pity'd him in vain, 
For what advice can cafe a lover's pain ? 
Abjtnce, the beft expedient they could find, 
Might lave the fortune, if not cure the mind. 

Dryd. Fat. 

You have given no diflertation upon the ab- 
Jenft of lovers, nor laid down any methods how 
they ihould fupport thccofelves under thofe fcpa- 
rations. sLtdifon, Sfeflater, N24i. 

2. Want of appearance, in the legal fenfe. 

Absence is of a fourfold kind or fpccies. The 
firft is a neceflary abfenct, as in baniihcd pc:fons ; 
this is entirely neceflary. A fcr.ond, necefljry 
and voluntary j as, upon the account of the com- 
monwealth, or in the fervice of the church. 
The third kind the civilians call a probable ab- 
fenct; as, that of ftudents on the fcore of ftudy. 
And the fourth, an abfenct entirely voluntary ; as, 
on the account of trade, merchandife, and the 
like. Some add a fifth kind of atfence, which is 
committed cum dolo & culpa, by a man's non- 
appearance on a citation ; as, in a contumacious 
perfon, who, in hatred to his contumacy, is, by 
the law, in fome refpe&s, reputed as a perfon pre- 
fent. Ayl'tffc's Parcrgcn Junl Canomci. 

3. Inattention, heedleflhefs, negleft of the 
prefent objeft. 

I continued my walk, reflecting on the little 
abfencet and diftracTions of mankind. 

Addiftn, SftEiator, N 77 

4. It is ufed with the particle/roM. 

His abfenct from his mother oft he'll mourn, 
And, with his eyes, look withes to return. 

Dryd. Jav. Sat. ii 
A'BSENT. a<ij. [at/ens, Lat.] 

1. Not prefent: ufed with the particle 
from . 

In fpring the fields, in autumn hills I love j 
At morn the plains, at noon the fliady grove j 
But Delia always : abfentfrom her fight, 
Nor plains at morn, nor groves at noon delight. 

Psf is Pajl 

Where there is advantage to be given, 
Both more and lefs have given him the revolt} 
And none ferve with him but conftraincJ things, 
Whofe hearts are abjem too. Sinkeff, Macbeth. 

Whether they were abj'tnt or jirclenc, they were 
vexed alike. tf^fd. xi. 1 1. 

2. Abfent in mind, inattentive ; regard- 
lefs of the prefent objeft. 

I diftinguilh a mm that is abjcr.t, becaufe he 
thinks of (omething elfe, from him that is abjevt, 
becaufe he thinks of nothing. 

jidiliftm, Sftflator, N 77. 

To ABSE'NT. <v. a. To withdraw, to for- 
bear to come into prefence. 

If thou dijft ever hold me in thy heart, 
Abfcnt thee from felicity awhile, 
And in this harth world draw thy breath ii puin, 
To tell my tale. Sbakeff care's Hamlet 

Go for thy (lay, not free, abfents thee more. 
Miltuni faradtfe Loft, b.\t. I. 372 
Tho' I am forc'd thus to abfent myfelf 
From all I love, I ihall contrive fome means, 
Some friendly intervals, to vifit thee. 

Southern's Sfartan Dame 

The Arengo is ftill called together in cafes o 
important; and if, after due fummons, an; 
member abfenis himfelf, he is to be fined to the 
' value of ab'.mt a penny Englim. 

Addifon's Remarks on Italy 

ABSENT A'NEOUS. aJj. Relating to ab- 
fence ; abfent. Dicl 

AUSENTK'E. n.f. He that is abfent from 
his itation or employment, or country 
A word ufed commonly with regard to 
Irifhmen living out of their country. 



A B S 

Then w the firft ftatute made sgj'nft / ." 
commanding all fuch as had land in Ireland, to 
return nd refide thereupon. 

5:r ytn /-'. ! MM* 

A grot part of efljtei io Ireland arc ownei by 
abfaaen, and fuch as draw ovir the pruriu : 
out of Ireland, refunding notlung. 

Ci ..,i'i Difiatrft onT:, . 

ABSI'NTHI ATED. part, [from ubfintbinm.* 
Lat. wormwood.] Imlmtered, impreg- 
nated with wormwood. Did. 
fo ABSI'ST. -u. n. [at/iJiti.Lzt.] To Kami 
ofF, to leave ofT. &>& 
Tt ABSO'LVE. i'. a. [abfol--uo, Lat.] 

1. To clear, to acquit of a crime in a ju- 
dicial fenfe. 

Your great goodnefs, out of holy pity, 
Jkfolv'd him with an axe. Kkakrfp. Htnry VIII. 

Our victors, bleftin peace, forget their wars, 
Enjoy pad dangers, and a'.Jolvc the ftrs. TitluH. 

As he hopes, and gives out, by the influence of 
his wealth, to be here alfflvid ', in condemning 
tliis man, you have ail opportunity of belying 
that general fcandal, of redeeming the credit iotr. 
by former judgments. Sti'jft'i Mifall.ia'ui. 

2. To fet free from an engagement or 
promife. 

Compell'd by threats to take that bloody oath. 
And the aft ill, I am abjolv'd by both. 

" Wallers Maid's Tragtdf, 

This command, which muft neceflarily com- 
prehend the perfons of our natural fathers, muft 
mean a duty we owe them, diftinft from our obe- 
dience to the magiftrate, and from which the 
mill abfolute power of princes cannot atfolvi 
us. *< 

3. To pronounce fin remitted, in the ec- 
clefiaftical fenfe. 

But all is calm in this eternal deep ; 
Here grief forgets to groan, and love to weep ; 
Ev'n 1'upcrftition lofes ev'ry fear; 
For God, not man, abftlves our frailties here. 

j E.Vifa to AM*ri, 

4. To finifh, to complete. This ufe is 
not common. 

caufe 

Mov'd the Creator, in his holy reft 
Through al! eternity, fo late to build 
In chaos ; and the work begun, how foon 
Abjdvd. Milton i Paradife Lull, b. vii. I. 94. 

If that which is fo fuppot'ed infinitely d'uUnt 
from what is now current, is defiant from us by 
a finite interval, and not infinitely, then that onp 
circulation which preceded it, muft neceflfarily be 
like ours, ;md confequently ahi.'vJ in the fpnc* 
of twenty-four hours. Halt's Origin if MaaiinJ. 
A'BSOLUTE. adj. [abfolutus, Lat.] 

1. Complete; applied as well to perfons 
as things. 

Becaule the things that proceed from him are 
perfect, without any maum-r ; f u-.vft or maun ; 
it cannot be but that the wi.rds of his rn , 

v, aid bck nothing whit have, 

for performance of that thing whereunM t'.ty 
tend. H-'jkir, b. ii. ^ 6. 

What is his ftrength by land ? 
Great and increafing : but by fea 
He is an alf'Jute matter. 

Sbattfftare's Ar.'.ir.<t ar,AC'.c;pi>!ra. 

2. Unconditional; as, inabfolutt promife; 

Although it runs in : 'f, yet ii is 

indeed conditional, as defending upon the qualifi- 
cation or" tiie perfon to v.hom it is pronou 

. 

3. Not relative ; as, al-.blutc fpace. 

I fee ftill the diftinft iJ in- 

ferior, of .' ; :ip, will bear 

any man out in the wo.-ihip of any cteatu; 
refpeft to God, as well at Ica't .14 it doth in the 
worihip of images. 

SlUI'ingf. Dtf. of Dif:. m R:>- 

An abfo.'ute mode is that W T 
fubjett, without ;. 



A B S 

ftever; but a relative mode is derived from the I I. Acquittal. 

!>__ __!___ 1_ ' __P 



A B S 



d that one being has to others. 

ffotf.'s Logicl. 

In this fenfe we fpeak of the ablative 
cafe alijoiute in grammar, 
jj.. Not limited ; as, abfoluts power. 

r*'y crcwi is abjdvtc, ao- 4 holds of none j 
I cannot in a bafe fubjection live, 
Nor I'uftcr you to take, tho' I would give. 

Dryd. hd. Emf. 

5. Pofitive ; certain; without any hefita- 
tion. In this fenfe it rarely occurs. 

Long is it fmce I faw him, 

But time hath nothing blurr'd thofe lines of favour, 
Which then he wore ; the fnatches in his voice, 
And burft of fpeaking, were as his : I'm atfo/ute, 
'Twa? very Cloten. Sbokefpeare's CymbeHne. 

A'BSOLUTEI.Y. adv. [from ai/blute.] 
I. Completely, without reftriftion. 

All th-? c ,:'. r^o'.ctions which grow in thofe 
m:nd^, that neither abfvluttfy climb the rock ol 
Tjrtue, nor freeiy link into the fea of vanity. 

Sidney. 

What mer:t they can build upon having joined 
with a protetiant army, under a king they ac- 
knowledge, to defend their own liberties and pro- 
pwtie;, is, to me, akfc/me/y inconceivable ; and, 
I believe, will equally be fo for ever. 

Sicift'i trtfb. flea. 

z. Without relation ; in a date uncon- 
nected. 

lately we cannot difcommend, we cannot 

;'.ely approve either willingnefs to live, or for- 

wardncfs to die. Hooker, b. v. 

Thcfe then being t''e perpetual caufes of zeal ; 

, or th? grcateft evil; cither at- 

' , or relatively fo to us; it 

is theiefo:i: jlouliy aifecled for the one 

aglinft the ntlicr. Sfrat's Sermons. 

No fenlible quality, as light, and colour, and 

heat, and iViun,', can b^ tubfiitent in rhc bodies 

thetnleivCi, vuta relation 

M eyca and ears, and ocher orgins of lenle. 

: qualities are only the <: if fenfa- 

, '.vh.ih arifc from the different motion*, uDon 

our r.erca, from oljecli without, according to 

their various modiiKations and poiir' 

Bcntley's Sermons. 

3. \Vithout limits or dependance. 

ngtime had courted fortune's love, 
But, once j>i.fic//d, d':J j.'<,V.-.'-/v reign : 
Thus, with their Amj/-ons, the heroes ftrove, 
And coir-iuer'd firJt thofo beauties they would gain. 
Dryden'i jjnnui Mirabilis. 

4. Without condition. 

And of that nature, for the mn(t part, are 
things abfilutelv unto all men's faiv-uion neccflary, 
either to be held or denied, either to be done or 
avoided. Hooker's Preface. 

5. Peremptorily; pofitively. 

Being as I an), why didft not thou. 
Command me abjs'utcly not to go, 
Going into fuch danger, as thou fai jft ? 

Parad. Left, b. ix. 

ABSOLUTENESS, n./. [from abfolutc.] 

1. Completenefs. 

2. Freedom from dependance, or limits. 

The abjclutentft and illtmitednefs of hit com- 
r.ijlion was generally much fpoken of. 

Clarendon, b. viii. 

There is nothing that can raife a man to that 

{enerouj abfo'intnefi of condition, as neitJier to 

. ' Ij.vn, or to depend meinly ; but that 

that happinefs within himfelf, for 

:i men depend upon others* Youth's Strm, 

3. Defpoticifm. 

He kept a ftrait hand on his nobility, and chofc 

rather to advance deigymen and lawyers, which 

were more obfequious to him, but had lefs int.-.reM 

'-people; which made for his abfolutenefs, but 

not f"r his ! Racai's Henry VII 

Tby dref-; u:> - 'jwcr v.ith all the fplendor am. 
tempi in add to it. J.o kc. 

ABSOLU'TION. n./. [abj'elutio, Lat.] 



Abjnlat'un, in the civil law, imports a full ac- 
quittal of a perfon by fome final fentence of law ; 
alfo, a temporary difcharge of his farther atten- 
dance upon a mefne procefs. though a failure or 
defect in pleading ; as it does likewife in the canon 
law, where, and among divine;, it likewife figni- 
fies a relaxation of him from the obligation of 
fome fentence pronounced either in a court of l:iw, 
orelfeinfcropcerrirfntiari. Thus there is, in this 
kind of law, one kind of abfohilion, termed ju- 
dicial, and another, ftyled a declaratory or extia- 
judicial absolution. 

Ayliffc's Parergon Jvr'u Caitor.ici. 

2. The remiffion of fins, or penance, de- 
clared by ecclefiaftical authority. 

The abjolutlon pronounced by a prielt, whether 
papiil or protcftant, is not a certain infallible ground 
to give the perfnn, fo abfolved, confidence towards 
God. Sositb's Sermons, 

A'E SOLO TORY. adj. [abfotutoriui , Lat.]. 
That which abfolves. 

Though an abfoiutwy fentence mould be pro- 
nounced in favour of the perlons, upon the ac- 
count of nearnefs of blood ; yet, if adultery fliall 
afterwards be truly proved, he m.'iy be aja'm pro- 
ceeded againft as an adulterer. Ay':ffe's Ptrergon. 

A'BSONANT./I^'. [SeeAssoNOus.] Con- 
trary to reafon, wide from the purpofe. 

A'BS9NOUs. adj. [afyi/nus,La.t, ill-found- 
ing.] Abfurd, contrary to realbn. It 
is not much in ufe, and it may be 
doubted whether it fhould be foilowed 
by to orfrsm. 

To luppuli: an aniter of a middle conftitution, 
that mould partake of fome of the qualities ot 
both, is unwarranted by any of our faculties ; yea, 
moft abj'jVQUs to our reafon. 

Ctam'tile'i Scefjis Sckntijtca, c- 4. 
To ABSO'RB. i>. a. [abforbeo, Lat. prefer. 
aljorkcd ; part. pret. abjorbed, or ab- 
forpt.] 
I. To fwallow up. 

Mofes imputed the deluge to the difruption of 
the abyfs ; and St. Peter to the particular conltitu- 
tion of that earth, wliich made it obnoxious to be 
abfsrft in water. Eutn. Theory. 

Some tokens (hew 

Of fearlefs friendfhip, and their finking mates 
Suilain ; rain love, tho' laudable, at.firft 
By a fierce eddy, they together found 
The vaft profundity. Pbil/ifi. 

z. To fuck up. See ABSORBENT. 

The evils that come of rxercife are that it doth 
alj'.rb and attenuate the moifturc or the body. 

Bacon. 

Suppofing thcforementioned confumption fliould 
prove fo durable, as to aljorb and extenuate the 
faid fanguine parti to an extreme degree, it is 



evident, that the fundamental parts muit neceija- 

riiycomi' into danger. Harvey on Confumpthns. 

While we peifpire, we abjtrb the outward air. 

Ai-bitthnot. 
ABSO'RBENT. n.f. [abforbens, Lat.] 

A medicine that, by the foftnefs or 
porofity of its parts, either cafes the 
aiperities of pungent humours, or dries 
away fuperfluous moiilure in the body. 

Quincy. 

There is a third clafs of fubftances, commonly 
called abfcrbtnls ; as, the various kinds of (hell-, 
coral, chalk, crab* eyes, ft. which likewife taifc 
rcrvcfcence with acids, and are therefore called 
alkalis, though not fo properly, for they are not 
fjlts. Arl>usl.not<,n Aliments. 

ABSO'RPT. fart, [from abforb.} Swallow- 
ed up ; ufed as well, in a figurative 
fenfe, of perfons, as, in the primitive, 
of tilings. 

^> hat can you cxpecl from a in-in, who has not 
talked thefc five days? wh ii witlid rawing his 



A B 9 

thought?, as far as he can, from all the prcftnt 
wjrld, its cuftoms and its manners, to be fidly 
pofolTed and akjorft in the part. Pope's Letters. 
ABSO'RPTION. n.J. [from abjcjrb.~\ The 
aft of fwallowing up. 

It-was belowthe dignity of thofc facred penmen, 
or the Spirit of God that dire&ed them, to (hew 
us the causes of this difruption, or of this abforf- 
tioti ; this is left to the enquiries of men. 

Burner's Theory of the K.irtl. 
To ABSTA'IN. 11. . [abjlineo, Lat.] To 
forbear, to deny one's felf any gratifi- 
cation ; with the particle/row. 

If thou judge it hard and difficult, 
Converfing, looking, loving, to abflnin 
From love's due rites, nuptial embraces fweet; 
And, with defires, to languim without hope. 

Milton's Paradijc Lofl, b. x. I. 993. 

To be perpetually longing, and impatiently de- 

firoue of any thing, fo that a man cannot ai/ljin 

from it, is to lofe a man's liberty, and to become 

a fervant of meat and drink, or I'moke. 

Taylor's Rule of living holy* 
Even then the doubtful billows fcarce ibjiain 
From the tofs'd vell'el on the troubled main. 

. Dryden's firgif. 

ABSTE'MIOUS. adj. \abflemms, Lat.] 
Temperate, lober, abftinent, refrain- 
ing from excels or pleafures. It is ufed 
of perfons ; as, an abftemious hermit: 
and of things ; ao, an abftemious diet. 
It is fpoken likewife of things that caui'e 
temperance. 

The inltances of longevity are chiefly amongft 
the abftemious. Abftinencc in extremity will prove 
a mortal dileafe; but the experiments of it are 
very rare. Arbuthnct on Aliments, 

Clytorean dreams the love of wine expel, 
(Such U the virtue of th' abftiHihuf\<:?\\) 
Whether the colder nymph that rules the flood, 
Extinuuifhes, and balks the df unki'n god : 
Or that Mclampus (fo have fome alfur'd) 
When the mad Pi.ttides with charms he cur'd, 
And pow'rful herba, both charms and limples call 
Into the fober fpring, where ftill their virtues laft. 
Dtyden's Fables* 

ABSTE'MIOUSLY. ad-v. [from abjhmious.] 
Temperately, foberly, without indul- 
gence. 

ABSTE'MIOUSNESS. n. f. [See ABSTE- 
MIOUS.] The quality of being abfte- 



ABSTE'NTION. a.f. \tmn\abjlineo, Lat.] 
The ad of holding off, or reftraining ; 
reltraint. Difl. 

To ABSTE'RGE. v. a. [atjlergo, Lat.] 
To cleanfe by wiping ; to wipe. 

ABSTE'RCENT. adj. Cleanfing; having 



a cleanfing quality. 
To ABSTE'RSE. [See ABSTERC-E.] To 
cleanfe, to purify; a word very little 
in ufe, and lefs analogical than ah/lerge. 
Nor will we affirm, that iron received), in the 
ftomach of the oftrich, no alteration ; but we fuf- 
peft this effect rather from corrofion than digef-t 
tion ; not any tendence to chitification by the na- 
tural heat, but rather fome attrition from an acid 
and' vitriolous humidity in the ftomach, which 
may abflerfe and ihave the fcorious parts thereof. 
Brrtun's Vulgar Errcurs, b. iii. 

ABSTE'RSION. n.J". [abfterfo, Lat.] The 
aft of cleanfing. See ABSTERGE. 

Abfktrft* is plainly a fcouring oft', or incifion of 
the more vifous humours, and making the hu- 
mours more fluid, and cutting between them and 
the part; as is found in nitrous water, which 
fcoureth linen cloth fpeedily from the foulnefs. 

Euan's Natural Hijiory, N 42. 

ABSTB'RSIVB. adj. [from abjltrgt.} That 
C 2 has 



A B S 

h the qulitv of abflerging or cleanf- 
ing. 

It is good, after purging, to ufe apemes and 
broths, not fo much opening as thofe ufed brfnre 
purging j but abfttrfat and mundir'ying clyftcrs 
alfo are good to conclude wkh, to draw away the 
rrliqucs of the humours. 

Bacon's Natura 

A tablet (rood of that atflerfwt tree, 
Where ythiops' fwarthy bird did build to neft. 

Sir John Dtnbiim. 

There, many a flow'r ahfttrfrvt grew, 
Thy fav'rite flow'rs of yellow hue. Swifi'i Mifccl. 
A'BSTINENCE. n.f. [al>/lintntia, Lat.] 

1. Forbearance of any thing ; with the 
particle from. 

Becaufe the abfl'mince from a prefcnt pleafurc, 
that offers itfelf, is a pain, nay, oftentimes very 
great one : it is no wonder that that operates after 
the fame manner pain does, and lefl'cns, in our 
thoughts, what is future ; and fo forces us, as it 
were, blindfold into its embraces. Luke. 

2. Fading, or forbearance of neceflary 
food. It is generally diftinguifhed from 
temperance, as the greater degree from 
the lefs ; fometimes as Angle perform- 
ances from habits ; as, a day of atfli- 
nenct, and a life of temperance. 

S.iy, can you faft? your ftoroachs are too young: 
And abftincnce ingenders maladies. 

Shakeffnare't Love'i Latour Loft. 
And the faces of them, which have ufed at- 
f.r.tr.ct, mail ftine above the flars ; whereas our 
laces Dull be blacker than darknefs. 

2 Efdras, vii. 55. 

Religious men, who hither muft be fent 
A%, awful guides of heavenly government j 
To teach you penance, fads, and abjlineniCj 
To punilh bodies for the foul's offence. 

Drydtn'i Indian Emf. 

A'BSTINENCY. n.f. The fame with AB- 
IT IN EN CE. 

Were our rewards for the abftineneies, or riots, 
of this prrfent life, under the prejudices of ihort 
or finite, the promifes and threats of Chrift would 
lofe much of their \irtue and energy. 

HaniiKond'i Fundam. 

A'BSTINENT. adj. [abfthiem, Lat.] That 
ufes abftinence, in oppofition to covet- 
ous, rapacious, or luxurious. It is ufed 
chiefly of perfons. 

ABSTO'RTED.<J<#. \abftort ui,\ J ^.'\ Forced 
away, wrung from another by vio- 
lence. Dili. 
To ABSTRA'CT. >v. a. [abjlrabo, Lat.] 
I. To take one thing from another. 

Could we abfirafl hem thcfc pernicious effefts, 
and fuppofc this were innocent, it would be too 
light to be matter of praile. Dicay cf Piey. 

2. To feparate by diftillation. 

Having dephlcgmed fpirit of fait, and gently cb- 
Jiriidtd the whole fpirit, there remaincth in the 
retort a ftyptical fubfrance. Boyle, 

j. To feparate ideas. 

Thofe who cannot diftinguifh, compaie, and 
ebflrjfl, would hardly be able to undcrftand and 
make ufe of language, or judge or reafon to any 
toltrab'e degree. Lock, 

4. To reduce to an epitome. 

If we would fix in the memory the difcourfes 
we hear, or what we defign to fpcak, let us ab- 
flraS them into brief compcrnds, and review them 
often. H'alts'i Imp. r,f the Mind. 

A'BSTRACT. adj. [abjiraflus, Lat. See 
the verb To ABSTRACT. ]_ 

I. Separated from fomething elfe ; gene- 
rally ufed with relation to mental per 
ceptions ; as, abjlraft mathematics, ab- 
fratl terms, in oppofition to concrete. 



A B S 

Mathematics, in its latitude, is ufually divided 
Into pure and mixed. And though the pure do 
handle only ebflrafl quantity in general, as geo- 
metry, arithmetic ; yet that which is mixed, doth 
confider the quantity of fjme particular determi- 
nate fubjecl. So altionomy handles the qtuntity 
of heavenly morions, mufic of founds, and me- 
chanics of weight* ami pm\rrs. 

WilkMt Mathematical Afagict. 

jlbjiraf} terms fignify the mode or quality of 
a being, without any regard to the fubjecl in 
which it is ; as, whitenefs, roundnefs, length, 
breadth, wifdom, mortality, life, death. 

Watt ft Logic*. 

t. With the particle frtm. 

Another fruit from the confidering things in 
themfcives, abjlrafl from our opinions, and other 
men's notions and Jifo'iurfci on them, will be, 
that each mm will purfue his thoughts in that 
method, which will be moft agreeable to the na- 
ture of the thing, and to his apprchenfion of what 
it fuggefts to him. Locke. 

A'BSTRACT. n.f. [from the verb.] 

1. A fmaller quantity, containing the vir- 
tue or power of a greater. 

You flull there find a man, who is the abftralt 
of all faults all men follow. 

Staktffean'i Antony and Clc'jfatra. 
If you are falfe, thefe epithets are fmall ; 
You're then the things, and abftrali of them all. 

Drydeni Aur. 

2. An epitome made by taking out the 
principal parts. 

Wh:n Mnemon came to the end of a chapter, 
he recollected the fentiments he had remarked ; 
fo that he could give a tolerable analyfis and ab- 
flratt of every treatife he had read, juft after he 
had fmifhr.i it. IPatts's Imp. oftte Mind. 

3. The ftate of being abftrafted, or dif- 
joined. 

The hearts of great princes, if they be confi- 
dcred, as it were in abftraR, without the necef- 
fity of Mates, and circumftanccs of time, can 
take no full and proportional plcafure in the ex- 
ercife of any narrow bounty. Wbrfiw. 

ABSTR A'C TED. part . adj. [ from abjtracl. ] 



Separated ; disjoined. 

That fpace the evil one abflrafiej flood 
From his own eyil, and for the time remain'd 
Stupidly good. Milton. 

Refined, purified. 

Abjiraflid fpirityai love, they like 
Their fouls exhal'd. Dinr.t. 

Abftrufe ; difficult. 

. Abfent of mind, inattentive to prefent 
objects ; as, an abftraQed fcholar. 
ABSTRA'CTEDLY. ad<v. With abftrac- 
tion, fimply, Separately from all con- 
tingent circumftances. 

Or whether more atyirafledly we look, 
Or on the writers, or the written book : 
Whence, but from heav'n, could men unfkill'd in 

arts, 

In feveral ages born, in feveral parts, 
Weave fuch agreeing truths ? or how, or why 
Should all confpire to cheat us with a lie ? 
Unafk'd their pa'ns, ungrateful their advice, 
Starving their gain, and martyrdom their price. 

Drydtn t Riiigio Laid. 

ABSTR A'CT JON. */. [abfiraflio, Lat.] 

1. The aft of abftrafting. 

The word alftiadiin fignifies a withdrawing 
fome part of an idea from other parts of it ; by 
which means fuch abftracled ideas are formed, 
as neither reprefent any thing corporeal or fpi- 
ritiial ; tliat is, any thing peculiar or proper to 
mind or body. Wasn't Logict. 

2. The ftate of being abftrafted. 

3. Abfence of mind ; inattention. 
4i Difregard of worldly objefts. 

* hetmit wiihcs to be praifed for his atftraflion. 
Puft's Letun. 



A B S 

ABSTRACTIVE, adj. [ from aljtralt. ] Har. 

ing the power or quality of abftrafting. 
ABSTRA'CTLY. adv. [from abftraB.~\ In, 

an abftraft manner, abfolutely, without 

reference to any thing elfe. 

Matter atftra&lji and abfnlutely confidercd, can- 
not have born an infinite duntion now ;..<!( an.! 

expired. Btrttley'l Strmcr:. 

ABSTR A'CTN ESS. n. f. [from at/fraff.] 
Subtilty ; reparation from all matter or 



I have taken Come pains to mike plain and fa- 
miliar to your thoughts, truths, which eftabliihi-J 
prej udice, or the abjlrafinefi of the ideas thcmfclvci, 
might render difficult. L^ki. 

ABSTf.\'crt.D.part.aJj. [abftricJus, Lat.] 
Unbound. Did, 

To ABSTRI'NOE. v.a. Tounbind. Di3. 
To ABSTRU'DE. -v. a. [abjlrudo, Lat.] 
To thruft off, or pull away. Du-t. 

ABSTR U'SE. adj. \abftrufus, Lat. thruit 

out of fight.] 
I. Hidden. 

Th" eternal eye, whofe fight difcerns 
jfbftrufijl thoughts, from forth his holy mount, 
And from within the golden lamps that burn 
Nightly before him, faw, without their light, 
Rebellion riling. 

Milton' i ParadifcLoJt, t. v. /. 71*. 

s. Difficult ; remote from, conception or 
apprchenfion. It is oppofed to obvious 
and eafy. 

So fpakeour Sire, and by his countenance feem'd 
Ent'ring on Itudious thoughts abjiruft. 

ParaJiftLoft, b. viii. 

The motions and figures within the mouth are 
abftrufc, and not eafy to be diiVmguiihvd, efpeciaily 
tbofe of the tongue, which is moved through the 
help of many mufcles, fo eafily, and habitually, 
and varioufly, that we are fcarce able to give a 
judgment of motions and figures thereby framed. 

Holder. 

No man could give a rule of the greateft beau- 
ties, and the knowledge of them w.is fo ai>J!raf( r 
that there was no manner of fpeaking which could 
exprefs them. ' Drydtn't Dufnjnoy. 

ABSTRU'SELY. adv. In an abllrufe man- 
ner ; obfcurely, not plainly, or obvi- 
oufly. 

ABSTR U'SE NESS, a./ [from abftrufe.] Th 
quality of being abftrufe ; difficulty, 
obfcurity. 

It is not oftentimes fo much what the fcripture 
fays, as what fome men perfuade others it fays, 
that makes it feem oblcure, and that as to fome 
other paffages that are fo indeed, fince it is the 
abjtruftneji of what is taught in them, that makes 
them almoft inevitably fo ; it is little lefs laucy, 
upon fuch a fcorc, to find fault with <hc (lyle of 
the fcripture, than to do fo with the author for 
making us but men. Boyle on the Scripture* 

ABSTRU'SITY. n.f. [from abjlrufe.'] 

1. Abftrufenefs. 

2. That which is abftrufe. A word feldom 
ufed. 

Authors are alfo fnfpicious, nor greedily to be 
fwallowed, who pretend to write of fecrcts, to de- 
liver antipathies, fympathics, and the occult ab- 
Jfrujitici of things. Brown" i Vulvar Erronrs. 

TeAasu'ME.i'.a. \abfumo, Lat.j To bring 
to an end by a gradual walle ; to eat up. 
An uncommon word. 

That which had been burning an infinite time 
could never be burnt, no not fo much as any pare 
of it ; for if it had burned part after part, the 
whole mult needs be abjumed in a portion of time. 
Halt's Origin of Mankind. 

ABSU'RD. adj. [abfurdui, Lat.] 

I. Unrealizable ; without judgment, as 

ufed of men. 

Seeming 



A B IT 

Seeming wife men may make fliift to get opi- 
nion ; but let no man chule them for employment 5 
for certainly ^ou had better take forbufinefs a mar 
fometvhat abfurd, than over formal. Bacon. 

A man, who cannot write with wit on a proper 
fubject, is dull ar.d ftupid ; but one, who fliews it 
in an improper place, is as impertinent and ab- 
furd. Addifon, Spectator, N 291. 

2. Inconfiftent, contrary to reafon, ufed ol 
fentiments or practices. 

The thing itl'elf appeared defirable to him, and 
accordingly he could not but like and defire it ; 
but then, it was after a very irrational abfurd way, 
and contrary to all the methods and principles of 
a rational agent; which never wills a thing really 
ind properly, but it applies to the means, by which 
it is to be acquired. Snath's Sermons. 

But grant that thofe can conquer, thefc can cheat, 
*Tis phrafe abfurd to call a villain great: 
Who wickedly is wife, or madly brave, 
Is but the more a fool, the more a knave. 

Pofe'i E/ay on Man. 

ABSU'RDITY. n.f. [from ahfur/]. 

1 . The quality of being abfurd ; want of 
judgment, applied to men; want of 
propriety, applied to things. 

How clear foever this idea of the infinity of 
number be, there is nothing more evident than 
the atfurdity of the actual idea of an infinite 
number. Locke 

2. That which is abfurd; as, his travels 
were full of abfurdititi. In which fenfe 
it has a plural. 

That fatisfaclion we receive from the opinion of 
fome pre-eminence in ourfelves, when we fee the 
abfurditia of another, or when we reflect on any 
part abfurdities of our own. Addifon. 

ABSU'RDLY. adv. [from abfurtt.] After 
an abfiird manner ; improperly : unrea- 

, - * JT / * 

fonably. 

But man we find the only creature, 
Who, led by folly, combats nature ; 
Who, when (he fondly cries, Forbear, 
With obftinacy fixes there ; 
And where his genius lead inclines, 
Absurdly bends his whole defigns. Svvifi't Mifeel. 

We may proceed yet further with the atheiit, 
and convince him, that not only hii principle is 
aofurd, but his confequences alfo as absurdly de- 
duced from it. Bentity's Sermoni. 
ABSU'RDKESS. n.f. [from abfurd.'} The 
quality of being abfurd ; injudiciouf- 
nefs ; impropriety. See ABSURDITY ; 
which is more frequently ufed. 
^A&V'NDAKCK. n.f. [abundance, Fr.] 

1. Plenty ; a fenfe chiefly poetical. 

At the wbiipcr of thy word, 
Crown'd abundance fpreads my board. Cralhaio. 

The doubled charge his fubjects' love fupplies, 
Who, in that bounty, to themfelves are kind ; 

So glad Egyptians fee their Nilus rife, 
And, Ln hU plenty, their abundar.ee find. 

Drjd. Ann. Mir. 

2. Great numbers. 



ABU 



i. Plentiful. 



The river J-in is (hut up between mountains, 
covered with woods of fir-trees. Abundance of 
peafants are employed in hewing down the largeft 
cf thefe tree, that, after they are barked and cut 
into fhapr, are tumbled down. Addifon on Italy. 
J. A great quantity. 

Their chief entcrprize was the recovery of the 
Holy Land ; in which worthy, but extremely dif- 
ficult, acTion, it is lamentable to remember what 
alar.dance of noble blood hth been filed, with very 
froa^ benefit unto the Chriftian (tate. 

Sir Walter Raleigh's E/jys. 

4. Exuberance, more than enough. 

For w;ll I wot, moii mighty fovereign, 
That all thi, famous antique hi' 1 
Of fome, th' abandonee > >f an idle brain, 
Will judged be, and painted forgery. Spenfer. 

ABI/NDAN r. adj. [abundant, La:.] 



Good, the more 

Communicated, more abundant grows ; 
The author not impair'd, but honour'd more. 

Paradife Loft, t. v. 

2. Exuberant. 

If the veflels are in a ftate of too great rigidity, 
fo as not to yield, a ftrong projectile motion occa- 
fions their rupture, and hemorrhages ; efpecially 
in the lungs, where the blood is abundant. 

Arbutbnot on Aliments. 

3. Fully ftored. It is followed fometimes 
by in, commonly by with. 

The world began but fome ages before thefe were 
found out, and was abundant tcitb all things at 
firft ; and men not very numerous ; and therefore 
were not put fo much to the ufe of their wits, to 
find out ways for living commodioufly. Burnct. 

4. It is applied generally to things, fome- 
times to perfons. 

The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, 
long-fuffering and abundant in goodnefs and truth. 
Exid. xxxiv. 6. 
AB U'N D A N T L Y. aJ-v. [from abundant.} 

1. In plenty. 

Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving 
creature that hath life. Genefis, \. 20. 

God on thee 

Abundantly his gifts hath alfo pour'd; 
Inward and outward both, his image fair. 

Paradife Loft, i.viii. 

2. Amply, liberally, more than fufficiently. 

Ye law the French tongue abundantly purified. 

Sprat. 

Heroic poetry has ever been efteemed thegreatelt 
work of human nature. In that rank has Ariftotle 
placed it; and Longinus is fo full of the like ex- 
prcflions, that he abundantly confirms the other's 
telKmony. Drydtn's State of Innocence, Pref. 

What the example of our equals wants of au- 
thority, is abundantly fupplied in the imaginations 
of friendfhip, and the repeated influences of a 
conftant^ convention. Rogcrs's Serm. 

To ABU'SE, -v. a. [abutor, abufus, Lat.] 

In abufe, the verb, / has the found of 
z ; in 'the noun, the common (bund. 

1 . To make an ill ufe of. 

They that ufe this world, as not abuftnr it; for 
the fafliion of this world pafTeth away. 

i Cor. vii. 31. 

le has fixed and determined the time for our 
repentance, beyond which he will no longer await 
the perverfenefs of men, no longer fuft'er his com- 
p.iffion to be aiufed. R a g ir ,', Sermons. 

2. To violate ; to defile. 

Arachne figured how Jove did abufe 
Europa like a bull, and on his back 
Her through the fea did bear. Spenfer. 

3. To deceive ; to impofe upon. 

He perhaps, 

Out of my weaknefs and my melancholy, 
As he is very potent with fuch fpirits, 
Abujes me to damn me. Sbakefpeare's Hamlet. 

The world hath been much abufed by the opinion 
of making gold : the work itfelf I judge to be 
poffible; but the means hitherto propounded, are 
in the practice, full of error. 

Bacon's Natural Hijiory, N 126. 

It imports the mtfreprefentation of the qualities 
of things and actions, to the common apprehen- 
fion of men, abufing their minds with falfe no- 
tions ; and fo, by this artifice, making evil pafs 
for good, and good for evil, in all tlte-great concerns 
n ' le \ South' s Sermons. 

Nor be with all thefe tempting words absts'd; 
Thefe tempting words were all to Sappho us'd. 

Pope, 

4. To treat with rudenefs ; to reproach. 

I am no ftrumpet, but of life as honed 
As you that thus abufe me. Sbakefp. Othello. 

But he mocked them, and laughed at them, 
and tbujei diem fhamcfully, and fpake proudly. 

1 Mtic. vii. 34. 



ABU 

Some praife at morning what they blame atnight, 
But always think the laft opinion right. 
A mufe by thefe is like a miftrefs us'd, 
This hour /he's idolii'd, the next abus'd. 

Pope', EJay on Criticifm* 

The next criticifm feems to be introduced for 
no other reafon, but to mention Mr. Bickerftaff, 
whom the author every where endeavours to imi- 
tate and abufe. 

ABU'SE. n.f. [from the 

1 . The ill ufe of any thing. 

The calling away things profitable for the fufte- 

nance of man's life, is an unthankful abufe of the 

fruits of God's good providence towards mankind. 

H'joker, b. v. o,. 

Little knows 

Ajiy, but God alone, to value right 
The good before him, but perverts bed things 
To worft abuft, or to their meaneft ufe. ^ 

Paradife LoJ), b. iv* 

2. A corrupt practice, bad cuftom. 

The iiatuce of things is fuch, that, if abufet be 
not remedied, they will certainly encreafe. 

Swift for Advancement of Religion, 

3. Seducement. 

Was it not enough forhim-to have deceived me* 
and, through the deceit abufed me, and, after the 
abufe, forfaken me, but that he muft now, of all 
the company, and before all the company, lay 
want of beauty to my charge. Sidney, b. ii. 

4. Unjuft cenfure, rude reproach, com- 
tumely^ 

I dark in light, expos'd 
To daily fraud, contempt, abuje, and wrong. 

Samfon jtgonl/ltt, 
ABU'JER, n.f. [from, the verb- abufe ^ 

1. He that makes an ill ufe. 

2. He that deceives. 

Next thou, the abufer of thy prince's ear. 

Denham'i Soply, 

3. He that reproaches with rudenefs. 

4. A ravifher, a violater. 
ABU'SIVE, <z<#. [from abufe.'] 

1 . Praftifing abufe. 

The tongue mov'd gently firft,and fpeech was low r 
Till wrangling fcience taught it noife and (how, 
And wicked wit arofe, thy moft atufive foe. 

Pope's Mifullaniu* 

Dame Nature, as the learned (how, 
Provides each animal its- foe ; 
Hounds hunt the hare, the wily fox 
Devours your geefe, the wolf your flocks. 
Thus envy pleads a natural claim, 
To perfecute the mufe's fame, 
On poets in all times abufi-ue, 
From Homer down to Pope inclufive. Swift' j MifccL 

2. Containing abufe ; as, an abufttie lam- 
poon. 

Next, Comedy appear'd with great applaufe, 
Till her licentious and abufivc. tongue 
Waken'd the magirtrates coercive power. Rofiom. 

3. Deceitful; L fenfe little ufed, yet noc 
improper. 

It is verified by a number of examples, that 
whatfoever is gained by an abujive treaty, ought 
to be reftored in integrum. 

Bacon's Ccn/id'eraticns on War f .u\tb Spain. 

ABU'SJVELY. ad>v. [from abufe.} 
i. Improperly, by a wrong ufe. 

The oil, abuf-vely called ipjrit, of rofes, fwims at 
the top of the water, in the t:irm of a white butter ; 
wh'chl remember not to have obfcrved in any other 
oil drawn in ay limbeck. Boyle' t Sceptical Ckimill* 

^. Reproachfully. 

ABO'SIVENESS. n.f. [from akufe.] The 
quality of being abufive ; fbulnefs of 
language. 

Pick out of mirth, like ftones out of thy ground,, 
Protancncfs, filthinefs, abujivenefs. 

Thefe are the fcum,with which conrfe wits abound i 
The fine may fpare thefe well, yet not go lefs. 

H t r!*rt. 



A C A 

To ABUT. v. n. obfelete. [aloutir.to touch 
at the end, Fr.] To end at, to border 
upon ; to meet, or approach to, with the 
particle upon. 

Two mighty monarchies, 
Whofe high uprearcd and abutting fronts 
The narrow perilous occ.in paits afunder. 

Sbakeffcare 's Henry V . 

The Loots are two fcveral corporations, diftin- 
gui/hed by the addition of eaft and weft, abutting 
u'p^rt a navigable creek, and joined by a fair bridge 
of many arches. Carau. 

ABU'TMENT,?/./ [fnmalut.] That which 
abuts, or borders upon another. 

ABU'TTAL. n.f. [from abut.] . The but- 
ting or boundaries of any land. A wri- 
ting declaring on what lands, highways, 
or other places, it does abut. Did. 

ABY'SM. n.f. [abyfme, old Fr. now writ- 
ten contraftedly ablme.} A gulf; the 
fame with afy/s. 

My good frars, that were my former guides, 
Have empty left their orbs, and fliot their fires 
Into the atyfm of hell. 

Stakci/icwe'i Atitopf and Cleopatra. 

ABY'SS. n.f. \abyjus, Lat. f<ra-, bot 
tomlefs, Gr.] 

I. A depth without bottom. 

Who fliall tempt with wand'rir.g feet 
The dark, unbottom'd, infinite ai>yjs, 
And, through the palpable obfcure, find out 
This uncouth way. 

Mjttift Paradiff LoJI, b. ii. /. 405. 

Thy throne is darknefs in th' atyfs of light, 
A blaze of glory th r. forbids the fight; 
O teach me to bsiicve thee thus- conceal'd, 
And fearch no farther than thyfclf reveal'd. 

Drydcn. 

Jove was not more pleas'd 
With infant nature, when his fpacious hand 
Had rounded this huge ball of earth and feat 
Tn give it the firft pufli, and fee it roll 
Along the vaft abyjs. Aadijcn, Guard. NO no. 

s. A great depth, a gulf; hyperbolically. 

The yawning earth difclos*d th* abyfs of hell. 

Drydens yjrg. Ceorg, i. 

3. In a figurative fenfe, that in which any 
thing is loft. 

For fepulchres themfelves muft crumbling fall 
In time's abyft, the common grave of all. * 
Drydcn s Juvenal, Sat. it. 

If, difcovering how far we have clear and diftinft 
ideas, we confine our thoughts within the contem- 
plation of thofe things that are within the reach of 
our understandings, and launch not out into that 
f/yjs of darknefs, out of a prefumption that no- 
thing is beyond our comprehenfion. Locke. 

4. The body of waters fuppofed at the 
centre of the earth. 

We are here to confider what is generally under- 
ftood by the great abyfs, in the common explication 
of the deluge; and 'tis commonly interpreted either 
to be the fea, or fubterrancous waters hid in the 
bowels of the earth. Burmfi Ibeciy. 

5. In the language of divines, hell. 

From that infatiable atyfi, 
Where flames devour, and fcrptnts hifs, 
Promote me to thy feat of blifs. Scfcomir.en. 

Ac, AK, or ARE. 

Being initials in the names of places, as Atlan, 
(ignify an oak, from the Saxon ac, an oak. 

Cibf'jn'i Camdcn. 

AC A' CIA. n.f. [Lat.] 

I. A drug brought from Egypt, which, 

being fuppofed the infpiflated juice of a 

tree, is imitated by the juice of floes, 

boiled to the fame confiftence. 

Difiionaire de Comm. Savory. Tre-voux. 
z. A tree commonly fo called here, though 

different from that which produces the 



A C C 

true acacia ; and therefore termed pftu- 
docacia, or Virginian acacia. Miller. 

ACADE'MI AI.. adj. [from academy.} Re- 
lating to an academy, belonging to an 
academy. 

AcADt'MiAN. n.f. [from academy.'] A 
fcholar of an academy or univerfity; a 
member of an univerfity. Wood, in his 
Athener Oxohienfes, mentions a great 
fcaft made for the academians. 

ACADE'MICAL, adj. [acadcmicus, Lat.] 
Belonging to an univerfity. 

He drew him firft into the fatal circle, from a 
kind of rcfolvod privatenefs ; where, after the aca- 
demical life, he had taken fuch a taftc of the rural, 
as 1 have heard him fay, that he could well have 
bent his mind to a retired courfe. Watt. 

ACADEMI'CI AN. n.f. \academiciert, Fr.] 
The member of an academy. It is ge- 
nerally ufed in fpeaking of the profeflbrs 
in the academies of France. 

ACADE'MICK. n.f. [from academy.] A ftu- 
dent of an univerfity. 

A young academic Ihall dwell upon a journal that 
treats of trade, and be lavifh in the praife of the 
author ; while perfons (killed in thole fubjefts, 
hear the tattle with contempt. 

Watts' s Imfrwancnt of tht AJinJ. 
Ac A D E'M i c K. adj. [academical, Lat.] Re- 
lating to an univerfity. 

While through pcwiic fcenes the genius roves, 
Or wanders wild in academic groves. 

DunciaJjlr.lv. 1. 481. 

ACA'DEMIST. n.f. [from academy.} The 
member of an academy. This is not 
often ufed. 

It is obferved by the Parifian acadcmlfts, that 

fome amphibious quadrupeds, particularly the fea- 

calf or feal, hath his epiglottis extraordinarily large. 

Ray on the Creation. 

A'CADEMY. n. f. [anciently, and pro- 
perly, with the accent on the firft fyl- 
lable, now frequently on the fecond. 
Acadimia, Lat. from Academus of Athens, 
whofe houle was turned into a fchool, 
from whom the Groves of Academe in 
Milton.] 

1. An aflembly or fociety of men, uniting 
for the promotion of fome art. 

Our court Ihall be a little academy, 
Still and contemplative in living arts. 

Stakefpeare't Ltnie's Labour Left. 

2. The place where fciences are taught. 

Amongft the academies, which were compofed by 
the rare genius of thofe great men, thcfe (our are 
reckoned as the principal ; namely, the Athenian 
fchool, that of Sicyon, that of Rhodes, and that 
of Corinth. Dry den i Dufnfnty. 

3. An univerfity. 

4. A place of education, in contradifKnc- 
tion to the univerfities or public fchools. 
The thing, and therefore the name, is 
modern. 

ACANTHUS, n.f. [Lat.] The name of 
,the herb bears-breech, remarkable for 
being the model of the foliage on the 
Corinthian chapiter. 

On either fide 

Acantlus, and each od'rous buihy ihrub, 
Fenc'd up the verdant wall. 

Mill. Psrad. Left, t. iv. /. 696. 



A verfe which has the complete number 

of fyllables, without defeft or fuperfluity. 

To ACCE'DE. -v. n. [accedo, Lat.] To be 

added to, to come to ; generally ufed 



A C C 

in political accounts ; as, another power 
has acceded to the treaty ; that is, has 
become a party. 
To ACCE'LERATE, i>. a. [accelert, Lat.] 

1. To make quick, to haften, to quicken 
motion ; to give a continual impulfc to 
motion, fo as perpetually to increafe. 

Take new beer, and put in fomc quantity of 
dale brer into it ; and fee whether it will not acce- 
lirjte the clarification, by opening the body of the 
beer, whereby the grolfer parti may fall down into 
lees. Bacon's Natural Hiftory, N 307. 

By a (kilful application of thofe notices, may be 
gained the accelerating and bettering of fruits, and 
the emptying of mines, at much more cafy ratei 
than by the common methods. Glan'vilU+.SctpJit. 

If the rays endeavour to recede from the denleft 
part of the vibration, they may be alternately acce- 
lerated and retarded by the vibrations overtaking 
them. . AVm/wTj Of tics. 

Spices quicken the pulfe, and accelerate the mo- 
tion of the blood, and difiipatc the fluids ; from 
whence leannefs, pains in the ftomach, loathing;, 
and fevers. Arbuttnx an Alsmtnii, 

Lo ! from the dread immenfity of fpace 
Returning, with accelerated courfe, 
The rufliing comet to the fun defcends. 

Tbcmf. Sum. /. 1 690. 

2. It is generally applied to matter, and 
ufed chiefly in philofophical language ; 
but it is fometimes ufed on other occafions. 

In which council the king himfelr", whole con- 
tinual vigilancy did fuck in fometimcs caufelefi 
fufpicions, which few clfe knew, inclined to the 
accelerating a battle. Bacon's Henry VII. 

Perhaps it may point out to a lludent now and 

then, what may e-.nploy the moit nfeful labours of 

his thoughts, and acctUrate hi> diligence in the moll 

momentous enquiries. Want. 

ACCELER A'TION. n.f. [acceleralio, Lat.] 

1. The aft of quickening motion. 

The b-.v ?f the acceleration of failing bodies, dif- 
covjrtJ firrt by Galileo, is, that the velocities ac- 
quired by falling, being as the time in which the 
body fails, the fpaces through which it paffes will 
be as the fquares ot the velocities, and the velocity 
and time taken together, as in a quadruplicate f.iti 3 
of the fpaces. 

2. The ftate of the body accelerated, or 
quickaned in its motion. 

The degrees of acceleration of motion, the gr^rU 
tacion of the air, the exiftence or non-exiitence of 
empty fpaces, either coacervate or interfperfed, and 
many the like, have taken up the thoughts and 
times of men in difpules concerning them. 

Hales Origin of MankintU 

3. The aft of haftening. 

Confidering the languor enfuing that action in 
fome, and the vifible acceleration it maketh of age 
in jnoft, we cannot but think venery much abridg- 
eth our days. Brown. 

To ACCE'ND. <v. a. [acccado, Lat.] To 
kindle, to fet on fire ; a word very 
rarely ufed. 

Our devotion, if fumciently accemicd, would, as 
thciis, burn up innumerable books of this fort. 

Decay of Piety. 

ACCE'NSION. n.f. \_acccnfio, Lat.] The 
aft of kindling, or the ftate of being 
kindled. 

Tile fulminating damp will take fire at a candle, 
or other fl.imr, and, upon its accenfion, gives a 
crack or report, like the difcharge of i gup, and 
makes an cxplofion fo forcible as fmnetimcs Co lull 
the miners, make the earth, and force bodies, ot" 
great weight and bulk, from the bottom of the pit 
or mine. WwJiuJrd 's Natural It 

A'CCENT. n.f. \accentus, Lat.] 
i . The manner of fpeaking or pronoun- 
cing, with regard either to force or ele- 
gance. 

1 Itnaw, 



A C C 

I know, Sir, I m no flatterer; he that be 
gulled you in a plain accent was a plain knave 
which, for my part, i will not be.' 

S bakefpeare" 1 s King Lear 

2. The found given to the fyllable pro 
nounced. 

Your accent is fomething finer than you cou! 
purchale in (o removed a dwelling. 

Sbalutfearc's Ayou like it 

3. In grammar, the marks made upon fyl- 
lables, to regulate their pronunciation. 

Accent, as in the Greeknames and ufage, feem 
to have rrgardeJ the tune of the voice ; the acute 
accent railing the voice in Ibme certain fyllables t< 
a higher, i. e. more acute pitch or tone, and the 
grave deprelling it lower, and both having fome em 
plialis, i.e. more vigorous pronunciation. Holder, 

4. Poetically, language or words. 

How many ages hence 
Shall this our lofty fcene be acted o'er, 
In dates unborn, and accents yst unknown. 

Sbak'fpeare' t jfulius Ctefar. 
Winds on your wings to heav'n her accents bear j 
Such words as heav'n alone is fit to hear. 

Diyd. Virg. Paji. 3. 

5. A modification of the voice, expreffive 
of the pafiions or fentiments. 

The tender accent of a woman's cry 
Will pafs unheard, will unregarded die ; 
When the rough Teaman's louder fhouts prevail, 
When fair occalion (hews the fpringing gale. Prior. 

fo A'CCENT. if. a. [from accentu;, Lat.] 
formerly elevated at the feconifyllable, 
now at the firft. 

1. To pronounce, to fpeak words with 
particular regard to the grammatical 
marks or rules. 

Having got fomebody to mark the lift fylhblc 
but one, where it is long, in words above two fyl- 
lables (which is enough to rrg'i'.a'.e her pronuncia- 
tion, and accenting the words; let her read daily in 
the gofpels, and avoid u them in La- 

tin, if me can. L*cke on Edu:a:iin, ^ J 77 f 

2. In poetry ; to pronounce or utter in ge- 
neral. 

O my unhappy lines ! you that before 
Have ferv'd my youth to vent fome wanton cries, 

And, now congeal'd with grief, can fcaicimplore 
Strength to accent, Here my Albertm lie ! ffattin, 

3. To write or note the accents. 

To ACCE'NTUATB. v. a. [accentuer, Fr.] 
To place the proper accents over the 
vowels. 

ACCENTUA'TION. n.f. [from accentuate.] 

1 . The aft of placing the accent in pro- 
nunciation. 

2. Marking the accent in writing. 
ToACCE'PT. v.a. [accifio, Lat. accepter, 

Fr.] 

1. To take with pleafure ; to receive 
kindly ; to admit with approbation. 
It is diilinguilhed from receive, y&ype- 
cific from general ; noting a particular 
manner of receiving. 

Neither do ye kindle fire on my altar for nought. 
I have no pleafurcin yju, faith the Lord of hofts, 
neither wiil I accept an offering at your hand. 

Mclacbi, i. 10. 

. is no refpefter of pcrfons : but, in ev?rj 

nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righte- 

oufnefs, is accreted with him. Adi, x. 34, 3;. 

V'u have been gracic-ufly pleafed to accept this 

ter.dur oi my duty. 

Drydn'i Dedication ti hi: falln. 
Charm by acc'pting, by fubmitting fwuy, 
Yrth.tvrv i obcv. Pope. 

2. It is ufed in a kind of juridical fenie ; 
as, to accept terms, accept a. treaty. 

They flaughter'd many of the gentry, for whom 
o fex or age could be acc-ftedim extuf:. Sidney. 



A C C 

His promife Palamon accepts, but pray 'i 
To keep it better than the firft he made. 

Dryden's FabL 

Thofe who have defended the proceedings o 
our negotiators at the treaty of Gertruydenburgh 
dwell upon their zeal and patience in endeavourin 
to work the French up to their demands, but fa 
nothing of the probability that France would eve 
accept them. Sivift 

3. In the language of the Bible, to accep 
perfoni, is to aft with perfonal and par 
tial regard. 

He will furely reprove you, if ye do fccretly a, 
cept perfons. -Job, xiii. jo 

4. It is fometimes ufed with the particl 

I will appeafe him with the prefent that goet! 
before me, and afterward I will fee his face ; per 
adventure he will accept of me. Gencfis, xxxii. zc 
ACCEPTABI'I-ITY. n.f. The quality o 
being acceptable. See ACCEPTABLE. 

He hath given us his natural blood to be fhed 
for the remiflion of our fins, and forthe obtaininj 
the grace and acceptability of repentance. 

Taylor's Wcrtby Ccmmuaicant 

ACCE'PTABLE. adj. {acceptable, Fr. from 
the Latin.] It is pronounced by fome 
with the accent on the fink fyllable, as 
by Milton ; by others, with the accent 
on the fecond, which is more analogical. 
I. That which is likely to be accepted ; 
grateful ; pleafing. It is ufed with the 
particle to before the perfon accepting. 

This woman, whom thou mad ft to be my help, 
And gav'ft me as thy perfect gift, fo good, 
So fit, lo acceptable, fo divine, 
That fiom her hand I could expect no ill. 

Paradije Loft, b. ii. 

I do not fee any other method left for men ot 
tht function to take, in order to reform the 
world, than by ufing all honed arts to make them- 
felves acceptable to the laity. Sivift. 

After he had made a peace fo acceptable to the 
church, and fo honourable to himfelf, he died with 
an extraordinary reputation of fanctity. 

Addijon on Italy, 

ACCE'PTABLENESS. n.f. [from accept- 
able.'] The quality of being acceptable. 
Itwiil thereby take away thcacaftatinujioftSut 

conjunction. Crew's Cojmologia Sacra, b. ii. c. 2. 
ACCEPTABLY, adij. [from acceptable.] 
In an acceptable manner ; fo as to 
pleafe ; with the particle to. For the 
accent, fee ACCEPTABLE. 

Do not omit thy prayers, for want of a good ora- 
tory ; for he that prayeth upon God's account, 
cares not what he fuffers, fo he be the friend of 
Chrid; nor where nor when he prays, fo he may 
do it frequently, fervently, and acCtLtahly. Taylor. 
If you >.an teach them to love and rUpcCt other 
people, thpy will, as your age requires it, find 
ways to cxprefi it acceptably to every one. 

Locke on Education, 145- 
ACCE'PTANCE. n.f. [acceptance, Fr.] 

1. Reception with approbation. 

Ey that acceptance of his fovereignty, they alfo 
a ccpteJ of his laws; why then mould any other 
law, now be ufed amongft them ? 

Spenjcr's State of Ireland. 

If he tells us his noble deeds, we mud alfo tell 
him our noble acceptance of them. 

Sbakefpeare't Coriolanui. 
Thus I imboldc,i'd fpake, and freedom u;'d 
Pcrmiflive, and acceptance found. 

Paradije Left, b. viii. /. 43 5. 

Some men cannot be foolswith fo good acceptance 

as others. Soatb's S'mmni. 

2. The meaning of a word as it is received 
or underftood ; acceptation is the word 
now commonly ufed. 



A CC 

That pleafure is man's chiefeft god, becaufe 
indeed it is the perception of good that is properly 
pleafure, is an afiertionmoft certainly true, though, 
under the common acceptance of it, not only falfe 
but odious: for, according to this, pleafure and 
fenfuality pafs for terms equivalent ; and therefore 
he, who takes it in this fenfe, alters the fubject of 
the difcourfc. South. 

ACCE'PTANCE. [inlaw.] The receiving 
of a rent, whereby the giver binds him- 
felf, for ever, to allow a former aft done 
by another, whether it be in itfelf good 
or not. Cotuel. 

ACCEPTA'TION. n.f. [from accept.] 

1. Reception, whether good or bad. This 
large fenfe feems now wholly out ofufe. 

Yet, poor foul ! knows he no other, but that I 
do fufpect, neglect, yea, and deleft him ? For, 
every day, he finds one way or other to fet forth 
himfelf unto me ; but all are rewarded with like 
coldnefs of acceptation. Sidney, b* ii. 

What is new finds better acceptation, than what 
is good or great. Denbam's Sc/pky* 

2. Good reception, acceptance. 

Cain, envious of the acceptation of his brother's 
prayer and facrifice, flew him ; making himfelf 
the firft manflayer, and his brother the firft mar- 
tyr. Raleigh's Hiflcry of the World, b. \. 

3. The ftate of being acceptable ; regard. 

Some things, although not fo required of necef- 
fity, that, to leave them undone, excludeth from, 
falvation, are, nntwithftandirg, of fo great dig- 
nity and acceptation with God, that mcft ample 
reward in heaven is laid up for them. Hooker, b. ii. 

They have thofe enjoymer.tionly as the confe- 
quences of the ftate of edeem and acceptation they 
are in with their parents and governours. 

Locke on Education,^ 53. 

4. Acceptance in the juridical fenfe. This 
fenfe occurs rarely. 

As, in order to the pafling away a thing by gift, 
there is required a furrender of all right on his part 
that gives; fo there is required alfo an acceptation 
on his part to whom it is given. South's Seitnoiis. 

5. The meaning of a word, as it is com- 
monly received. 

Thereupon the earl of L.iuderdale made a dif- 
courfe upon the feveral quelTions, and what ac- 
ceptation thefe words and expreflions had. 

Clarendon, b. viii. 

All matter is either fluid or folid, in a large 
acceptation of the words, that they may compre_- 
hend even all the middle degrees between extreme 
fixednefs and coherency, and the moft rapid in- 
teftine motion of the particles of bodies. Bentl.Serwl. 
ACCE'PTER. n.f. [from accept.'] The per- 
fon that accepts. 

ACCEPTILA'TION. n.f. [acceptilatio, Lat. J 
A term of the civil law, importing the 
remiflion of a debt by an acquittance 
from the creditor, teftifying the receipt 
of money which has never been paid. 
ACCE'PTION. n. f. [acception, Fr. from 
acceptio, Lat.] The received fenfe of a 
word ; the meaning. Not in ufe. 

That this hath been cfteemcd the due and prcS- 
per accretion of this word, I (hall teftify by one- 
evidence, which gave me the firft hint of this no- 
tion. Hammond on Fundamentals. 

ACCE'SS. n.f. fin fome of its fonfcs, it 
feems derived from aacffus ; in others, 
from acccffio, Lat. acc'es, Fr.] 
. The way by which any thing ;;iay be 
approached. 

The afcefs of the town was only by a neck of 
land. .Bacon. 

There remained very advantageous actijlit tor 
temptations to enter and invade men, the fortifi- 
cations being very (lender, little knowledge of im- 
mortality, or an; thing beyond this life, and no 

liTurttice 



A C C 

ffuruice that repentance would be admitted for ' 
fin. Hammond on Fundamentals. 

And here th' aceejs a gloomy grove defends ; 
And hne th' unnuvif able lake extends, 
O'er whofe imluppy waters, void of light. 
No bird preforms to fleer his airy flight. 

Oryden's /fteid, vi. 

2. The means, or liberty, of approaching 
either to things or men. 

When we are wrong'd, and would unfold our 

griefs, 

We are dcny'd acftfs unto his perfon, 
Lv n by thofe men that mod have done us wrong. 

Stskeffcarc. 

They go commiflion'd to require a peace, 
And carry prefcnts to procure aceejs. 

Drydcns jt.at'h'., vii. /. 109. 
He grtnts what they befoughtj 
Intruded, that to God is aojicctfs 
Without Mediator, whofc high office now 
Mofcs in figire bean. 

Milton's Par. Lat, I. xii. /. 139. 

3. Encreafe, enlargement, addition. 

The gold was accumulated, and ftore treafures, 
for the molt part; but the filver is ftill growing. 
Befides, infinite is the accefs of territory and em- 
fire by the fame enterpr'uc. Bacon. 

Nor think fuperfluous their aid ; 
I, from the influence of thy looks, receive 
jlccefs in every virtue ; in thy fight 
More wife, more watchful, ftronger. 

Pjradife Loft, i. ix. 

Although to opinion, there be many gods, may 
fr'm an aceejs in religion, and fuch as cannot at all 
eonfift with atheifm, yet doth it deduflively, and 
upon inference, include the fame; for unit}' is the 
jnfeparablc and eflential attribute of Deity. 

f(/ivn"s Vulgar Errostrs, it.'s. c. IO. 

The reputation 

Of virtuous aAions pad, if not kept uy 
"With an accefs, and frefh fupply, of new ones, 
Is loft and loon forgotten. Dcriharrt's Sophy. 

4. It is fometimes ufed, after the French, 
to fignify the returns or fits of a diftem- 
per i but this fenfe feems yet fcarcely 
received into our language. 

For as relapfes make difcafes, 
More defperate than their firft accejes. Hudibras. 
A'CCESSARINESS. n. f. [from acce/arj.] 
The ftate of being acceflary. 

Perhaps this will draw us into a negative acctf- 
farinefs to the mifchiefs. Dtcay of Piety. 

A'ccEStAnr. *dj. [A corruption, as it 
feems, of the word accejfiry, which fee ; 
but now more commonly ufed than the 
proper word.] That which, without 
being the chief conftituent of a crime, 
contributes to it. But it had formerly a 
good and general fenfe. 

As for thofc.things that arc acccflary hereunto, 
thofe things that fo belong to the way of falvation, 
&ff. Hooker, b. iii. 3. 

He hath taken upon him the government of 
HuU, without any apprehenfion or imagination, 
that it would ever make him accejfary to rebellion 
Clarendon, t. vii; 

ACCESSIBLE, adj. [accejpbilis, Lat. ac- 
(cjjible, Fr.] That which may be ap- 
proached ; that which we may reach or 
arrive at. 

It is applied both to perfons and 
thing*, with the particle t. 

Some lie more open to our fenles and daily ob- 
fcrvation; others are more occult and hidden, 
and though accejfsble, 'tn fome meafure, to our 
fenfes, yet not without great fcarch and fcrutiny, 
or fome happy accident. Halt's Origin of Mankind. 

Thofe things, which were indeed inexplicable, 
have been rackt and tortured to difcover them- 
ielres, while the plainer and more acctjfble truths, 
as if dcfpicablc while cafy, art clouded and ob- 
icured. Dtcoj tj 'Piety, 



A C C 

Ai in ifiand, we ire accefble on trerj fids, ind 
expofcd to perpetual invafions ; again ft which it is 
impoflibie to fortify ourfelve fufficicntly, without 
a power t fea. Mdifon's Freeholder. 

In converfition, the tempers of men are open and 
a:crffMc, their attention is awake, and their minds 
difpofed to receive the ftrongeft imprelfions ; and 
what is fpnken is generally more afiecVmg, and 
more appofite to particular ocealions. Rogers. 

ACCE'SSION. n.f. [acceffio, Lat, acctjpon, 
Fr.] 

1. Increafe by fomething added, enlarge- 
ment, augmentation. 

Nor could all the king's bounties, nor his own 
large accefllais, raife a fortune to hit heir ; but at'- 
ter vift fums of money, and great wealth gotten, 
he died unlamented. Clarendon. 

There would not have been found the difference 
here fct down betwixt the force of the air, when 
expanded, and what that force Jhould have been 
according to the theory, but that the included inch 
of air received fome little accej/ion during the trial. 
Boyle's Spring tf the Air. 

The wifeft among the nobles began to appre- 
hend the growing power of the people j and there- 
fore, knowing what an accejjiin thefeof would ac- 
crue to them, by fuch an addition of property, 
ufed all means to prevent it. Stvift. 

Charity, indeed, and works of munificence, are 

the proper difcharge of fuch over-proportioned 

acccjfinns, and the only virtuous enjoyment of them. 

Rvgcrs's Sermons. 

2. The aft of coming to, or joining one's 
felf to ; as, aceejjion to a confederacy. 

Befidc, what wile objections he prepare* 
Againft my late acctjpvn to the wars ? 
Dors net the fool perceive his argument 
Is with more force againfl Achilles bent? 

Dryden's Fables- 

3. The aft of arriving at ; as, the king's 
acceffion to the throne. 

A'CCSORII.Y. aJ-v, {from acceffory.^ In 

the manner of an acceflbry. 
A'ccESORY.a<#. Joined to another thing 

fo as to incrcafe it ; additional. 
In this kind there is not the leaft action, but it 

doth fomewhat make to the accejjory augmentation 

ofourblifs. Hooker. 

A'CCESSORY. n. f. [acceffbrius, Lat. ac- 
ceffiire, Fr. This word, which had 
anciently a general fignification, is now 
almoft confined to forms of law.] 

u Applied to perfons. 

A man that is guilty of a felonious offence, not 
principally, but by participation ; as, by com- 
mandment, advice, or concealment. And a man 
may be acccjjory to the offence of another, after 
two forts, by the common law, or by ftarute : and, 
by the common law, two ways alfo; that is, be- 
fore or after th* facl. Before the laO ; as, when 
one commandeth or advifeth another to commit a 
felony, and is notprefentat the execution thereof; 
for his prcfence makes him alfo a principal ; whcie- 
fore there cannot be an acceflbry before the fafl in 
manflaughtcr ; becaufe manfhughtcr is Hidden 
and not prepcnfed. AcctJJ'ory after the fact, i 
when one receiveth him, witf>m he knowcth to 
have committed felony, Acctjtory by ftatute, is 
he that abets, counlels, or hides any man com- 
mitting, or having committed, an offence made fe- 
lony by rtatute. Cotvcl 

By the common law, the accij/iries cannot b< 
proceeded againft, till the principal has receivec 
his trial. Sfe nf. Stair of Jrdu 

But paufc, my foul ! and ft udy, ere thou fall 
On accidental joys, th' eifential. 
Still before tsccejjorses to abide 
A trial, muft the principal be try'd. Dei 

Now were all transform'4 
Alike, to ferpenti all, as acccjjiritt 
To his bold riot. Mtlnn'i Per, Loft, t, x. /. 520 

z. Applied to things. 



A C C 

An tcctjjarj ii faid to b that which data te- 
eede unto fome principal (aft or tiling in law j 
ind, as fuch, generally fpeakiug, follows tlie rta- 
fon and nature of its principal. Aylife, 

A'CCIDENCE. n. f. [a corruption of ac- 
cidenti, from accidenlia, Latin.] The 
little book containing the firft ru- 
diments of grammar, and explaining 
the properties of the eight parts of 
fpeech. 

I do confefs I do want eloquence, 
And never yet did learn mine accidence. 

Taylor the H'at -r-p;e!, 
A'CCIDENT. n.f. [arddens, Lat.] 

1. The property or quality of any being, 
which may be Separated from it, at leaft 
in thought. 

If (he were but the body's accident, 
And her fole being did in it fublift, 

As white in fnow Ihe might herielf abfcnt, 
And in the body's fubftancc not be mifs'd. 

Sir y. Daviei. 

An accidental mode, or an accident, is fuch a 
mode as is not neceflary to the being of a thing ; 
for the fubjeft may be without it, and )et remain 
of the fame nature that it was before ; or it is that 
mode which may be feparated or aboliflied from 
its fubjefh ffatis's Lo^uk. 

2. In grammar, the property of a word. 

The learning of a language i nothing elfe but 
the informing of ourfclve;, what compofures of 
letters arc, by confcnt and inlVitution, to fignify 
fuch certain notions of things, with their moda- 
lities and accidents. HMer's Element: if Speech. 

3. That which happens unforefecn; ca- 
fualty, chance. 

General laws are like general rules in phyfick, 
according whereunto, as no wife man will di-lire 
himfelf to be cured, if there be joined with h'n 
difcafc fome fpecial accident, in regard whereof, 
that whereby others in the fame infirmity, but 
without the like accident, recover health, would 
be, to him, either hurtful, or, at the leaft, un- 
profitable. Hunker, t. v. $ 9. 

The flood, and other accidents of time, mair 
it one common field and pafture with the land of 
Eden. Rjleigb's Hifory of the World, 

Our joy is turn'd 
Into perplexity, and new amaze; 
For whither is He g*ne ? What accident 
Hath rapt him from us ? Paradife Regained, 

And trivial accidents (hall be forborn, 
That others may have time to take their turn. 

Drydcn's Fables, 

The reformation ov/ed nothing to the good in- 
tentions of king Henry. He was only an inflru- 
ment of it (as the logicians fpcak) by accident. 

Swift's MiftclLinics. 

ACCIDE'NTAL. n.f. {accidental, Fr. See 
ACCIDENT.] A property nonefleu- 
tial. 

Conceive, is much as you can, of the efTentialj 
of any fubjefi, before you confider its accidentals. 

Watts's l.igi.k. 
ACCIDE'NTAL. adj. [from accident.] 

1. Having the quality of an accident, 
noneflential ; ufed with the particle to, 
before that in which the accident in- 
heres. 

A diftinftion is to be made between what 
pleafts naturally in itfclf, and what plc.ifcs upon 
th: account of machines, atlors, dances, and 
circumftances, which are merely accidental to the 
tragedy. Rymcr's Tragedies of the la/i Agt* 

This is accidental to a ftate of religion, and 
therefore ought to be reckoned among the ordinary 
difficulties of it. Tilhtfin, 

2. Cafual, fortuitous, happening by chance. 

Thy fin's not accidental, but a trade. 

Sbakcjpeare'i Meaf. fir Afcaf, 
So mail you hear 
Of c(/ff<i/ju<lgraw, cafual flaughtcts ; 

Of 



A C C 

Of deathi put on by cunning, and /brc'd caufe. 

Sbakiff. Hamltt. 

Look upon things of the moil accidental and 
mutable nature; accidental in their production, 
and mutable in their continuance ; yet God's 
preference of them is as certain in him, as the 
memory of them is, or can be, in us. 

South' i Sf mars. 

3. In the following partage it feems to 

iignify adventitious. 
Ay, fuch a minifter as wind to fire, 

Tha; adds an accidental fiercenefs to 

Its natural fury. Dtntam's Scfty. 

ACCIDE NTALLY.W-C/. [from accidental.} 

1. After au accidental manner ; noneffen- 
tially. 

Other points no lefs concern the common- 
Wultfa, th,,ugh but accidentally depending up in 
* > orm - Sfatft,; S... <fb I. 

I conclude choler accidentally bitter, and acri- 
moniou;, but not in itfdf. Htrvy an Cor:], 

2. Cafually, fortuitously. 

Although virtuous men do fometimes acciJen 
tally make their way to preferment, vet t'.v 
world is fo corrupted, that nu man can reafon- 
ably hope to be rewarded in it, merely u 
count of his virtue. Swift' > M$nUm\a. 

ACCIDE'NTALNESS. n.f. [from acciden- 
tal.} The quality of being accidental. 

Die. 

Acci PIENT. n.f. [anipiat, Lat.] A re- 
ceiver, perhaps lometimes ufed for re- 

- ">'"", Dia. 

To Acci TE, v. a. [acc-ta, Lat.] To call, 

to fumrnons ; a word not in ufe now. 

Our ne, we will eccin 

(As I bcl" -j) all Qur /i ace> 

IT y good intents) 
t caufe to fay, 

lay. 

Ac c n.f. TaecKona, Lat. from which 

probably firll the verb acclaim, now loft, 
and then the noun.] A (hout of praife, 
acclamation. 

. L thy pow'rs, with load acclaim, 

. 

Mittens Par. Lift, b. iii. /. ,07 
The herald end, ; the vaulted firmament " 
"' t; ' .ipplaufe, is rent. 

. , l>ry,t 

ACCLAMA now. ./ [acclamaiio, Lat. 
Shouts of appiaufe ; fuch as thofe with 
whicn a victorious army falutes the ge- 
neral. 

It hath been the cuftom of Chriftian men, in 

>ken ol the g.eater reverence, to (land, to utte; 

certain words o( acclamat, and, at the name of 

Jefus,tobow. tffcr,J.v. &zo. 

Gladly then he mix'd 

Among thofe friendly pow'rs, who him receiv'd 
With joy, and acclaaftMu loud, that one, 
That, of fo many myriads fall'n, yet one 
Return'd.notloft. Milt. Pared. Loji, *. v i. 1.2V 
Such an enchantment is there in words, and 
le a thin, does it fecm to fome, to be ruined 
plaul.bly, and to be umered to their deftrucli., n 
with panegynck and acclamation. South 

AccLi VITY. ,,.f. [from acclivas, Lat.l 
The fteepnefs or flope of a line inclin- 
ing to the horizon, reckoned upwards 
as, the afcent of an hill is the actli-vitj, 
the defcent is the declivity. Suiacy 

The men, leaving their wives and "yT.uuger 
ch.ldren below, d, not without fome difficulty, 
clamber up the acclnM*, dragging their tine 
with them, whe e they feed ^ and mijk 
than, and make butter and cheefe, and Jo all 
.he tary-work. R.J on ,h< Cr latl n . 

Acci i vows. adj. [acclivut, Lat.] Rifing 
witn a Hope. 
VOL. I. 



A C C 

To ACCLO'Y. v. a. [See CLOY.] 

1 . To fill up, in an ill fenfe ; to crowd, to 
fluff full ; a word almoft obfolete. 

At the well head the pureft (beams arife: 
But mucky filth his branching arms annoys, 
And with uncomely weeds the gentle wave accloys. 

fairy Sfticcn. 

2. To fill to fatiety ; in which fenfe cloy is 
Itill in ufe. 

They that, efcape beft in the temperate zone, 
would be acchyid with long nights,' very tedious, 
no lefs than forty days. Ry , tie Creation. 

To ACCO'IL. -v. n. [See COIL.] To 
crowd, to keep a coil about, to buftle, 
to be in a hurry: a word now out of 
ufe. 

About the cauldron many cooks acco'itd, 
With hooks and ladles, as need did require ; 
The while the viands in the veflcl boil'd, 
They did about their bufmefs fweat, and forelv 
toil'd. FairtSuttn. 

A'CCOLENT. n.f. \accohns, Lat.] He that 
.'.bits near a place ; a borderer. Dia. 
AOCO'M MOD A RLE. adj. [accommodabilis, 
Lat.] That which may be fitted ; with 
the particle to. 

As ;te variety in the circumftances 

of perfons, thing,, aftiar.s, times, and places; fo 
we muft be furniilied with fuch general rule? a-: 
are atcvmmcaakli it ail this variety, by a wife judg- 
ment and dilVr. Want's Logic*. 

To ACCO'MMODATE. v . a . r accom . 

mctfo, Lat.] 

i.^To fupply with conveniences of am- 
..uij. It has with before the thing. 

Thele three, 
Tk :e1 - , nothing ; with this word, ftand, (land, 

/ l-y the place (more charming 
With their own nobleaefs, which could haveturn'd 
A diitaff.to a lance), gilded pale looks. 

Sbakeff. Cymbe'.lr.e. 

2. With the particle to, to adapt, to fit, to 
make confident with. 

He had allied many things not that they 
were not natural before, but that he might actom- 
nxtlate himfelf to the age in which he lived. 

Drydtn on Dramatic Poetry. 

TWM his mUfortun upon an hwo- 

theiis, that could not be accommodate to the na- 
ture of things, and human ufKii.s ; his |v 
could not be made to agree with that conftituiioi 
and order which God hath fettled in the world. 

3. To reconcile ; to adjuft what feems in- 
confiftent or at variance ; to make con- 
fiilency appear. 

Part know how to accommodate St. James and 
St. Paul better than fome late reconcilers. Norris. 



To ACCO'MMODATE. v. n. To be con- 

formable to. 

They make the particular enfigns of the twelve 
tribes acccmmedatt unto the twelve figns of the 



M- f r "- 

Neither fort of chymifts have duly confidered 

how great variety there is in the textures and 
confiftencies of compound bodies ; and how little 
the confidence and duration of many of them 
fm to accommodate and be explicable by the pro 
pofed^ notion. By If, Seept. Cbym. 

ACCO'MMOD ATE.a<^'. [accommodatus, Lat.] 
Suitable, fit ; ufed fometimes with the 
particle/or, but more frequently with to. 
They are fo adled and directed by nature, as 
to cad their eggs in fuch places as arc mft ac- 
ccmmtdati for the cxclufion of their young, and 
where there is food ready for them fo foon as they 
be hatched. R ay m tbc Crtatim. 

In thefe cafes we examine ihe why, the what, 
and the how, of things, and propofc means ac- 
cemmodatt tt the end. L'EJi range. 



A C C 

God did not primarily intend to appoint thij 
way of worfliip, and to impofe it upon them as 
that which was moft proper and agreeable to him, 
but that he condefcended to it as moft accommodate 
to their prefent ftate and inclination. T:tlotfon. 
ACCO'MMODATELY. adv. [from accom- 
modate.'] Suitably, fitly. 

ACCOMMODATION, n.f. [from accommo- 
date.] 

1. Proviiion of conveniences. %. 

2. In the plural, conveniencies, things re- 
quifite to eafe or refrefhment. 

The king's commiilioners were to have fych 
accommodations, a$ the other thought fit to leave to 
them ; who had been very civil to the king's 
commifliuners. Ch.r^don, b. viii. 

3. Adaptation, fitnefs ; with the particle to. 

Indeed that difputing phyfiology is no accommo- 
dation to your defignr, which are not to teach men 
to cant endlefsly about materia andfjrma. 

Glan-uiUe's Scepjis. 

The organization of the body, with accommida- 
ticn to its functions, is fitted with th: moft curiouj 
mechanifm. Hole's Qr'iv'-r. 

4- Compontion of a difference, reconcili- 
ation, adjultment. 

ACCO'MPANABLE. adj. [from accompany .] 
Sociable : a word now not ufed. 

A m->w, as it were, of tn-accomfarfaklc folita- 
rinefs, and of a civil wildnefs. Sidney, b. i. 

ACCO'MPANIER. n. f. [from accompany.] 
The, perfoii that makes part of the com- 
pany ; companion. Dia. 

To ACCO'MPANY. v . a. [accompagner, 
Fr.] To be with another as a compa- 
nion. It is ufed both of perfons and 
things. 

Go vifit her, in her chafte bower of reft, 
Accompany'd with angel-like delights. 

. Spcnfer, Sonnet iii. 

The great bufmefs of the fenfcs being to make 
i> notice of what hurts or advantages the 
body, it is wifely ordered by nature, that pain 
fliould accompany the reception of feveral i jca:. 

Lo, ' c. 

As folly is ufually accompaniid with perverfc- 
nefs, fo it is here. Swift's Short fie-w of Ireland. 

To ACCO'MPANY. v.n. To aflbciate with; 
to become a companion to. 

No man in 'eftecl doth accompany with others 
but he learneth, ere he is aware, fome gefture* 
voice, or fafliion. Bacon's Nat. Hijiory', 

ACCOMPLICE, n.f. [complice, Fr. froni 
complex, a word in the barbarous Latin, 
much in ufe.] 

i. An affociatt, a partaker, ufually in an 
ill fenfe. 



There were feveral fcandalous reports indurtri. 
oufly fprcad by Wood, and his accomfllca, to dif- 
courage all oppofition againft his infamous project. 

Swift. 

2. A partner, or xo-operator ; in a fenfe 
indifferent. 

If a tongue would be talking without a mouth, 

what could it have done, when it had all it 

organs of fpccch, and accomplices of found, about 

Addijon, Spttlator, N 247. 

3. It is ufed with the panicle to before a 
thing, andtu/'/^ before a perfon. 

. Childlefs Arturiub, vailly rich before, 
Thus by his loffes multiplies his (lore, 
Sufpecied for accomplice to the fire, 
That burnt his palace but to build it higher. 

Drsd.Jvv.'Stt. 

Who, mould they fle,al for want of his relief. 
He judg'd himfclf />/; -uiitt the thief. 

Diy Jen', Faklri. 

To ACCO'MPLISH. v.a. [atcemflir, Pr. 
from comtleo, Lat.l 



A C C 



i. To complete, to execute fully; as, to 
acctmplijh a defign. 

He tnai is far oft (hall die of the pcftilence, and 
lie that is near (hall fall by the fword, and he that 
rercaineth, and is befieged, (hall die by the fa- 
mine. Thus will 1 accomplish my fury upon them. 
F.zeliel, vi. 12. 

2. To complete a period of time. 

He would acfcmplijb fcvcnty years in the defo- 
lati -ns of Jerulalcm. Daniel, ix. a 

3. To fulfil ; as, a prophecy. 

The vilion, 

Which I made known to Lucius ere the ftroke 
Of this yet fcarce cold battle, at this inftant 
Is lull accaapli/h'd. Sbakffpearii Cymbclint 

V.'e fee every day thofe events exactly accam 
piijbed, which our Saviour foretold at fo great 
diftance. AdJ- r '- 

4. To gain, to obtain. 

Tell him from me (a he will win my love) 
He bear himfelf with honourable action ; 
Such as he hath obferv'd in noble ladies 
Unto their lords, by them accanplilhrd. 

Sbakefp. Tarn, of a Sbrew 
I'll make my heaven in a lady's lap. 
Oh mifcrable thought, and more unlikely, 
Than to accomplilh twenty golden crowns. 

Sbakefp. Henry V 

c To adorn, or furnilh, either mind o 
body. 

From the tents 

The armourers tccomplijhing the knights, 
With bufy hammers clofing rivets up, 
Give dreadful note of preparation. Sbakefp. Hen. V 
ACCOMPLISHED, participial adj. 

1. Complete in fome qualification. 

For who expects, that, under a tutor, a you 
gentleman ihouli be an accompli/bed publick or 
tor or logician. L c 

2. Elegant ; finifhed in refpea of embe 
lifhtnents ; ufed commonly of acquire< 

. qualifications, without including moral 
excellence. 

The next I took to wife, 
O that 1 never had ! fond wi(h too late, 
Was in the vale of Sorec, Dalila, 
That fpteious monfter, my acccmpli/b'd fnare. 

Samjon A^n. 

ACCO'MPLISHER. n.f. [from accomplijh.} 

The perfon that accomplices. Difl. 

ACCO'MPLISHMENT.W./ [accomplijfimcnt , 

Fr.] 

1. Completion, full performance, perfec- 
tion. 

This would be the acccmpn/bment of their com- 
mon felicity, in cafe, by their evil, either through 
dcftiny or advice, they fuffered not the occ.ifion to 
be loft . Sir Jtbn lleyward. 

Thereby he might evade the aatmpffmat ot 
thofe affliflioni he now but gradually endureth. 
Brown'i Vulgar Errcurs 

He thought it impofliblc to find, in any one 
body, all thofe perfections which he fou^'it l.n 
the acLtfipli/bment of a Helena; becaufe nature, 
in any individual perfon, makes nothing that is 
perfeft in all its parts. Dryden'i Dufrejn-y, Prif. 

2. Completion; as, of a prophecy. 

The miraculous fuccefs of the apofrles preach- 
ing, and the acctntplijbtr.cr.t of nuny of their p'e- 
dictioni, which, to thofe early Chriilians, wen; 
matters of faith only, are, to us, matters of fight 
and experience. slticr/mry's S,-rn:oi:s. 

j. Embellifhment, elegance, ornament of 
mind or body. 

Young heirs, and elder brothers, from their 
own reflecting upon the eftatcs they a^e born to, and 
therefore thinking all other iccomplifintrnti unne- 
celTary, arc cf no manner of ufe. but to keep 
up their families. A.'difcn, Sptliator, NO 1:3. 

4. The ad of obtaining or perfeaing any 
thing; attainment; completion. 



A C C 

The means fuggefted by policy nd worldly 
wifdom, for the auainmcnt of thofe earthly en- 
joymer.ts, are unfit for that purpofe, not only 
upon the account of their infufficier.cy for, but 
alfo of their frequent oppi>fit':on and contrariety 
to, the afccmplijbmir.t of 1'ucli ends. Smb's Strtn. 

ACCO'MPT. n.f. [Fr. comftcr and comfte, 
anciently uccompter. Skinner.'} An ac- 
count, a reckoning. See ACCOUNT. 

The foul may have time to call itfelf to a juft 
accampt of all things pad, by means whereof re- 
pentance is perfected. Htxlter, 4. v. 46. 

Each Chriftmas they aenmfts did clear; 
And wound their bottom round the year. Prior. 
ACCO'MPT A NT. n.f. \accomptant, Fr.] A 
reckoner, computer. See ACCOUNT- 
ANT. 

As the accompt runs on, generally the aecomft 
ant goes backward. Soutb's Sfratxi 

ACCO'MPTING DAY. The day on which 
the reckoning is to be fettled. 
To whom thou much doft owe, thou much 

muft pay; 
Think on the debt againft th' accompting day. 

Sir 7. Denbam 



To ACCO'RD. <v. a. [derived, by fome 
from corda, the firing of a mufical in 
flrument, by others, from corda, hearts 
in the firft, implying harmony, in th 
other, unily.~\ 

1. To make agree ; to adjuft one thing t 
another ; with the particle to. 

The firft fports the (hepherds (hewed, were full 
of fuch leaps and gambols, as being acccrded to 
the pipe which they bore in their mouths, even 
as they danced, made a right picture of their chief 
god Pan, and his companions the fatyri. 

Sidney, b. i. 

Her hands accorded the lute's mufic ta the voice; 
her panting heart danced to the mufick. 

Sidney, k. ii. 

The lights and (hades, whofe well accorded ftrife 
Gives all the ftrength and colour of our life. 

Pope't Efifl. 

2. To bring to agreement ; to compofe ; 
to accommodate. , 

Men would not reft upon bare contracts without 
reducing the debt into a fpecialty, which created 
much certainty, and acctrded many fuits. 

Sir M. Hale. 

To ACCO'RD. v.-n. To agree, to fuit one 
with another-, with the particle with. 

1 hings are often fpoke, and feldom meant ; 
But that my heart accardtlb -with my tongue, 
Seeing the deed is meritorious, 
And to preferve my fovereign from his foe. 

Sha>*fp.Hen.\\ 

Several of the main parts of Mofrs'i hiftory, as 
conci-rning the flood, and the firft fathers of the 
fcveral nations of the world, do very well accord 
ivitb the molt ancient accounts of profane hiftory. 
Till tfon, Sfrmcn i. 

Jarring int'refts of themfelves create. 
Th' according mufick of a wrll.mixt (late. Pope. 
AOCO'RD. n.f. [accord, Fr.] 
I. Acompaft; an agreement ; adjuftment 
of a difference. 

There was no means for him to fatisfy all 
obligations to God and man, but to offer himfelf, 
for a mediator of an accord and peace between 
them. Bacon's Hen. Vll. 

If both are fatisfy'd with this accord, 
Swear by the laws or knighthood on my fword. 

Dryd. Fab. 
t. Concurrence, union of mind. 

At laft fuch grac: I found and means I wrought, 
That I that la : y to my (poufe had won, 

A;nrdnf friends, confent of parents fought, 
Affiance made, my happinefs begun. 

Sfafr'l Fairy Sluun. 
They gathered thcnifelves together, to n$ht 



A C C 

with Toftua and Ifrael, with one accerd. 

'.in, ix. ! 

. Harmony, fymmetry, juft corrcipond- 
cnce of one thing with another. 

Beauty is nothin tlfc but a juft acctrd and mu- 
tual harmony of the members, an'rnatsd by a 
healthful conftitutiun. Drjdtx's Dujnfny, Prtf. 

Mufical note. 

Try, if there were in one (leeple two bells of 
unifon, whether the Itriking -f the one would 
move the other, mire than If it were another 
accord. Bacon s Natural Hi/lay, N a8 1. 

We mud not blam-- Apollo, ! 
If falfe accordi troni 1 . ngs be fent. 

Sir jf. Dav':et. 

Own accord ; voluntary moiion : uied 
both of perfons and things. 
Ne Guyon yet fpa~e word, 
Till that they came unto an iron door, 
Which to them open'd of its own a<. 

fra'ry >u!!n. 

Will you blarre any man for doing that ot his 
own accord, which all men fn >u!d be compeli-d to 
do, that are not willing I th.mfeives. Iltxkcr. 
All animal fubftancc;, expofed to the air, turn 
alkaline of their f wn acccrd; and Cam: vegetables, 
by heat, will not turn acid, but alkaline. 

Jirhutbr.'t en jillmtr.ti. 

6. Adion in fpeaking, correfpondent to 
the words. 

Titus, I am come to talk with thee. 

No, not a word: how can I grace my talk, 

Wanting a hand to give it thac accord? 

Sbake/p. Tilus Ard. 
ACCORDANCE, n. / [from accord.} 

1 . Agreement with a perfon ; with the 

particle moitb. 

And prays he may in long accordance bide, 
With that great worth which hath fuch wonders 
wrought. Fairfax, b. n.Jtanxa 63. 

2. Conformity to fomething. 

The only way of defining of fin, is, by the con- 
trariety to the will of God ; as of good, by the 
accordance with, that will. 

Hammond's Fundamental!* 

ACCO'RD A NT. adj. [accordant, Fr.] Wil- 
ling ; in a good humour. Not in ufe. 

1 he prince difcovered that he loved your niece, 
and meant to acknowledge it this night in a dance; 
and, if he found her accordant, he meant to take 
the prefent time by the top, and inftantly break 
with you of it. Skalieff. Much adc ai:ti! Nothing. 
ACCO'RDINC. prep . [from accord, of which 
it is properly a participle, and is there- 
fore never uied but with to.] 
i. In a manner fuitable to, agreeably to, 
in proportion. 

Our churches are places provided, that the peo- 
ple might there aflcmble thcmfelves in due and 
decent manner, according to their fever.il degrees 
anil orders. Hooter, b. v. ^ i 3. 

Our zeal, then, fliouIJ be according to kn w- 
ledge. And what kind of knowledge ? With ut 
all queftion, firft, according to the true, faving, 
evangelical knowledge. It Ihould be acic, 

' i'pcl, the whole gofpel : not only according to 
.:ii, but precepts : not only eccmting to its 
fiec grace, but neceflary duties : not only accord- 
ing to Us mj fierier, but alfo its commandments. 

.'v' f j.''j Scrmom* 

Noble is the fame that is built on candour and 
ingenuity, according to thole beautiful lines of Sir 
John Denham. Add'fi* t Spectator. 

t. With regard to. 

God made all things in number, weight, and 
meafure, and gave them to be confideicJ by us ac- 
tcrding to thefe properties, which are inherent in 
creatcJ beings. " '/ ' t* Time. 

3. In proportion. The following phrafe 
is, I think, vitious. 

A man may, with prudence and a good con- 
fcicnce, approve of the profefled principles of one 

party 



A C C 

party more than the other, according as he thinks J 
they beft piomote the good of church and ftate. 

Swift's Church of England Man. 

ACCORDINGLY, adv. [from accord."] A- 
greeably, fuitably, conformably. 

As the' actions of men are of fundry diftinft 
kinds, fo the laws thereof <r.uft accordingly be dif- 
. , fhcd. tinker, b. i. 

Sirrah, thou'rt faid ta have a ftubborn foul", 
T apprehends no fuit'ier than this world ; 
And fquar'tt thy life accord. ugly. 

Saak.lp. Mtffurefer Meaf. 
Whoever is fo afiured of the authority an 
of fcrirture, as to believe ths de<Rr;ue of it, anJ 
to live accci d:r.gh , fiull be laved. 

Tilktfon's .' 

Mealy fubftances, fermented, turn four. Ac- 
cordingly, given to a weak child, they ftill retain 
their nature ; fot bread will give them the cholk. 
Arbutbnot en Ailments- 

To ACCO'ST. v. a. [accofter, Fr.] To 
fpeak to firft ; to addreis ; to falute, 

YJU miftake, knight: ascift her, front her, 
board her, woo her, aflail her. 

Sbakeff care's Twelfth Nigl-t. 
At length, collecting a,l bis fcrpent wiles, 
\Vil/i footling words renew d, him thus accofls. 

Farad. Reg. 

I fitft accofl-d him : I fu'd, I fought, 
Aod, with a ijving force, to Pheneus brought. 

Dryd. AZneid. 

ACCO'STABLE. adj. [from acco/i.] Eafy of 
accefs ; familiar. Not in ufe. 

They were both indubitable, ftronj, and high- 
minded men, yet of f*eet anJ accrfable nature, 
almoft equally delghting in the prefs and affluence 
of dependents and fuitors. ffotton. 

ACCO'UNT. . / [from the old French 
accompt, from computus, Lat. it was ori- 
ginally written acczmpt, which fee ; but, 
by gradually foftening the pronuncia- 
tion, in time the orthography changed 
to accc-unt.] 

.1 . A computation of debts or expences ; a 
regifter of fads relating to money. 

At many tirrrs I brought in my^r^?/;, 
Laid them before you ; you would threw them off, 
And fay you found them in mine r. 

Khahifp. Timon. 

When my young mafter has once got the fkili 
of keeping accounts (which is a bufincf- of reaf >n 
more than arithmetic) ; erhaps it will not be amifs, 
tha' : -n thenceforth require him to do 

it in all his concernments. Locke on Educ. 

2. The ftate or refult of a computation ; 
as, \hcacccunt (lands thus between us. 

Behoid this have 1 fi-.md, faith the Preacher, 
counting or.e by one, to find out the act 

Ecdefivjlicus, vii. 27. 

3. Such a ftate of perfons or things, as may 
make them more or lefs worthy of being 
confideredin the reckoning. Value, or 
citimation. 

For the care that they to-, k for their wives and 
'.n, their brethren and kinsfolks, 'was 
in leal account with them : but the greatell and 
principal fear was for the holy temple. 

2 MjCdlh. XV. 1?. 

Thit good affection, which things of fmrller ac- 

< t :/'f have once fet on work, is by fo much the 

rn i .. '/ raifed higher. Hooker, b. v. 35. 

I fhould make more account of their judgment, 

who are men of fenfe, and yet have never touched 

a pencil, than of the opinion given by the greatcft 

part of painters. Drydfn's Dufrefr. 

4. Profit; advantage; to turn to account 

is to produce advantage. 

We woui-i efUblilh our fouls in fuch a folid and 

:Uial virtue, as will turn to ac -uat in that 

great day, when it muft (land the te'l of infinite 

wifdom and juftice. Add. Sfeil. N 1 " 399- 



A C C 

. DiiHnftion, dignity, rank. 

There is fuch a peculiarity in Homer's manner 
of apoftrophizingEumatus: it is generally applied, 
by that poet, only to men of account and diftinc- 
tion. ' Pofe's Oiiyi/ey ; . ... 

. A reckoning verified by finding the va- 
lue of a thing equal to what it was ac- 
counted. 

Confidering the uftial motives of human acYions, 
which are pleafure, profit, and ambition, I cannot 
yet comprehend how thoi: perfont find ihe'n account 
in any of the three. Swift. 

. A reckoning referred to, or fum charg- 
ed upon any particular perfon ; and 
thence, figuratively, regard; confedera- 
tion ; fake. 

If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee aught, 
put that on ray account. Pbttaut, \. S. 

This muft be alv. ays remembered, that nothing 
can come into the account .f recreation, thut is not 
done with delight. L^ciecn Education, ^ 197. 

In matters \vhere his judgment led him to op- 
pofe men on a public acccunt, he would do it vigo- 
roufly and heartily. Atterbury's Sermons. 

The aflertion is our Saviour's, though uttered 
by him in the perfon of Abraham the father of the 
faithful; who, on the account of that character, is 
very tidy introduced. Attcrbury. 

Thele tribunes kindled great diflenfions between 
the nobles and the commons, on the account of Co- 
riolanus, a nobleman, whom the. Utter had im- 
peached. Swift's Court/is in Athens and Rome. 

Nothing can recommend itfelf to our love, on 
any other account, but either as it promotes our 
prefent, or is a means to aflurc to us a future hap- 
pinefs. Rogers, Sermon v. 

Sempronius gives no thanks on Ms account. 

8. A narrative, relation ; in this ufe it 
may feem to be derived from ctnte, Fr. 
a tale, a narration. 

9. The review or examination of an affair 
taken by authority ; as, the magiftrate 
took an account of the tumult. 

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened 
unto a certain king, which would take acccunt of 
his fervants ; and when he had begun to reckon, 
one was brought unto him, which owed him ten 
thoufand talents. Matt. xix. 23, 24. 

10. The relation and reafons of a tranfac- 
tion given to a perfon in authority. 

Whac need we fejr who knawi it, when none 
can call our power r> account ? ' 

Kbahffjtare's Macbeth. 

The true ground of morality can only be the 
will and U'.v er u Gcd who fees men in the dark, 
has in his hands reward' and punifhments, and 
power enough t> call to account the pruudcft offen- 
der. Lccti. 

11. Explanation; afiignment of caufes. 

It is eafy to give account, how it comes to pafs, 
that though all men defire happinefs, yet their wills 
carry them fo contrari'y. Locke. 

It being, in cur author's account, a right acquired 
by beg"tting, to rule over thofe he had begotten, it 
was- not a power poflible to be inherited, becaufe 
the right, being confequcnt to, and built on, an aft 
perfccMy perfonal, made that power fo too, and 
impoffible to he inheiited. Locke. 

12. An opinion previoufly eflabliflied. 

Thefc were deligned to join with the forces, at 
fea, there being prepared a number of fiat-bottomed 
boats to tranfport the land forces under the \vin t ; 
of the great navy : for they made no account, but 
that the navy iliould be absolutely mafter of the 
feas. Bacon's Conf.dcralions i War laitb Spain. 

A prodigal young fellow, that had fold his 
clothes, upon the fight of a fwallow, made account 
that fummcrwas at hand, and away went I 
too. L'F.-flrargf, Fiib. cxxvii. 

13. The reafcns of any thing collected. 
Being convinced, upon all aaounts t that they 



A C C 

had the fame rcafon to believe the hiftory of our 
Saviour, as that of any other perfon to which they 
themfelves were not actually eye-witneffcs, they 
were bound, by all the rules of hiftorical faith, and 
of right reafon, to give credit to this hiftory. 

Addijon. 

14. In law. 

Account is, in the common law, taken for a writ 
or action brought againft a man, that, by means of 
office or bufinefs undertaken, is to render an ac- 
ccunt unto anothe> ; as a bailiff toward his m.iftei , 
a guardian to his ward. C-->w/. 

To ACCO'UNT. v. a. [See ACCOUNT.] 

1 . To efteem, to think, to hold in opinion. 

That .ilfo was accounted a land of giants. Deut. 

2. To reckon, to compute. 

Neither the motion of the moon, whereby 
months ate computed, nor the fun, whereby years 
are accounted, confifteth of whole numbeis. 

Brown's Vulgar Errours. 

3. To affign to, as a debt ; with the parti- 
cle to. 

For fome years really accrued the yearly fum of 
twohundred thoufand poundsto the king's cofier* : 
and it was, in truth, the only project that was ac- 
counted to his own fervice. Clarendon. 

4. To hold in efteem ; with of. 

Silver was nothing accounted of in the days of 
Solomon. ' Cbnn. 

To ACCO'UNT. i/. a. 

1. To reckon. 

The calendar months are likewife arbitrarily 
and unequally fettled by the fame power; by 
which months we, to this day, account, and they' 
meafure and make up, that which we call the Ju- 
lian year. Holder en Time. 

2. To give an account, to aflign the caufes ; 
in which fenfe it is followed by the par- 
ticle for. 

If any one mould afk, why our general conti- 
nued fo eafy to the lad ? I know no other way to 
account for it, but by that unmeafurable love of 
wealth, which his beft friends allow to be his pre- 
dominant paffion. Swift. 

3. To make up the reckoning ; to anfwer; 
withyir. 

Then tliou (halt fee him plung'd, when leaft he 

fears, 
At once accounting for his deep arrears. 

Dryd. Ju-v.Sat. xiii. 

They have no uneafy prefages of a future reckon- 
ing, wherein the plealures they now tafte mud be 
accounted for ; and may, perhaps, be outweighed 
by the pains which (hall then lay hold of them. 

Atterbury's Sermon?* 

4. To appear as the medium, by which 
any thing may be explained. 

Such as have a faulty circulation through the; 
lungs, ought to eat very little at a time; becaufe 
the increafe of the quantity of frefh chyie mult 
make that circulation ftill more uneafy ; which, 
indeed, is the cafe of confumptivc and lome afth- 
matic perfons, and accounts for the fymptoms they 
arc troubled with after eating. 

Arbutbnot on Aliments. 

ACCO'UNTABLE. adj. [from account.] Of 
whom an account may be required ; who 
mull anfwer for : followed by the parti- 
cle / before the perfon, and/iy before 
the thing. 

Accountable to none, 
But to my confcience and my God alone. 

Oldbam. 

Thinking themfelves excufed from (landing 
upon their own legs, or being accountable for their 
own conduft, they very feldom trouble themfclves 
with enquiries. ' Locke on Education. 

The good magiftrate will make no diftinc~lion ; 
for the judgment is Cod's; and he will look upon 
htmfrlf as accountable at his bar for the equity of 
it. Atterbury's Sci-jnens. 

ACCOU'NTANT.<J<#. [from account.] Ac- 
D 2 countable 



A C C 

countable to; refponfible for. Not in 
ufe. 

His offence is Co, as it appears 
Aic.Mr.:ant la the law upon that pain. 

Stak-ff. Meaf.forMcaf. 
1 love her too, 

Not out of abfolute luft (though, peradventure, 
I ftand accountant for as great a fin) 
But partly led to diet my revenge. 

Sbaieffeare's Othello 

ACCO'UNTANT. . /. [See ACCOMPT- 
ANT.] A computer ; a man Called or 
employed in accounts. 

The different compute ef divers dates ; the (hor 

and irreconcileable years of fome ; the exceeding 

errour in the natural frame of others ; and the 

falfe dedu&bni of ordinary accountants in moft. 

Brown*} Vulgar Errours 

ACCO'UNT-BOOK. n.f. A book contain- 
ing accounts. 

1 would endeavour to comfort myfelf upon the 

lofs of friends, as I do upon the lofs of money ; 

by turning to my account-took, and feeing whether 

I have enough left for my fupport. Swift. 

ACCO'UNTINC. n.f. [from account.] The 
aft of reckoning, or making up of ac- 
counts. 

This method faithfully obfervcd, mud keep a 
man from breaking, or running behind-hand in 
his fpiritual eftate; which, without frequent ac- 
.unt:t:gi, he will hardly be able to prevent. 

South' j Sermons. 

To ACCO'UPLE. i>. a. [accoupler, Fr.] To 
join, to link together. We now ufe 
couple. 

He fcnt a folemn embaflage to treat a peace 
and league with the king; acctmfling it with an 
article in the nature of a requeft. 

KtMfr flMryVII. 

To ACCO'URAGE. -v. a. [Ofafolete. See 
COURAGE.] To animate. 

That forward pair /he ever would afTuage, 
When they would ftrive due reafon to exceed ; 

But that fame froward twain would accourage, 
And of her plenty add unto her need. 

Fairy Queen, b. ii. c. 2. 

To ACCO'URT. -v. a. [See To COURT.] 
To entertain with courtlhip, or courtefy ; 
a word now not in ufe. 

Who all this while were at their wanton reft, 
Jcccurting each her friend with lavilh feaft. 

Fairy Queen. 

To ACCO'UTRE. v . a. [accoutrer, Fr.] 
To drefs, to equip. 

Is it for this they ftu dy ? to grow pale, 
And mifs the plealurcs of a glorious meal ?" 
For thin, in rags accoutred are they fren, 
And made the May-game of the public fpleen ? 

Drydtn. 

ACCO'UTRE M EN r.n. /.[accoutrement, $r.] 
Drefs, equipage, furniture relating to 
the perfon ; trappings, ornaments. 

I profefs requital to a hair's breadth j not only 
in the fitrple onHcc of love, but in all the acccttre- 
mtnt, complement, and ceremony of it. 

Sbil-ff care's Merry Wmes cfWindfor. 

Chriftianity is loft among them in the trappings 
and accoutrements of it; with which, inftead of 
adorning religion, they have ftrangely difguifed it, 
and quite ftiflcd it in the crowd of external rites 
and ceremonies. Tillotfon, Srrman xxviii. 

1 have fccn the pope officiate at St.. Peter's, 
where, for two hours together, he was bufied in 
putting nn or off his different accnutrtmnii, accord- 
ing ta the different parts he was to aft in them. 
Aildifon, SfeUatar, NIOI. 

How gay with all th' accoutrement t of war, 
The Britons come, with gold well-fraught they 
come. pi.;j, 

ACCRETION. *./. [actntit, Lat.] The 



A C C 

ait of growing to another, Co as to in 
creafe it. 

Plants do nourifh ; inanimate bodies do not 
they have an accreticn, but no alimcn 

B*K*'tXat.H. N6ct. 

The charges feem to be effected by the cxhalin 
of the mo:flare, which may leave the tinging cor 
pufcles more denff, and fomcihing augmented b' 
the accrttitn of the oily and earthy parts of tha 
moifture. Nr.vtw's Ofi'ics 

Infants fupport abftinenceworft, from thecjuan 
tity of aliment confumcd in accrrtion. 

Arbutl-n'A cr Ailments 

ACCRE'TIVE. adj. [ from accretion. ] Grow- 
ing ; that which by growth is added. 

If the motion be very flow, we perceive it not 
we have no fenfe of the accretive motion of plant 
and animals : and the fly fhadow Heals away upoi 
the dial j and the quickcft eye can difcover m 
more but that it is gone. Glamitlle's Scrfjis 

To ACCRO'ACH. -v. a. [accrocber, Fr/ 
Todrawto one as with a hook ; to gripe 
to draw away by degrees what is ano- 
ther's. 

ACCRO'ACHMENT. n.f. [from accroach. 
The aft of accroaching. Dia. 

To ACCRU'E. -v. n. [from the participle 
accru, formed fromaccrcitrc, Fr.] 

1. To accede to, to be added to ; as, a 
natural production or effeft, without any 
particular refpeft to good or ill. 

The Son of God, by his incarnation, hath 

changed the manner of that perfonal fubfiftence ; 

no alteration thereby accruing to the nature of God. 

Hooker, b. v. 54. 

2. To be added, as an advantage or im- 
provement, in a fenfe inclining to good 
rather than ill ; in which meaning it is 
more frequently ufed by later authors, 

From which compact there arifing an obligation 
upon every one, fo to convey his meaning, there 
accrues alfo a right to every one, by the fame figns, 
to judge of the fenfe or meaning of the perfon fo 
obliged to exprefs himfelf. South' sSirmom. 

Let the evidence of fuch a particular miracle be 
never fo bright and clear, yet it is ftill but particu- 
lar ; and muft therefore want that kind of force, 
that degree of influence, which accrues to a ftand- 
ing general proof, from its having been tried or 
approved, and confented to, by men of all ranks 
and capacities, of all tempers and interefts, of all 
ages and nations. Atterbury's Sermons. 

3. To append to, or arife from : as, an ill 
confequence ; this fenfe feems to be lefs 
proper. 

His fcholar Ariftotle, as in many other parti- 
culars, folikewifein this, did juftly oppofc'him, and 
became one of the authors ; choofing a certain be- 
nefit, before the hazard that might accrue from 
the difrefpefts of ignorant pcrfons. Wtlkitu. 

4. In a commercial fenfe, to be produced, 
or arife ; as, profits. 

The yearly benefit that, out of thofe his works, 
accruetb to her majefty, amounteth to one thoufa.id 
pounds. Carciv's Surv. 

The great profits which have accrued to the duke 
of Florence from his free port, have fet feveral of 
the ftates of Italy on the fame fubjeft. 

Addifon cr. Italy. 

5. To follow, as lofs ; a vitious ufe. 

The benefit or lofs of fuch a trade accruing to 
the government, until it comes to take root in the 
nation. Temple's Mifc. 

ACCUBA'TION. ./. [from accuto, to lie 
down to, Lat.] The ancient pofture of 
leaning at meals. 

It will appear, that accu/>arhn, or lying down at 
meals, was a gefture ufed by very many nations. 
Breton's l^ttl^ar Errwrs. 

To ACCV'.MB, v. a. [accumbo, L.M.] To 



A C C 

lie at the table, according to the ancient 
manner. Did, 

ACCU'MBENT. adj. \_accumbens, Lat.] 
Leaning. 

The Roman recumbent, or, more properly, ac- 
euir.bent pofture in eating, was introduced alter the 
firlt Punic war. Arbutbaot or CMS. 

To ACCUMULATE. <v. a. [from accu- 
mulc, LaR] To heap one thing upon an- 
other ; to pile up, to heap together. It 
is ufed either literally, as, to accumulate 
money ; or figuratively, as, to accumu- 
late merit or wickednefs. 

It thou doft (lander her, and torture me, 
Never pray more ; abandon ail remoric; 
On horrors head horrors accumulate ; 
For nothing canft thou to damnation add. 

Sbakeff. Otbetlf. 

Cruflit by imaginary treafons weight, 
Which too much merit did accumulatt. 

Sir John Dentair. 

ACCUMULATION, n.f. [from accumu- 
late] 

1. The aft of accumulating. 

One of my place in Syria, his lieutenant, 
For quick accumulation of renown, 
Which he atchiev'd by th' minute, loft his favour. 
Sbakeff eare's Antony and Cleopatra, 
Some, perhaps, might otherwife wonder at fuch 
an accumulation of benefits, like a kind of embroi- 
dering, or lifting of one favour upon another. 

fPoltcit, 

2. The ftate of being accumulated. 

By the regular returns of it in fome people, and 
their freedom from it after the morbid matter ii 
exhaufted, it looks as there were regular accu- 
mulations and gatherings of it, as of other hu- 
mours in the body. Arbutbnot on Diet, 
ACCUMULATIVE, adj. [from accumu- 
late.-} 

1. That which accumulates. 

2. That which is accumulated. 

If the injury meet not with mceknefs, it then 
acquires another accumulative guilt, and Itands 
anfwerablc not only for its own pofltive ill, but 
for all the accidental, which it caufes in the fuf- 
fercr. Government of tbe Tongue, 

ACCUMULATOR, n.f. [from accumulate.] 
He that accumulates ; a gatherer or 
heaper together. 

Injuries may fall upon the paflive man, yet, 
without revenge, there would be no broils and 
quarrels, the great accumulators and multipliers of 
injuries. Decay of Piety, 

A'CCURACY. n.f. [accuratio, Lat.] Ex- 
aftncfs, nicety. 

This perfect artince and accuracy might have 
been omitted, and yet they have made fliift to 
in ove. More. 

Qmcknefs of imagination is feen in the inven- 
tion, fertility in the fancy, and the accuracy in 
the cxprdfi.ui. Drydtn. 

The man who hath the ftupid ignorance, or 
hardened effrontery ! to inlult the revealed will of 
God ; or the petulant conceit to turn it into ridi- 
cule ; or the arrogance to make his own per- 
fections the mcafurc of the Divinity ; or, at beft, 
that can collate a text, or quote an authority , 
with an infipid accuracy ; or demonstrate a plain 
proportion, in all formality; thcfe now are the 
only men worth mentioning. Delany, 

We confider the uniformity of the whole de- 
fign, accuracy of the calculations, and ik'.li in re- 
ftoring and comparing pailages of ancient au- 
thors. Arbntlr.a tin Coins, 

A'CCURATE. adj. [accurate, Lat.] 
j. Exiift, as oppolcd to negligence or ig- 
norance, applied to pcrlons. 
z. Exaft, without defect or failure, ap- 
plied to things. 

No 



A C C 

Xo man living has made more accurate tri- 
als than Reaumure, that brighteir. ornament of 
France. Colfin. 

3. Deternrfiiate ; precifely fixed. 

Thole conceive the celeftial bodies have more 
accurate influences upon thefe things below, than 
indeed they have but in gro. . Bactm. 

ACCURATELY, ad-v. [from accurate."] In 
an accurate manner ; exaftly, without 
errour, nicely. 

The fine of incidence is either accurately, or 
very nearly, in a given ratio to the fine of refrac- 
tion. Niivtv:. 

That all thefe difhnces, motions, and quan- 
tities of matter, (hould be fo accuratdy an.< 
harmonioufly adjufted in this great variety of cur 
n, U above the fortuitous hitsof blind matt-rial 
caules, and mud certainly flow from that ctcrr.a. 
fountain of wifdom* Ben:!}'. 

A'CCURATENESS. n.f. [from accurate.'] 
Exaftnefs, nicety. 

But Icmetime after, fufpccl'ng that in making 
this obfervation I had nut determined the diame- 
ter of the fphtre with futikient accuratr.?fs t I re- 
peated the experiment. Nru:tcn. 
To ACCU'RSE. -v. a. [See CURSE.] To 
doom to mifery ; to invoke mifery upon 
any one. 

As if it were an unlucky comet, or as if God 
had fo accurftd it, that it Ihould never fhine to 
give light in things concerning our duty any way 
to'.varda him. tinker. 

When Hildebrand accurfed and cart down from 
his throne Henry IV. there were none fo hardy as 
to defend their lord. Sir Walter Raleigh's EJ/'ays. 

ACCU'RSED. fart. adj. 



That which is curfed or doomed to 
mifery. 

"f is the moft certain fign the world'! accurjt, 
That the beft things corrupted are and word. 

Dcnbam. 

2. That which deferves the curfe ; ex- 
ecrable ; hateful ; detefiabie ; and, by 
confequence, wicked ; malignant. 

A fwift bli ; 

May foon return to this our lurrrring country, 
Under a hand accurt'd! Sb^krptarii .' 

The chief part of the T::| y .n v. 
and thofe acctrtd fpiriUj tl ; - 
they are of a difpofition contrary to God. '/ 
They, like the feed from which they ij 

accurft, 

Againft the g >ds immortal ha'rd nurfr. / 
ACCU'SABLE. adj. [from the verb accujt . ] 
That which may be centered ; blame- 
able ; culpable. 

There would be a manifest defect, and Nature's 
Improviiion we: juftly ac cufable ; it animals, fo 
:t unto d'.leafes from bilious caatea, fhould 
want a proper conveyance for choler. 

Brvwn'i Vulgar ErrQun. 

ACCOSA'TION. n.f. [from accu/e.] 

1. The aft of accufmg. 

Thus they in mutual occupation fpent 
The fruitlcfs hours, but neither felf-condemning, 
And of their vain conteft appear'd no end. Milf.n. 

2. The charge brought againft any one 
by the accufer. 

You read 

Theft aciufat'mts, and thefe grievous crimes 
nittcd by your perfoo, and your followers. 

Sbakefftcare. 

All accufetkn, in the very nature of the thing, 
ftiil fuppofing, and being founded upon fome law: 
fcr where there is r.o law, there can be no trani- 
jreffion ; and where there can be no tranfjredijn, 
I am fure there ought to be no accufatir,n. 

3. [In the fenfe of the courts.] A decla- 
ration of fome crime preferred before a 



A C C 

competent judge, in order to inflicl fome 
'judgment on the guilty perfon. 

Aylijfe's Parergon. 

ACCUSATIVE, adj. \acc.ufati<vus,'Ltt..~\ A 
term of grammar, fignifying the rela- 
tion of the noun, on which the aftion 
implied in the verb terminates. 

ACCU'SATORY. adj. [from accufej] That 
which produceth or containeth an accu- 
fation. 
In a charge of adultery, the accufer ought to 



fet forth, in the accujatiry libel, fome certain and 

Ayliffe. 



definite time. 

To ACCU'SE. ^. a. [accufo, Lat.] 
I. To charge with a crime. It requires 
the particle of before the fubjeft of ac- 
cufation. 

He ftripp'd the bears-foot of its leafy growth ; 
And, calling weftern winds, accused the fpring of 
(loth. Dryden's Virgil. 

The profeflbrs are accused 5/all the ill practices 
which may feem to be the ill confluences of their 
principles. Addifon, 

Z. It fometimes admits the particle/or. 

Ne\er f.-nd up a K-g of a fowl at fupper, while 
there is a cat or dog in the houte, that can be ac- 
cufed fr lun. ling away with it: But, if there 
happen to be neither, you mutt, lay it upon the rats, 
or a llrange greyhoaada Swift. 

3. To blame or cenfure, in oppofition to 
applsufe or justification. 

'I't-. :e bearing witnefs, and their 

thoughts the mesa while accttpng or clfe excufing 
one another. Ran. ;i. 15. 

Vour valour would your (loth too much accufe, 
And therefore, like thc;,ifclvcs, they princes choofe. 
Dryden's Tyrtrfixick Love. 

ACCU'SER. n.f. [from accuje."] He that 
brings a charge againft another. 

There are fome pcrfons forbidden to be accvfen, 

on the fcore of their fex, as women ; others, of 

their a^e, as pupils and ir.jants ; othr. ib, Ujton the 

account of fome crimes committed by them; and 

others, on the fcore of fome filthy lucre they pro- 

I j gain thereby } others, on the fcore of their 

'.ons, a; libertines againlr their patrons ; and 

others, trtrou^i a fufpicion uf calumny, us having 

once already given falfe evidence ; and, laftly, 

i on account of their poverty, as not being 

worth more than fifty lurei. Ayliffes Parergon. 

That good man, who drank the pois'nous 

draught, 

With mind ferene, and could not wim to fee 
His vile accuser drank as deep as he. Drydcn. 
If the perfon accufed maketh his innocence 
plainly to appear upon his trial, the accujer is im- 
mediately put to an ignominious death; and, out 
of his goods and lands, the inr.jccnt perfon is 
quadruply recompenfed. Gulliver's Travels. 

To ACCU'STOM. <u. a. [acccutumcr, Fr.] 
To habituate, to enure, with the par- 
ticle to. It is ufed chiefly of perfons. 

How (hall we breathe in other air 
Lefs pure, actufam* d to immoitul fruit; ? MUten. 
It has been fome advantage to accujl^m one's 
felf to bcoks of the fame edition. 

/^iir/j'j Improvement of the Mind. 

To ACC'USTOM. 11. n. To be wont to do 
any thing. Obfolete. 

A boat over-freighted funk, and all drowned, 

; one woman, that in her firft pivpping up 

again, which moft living things accujicm, got hold 

of the boat. Carrzv. 

ACCU'STOMAELE. adj. [from accuftom,~\ 
Of long caltom or habit ; habitual, 
cuftornary. 

Animals even of the fame original, extraction, 
and fpccies, may be divernSed by accujhmablc r-:- 
fidencc in one ciirnau 1 , from what they are in ano- 
ther. Halt's Qrigiii o 



ACE 

ACCU'STOMABLY. adii. According to 
cuftom. 

Touching the king's fines accuftmally paid for 
the purchafing of writs original, I find no certain 
beginning of them, and do therefore think that 
they grew up with the chancery. 

Bacon'! Alienation, 

ACCU'STOMANCE. n.f. [accoutumance,Fr.] 
Cuflom, habit, ufe. 

Through accuftomance and negligence, and per- 
haps fome other caufes, we neither feel it in our 
own bodies, nor take notice of it in others. Boyle, 

ACCU'STOM ARIL Y. ad<v. In a cuftomary 



manner ; according to common or cuf- 
tomary practice. 

Go on, rlietorick, and expofe the peculiar emi- 
nency which you accujiomarily marfhal before logic 
to public view. Cleavcland. 

ACCU'STOM A RY. adj. [from acciiftom.] 
Ufual, praftifed ; according to cuftom. 

ACCU'STOMED. adj. [from accuftom.~\ Ac- 
cording to cullom ; frequent ; ufua], 

Luok how flie rubs her hands. IK is an ac~ 
euftomed action with her, to feem thus wafliing her 
hands : I have known her continue in this a quar- 
ter of an hour* Sbakefyeare s Macbeth. 

ACE. n.f. {As not only fignified a piece 
of money, but any integer, from whence 
is derived the word ace, or unit. Thus 
At fignified the whole inheritance. Ar- 
butbnot on Coins.] 

I. An unit; a fmgle point on cards or 
dice. 

When lots are (nuffled together in a lap, urn, or 
pitcher; or if a man bli.idfold carts a die, what 
reafon in the world can he have to prefume, that 
he (hall draw a white ftone rather than a black, or 
throw an ace rather than a fife ? South. 

I. A fmall quantity; a particle; an atom. 

He will not bate an act of abfolute certainty ; 
but however doubtful or improbable the thing is, 
coming from him it mutt go for an indifputable 
truth. Government of the tongue . 

I'll not wag an act farther; the whole world 
(hail not bribe me to it. Dryden's Sfanijb Frier*. 

ACE'PHALOUS. adj. [axi'ipaA-, Gr.] With- 
out a head. Diff. 

ACE'RB. adj. [acerltus, Lat.] Acid, with 
an Addition of roughnefs, as moft fruits 
are before they are ripe. iguincj. 

ACE'RBITY. n.f. \acerbitas, Lat.] 

1 . A rough four tafte. 

2. Applied to men, fharpnefs of temper ; 
feverity. 

True it is, that the talents for criticifm, namely, 
fmartnefs, quick cenfure, vivacity of remark, in- 
deed all but acerbity, fccm rather the gifts of youth 
than of old age. Popt. 

To ACE'RVATE. it. a. [acervo, Lat.] 

To heap up. Difl. 

ACERVA'TION. n.f. [from acervate.] The 

aft of heaping together. 
ACE'RVOSE. adj. Full of heaps. Dili. 
ACE'SCENT. adj. [ace/cens, Lat.] That 

which has a tendency to fournefs or aci. 

dity. 

The fame perfons, perhaps, had enjoyed thr'r 
health as well with a mixture of anim.ll dipt, qua- 
lified with a furh'cicnt quantity of acefctnts; as, 
bread, vinegar, and fermented liquors. 

slrbuibnot on Aliments. 

ACETO'SE. adj. That which has in it any 
thing four. Dift. 

ACETO'SITY. n.f. [from acitofe.'] The 
ftate of being acetoie, or of containing 
fournefs. Difl. 

ACE'TOUS, adj. [from acetma, vinegar, 

Lat.] 



A C II 

Lat.] Having the quality of vinegar ; 
four. 

Raiuni, which confift chiefly of the juice of 
grapes, infpillaied in the (kins or hulks by the 
a\t.jation of the fupeifluousmoifture through their 
pores, bung diliilled in a retort, did not afford 
any vinous, but rather an acetous fpirit. Boyle. 

Ac HE. n.f. [ace, Sax. ax&'t Gr. now ge- 
nerally written ate, and in the plural 
akes, of one fy liable; the primitive man- 
ner being preferved chiefly in poetry, 
for the fake of the meafure.] A con- 
tinued pain. See ARE. 

I'll rack thee with o'd cramps; 
Fill all thy bones with atbts, make thec roar 
'1 ' .t beajis (hall tremble at thy din. Sbakefpeart. 

A coming (how'r your (hooting corns prelage, 
Old aches will throb, your hollow tooth will rage. 

S'w'-ft. 

To ACHE. v. a. [See ACHE.] To be in 
pain. 

Upon this account, our fenfcs are dulled and 
fper.t by any extraordinary intention, and our very 
eyes will acbe, if long fixed upon any difficultly 
difcerr.ed object. Gi." 

To ACHI'EVE. ?. a. [achever, Fr. to 
complete.] 

1. To perform, to finilh a defign pro- 
fpcroufly. 

Our toils, rr.y friends, are crown'd with furc fuc- 

cefs : 
The greater par; perform'd, achieve the lefs. Dryd. 

2. To gain, to obtain. 

Experience is by induftry, achieved, 
And perfected by the fwift couife of time. Sbalcff. 

Tranio, 1 burn, I pine, 1 pcriin, Tranio, 
li" I achieve not this young modcft giil. 

Shakifpearc. 

Thou haft achicv'd our liberty, conrin d 
"Within hell-gates till now. Milton. 

Show all the fpoils by valiant kings achieved, 
And groaning nations by their arms reliev'd. Prior, 

ACHI'EVER. n.f. He that performs ; he 
that obtains what he endeavours after. 

A viftory is twice itfelf, when the achiever 
brings home full numbers. 

Sbakefpeare's Much edo ab'.ut Nctb':r.e. 
ACHIEVEMENT, n.f, \achevement, Fr.] 

1. The performance of an acKon. 

From every coaft that heaven walks about, 
Have thither come the noble martial crew, 
That .famous hard achievements ftill purfue. 

Fairy Queen. 

2. The efcutcheon, or enfigns armorial, 
granted to any man for the performance 
of great actions. 

Then (hali the war, and ftern debate, and ftrite 
Immortal, be the bus'nefs of r.iy life; 
And in thy fame, the dufty fpoils among, 
High on the burniih'd ruof, my banner (hall be 

hung; 

Rank'd with my champion's bucklers, and below, 
With arms revcrs'd, th' act'uv. meats of the foe. 

Dryden. 

Achievement, in the firft fenfe, is derived 
from achieve, as it fignifies to perform ; 
in the fecond, from achieve, as it im- 
ports to gcijt. 

A'CHING. n.f. [from ache."] Pain; un- 
eafinefs. 

When old age comes to wa't upon a great and 
worfliipful finner, it comes atiended with many 
painful girds and actings, called the gout. South. 

A'CHOR. n.f. [acblr, Lat. i^, Gr./ur- 
fur.] A fpecies of the herpes ; it appears 
with a crufty fcab, which caufe^ an itch- 
ing on the furface of the head, occa- 
fioned by a fait ftiarp ferum oozing 
through the fkin. i^/incj/. 



A C K 

A'CID. adj. [acidut, Lat. atidt, Fr.] Sour, 
(harp. 

W]|J trees hft longer than garden trees; anil 
in the fame kind, thole whofe fruit is a*iJ t mjic 
than thofc whofe fruit is fweet. 

Bacon't Natural Hifl'.ry. 

Acid, or four, proceeds from a fait of the fame 
nature, without mixture of oil ; in auftere taftes 
the oily parts have not difentangled themfclves 
from the (alts and earthy parts ; loch "u the tafte 
of unripe fruits. Arbuibnot sr. Aliments. 

Liquors and fubttanccs are called tic'uis, which 
being compofed of pointed particles, affect the 
tafte in a {harp and piercing manner. The ;. >m 
mon way of trying, whettur any particular li<j;ioi 
hath in it any particles of this kind, is by mix- 
ing it with fyrup of violets, when it will turn o{ 
a ted colour; but if it contains alkal'ne or lix-'via; 
particles, it changes that fyrup green. Quincy. 
ACI'DITY. n.f. [from acid.'] The quality 
of being acid ; an acid tafte ; ftiarpnefs ; 
fournefs. 

Fifties, by the help of a diiTblvent liquor, cor- 
rode and reduce theif~meat, (kin, bones, and all, 
into a chylus or cremor ; and yet this liquor ma- 
nife 's nothing of acidity to .he p.lte. iv. 

When the tafte of the mouth is bitter, it is a 
fign of a redundance of a bilious alkali, and de- 
mands a quite different diet from the cafe of aci- 
dity or fournefs. Arbvti-nnt on Aliirer.n. 
A'CIDNESS. n.f. [froma^V.] Thequality 
of being acid; acidity. See ACIDITV. 
ACI'DULjE. n.f. [that is, aqute acidulet.'] 
Medicinal fprings impregnated with 
fharp particles, as all the nitrous, chaly- 
beate, and alum fprings are. putney. 
The ac\dula t or medical Iprings, emit a greater 
quantity of their minerals than ufual ; and even 
the ordinary fprings, which \ve-e before clear, 
frefh, and limpid, become thick and turbid, and 
are impregnated with fulphur and other mine- 
rals, as long as the earthquake lafts. 

Wwd'Ward'i Natural Hy?t,ry 

To AGI'DULATE. v. a. \_acidulcr, Fri] 
To impregnate or tinge with acids in a 
flight degree. 

A diet of freih unfaltcd things, watery liquors 
dc : di<Ii'.rcti, farinaceous emollient fubftances, four 
milk, butter, and acid fruits. 

Arlu'.bna on Aliments. 

To ACKNOWLEDGE. <v. a. [a word 
formed, as it feems, between the Latin 
and Englilh, from agnofca, and know- 
ledge, which is deduced from the Saxon 
cnapan, to kno*w.'\ 

1. To own the knowledge of; to own any 
thi.ig or perfon in a particular cha- 
racter. 

My people do already known my mind, 
And will uckncwicd-2 you nnd JilTica, 
In place of lord Bailjiiic) at d ntyle:f. Sbakefpeare. 

None that acknmvicdge Cod, or providence, 
Their fouls eternity aid ever doubt. Daviis. 

2. To confcfs ; as, a fault. 

For 1 acknowledge, my tunfgreffions ; and my 
fin is ever before me. Pfa.'n li. 3. 

3. To own ; as, a benefit ; fometimes 
with the particle to before the perfon 
conferring the benefit. 

His f, irit 

Taught them ; but they his gifts acknvwlei'.gd 
not. Milton. 

In the' firft place, therefore, I thankfully ac- 
fdge to the Almighty power the affiftar.cc. he 
has given me in the beginning, and the profecu- 
tion of my prcfent ftudies. Drydcr. 

ACKNOWLEDGING, adj. [from acknow- 
ledge.] Grateful ; ready to acknowledge 
benefits received. A G^llicifm, recon- 
noij/ant. 



AGO 

He has (hewn his h:ro acknowledging and un- 
grateful, c :u, itii >rut.: and hard-hearted ; but, at 
the bottom, fickle and (elf-intended. 

Drydcns Virgil. 

Ac K N O'WL E o c M E N T . n.f. [from acknow- 
ledge.] 

1. Conccfllon of any character in ano- 
ther ; as, exiftence, fuperiority. 

The due contemplation of the human nature 
doth, by a neceffaiy connexion and chain of 
caufcs, carry us up to the unavoidable acknow- 
ledgment of the Doit)- ; becaule it carries ewiy 
thinking man to an original of every fucceffivc in- 
dividual. Halt's Origin tf Mar.kinJ* 

2. Conceffion of the truth of any pofi- 
tion. 

Immediately upon the ackncivledgment of the 
cbriftian faith, the eunuch was baptized by Philip. 

Hvckcr. 

3. Confeflion of a fault. 

4. Confeffion of a benefit received ; gra- 
titude. 

5. Aft of atteftation to any conceffion ; 
fuch as homage. 

There be many wide countries in Ireland, in 
wh'ch the laws of England were never ellabliincd, 
nor any acknowledgment of fubjedtion made. 

Kpcnjcr's StJtecf Ireland, 

6. Something given or done in confefliou 
of a benefit received. 

The fecond is an acknowledgment to his m.i- 
je(ry for the leave of filhing upon his coafts ; and 
though this may not be grounded upon any treaty, 
yet, if it appear to be an ancient right on our fide, 
and cuftom on theirs, not determined or cx- 
tinguiflied by any treaty between us, it may with 
juftice be inlifted on. Temple's Mifccilaniis, 

A'CME. n.f. [*,, Gr.] The height of 
any thing ; more efpecially ufed to 
denote the height of a diftcmper, which 
is divided into four periods, i. The 
arche, the beginning or firft attack. 
2. Analajis, the growth. 3. Acme, the 
height. And, 4. P,n;.u-ie, which is the 
declenfion of the dillemper. i^uincj. 

ACO'LOTHIST. n.f. [ax.oXsSi'w, Gr.] One 
of the lowelt order in the Romim church, 
whofe office is to prepare the elements 
for the offices, to light the church, &c. 

It is duty, according to t!^: p-;^i i-iw, 
the BinSnp lir.gs mais, to ord(r ail the i- 
clergy to appear in their pioper hab'ts ; an 
t'm Jl the officei of the cha. 
formed ; to ordain the :, 
veiTels. 

A'COLYTE. n.f. The fame with ACOLO- 

TH1ST. 

A'CONITE. n.f. [aconitum, Lat.] Properly 
the herb wolfs-bane, but commonly ufed 
in poetical language for poilon in ge- 
neral. 

Our hind is from the rage of tygers freed, 
Nor nourishes the lion's angry i 
Nor ; -oh.'nou- J<:cii:te is here produced, 
Or giov>s unknown, or is, uhcii known, refused* 

Drydt** 

Defpair, that aconite docs prove, 
And certain death to 01 
Tli:it poifon never yet withrtotd, 
Docs nourim mine, and turns to blood. 

Grani-]l'f. 

A'CORN. n.f. [JEctpn, Sax. from ac, an 
oak, and copn, corn or grain ; that is, 
the grain or fruit of the oak.] The feed 
or fruit born by the oak. 

Errourii, fuch as are but acorr.s in our younger 

brows, grow oalti iu our older heads, and become. 

inflexible. . Brnnn. 

4 Content 






A C 



Content with food which nature freely bred| 
On wildings and on ftrawberries they fed ; 
Cornels and bramble-berries gave the reft, 
And falling acwra furnifli a out a fealt. 

Dryden's Ovid. 

He that is nourifhed by the acorns he picked up 
under an oak, or the apples he gathered from the 
trees in the wood, has certainly appropriated them 
to himfelf. Licit. 

A'co R NED. adj. [from acorn.} Stored with 
acorns. 

Like a full scorn' J boar. Staleffeare. 

ACO'USTICKS. n.f. [Axfcrix*,of axaa, Gr. 

to hear.] 

r. The doflrine or thcorv of founds. 
2. Medicines to help the hearing. >uincy. 
To ACQUATNT. i>. a. [accointer, Fr.] 

1. To make familiar with; applied either 
to perfons or things. It has 'with before 
the objeft. 

We that acju.:im ourfelves -witi ev'ry zone, 

And pafs thj tropicks, and behold each pole j 
When we come home, are to ourfelves unknown, 

And unacquainted ftill with our own foul. 

Davits. 

There -with thec, new welcome faint, 
Like fortunes may her foul acquaint. Milton. 

Before a man can fpeak n any fubjet, it is 
neceflary to be acquainted -with it. 

Lo.ke tm Education. 

Acquaint yourfelves tuitb things ancient and 
modern, natural, civil, and religious, domcftic and 
national; things of your own and foreign countries; 
and, above all, be well acquainted with God and 
yourfelves ; learn animal nature, and the workings 
of your own fpirits. Watts': Lofick. 

2. To inform. With is more in ufe before 
the objeft than tf. 

But for fome other reafons, my grave Sir, 
Which is not fit you know, I not acquaint 
My father c/this bufmefs. 

Sbakefptar,', Twelfth Nigtt. 

A friend in the country acquaints me, that two 

or three men of the town are got among them, and 

have brought words and phratcs, which were never 

before in thofe parts. Taller. 

ACQUAINTANCE, n.f. [accointance, Fr.] 

1. The flate of being acquainted with; 
familiarity, knowledge. It is applied 
as well to perfons as things, with the 
particle -with. 

Nor was his acquaintance lefs with the fimr .u ; 
poets of hi age, than wilt the noblemen and ladies. 

Dr-jden. 

Our admiration of a famous man IcITens upon 
our nearer acquaintance with him ; and wr feldorr. 
hear of a celebrated perfon, without a catalogue ol 
fome notorious wealcneflTen and infirmities. 

Addifon. 

Would we be admitted into an atquaintancetvitb 

Cod, let us ftudy to refemble him. We mult be 

partakers of a divine nature, in order to partake or 

?h privilege ard alliance. Attert/ury. 

2. Familiar knowledge, fimply without a 
prepofuion. __ 

Brave foldier, pardon me, 
That any accent breaking from rxui-tongue, 
Should '(cape the true acquaintance of mine ear, 

Sbabfjpejre 

Thlik-rps the nnderftanding long in converlc with 
act cbjeil, and long converfe brings acquaintance 

SoUt 

In what manner he lived with thofe who were 
of his neighbourhood and acquaintance, how obli- 
ging his carriage wa to them, what kind offices he 
did, and was always ready to do them, I forbear 
part'.cu'arly to fay. Attertury. 

3. A flight or initial knowledge, fhort o: 
friendfhip, as applied to perfons. 

1 hope 1 am pretty near feeing you, anj there- 
fore I would cultivate an acquaintance ; becaufe i 
you do not know me when we meet, you need only 



A C Q^ 

keep one of my letters, and compare it with my 
face ; for my face and letters are counterparts of 
my heart. Swift to Pope. 

A long noviciate of acquaintance mould precede 
the vows of friendfhip. Bolinghroke. 

4. The perfon with whom we are ac- 
quainted ; him of whom we have fome 
knowledge, without the intimacy of 
friendmip. 

In this fenfe, the plural is, in fome 
authors, acquaintance, in Others acquain- 
tances. 

But (he, all vow'd unto the red-crofs knight, 
His wand'ring peril clofely did lament, 

Ne in this new acquaintance could delight, 
But her dear heart with anguifli did torment. 

Fairy S^ueen. 

That young men travel under fome tutor, I 
allow well, fo that he be fuch a one that may be 
able to tell them what acquaintances they are to 
feek, what exercifes or discipline the place yieldeth. 

Bacon. 

This, my lord, has juftly acquired you as many 
friends, as there are perfons who have the honour 
to be known to you ; mere acquaintance you have 
none, you have drawn them all into a nearer line ; 
and they who have converfed with you, are forever 
after inviolably yours. Dryden. 

We fee he isa(hamed of his nearefl acquaintances. 
Boyle againjt Bentley. 

ACOJJA'INTED. adj. [from acquaint.] Fa- 
miliar, well known ; not new. 

Now call we our high court of parliament ; 
That war or peace, or both at once may be 
As things acquainted and familiar to us. Slakeff. 
ACQJJ E'ST. n.f. \acquejt, Fr. fromacqucrir, 
written by fome acquift, with a view to 
the vtor& acquire, or acquijita.'] Attach- 
ment, acquilition ; the thing gained. 
New acquijls are more burden than Itrength. 

Bacon. 

Mud, repofed near the oftea of rivers, makes 
continual additions to the land, thereby excluding 
the fea, and preferving thefe (hells as trophies and 
figns of its new acqucf.s and encroachments. 

To ACQUIESCE. ^. n. [acquiefcer, Fr. 
acquiejcere, Lat.] To reit in, or remain 
fatisfied with, without oppofition or dif- 
content. It has in before the objeh 

Others will, upon account of the receivednefs 
of the propofed opinion, think it rather worthy to 
b? examined than acquiefced in. Boyle. 

Ne.ther a bare approbation of, nor a mere wifli- 
ing, nor unaclive complacency in ; nor, laftly, a 
natural inclination to things virtuous and good, 
can pafs before God for a min's willing of fuch 
things ; and, confequently, if men, upon this ac 
count, will needs take up and acquitjct in an air 
ungrounded perfuafion, ti,at they will thofe things 
which really they nut will, tlicy fall thereby into a 
grofs and fatal delufion. South. 

He hath employed his trar.fcendent wifilom and 
power, that by thefe he might make way for his 
rxr.ignity, as the end wherein they ultimately ac- 
quiefce. Greiu. 

ACQJJIE'SCENCE. n.f. [from acquiejce.~\ 

1. A filent appearance of content, diilin- 
guifhedon one fide from avowed confent, 
on the other from oppufition. 

Neither from any of the nobility, nor of the 
clergy, who were thought moftaverfelrom it, there 
appeared any fign of co .tradiclion to that; but an 
entire acquiejunce in all the bjfiiops thought fit to 
do. Clarendon. 

2. Satisfaction, reft, content. 

Many indeed have ^ivea over their purfuits after 
fme,either from d'hppnintmentyn from experience 
of the little plealurc which attends it, or the better 
informations or natural c"ldnefs of old age j but 
feldom from a full fatisfactioii and atquujance in 
their prefent enjoyments of it. 



A C 



3. Submiffion, confidence. 

The greateft part of the world take up their per- 
fuafions concerning good and evil, by an implicit 
faith, and a full acqu'iefcence in the word of thofe, 
who fliall rcprefent things to them under thefe cha- 
racters. - South. 

ACO^UI'RABLE. adj. [from acquire. "\ That 
which may be acquired or obtained ; 
attainable. 

Thofe rational inrtir.fis, the connate principles 
engraven in the human foul, though they are truths 
acquirable and deducible by rational cor.fequence 
and argumentation, yet feem to be inferibed in the 
very crafis and texiute of the foul, antecedent to 
any acqui(ition by induftry or the exercife of ths 
difcurfive faculty in man. 

Hole's Origin of Mankind. 

If the powers of cogitation and volition, and 
fenfation, are neither inherent in matter as fach, 
nor acqu'irable to matter by any motion or modifi- 
cation of it ; it necefl'arily follows, that they pro- 
ceed from fome cogitative fubltance, fome incor- 
poreal inhabitant within us, which we call fpirit 
and foul. Bcntley. 

To ACQUTRE. v. a. [acqtierir, Fr. ac- 
qtiiro, Lat.] 

1. To gain by one's own labour or power ; 
to obtain what is not received from na- 
ture, or tranfmitted by inheritance. 

Better to leave undone, than by our deed 
Acquire too high a fame, while he, we ferve, *a 
away. Stakeff. Antony and Cleopatra. 

2. To come to ; to attain. 

Motion cannot be perceived without the pcrcep, 

tion of its terms, viz. the parts of fpace which it 

immediately left, and thofe which it next acquires. 

Glanvillc^s Scepjis. 

AcQjJi'RED./ar//V//>. adj. [ from ac quire. ] 
Gained by one's felf, in oppofitioa to 
thofe things which are bellowed by na- 
ture. 

We are feldom at eafe, and free enough from 
the felicitation of our natural or adopted defires ; 
but a corjftarit fucccllion of uneafimffcs, out of 
that ftock, which natural wants, or acquired habits, 
have heaped up, take the will in their turns. 

Locks. 
ACQJJI'RER. n.f. [from acquire.} The 

perfon that acquires ; a gainer. 
A c Qjr I'REMENT. n.f. [ from acquire. ] That 
which is acquired ; gain ; attainment. 
The word may be properly ufed in op- 
pofuion to the gifts of nature. 

Thefe his acquirements, liy induftry, were ex- 
ceedingly both enriched and enlarged by many 
excellent endowments of nature. 

H.iyward an Edward VI. 

By a content and acquiescence in every fpecies 
of truth, we embrace the flindow thereof ; or fo 
much as may palliate itsjuft and fubllantial ac- 
quirements. Brotvn's Vulgar Errours. 

It is very difficult to lay down rules for the ac- 
quirement of a taire. The faculty muft, in fome 
deg.ee, be born witii us. Addijon* 

Aco^JJ ISI'TION. n.f. \acquijitio, Lat.] 

1. The aft of acquiring or gaining. 

Each man has but a limited right to the good 
things of the world ; and the natural allowed way, 
Ly "which he is to compafs the po/TerTion of thefe 
things, is by his own induftrious acquifition of 
them. Hotiit, 

2. The thing gained ; acquirement. 

Great Sir, all acquijiticn 
Of glory as of empire, here 1 lay before 
Vour royal feet. DenkanCs Sophy. 

A (late can never arrive to its period in a more 
deplorable cnfis, than when fome prince lies hover- 
ing lilce a vulture to difmeraber its dying carcafe ;. 
by which means it becomes only an acqui/ition to 
fome mighty monarchy, without hopes of a rcfur- 

Stoift. 



A C 



AcqtrriTiVE. adj. [acquiftttvat, Lat.] 
That which is acquired or gained. 

He died not in his acquifi'rve but in his native 
foil; nature hcifelf, as it were, claiming .1 final 
inteicft in h s ^-iy, when fortune had done with 



hi 



Wotton. 



ACO^UI'ST. n.f. [See ACQJJEST.] Ac- 
quirement ; attainment ; gain. Not in 
life. 

His fenrant he with new acqui/l 
Of true experience from this great event, 
With peace and confolation hath difmift. Mi/tor:. 

To ACQUl'T. v. a. [acquitttr, Fr. See 

QUIT.] 
I . To fet free. 

Ne do I with ('fur wi/hing were but vain) 
To be acquit from my continual (mart ; 

But joy her thrall for ever to remain, 
And yield for pledge my poor captived heart. 

Spenftr, 

a. To clear from a charge of guilt ; to ab- 
folve ; oppofed to condemn, either fimply 
with an accusative ; as, the jury acquitted 
him, or with the particles from or of, 
which is more common, before the crime. 

If I fin, then thou marked me, and thou' wilt 
not acquit me from mine iniquity. yob, x. 14. 

By the fuffrage of the moft and beft he is already 
a.-qui'ttd, and, by die fentence of fome, condemned. 

Dry den, 

He that judges, without informing himfelf to 
the utmoft that he is capable, cannot acquit him- 
felf o/'judging amifs. Locke. 

Neither do I reded! upon the memory of his 
majefry, whom I entirely acquit of any imputation. 

Swift. 

3. To clear from any obligation. 

Steady to my principles, and not difpirited with 
my afflictions, J have, by the blcfling of God on 
my endeavours, overcome all difficulties ; and, in 
fome mealure, acquitted mffelf of the debt which 
1 owed the publick, when I undertook this work. 

Dryden. 

4. In a limilar fenfe, it is faid, The man 
bath acquitted himfelf tvell ; that is, he 
hath discharged his duty. 

ACQJJI'TMENT. n.f. [from acquit.~\ The 
ftate of being acquitted ; or act of ac- 
quitting. 

The word imports properly an acquitment or dif- 
chargeofaman upon fome precedent accufation, 
and a full trial and cognizance of hit cuufe hud 
thereupon. South, 

^CO^UI'TTAL. n.f. In law, is a deliver- 

ance and fetting free from the fufpicion 

or guiltinefs of an offence.' Coivel. 

The conitant defign of both thefe orators, was 

to drive fome one particular point, either the con- 

demnation or acquittal of aa accufed perfon. 

Swift. 

To ACC^UI'TTANCE. v. a. To procure an 
acquittance ; to acquit ; a word not in 
prefent ufe. 

But if black fcandal and foul-fac'd reproach, 
Attend the fequel of your impofition, 
Vour mere enforcement mall acquittance me 
From all the impure blots and ftains thereof 

Sbakffpcarc. 

ACQUI'TTANCE. n.f. [from acquit.] 
I. The aft of difcharging from a debt. 

But foon (hall find 

Forbearance, no acquittance, ere day end 
Juflice (hall not return, as beauty, fcorn'd. 

Milton. 

1. A writing teflifying the receipt of a 
debt. 

You can produce acquittances 
For fuch a fum, from fpecial officers 
Of Charles hit father. 

Sbakcffcarc i Levfi Labour Loft. 



A C R 

They quickly pay their debt, and then 

Take no acqi ittanfei, but pay again. Donne. 

The fame man bought and fold to himfelf, paid 

the money, and gave the acquittance, sirluthnct. 

A'CRE. n.f. [jEcpe, Sax.] A quantity of 

land containing in length forty perches, 

and four in breadth, or four thoufand 

eight hundred and forty fquare yards. 



Search every acre in the high-grown field, 
And bring him to our eye. Sbakefp, King Lear. 
A'CRID. adj. \acer, Lat.] Of a hot biting 
tafte ; bitter ; fo as to leave a painful 
heat upon the organs of tafte. 

Bitter and acrid differ only by the (harp particles 
of the firft being involved in a greater quantity of 
oil than thofe of the I aft. Arbutbntt on Aliments. 

ACRIMO'NIOUS. adj. Abounding with 
acrimony ; fharp ; corrofive. 

If gall cannot be icndered acrimonious, and bitter 
of itfelf, then whatever acrimony or amaritude 
redounds in it, mull be from the admixture or 
melancholy. Harvey on Conjun-.ptiws. 

A'CRIMONY. n.f. \_acrimcuia, Lat/] 

1. Sharpnefs, corrofivenefs. 

Thtrj be plants that have a milk in them when 
they are cut; as, figs, old lettuce, fow-thiftles, 
fpurge. The caufe may be an inception of putre- 
faction : for thofe milkshaveall anacrimony, though 
one (hould think they (hould be lenitive. 

Bacon's Natural Hijlory. 

The chymiOs define fait, from fome of its pro- 
perties, to be a body fufible in the fire, congealable 
again by cold into brittle glebes or cryftah, foluble 
in water, fo as to difappear, not malleable, and ha- 
ving fomething in it which affects the organs of 
tafte with a fenfation of acrimony or fliarpnefs. 

Arbutbnot, 

2. Sharpnefs of temper, feverity, bitter- 
nefs of thought or language. 

John the Bapcilt, let himlelt, with much acri- 
mony and indignation, to barBe this fenfelefs arro- 
gant conceit of theirs, which made them hufr at 
the doitrine of repentance, as a thing below them, 
and not at all belonging to them. South. 

A'c R I T u D E . n.f. [from acrid. ] An acrid 
tafte ; a biting heat on the palate. 

In green vitriol, with its aftringent and fweetiih 
taftcs, is joined fome acritudc* 

Grcvfs Mufteum. 

ACROAMA'TICAL.^'. [aK^oao^at, Gr. I 
hear.] Of or pertaining to deep learn- 
ing ; the oppoiite of exoterical. 

ACROA'TICKS. n.f. [AxgoalixA, Gr.] Ari- 
ftotle's lectures on the more nice and 
principal parts of philofophy, to which 
none but friends and fcholars were ad- 
mitted by him. 

ACRO'NYCAL. adj. [from ax^- , fummus , 
and u, nax ; importing the beginning 
of night.] A term of aftronomy, applied 
to the ftars, of which the rifmgor fetting 
is called acronycal, when they either ap- 
pear above or fink below the horizon at 
the time of funfet. It is oppofed to 
cofmical. 

ACRO'NYCALLY. adv. [from acronycal.~\ 
At the acronycal time. 

He is tempertuous in the fummer, when he 
riles heliacally, and rainy in the winter, when he 
rifes acronycally. Dryden. 

A'CROSPIRE. n.f. [fromaxj^ ando-TTf^a, 
Gr.] A fhoot or fprout from the end of 
feeds before they are put in the ground. 

Many corns will fmilt, or have their pulp turned 
into a Jubilance like thick cream ; and will fend 
forth their fublUucc in an acroj'fire* Mortimer. 



ACT 

A'cRospiRED./a. adj. Having fprouts, 
or having {hot out. 

For want of turning, when the malt is fpread 
on the r!'>or, it comes and fprouts at both ends, 
which is called acrojpircd, and Is fit only forfwine. 

Mortimer* 

ACRO'SS. adv. [from a for at, or the 
French a, as it is ufed in a tracers, and 
trofs.] Athwart, laid over fomething 
fo as to crofs it. 

The harp hath the concave not abng the ftrings, 
but acrofs the ftrings ; and no harp hath the found 
fo melting and prolonged as the Irilh harp. 

Bacon. 

This view'd, hot notenjoy'J, with timaxnCfi 
He ftood, reflecting on his country's lofs. Dryden. 
Tliere is a fet of artizans, who, by the help of 
feveral poles, which they by acrojs each others 
(fcoulders, build themfelvcj up into a kind of pyra- 
mid ; fo that you fee a pile of men in the air cf four 
or five rows riling one jbove another. Addifcn. 
ACRO'STICK. n.f. [from axj- and ri^,-, 
Gr.] A poem in which the firft letter 
of every line being taken, makes up 
the name of the perfon or thing on 
which the poem is made. 
ACRO'STICK. adj. 

1 . That which relates to an acroftick. 

2. That which contains acrofticks. 

Leave writing plays, and chnofe for thy command 
Some peaceful province in ccraftick la.id : 
There thou may'ft wings difplay, and altars raife, 
And torture one poor'word ten thoufand ways. 

Drydtn. 

SCROTERS, or ACROTE'RIA. n.f. 
[from attest, Gr. the extremity of any 
body.] Little pedeftals without bafes, 
placed at the middle and th? two ex- 
tremes of pediments, fomedmes ferving 
to fupport Itatues. 

To ACT. i). n. [ago, nfliim, Lat.] 

1. To be in action, not to reft. 

He hangs between in uuubtti all or reft. Pip:. 

2. To perform the proper functions. 

Albe't the will is not cj 

to any of its actings, yet it ; being 

made to acl with ni 

to the different iuiprt-ffions it receives from motives 
or objedu. Scutb. 

3. -To practife arts or duties ; to conduct 
one's felf. 

'Tis plain that ihe, who for a kingdom now' 
Would facrifice her love, and break her \ 
Not out of love, but int.-reft, acls :il >nc, 
And would, ev'n in my arms, lie thinking of a 
throne. Drydtn't C^nqufjt of Granada. 

The dcfire of happinefs, and the conftraint it 
puts upon us to aft for it, no body accounts an 
abridgment of liberty. Ltfke. 

The fplendor of his office, is the token i,f that 
facied character which he inwardly bears : and 
one of thefe ought conitantly to put him in mind 
of the other, and excite him to afl up to it, through 
the whole courfe of his administration. 

Atterbury''* Sermons. 

It is our part and duty to co-opc/ate with this 

grace, vigoroufiy to exert thofe poweis, and aft up 

to thofe advantages to which it reitoies us. He 

has given eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. 

R^ga-s's Sfrmcns. 

4. To produce effects in fome paffi ve fubjedt. 

Hence 'tis we wait the wond'rous caufc to find 
How body afis upon impafiive mind. 

Ganb's Diffenfary. 

The ftomach, the interlines, the mufdes of, the 

lower belly, all ai upon the aliment; beiides, the 

chyle is not fucked, but fqueezed into the mouths 

of the lacteals, by the aftion of the fibres of the 

' guts. Arbutbmt en Aliments, 

To ACT. v. ,, 

i. To 



ACT 

t. To bear a borrowed character; as, a 

flage-player. 
Honour and /name from no condition rife ; 

W well your part, there all the honour lies. Pope. 
*. To counterfeit ; to feign by action. 

His former trembling once again rcncw'd, 
With aR*l fear the villain thus purlVd. Dry A,. 

f. To actuate ; to put in motion ; to re- 
gulate the movements. 

Mod people in the world are affej by levity and 

mour, by drangc and irrational changes. Statb. 

1 erne's they are as proud as Lucifer, as cove- 
tous as Dcmas, as falfe as Judas, and, in the 
courfe of their convention, art, and a,e 
filed, not by devotion, but dellgn. South 

We fuppofe t.vo diftind, incommunicable con- 

cioufnelJes aflhg the fame body, the one ccn- 

ftantly by day the other by night ; and, on the 

other fide, the fame confcioumefs aalnt by inter- 

vals two diftindt bodies. 



ACT 



ACT. n.f. [affam, Lat.] 
I. Something done; a deed ; an exploit, 
whether good or ill. 

A lower place, not we!!, 
May make too great an ad : 
Better to leave undone than by our deed 
Acquire too high a fame. 

_-. Sbaktfp. Ant. ar.d Cleopatra. 

he confcious wretch mud all hisatf, reveal : 
Loth to confefs, unable to conceal ; 
From the firft moment of his vital breath ' 
To his lad hour of unrependng death. Drydcn. 
Z. Agency ; the power of producing an 
effect. 

I will try the forces 
f thefe thy compounds on fuch creatures as 

We count not worth the hanging ; but none human ; 

i try the vigour of them, and apply 
Alhyments to their all ; and by them gather 
Their feveral virtues and effects. 

. . Skakeffeare't Cymtelhe. 

3. AUion ; the performance of exploits ; 
production of effects. 

'Tis fo m uc h i n your nature , do . ^ 

your life ,s uut one continued afl of placing benefits 

my, as the fun is always carrying his light to 

lome part or other of the world. Drydaf, fat!*,. 

Who forth from nothing ca'l'd this comely frame, 

is will and afl, his word and work the fame. 

4. The doing of fome particular thing ;'a 
ftep taken ; a purpofe executed. 

-:fl perfuades me, 
1 hat tb s remotion of the duke and h-r 

'* ' SbakcJtejrS, Kirg Lear. 

$. A Hate of reality ; effect. 

_ The fctds of herb; and plants at the firft are not 
m , -7, but in poffibiiity, that which they after- 
wards grow to be. linker. 
_ Uod alone excepted, who actually and everlaft 
ugly is wharfoever he may be, and which canno 
aeafter be that which now he is not; all othc 
things facfidcs are fomewharm poffibili'tv, which a 
t they are not in act. Haoktr 

Sure they're confcious 
>f fome intended mifchief, and a^e fled 
Ta put it into afl. Detbam's Soph,. 

6. Incipient agency; tendency to an effort 

Her legs were bufkin'd, and the left before 
In afl to (hoot ; a filvcr bow (he bore. DryJtn. 

7- A part of a play, during which the ac- 
tion proceeds without interruption. 

Many never doubt but the whole condi^on re 
,u,red by Chrift, the repentance he came to preach, 
will, in that lad fcene of their lad all, imme- 
diately before the exit, be as opportunely and ac- 
ceptably performed, as a- . , )int of thcir 

lit frmatid^t f rt 

Five afls are jud the mealure of a play. 

8. A decree of a court 
of a legiflature. 
VOL. I. 



TTiey make ediflf for ufury to fupp-irt afurer 
repeal daily any wliokfome afl edabliihed again 
Be neb, and provide more piercing Salutes dai 
to chain up and rcftiaiu the pcor. 

SMeffiart's Cwuhgu 

You that are king, though he do wear the crown 
Have causd hi.-n, by new afl of parliament, 
io blot out me. Sbakcfteare's Ilerrv V 

9. Record of judicial proceedings. 

_ Judicial afl, are all thole matters whUi relate t 
judicial proceedings ; and being reduced intu wri 
ting by a public notary, are recorded by theautho 
my of the judge. ^, ,- - 

A CTION. n.f. [ecUta, Fr. affio, Lat.] 

1. The quality or flate of acting, oppofite 

Onol!cEngli/h! that could entertain 
With half their forces the full power of France-" 
And let another half ftand bushing bv, 
All out of work, and cold for ~a3\:r.. ' 

Sbakeffterft Htnry V 

2. An aft or thing done ; a deed. 

This afrkn, I now ?:o on, 

Ts for my better grace. Hi- jk-ff tare's ffmo-'l Tjfe 

Cod never accepts a good inclination indead o; 

a good afikn, where that aShn may be done ; nay 

fo much the contrary, that, if a good inclination 

be oot ieconded by a good allln, the want of that 

fuf is made fo much the more criminal and in- 

, S&utb. 

3. Agency, operation. 

It is better, therefore, that the earth fliould 
move about its own center, and make thofe ufeful 
viciffitudes of night and day, than expofe always 
the fame fide to the afikn of the fun. Btntlr, 

He has fettied laws, and laid down rules, con- 
ormable to which natural bodies are governed in 
their acii'.r.i upon one another. Cbcynt. 

4. The feries of events reprefented in a 
fable. 

This afthn fcnuld have three qualifications. 
rft, it ,: 10 uld be but one eSn*; fecondly, it 
ftouid be an entire aflan; and, thirdly, it mould 
be 3 great afikn. Add'ihn 

J. Gefliculation ; die accordance of "the 
motions of the body with the words 
fpoken; a part of oratory. 

, He c ' lat fpcaks doth gripe the hearer's wrid 
While he that hears nukes fearful aSl'.n 
With wrinkled brows. St a k,fp. Klr.r J^kn 

Our orators are obfrved to make ufc of lefs 
gefturc or aflkn than thofc of other countrirs 



ACT 

rh;.-e was never mm could have a jtWler a3f:r 
tgaafl filthy fortune than I, Cnce, j|| othfr thiots 
being granted me, her blindnefs is the only lett. 

SiJnej. 

For our reward then, 

irrt^all our debts are paid ; dangers of law, 
AS:tai, decrees, judgmeiiti, agaitf us quitti-d. 
T B. J'.nf:; . 

7. In the plural, in France, the fame as 

Jlocks in England. 

A'CTJOKABLK. adj. [f rom aatcu.] -That 
winch admits aa adion in law to be 
brought againft it ; punifhable. 

His process was formed ; whereby he was founi 
:uilty of nought elfc, that I could learn, which 
was attainable, but of ambition. 

Hcwel's Vccal Fcrcff. 

Po man s face is fSiouUe: thefe fingularities 
^aremterpretablelrom more innocent caufes. Co.'Her 
A'c TION A R Y, or A'CTION IST. tt.f. [from 
a3,o,t.] One that lias a fhare in affiant 
or flocks. 

VCTION-TAKINC. eu/j. AccnftomedtO 

relent by means of law ; litigious. 

A knave, a rafcal, a filthy worfted-ftocking 
knave ; a iily-hver'd eBin.taklng knave. Sbaktff. 

C A T rl- TA ' TION - "-S- t from a #'t> Lat.T 
Action quick and frequent. Dia 

To A'CTIVATE. V. a. [from affiw.] To 
make aftive. This word is perhaps 
uied only by the author alleged. 

As fnowand ice, efpecially being holpen, and 
the,r_cold allrvatcd by nitre or fait, will turn water 
into ice, and that in a few hour,; fo it may be, 
it W!ll turn wood or iliffclay into (tone, in longej 
time. 

Bacon. 



6. [In law.] It is ufed with the prepofi- 
tion again/I before tlie perfon, and/r 
before the thing. 

A:-h^ are pcrfonal, real, and mixt : aflka rcr- 

fonal belongs to a man again/I another, by reafon 

of any contract, offence, or caufe, of like force 

with a contract or offence made or done by him or 

fome other, for whofe fadt he is to anfwer. Aflh, 

a is given to any man agatrjl another, that pof- 

ic thing required or fued for in his own 

lame, and no other man's. AElarn mixt, is that 

which lies as well ag aifl orf ar the thing which we 

:ek, as agahjl the perfon that hath it : called 

mixt, becaufe it hath a mixt refpcdt both to the 

thing and to the perf ,n. 

jn 3 '"'. '.' . div i ded lnto c ' vi1 ' P<1 and mixt. 
Afiun civil is that which tends onlv to the reco- 
very of that which is due to us ; as 'a fum of mo- 
ney formerly lent. Afihn penal is that which 
aims at fome penalty or puniihment in the party 
fued, be it corporal or pecuniary: as, in eomaon 
law, the next friends of a man felonioufiy ' 

ill purfuc the law agai*Ji the murderer, wan 
mut is that which fecks both the thing whereof 
we are deprived, and a penalty alfo for the unjud 
dct.iinmgof the fame. 

JlBKn upon the cafi, is an action given for rcdrcfc 
of wrongs done without force arair.Jl any man, by 
law not fpccially provided for. 

Kin* u^n the Jlatute, is as a ffi, n brought 
"g.>i"Jt a man upon breach of a ftatute. Crwell. 



A'CTIVE. adj. [affivta, Lat.] 
I. That which has the power or quality of 
acting. 

Thefe particles have not only a vis mertie. ac. 
:ompimed with fuch pa/live laws of motion, as 
naturally refult from that force, but alfo they are 
moved by certain afliw principles, fuch as is that 
of gravity, and that which caufcs fermentation, 
and the cohrfion of bodies. A'tvjt,*', Oftich. 

z. That wh.ch acts, oppofed to pa/R-ve, or 
that which fuffers. 

When an even flame two hearts did touch, 
us ornce was indulgently tr> (it 
^ffrvtl to pafiives, corrcfpondency 
Only his fubject was. D , m - e 

It you think that, by multiplying the addiu." 
ments m the fame proportion that jou multiply ths 
ore, t,,c wo,k will follow, you may be deceived; 
for quantity in the paffive will add more re/iltanc- 
tlian thequantity in thetffiwwill add force. Barn. 
3. Bufy, engaged in action ; oppofed to 
uUt or ftAattuy, or any ftate of which 
Uie duties are performed only by the 
mental powers. 

'Tis vii tupus aQion that mud pralfe bring forth, 
Without which, How advice is liltle worth ; 
i et they who give good counfel, praife defervr, 
in_the afli-ve part they cannot ferve. Dinham. 

4. Practical ; not merely theoretical 

The world hath had in thefe men freft expe- 
rience, how d a ngcrou s fuch aflive errors are. Hn, 
S- Nimble; agile; quick. 

Some bend the ftubborn bow for ridtory 
Andfomewithdartstheir^w.rfinewstiT. Dr a*; 

6. In grammar. 

A verb aflrve is that which fignifies action, ai 
, / *** Clarke" t Lath Grammar. 

ACTIVELT. adv. [from affi-ve.] Jn an 
active manner ; buftly ; nimbly. In an 
aftive fignification ; as, tie word is ufed 
aii<uely. 

A'CTIVENESS. n.f. [from5/w.] The 
quality of being aftive ; q^uicknefs ; 

nunbjenef. 



ACT 

tiimblcnefs. This is a word more rarely 
ufed than aSivity. 

What ftrange agility and afli-ventfi do our com- 
mon tumblers and dancers on the rope attain to, by 
continual exercife! /fi/Jtin:'i Matt. Magick. 

ACTI'VITY. n.f. [from aflive.] The qua- 
lity* of being aftive, applied either to 
things or perfons. 

Salt put to ice, as in the producing of the artifi- 
cial ice, increafeth the aft'rvity of cold. Bacon. 
Our adverfary will not be idle, though we are ; 
he watches every turn of our foul, and incident of 
our life; and, if we remit our atlrvity, will take 
advantage of our indolence. Rogers. 

A'CTOR. n.f. [aSor, Lat.] 

1. He that ads, or performs any thing. 

The virtues of either age may correct the de- 
fects of both : and good for fucceflion, that young 
men may be learners, while men in age are aflon. 

Bacon. 

He who writes an Encomium Neronit, if he docs 
it heartily, is himfelf but a tranfcript of Nero in 
his mind, and would gladly enough fee fuch pranks, 
as he was famous for, acted again, though he dares 
not be the aUw of them himfelf. South. 

2. He that perfonatcs a character ; a ftage- 
player. 

Would you have 

Such an Herculean aflor in the fcene, 
And not this hydra ? They muft fweat no lefs 
To fit their properties, than t* exprefs their parts. 

Ben Jenfon. 

When 3 good aSor doth his part prefent, 
In every ait he our attention draws, 
That at the laft he may find juft applaufe. Denbam. 
Thefe filfe beauties of the ftage are no more laft- 
ing than a rainbow ; when the atliir ceafes to ihine 
upon them, they vanifli in a twinkling. 

Drydtn'i Spanijh Friar. 
A'CTRESS. n.f. \a3rice, Fr.] 

1 . She that performs any thing. 

Virgil has, indeed, admitted Fame as an affrefs 
in the Jntid ; but the part flic acts is very Ihort, 
and none of the moft admired circumftances of 
that divine work. Addifa. 

We fprights have juft fuch natures 
We had, for all the world, when human creatures j 
And therefore I that was an a&'cft here, 
Play all my tricks in hell, a goblin there. Dryden. 

2. A woman that plays on the ft age. 
A'CTUAL. adj. [afluel, Fr.] 

1. That which comprifes aftion. 

Jn this llumbry agitation, befides her walking 
and other aflual performances, what, at any time, 
have you heard her fay ? Sbakefpeare's Macbeth. 

2. Really in aft ; not merely potential. 

Sin, there in pow'r before 
Once aftual j now in body, and to dwell 
Habitual habitant. Milton. 

3. In aft ; not purely in fpeculation. 

For he that but conceives a crime in thought, 
Contracts the danger of an aflual fault : 
Then what muft he expect, that ftill proceeds 
To fimfh fin, and work up thoughts to deeds ? 

Drydfn. 

ACTUA'LITY. n .f. [from a#ua/.] The 
ftate of being aftual. 

The afiuality of thefe fpirifual qualities is thus 
impiifoncd, though their potentiality be not quite 
deftroyed j and thus a crafs, extended, impenetra- 
ble, p?ffive, divifible, unintelligent fubftance is 
gener ted, which we call matter. Cheyne. 

A'CTUALLY. adv. [ftomaual.] In aft; 
in elTeft ; really. 

All mankind acknowledge themfelves able and 
fufficicnt to do many things, which aftaally they 
never do. Smth. 

Read one of the Chronicles, and you will think 
you were reading a hiftory of the kings of Jfrael or 
Judah, where the hiftoiians were afiualljintfireJ, 
and where, by a particular fcheme of providence, 
the kings were difl,ingui(hed by judgments or blef- 



A C U 

finjrs, according as they promoted idolatry, Or the 
worship of the true God. .dJJifcn. 

Though our temporal profpccts (hould be full of 
danger, or though the days of forrow fliould tflually 
overtake us, yet liiil we muft repofe ourfelvcs on 
Cod. Rogers. 

A'CTUALNESS. n.f. [from aflual.] The 

quality of being aftual. 
A'CTUARV. n.f. [afliiarius, Lat.] The 

regifter who compiles the minutes of the 

proceedings of a court ; a term of the 

civil law. 

Suppofe the judge ihould fay, that he would 
have the keeping of the acts of court remain with 
him, and the notary will have the cuftody of them 
with himfelf : certainly, in this cafe, the affuary 
or writer of them ought to be preferred, ^yliffe. 
A'cruATE.a<#. [from the verb Toafluale.'] 
Put into ad ion ; animated ; brought 
into effeft. 

The active informations of the intellect, filling 
the paflive reception of the will, like form doling 
with matter, grew actuate into a third and diilinct 
perfection of practice. South* 

To A'CTUATE. -v. a. [from ago, afium, 
Lat.] To put into adtion ; to invigo- 
rate or increafe the powers of motion. 

The light made by this animal depends upon a 
living fpirit, and feems, by fome vital irradiation, 
to be afiuated into this luftre. 

BrnctCi Vulgar Erroun. 

Such is every man, who has not actuated the 
grace given him, to the fubduing of every reigning 
fin. Decay of fitly. 

Men of the greateft abilities are moft filed with 
ambition j and, on the contrary, mean and nar- 
row minds are the lead afiuated by it. Addifcn. 
Our pa/lions are the fprings which actuate the 
powers of our nature. Rogers. 

ACTUO'SE. adj. [from a<2.] That which 
hath ftrong powers of action : a word 
little ufed. 

To A'CUATB. i>. a. \acuo, Lat.] To mar- 
pen, to invigorate with any powers of 
fharpnefs. 

Immoderate feeding upon powdered beef, pic- 
kled meats, and debauching with ftrong wines, do 
inflame and acuate the blood, whereby it is capaci- 
tated to corrode the lungs. Harvey lit Confumftions. 
ACU'LEATE. adj. [aculeatus, Lat.] That 
which has a point or fling ; prickly ; 
that which terminates in a (harp point. 
ACU'MEN. n.f. [Lat.] A fharp point ; 
figuratively, quicknefs of intellects. 

The word was much affected by the learned 

Ariftarchus in common converfation, to fignify 

genius or natural acumen. ' Pope. 

ACU'MIN ATED. particip. adj. E.iding in 

a point ; (harp-pointed. 

This is not acuminated and pointed, as in the 
reft, but feemeth, as it were, cut off. 

Brown's Vulgar Errcuri. 

I appropriate this word, Noli me tangere, to a 
fmall round atuminated tubercle, which hath not 
much pain, unlefs touched or rubbed, or exafpe- 
rated by topicks. fVifeman. 

ACU'TE. adj. [acutus, Lat.] 

1 . Sharp, ending in a point ; oppofed to 
obtufi or blunt. 

Having the ideas of an obtufc and an acute an- 
gled triangle, both drawn from equal bafes and be- 
tween parallels, I can, by intuitive knowledge, 
perceive the one not to be the other, but cannot 
that way know whether they be equal. Locke. 

2. In a figurative fenfe applied to men ; 
ingenious ; penetrating ; oppofed to 
dull or j} up id. 

The acute and ingenious author, among many 
very fine thoughts, and uncommon reflections, has 
ftarted the notion of feeing all things in Cod. Lode. 



ADA 

3 . Spoken of the fenfes, vigorous ; power, 
ful in operation. 

Were our le.ifes altered, and made much quicker 
and acuter, the appearance and outward fcheme of 
things would h.ive quite another face to us. Locke. 

4. Acute difeafc. Any difeafe, which is 
attended with an increafed velocity of 
blood, and terminates in a few days ; 
oppofed to chronical. Quincy. 

5. Acute accent ; that which raiies or 
fharpens the voice. 

ACU'TELY. adv. [from acute.] After an 
acute manner ; (harply : it is ufed as 
well in the figurative as primitive fenfe. 

He that will lojk into many parts of Afia and 
America, will find men reafon there, perhaps, as 
acutely as hirufelf, who yet never heard of a fyl- 
logifm. Leckt. 

ACU'TENESS. n.f. [from acute, which fee.] 

i. Sharpnefs. 

z. Force of intellects. 

They would not be fo apt to think, that there 
cou'd be nothing added to the acutenefs and pene- 
tration of their underftandings. Locke. 

3. Quicknefs and vigour of fenfes. 

If eyes fo fia.ijed could not view at once the 
hand and the hour-plate, their owner could not 
be benefited by that a.utenefi; which, whilft it 
difcovered the fecret contrivance of the machine, 
made him lofe its ufe. Loctt. 

4. Violence and fpeedy crifis of a malady. 

We apply prefent remedies according to indi* 
cations, refpecting rather the acutenrfs of the dif- 
eafe, and precipitancy of the occafion, than the 
rifing and letting of ftars. Brown, 

5. Sharpnefs of found. 

This acutinefs of found will (hew, that whilft, 

to the eye, the bell feems to be at reft, yet the 

minute parts of it continue in a very bride motion, 

H ithout which they could not ftrike the air. Boyle. 

AD \C"T IB. participial adj. \ada8us, Lat.] 

Driven by force ; a word little ufed. 

The verb adafl is not ufed. DicJ. 

A'DAGE. n.f. [adagium, Lat.] A maxim 

handed down from antiquity ; a proverb. 

Shallow unimproved inc-llccts, are confident 
pretenders to certainty ; as if, contrary to the 
adage, fcience had no friend but ignorance. 

Glcnville's S^epjii Scifr.tijlctt 

Fine fruits of learning ! old ambitious fool, 
Dar'ft thou apply that adage of the fchool, 
As if *tis nothing worth that lies conceal'd, 
And fcience is not fcience till reveal'd ? Dryden. 

ADA'GIO. n.f. [Italian, at leifure.] A 
term ufed by muficians, to mark a flow 
time. 

A'DAMANT. n.f. [aJamas, Lat. from a, 
and osifiiu, Gr. that is inj'uperable, in- 
frangible.] 

1 . A flone, imagined by writers, of im- 
penetrable hardnefs. 

So great a fear my name amongft thrm fpread, 
That they fuppos'd I could rend bars of fteel, 
And fpurn in pieces poftsof adamant. Sbakefpcare* 

Satan, with vart and haughty ftridcs aJvanc'd, 
Came tow'ring, arm'd in adamant and gold. 

Milton* 

Eternal Deities, 

Who rule the world with abfolute decrees, 
And write whatever time fliall bring to pafs, 
With pens of adamant, on plates of brafs. Dryden. 

2. The diamond. 

Hardnefs, wherein fome Hones exceed all other 
bodies, and among them the adamant all other 
(tones, being exalted to that degree thereof, that 
art in vain endeavours to counterfeit it, the fac- 
titious (tones of ciiymifts, in imitation, being 
eafily detected by an ordinary lapidift. 

Ray on the Creation* 

3 . Adamant is taken for the loadftpnc. 

You 



ADA 

You draw me, you hard-hearted adamant ! 
But yet you draw not iron ; for my heart 
Is true as fteel. Sbakfffeare. 

Let him change his lodging from one part rf 
the town to another, which is a great adamant or 
acquaintance. Bacon. 

ADAMANTE'AN. adj. [from adamant.] 
Hard as adamant. 

He weapor.lefs himfelf, 
. Made arms ridiculous, ufelefs the forgery 
Of brazen ihield and fpear, the hammer'd cuirafs, 
Chalybean temper'd fteel, and irock of mail 
Adarrantean proof. Miltcn. 

This word occurs, perhaps, only in 
this paffage. 
AD AMA'NTINE. adj. \adamanlinus, Lat.] 

1. Made of adamant. 

Wide is the fronting gate, and rais'd on high 
With adamantine columns, threats the Iky. 

Dryder.. 

2. Having the qualities of adamant; as, 
hardnefs, indiftblubility. 

Could Eve's weak hand, extended to the tree, 
In fonder rend that adamantine chain, 

Whofe golden links, erKfts and caufes b;, 
And which to God'] own chair doth hx'd remain ? 

Davits . 

An eternal flerility mud have pofleflTed the 
world, where all things had been fixed and fatt- 
ened everlaftingly with the adamantine chains of 
fpecific gravity; if the Almighty had not fpoken 
and laid, Let the earth bring forth grafs, the herb 
yielding feed, and the fruit-tree yielding fruit after 
its kind ; and it was fa. Bentley, 

In adamantine chains lliall death be bound, 
And hell's grim tyrant feel th 1 eternal wound. 

Pope. 

Tho* adamantine bonds the chief reftrain, 
The dire reftraint his wifdom will defeat, 
And faon reftore him to his regal feat. Pcfe. 

A'DAM'S-APPLE. n.f. [in anatomy.] A 

prominent part of the throat. 
To AD ATT. -v. a. \adapto, Lat.] To fit 
one thing to another ; to fuit ; to pro- 
portion. 

'Tis true, but let it not be known, 
My eyes are fomewhat dimmilh grown; 
For nature, always in the right, 
To your decays adapts my fight. Sviift. 

It is p.ct enough that nothing offends the ear, 
tut a good poet will adapt the very founds, at well 
as words, to the things he treats of. 

Pope's Letters. 

ADAPTA'TIO::. n.f. [from adapt.} The 
aft of fitting one thing to another ; the 
fitnefs of one thing to another. 

Some fpeciej there be of middle natures, that 
is, of bird' and bead, as batts ; yet are their parts 
fo fet together, that we cjnnot define the begin- 
ningor end of either, there bring a commixtion of 
both, rather that* adaptation or cement of the one 
unto the other. Ermin's Vulgar Errours. 

Adhefion may be in part afcribed, either to 
fome el..(t:ca! motion in the prefled glafs, or to 
the exqjifire adaptation of the almoft numberlcft, 
though v-ry fmall, afpcrities of ihe one, and the 
mimercus little cavit e! of the other; whereby the 
furfjccs do ,'ock in with one another, or are, as it 
were, clafped t gether. Boyle. 

ADA'PTION. n.f. [from adapt.] The aft 
of fitting. 

It wf re aLne a fuffic'ent work to (hew all the 

::tes, the wife contrivances, and prudent 

adafti'.rt, of thefe admirable machines, for the 

benefit of the whole. Ctcyne. 

ADA'PTNESS. n.f. [for adaptednffs, from 

adapt.] 

are to difplay the actaptnefi of the' 
found ti the fenfe. >,. NcuMn. 

This wore] I have found no where 
elfe. 



ADD 

To ADCO'RPORATE. T. a. [from ad and 
corpus.] To unite one body with an- 
other ; more ufually wrote accorporate ; 
which fee. 

To ADD. -v. a. [addo, Lat.] 

i. To join fomething to that which was 
before. 

Mark if his birth makes any d'frerence, 
If to his words it adds one grain of fenfe. Dryden. 

They, whofe mufes have the higheft flown, 
Add not to his immortal memory, 
But do an act of ftiendmip to their own. D*ydtn. 

z. To perform the mental operation of 
adding one number or conception to 
another. To add to is proper, but to 
add together feems a folecifm. 

Whatloever pcfitive ideas a man has in his mind, 
of any quantity, he can repeat it, and add it to the 
former, as eafily as he can add together the ideas of 
two days, or two years. Locke. 

A'DDABLE. adj. [from add.] That to 
which fomething may be added. AS- 
dible is more proper. It fignifies more 
properly that which may be added. 

The firft number in e\ery addition is called the 
addable number, the other, the number or num- 
bers added, and the number invented by the addi- 
tion, the aggregate or fum. Cocker. 

To ADDE'CIMATE. i>. a. \addecimo, Lat.] 
To take or afoertain tithes. Di(l. 

To ADDE'EM. i/. a. [from deem.] To 
efteem ; to account. This word is now 
out of nfe. . 

She fcorns to be addeem'd fo worthlefs-bafe, 
As to be mov'd to fuch an infamy. 

Danicft Civil Wars. 

A'DDER. n.f. [./Ercep, jErcori, Nabbruj. 
as it feems from eircep, Sax. poifon.] 
A ferpent, a viper, a poifonous reptile ; 
perhaps of any fpecies. In common 
language, adders and/naAer are not the 
faire. 

Or is the adder better than the eel, 
Bccaufe his painted (kin concents the eye ? 

Sbakcfpeare. 

An adder did it ; for, with doubter tongue 
Than thine, thou ferpent, never adder Hung. 

Sbakcfpeare. 

The adder teaches us where to ftrike, by her 
curious and fearful defending of her head. Taylor. 

A'DDER'S-CRASS. n.f. The name of a 
plant, imagined by Skinner to be fo 
named, becaufe ferpents lurk about it. 

A'DDER'S-TONCUE. n. f. \ophioglojjum, 
Lat.] The name of an herb. 

It hath no vifible flower ; but the feeds are 
produced on a fpike t which refembles a ferpent's 
tongue ; which feed is contained in many longi- 
tudinal cells. Miller. 
The moft common limples arc comfrey, bugle, 
agrimony, fanicle, paul's-betony, fluellin, peri- 
winkle, adder' s-tongue. ffifcman's Surgery. 

A'DDER'S-WORT. n.fi. An herb fo named, 
on account of its virtue, real or fup- 
pofed, of curing the bite of ferpents. 

A'DDIBLE. adj. [from add.] Poffible to 
be added. See ADD ABLE. 

The cleared idea it can get of infinity, is the 
confufed, incomprehenfible remainder of cndlefs, 
additle numbers, which affords no profpeQ of 
flop, or boundary. Locke, 

ADDIBI'LITY. n.f. [from addible.] The 
poflibility of being added. 

This endlefs addition, or addibility (if any one 
like the word better) of numbers, fo apparent to 
the mind, is that which gives us the clearcll and 
mod diilincl idea of infinity. Locke. 

A'DDICB. e. /. [for which we corruptly 



ADD 

fpeak and write adz, from abejv, Sax. 
an axe.] 

The addict hath its blade made thin and fom" 
what arching. As the axe hath its edge parallel 
to its handle, Co the addict hath its edge athwart 
the handie, and is ground to a bafil on its infide to 
its outer edge. Moxon's Meibatiical Exercijes. 

To ADDI'CT. 11. a. [addico, Lat,] 

1. To devote, to dedicate, in a good 
fenfe ; which is rarely ufed. 

Ye knew the houle of Stephanus, that they 
have additled themfelves to the miniftry of the 
faints. i Car. xvi. I 5. 

2. It is commonly taken in a bad fenfe ; 

as, be addifted himfelf to --vice. 

3. To devote one's felf to any perfon, 
party, or perfuafion. A Latinifm. 

I am neither author or fautor of any fe& : I 
will have no man addiil himfelf to me ; but if I 
have any thing right, defend it as truth's. 

Ben Jon/on. 

ADDI'CT ED NESS. n. f. [from addifled.] 
The quality or ftate of being addifted. 

Thole know how little I have remitted of my 
former addiltedntfs to make chymical experiments. 

Boyle. 

ADDI'CTION. n.f. [addiaio, Lat.] 
i. The aft of devoting, or giving up. 
z. The ftate of being devoted. 

It is a wonder how his grace fhould glean it, 
Since his addiflion was to courfes vain ; 
His companies unletter'd, rude, and mallow; 
His hours fill'd up with riots, banquets, fports. 

Sbakffpearc. 

A' D D I T A M E N T . .yT [additamentum, Lat.] 
The addition, or thing added. 

Iron will not incorporate with brafs, nor other 
metals, of itfelf, by fimple fire: fo as the enquiry 
muft be upon the calcination, and the additamerrt, 
and the charge of them. Bacon. 

In a palace there is firfl the cafe or fabrick, 
or moles of the ftrufture itfelf; and, befides that, 
there are certain additamcnts that contribute to its 
ornament and ufc ; as, various furniture, rare 
fountains and aquedufts, divers things appendi- 
cated to it. Hales Origin cf Mankind, 

ADDI'TION. n.f. [from add.] 

1. The aft of adding one thing to another ; 
oppofed to diminution. 

The infinite diftance between the Creator and 
the nobleft of all creatures, can never be meafured, 
nor exhaufted byendlefs addition of finite degrees. 

Bentley, 

2. Additament, or the thing added. 

It will not be modeftly done, if aoy of our 
own wifdom intrude or interpofe, or be willing to 
make additions to what Chrift and his apofties 
have defigned. Hammond. 

Some fuch refemblances, methinks, I find 
Of our laft evening's talk, in this thy dream, 
But with addition ftrange ! Mi/fort. 

The abolishing of villanage, together with the 
cuftom permitted among the nobles, of felling 
their lands, was a mighty addition to the power. or" 
the commons. Swift. 

3. In aruhmetick. 

Addition is the reduction of two or more num- 
bers of like kind together into one fum or total. 

Cocker's Arithmetic^* 

4. In law. A title given to a man over 
and above his chriftian name and fur- 
name, fhewing his eftate, degree, oc- 
cupation, trade, age, place of dwelling. 



Only retain 

The name, and all th' addition to a king ; 
The fway, revenue, execution, 
Beloved fons, be yours ; which to confiim, 
This coronet part between you. 

Sialtrff. King Liar, 
Ex ' from 



ADD 

From (his time, 

For what he did before Corioli, call him, 
With til th' applaufe and clamour of the hoft, 
Caius Marcius Coriolanus. Bear th' addiiia no. 
bly ever. Sbaktfpetre's Ccriolar.us 

There arofe new difputes upon the perfon 
named by the king, or rather againft the additki. 
and appellations of title, which were made to theii 
names. Clarendon 

ADDITIONAL. fl<#. [bom addition.] Thai 
which is added. 

Our Icalendar being once reformed and fe 
tight, it may be kept fo, without any confidcr- 
able variation, for many ages, by omitting one 
leap-year j i. e. the additional day, at the end o] 
every 1 34 years. Holder in Time, 

The greatcd wits, that ever were produced in 
one age, lived together in fo good an underftand- 
ing, and celebrated one another with fo much ge- 
nerofity, that each of them receives an additkna 
luftre from his otemporaries. , Addijcn. 

They include in them that very kind of evi- 
dence, which is fuppofed to be powerful : and do, 
withal, aftbrd us fevcral other additional proofs, o: 
great force and clearnefs. Atterlury. 

ADDITIONAL, n.f. Additament ; feme- 
thing added. Not in ufe. 

May be fome little additi.r.al, may further the 
incorporation. Bacon, 

A'DDITORY. adj. [from add.] That 
which has the power or quality of add- 
ing. 

The additcry fiction gives to a great man a 
larger flure of reputation than belongs to him, to 
enable him to fcrve fome good end or purpr.fc. 

Arlutbnot. 

A'DDLE. adj. [from abel, a difeafe, Sax. 
according to Skinner and Junius ; per- 
haps from ybel, idle, barren, unfruit- 
ful.] Originally applied to eggs, and 
fignifying fuch as produce nothing, but 
grow rotten under the hen ; thence 
transferred to brains that produce no- 
thing. 

There's one with truncheon, like a ladle, 
That carries eggs too frefli or addle ; 
And dill at random, as he goes, 
Among the rabble rout beftows. Hudikras. 

After much folitarinefs, fading, or long fick- 
Befs, their brains were addle, and their bellies as 
empty of meat as their heads of wit. 

Burton on Melancholy. 

Thus far the poet ; but his brains grow addle: 
And all the reft is purely from this noddle. 

DryJtn. 

I'o A'DDLE. -v. a. [from addle, attj.] To 
make addle ; to corrupt ; to make bar- 
ren. 

This is alfo evidenced in eggs, whereof the 
found ones fink, and fuch as are addled fwim; as 
do alfo thofe that are termed bypatierr,i<z, or wind- 
eggs. Brown's Vulgar Errours. 

fo A'DDLE. v. ti. To grow ; to increafe. 
Obfolete. 

Where ivy embraceth the tree very fore, 
Kill ivy, elfe tree will addle no more. 

Tujjir's Hufiardry. 

A'DDLE - PATED. adj. Having addled 
brains. See ADDLE. 

I'oor Oaves in metre, dull and addlc-pattd, 
Who rhyme below even David's pfalms tranihtcd. 

To ADDRE'SS, v. a. [addre/er, Fr. from 
derefar, Span, from dirigo, direftum, 
Lat.] 

1. To prepare one's felf to enter upon'any 
aftion ; as, be addre/ed himfelf to the 
work. It has to before the thing. 
With him the Palmer eke, in habit fad, 
Himfelf eddrtft to that adventure hard. 

t'uy Suei 



ADD 

It lifted up its head, and did addrefs 
Itfeif/o motion, like as it would fpcak. 

Sbattff. JJaiKtft 

Then Turniu, from his chariot leaping light, 
jUtlnffd himfelf on foot to fingle fight. Dryrlm. 

2. To get ready ; to put in a ftate for 
immediate ufe. 

They fell directly on the Englilh tattle ; where- 
upon the earl of Warwick addrtjjed his men to 
take the flank. Hay-mar d 

Duke Frederick hearing, how that every day 
Men of great worth refortcd to this forefl, 
jiddrtft'd a mighty power, which were on foot, 
In his own conduit purpofcly to take 
His brother here. Sbakefpeare't jisyou like it, 

To-night in Harfleur we will be your gueft, 
To-morrow for the inarch we are addrifl. 

* Sbakefpefre. 

3. To apply to another by words, with 
various forms of conftruftion. 

4. Sometimes without a prepofition. 

To fuch 1 would addref: with this mod affec- 
tionate petition. Decay of Piety. 

Among the crowd, but far above the reft, 
Young Turmis to the beauteous maid addrrjl. 

Dry den, 

Are not your orders to addrcfs the fcnate ? 



5. Sometimes with to. 

Addnjj':ng to Pollio, his great patron, and him- 
fe!f no vulgar poet, he began to afiert his native 
character, which is fub'.imity. Drydcn. 

6. Sometimes with the reciprocal pro- 
noun ; as, be addrejftd himfelf to the ge- 
neral. 

7. Sometimes with the accufative of the 
matter of the addrefs, which may be 
the nominative to the paflive. 

The young hero had addrcjjcd his ^rjyrj to 
him for his affiftance. Drydcn. 

The prince himfelf, with awful dread poflcfs'd, 
His vinos to great Apollo thus addrtft. Dryder.. 

His fuit was common; but, above the reft, 
To both the brother-prince! thus addrtjt. Drydfn. 

8. To addrcfs [in law] is to apply to the 
king in form. 

'Ihe reprefentatives of the nation in parlia- 
ment, and the privy-council, addrefs d the king to 
have it recalled. Swift. 

ADDRE'SS. n.f. [aJdreffe, Fr.] 

1. Verbal application to any one, by way 
of perfuafion ; petition. 

Henry, in knots involving Emma's name, 
Had halfconfefs'd and half conceal'd his flame 
Upon this tree ; and as the tender mark 
Grew with the year, and widen'd with the bark, 
Venus had heard the virgin's foft addrtfs, 
That, as the wound, the pafiion might increafe. 

Prior. 

Moft of the perfons, to whom tliefe addrtffa 
are made, are not wife and fkilful judges, but are 
influenced by their own finful appetites and paf- 
fions. ffatts's Improvement of lie Mind. 

2. Courtmip. 

They often have reveal'd their pafllon to me : 
But, tell me, whofe addrejs thou favcur'ft moft j 
I long to know, and yet 1 dread to hear it. 

Mitfn. 

A gentleman, whom, I am fure, you yourfelf 
would have approved, made hii addrcffei to me. 



3. Manner of addrefling another; as, we 
fay, a man of an happy or a pleajtng ad- 
drrfs ; a man of an awkward addrefs. 

4. Skill, dexterity. 

I could produce innumerable inftances from my 
own obfervation, of events imputed to the pro- 
found /kill and address of a miniftcr, which, in 
reality, were either mere effects of negligence, 
weaknefs, humour, pafiion, or pride, or at bed 
but die natural cowrie of things left to themselves. 

Swift. 



A D 

5. Manner of directing a letter; a fenfe 
chiefly mercantile. 

AD ORE SSER. n. /. [horn addrefs.] The. 
perfon that addrcfles or petitions. 

A D D u'c E N T . adj. \adducem, Lat.] A word 
applied to thofe muffles that bring for- 
ward, clofe, or draw together the parts 
of the body to which they are annexed. 

S^uincy. 

To ADDU'LCE.I>. a. \adihitcir, Fr. duhis, 
Lat.] To fweeten : a word not now in ufe. 

Thus did the French embafladors, with great 
mew of their king's aft'eftion, and many fugared 
words, feek to addulce all matters between the two 
kings. Baccn'sHinryVll. 

A'DELIKG. n.f. [from asbel, Sax. illuf- 
trious.] A word of honour among the 
Angles, properly appertaining to the 
king's children : king Edward the Con- 
feffor, being without iffue, and intend- 
ing to make Edgar his heir, called him 
adding. C<rcW/. 

ADENO'CRAPHV. n.f. [from Har.tm and 
y.:a.$x, Gr.] A treatife of the glands. 

A D E'M p T I o N . n.f. [at/into, ademptum, Lat. ] 
Taking away ; privation. DiS. 

ADE'PT. n. f. [from adeptus, Lat. that is, 
adeptus orient.] He that is completely 
/killed in all the fecrets of his art. It 
is, in its original fignification, appro- 
priated to the chymuls, but is now ex- 
tended to other artilts. 

The prefervation or chaflity is eafy to true 

adepts, Pcfe* 

ADE'PT. adj. Skilful ; throughly verfed. 

If there be really fuch adept philosophers as we 

are told of, I am apt to think, that, among their 

arcana, they are mailers of extremely potent mcn- 

druums. Boy'.i. 

A'DEQJJATE. adj. [adeqiiatur, Lat.] Equal 

to ; proportionate ; correfpondent to, fo 

as to bear an exaci refemblance or pro- 

portion. It is ufed generally in a figu- 

rative fenfe, and often with the particla 

to. 

Contingent death feems to be the whole ade- 
quate object of popular courage j but a neceflary 
and unavoidable coffin ftrikes palenefs into the 
douted heart. Harvey en Coafmmptttgu 

The arguments were proper, adequate, and fuf- 
ficient to compafs their refpecli\e ends. South. 

All our fimpie ideas are adequate ; becaufe & 
being nothing but the effects of certain powers in 
thing?, fitted and ordained by God to product 
fuch fenlitions in us, they cannot but be corref- 
pondent and adequate to thofe powers. 1 ,-.'. 

Thofe are adequate ideas, which perfectly repr"- 
fent their aichetypes or objects. InaJt^'iatc are 
but a partial, or incomplete, reprefcntation of 
thofe archetypes to which they arc referred. 

ffatts's Lffi'cl. 
A'OEQJJATELY. ad<v. [from adtquati.] 

1. In an adequate manner; with juilnefs 
of reprefentatkm ; with exadlncfs of pro- 
portion. 

Gratitude confids adequately in thefe two things 
firft, that it is a debt; anJ, fecondly, that it is 
fuch a debt as is left to every man's in^e.'uity, 
v ;; ''her he will pay or no. Soutb* 

2. Jt is ufed with the particle to. 

Piety is the necefTary Chriftian virtue. ;iropor- 
,:dtqujtcly to the omrjifcience and fpiritu- 
ality of that infinite Deity. 

ndamtMals. 



A'DEQJJATENESS. n.f. [from adequate.'] 

The Hate of being adequate ; juftncfs of 

reprefentation j exaftnefs of proportion. 

ADI;SPO'TICK. 



A D H 

ADESPO'TICK. adj. Not abfolute ; hot 
defpotick. Diil. 

To ADHE'RE. -v. a. [adbetreo, Lat.] 

I. To itick to ; as, wax to the finger; 
with to before the thing. 

3. To ftick, in a figurative fenfe; to be 
confiftent ; to hold together. 

Why every thing adheres together, that no dram 
of a fcrupie, nolcruple of a fcruple, no incredu- 
lous or unfate circuroftance 

a^aktfftarfi Twelfth Nigtt. 

3. To remain firmly fixed to a party, per- 
fon, or opinion. 

Good gentlemen, he hath much talk'd of you ; 
And fur: I am, two men there are not living, 
To whom he more adheres, Shakefp. Hamlet, 

Every man of lenfe will agree with me, that 

fingularky is laudable, when, in contradiction t> 

a mul; : tuJ~, it adbtres to the dictates of con- 

fcience, morality, and honour. Boyle. 

ADHE'RENCE. n.f. [from adhere.] See 

ADHESION. 
I. The quality of adhering, or flicking; 

tenacity. 

z. In a figurative fenfe, fixednefs of mind ; 
fteadinefs ; fidelity. 

The firm adherence of the Jews to their religion 
is no lefs remarkable than their diiperfiop ; conji- 
dering it as perfecuted or contemned o\er the 
whole earth. Addijon. 

A conftant adherence to one lort of diet ma) 
have bdd cfTe-fts on any conftitution. 

Arbu'.Li. r t en Aliments, 

Plain good fcnf:, and a firm adherence to ihe 
point, have proved nvre effectual than t icfe arcs, 
which are contemptuously called the Ipirit or r.e- 
gociating. S-wif:. 

.ADHE'RENCY. n.f. [The fame with W- 
berence.~\ 

1. Steady attachment. 

2. That which adheres. 

Vices have a nat.ve adbtrincy of vexation. 

Decay of Piety. 
ADHE'RENT. adj. [from adhere.] 

1. Sticking to. 

Clofe to the cliff with both his hands he clung, 
And ftuck adbeter.t, and fufpendeJ hung. Pcfe. 

2. United with. 

Modes are did to be inherent or adherent, that 
is, proper or improper. Adherent or impropei- 
modes arifc from the joining of fomc acciuVntil 
fubftance to the thief fubject, which yet may be 
feparated from it; fo when a bowl is wet, or a 
boy i clothed, thefe are aJbfrrr.i modes; for the 
water and the clcthes are diftinct Jubilances which 
adhere to the bowl, or to t't : boy. Watts i Lcgick. 
ADHE'RENT. n.f. [from adhere.] 

1 . The perfon that adheres ; one that fnp- 
ports the caufe, or follows the fortune 
of another ; a follower, a partifan. 

Princes muff, give protection to their fubjects 
and a'dbertnts, wht.n worthy occaHon fhall require 
it. Raleigh. 

A new war muft be undertaken upon the advice 
of thofe, wh", with their partifans and adltrrrn, 
were to be the fole gainers by it. Siuift. 

2. Any thing outwardly belonging to a 
pcrlon. 

T they cannot (hake the main fort, 
mud try if they can pnflefs thcmfelves of the 
our.vxk.,, raife fome prejudice againft his difcie- 
tion, his humour, his ca riage, and his ettrijific 
adberer.lt. Government of the Tongut . 

ADHE'RER. n.f. [horn adhere.] He that 
adheres. 

H-: i.u.'h: to be indulgent to tender confcicncfs; 

: the f-nrie t'rn", a rl;m ai j b*rer to the efta- 

bliflird church. Swift. 

ADHE'SION. n.f. [adharjio, Lat.] 

1. The aft or ftate of llicking to fome- 



A D J 

thing. Adkejion is generally ufed in the 
natural, aad adherence in the metapho- 
rical fenfe : as, the adhsfeon of iron to the 
magnet ; and adherence of a client to hii 
patron. 

Why therefore may not the minute parts oi 
other bodies, if they be conveniently maped fjr 
adbefiin, ftick to oce another, as well as ftick to 
this Ipirit? Byli. 

The reft confifting wholly in the fenfible con- 
fi^u:ation, as fmooth and rough; or elfe m'ore, 
or lefs, firm adbefun of the parts, as hard and 
fot'c, tough and brittle, are obvious. Lacks. 

Prove that all things, on occafion, 

Love union, and defire adbejion. Prior, 

2. It is fometimes taken, like adherence, 

figuratively, for firmnefs ia an opinion, 

or fteadinefs in a practice. 

The ume want of fincerity, the fame adbejicn 
to vice, and averfion from gcodnefs, will be 
equally a reafon for their rejecting any proof 
whatfoever. Atterbury, 

ADHE'SIVE. adj. [from adkejion,] Stick- 
ing ; tenacious. 

It' Bow, yet fure, ctdbefrvc to the tract, 
Hot-fteaming p. Tbttnfon. 

To ADHi'BIT. -v. a. [adhibeo, Lat.] To 
apply ; to make ufe of. 

, a neccffary ingredient in all facrifkes, was 
adhibited and required in this view only as an em- 
blem of put location. 

Prefidint Fort- 1^1 Letter to a Bi/tap. 
ADHIBI'TION. n.f. [from adhibit.] Ap- 
plication; ufe. Dift. 
ADJA'CENCY. n.f. [from adjaceb, Lat.] 

1. The ftate of lying clofe to another thing. 

2. That which is adjacent. See ADJA- 
CENT. 

Becaufe the Cape hath fea on both fides ne.ir 
it, and other lands, remote as it were, equi- 
diftant from it ; therefore, at that point, the 
r.eedlc is nut diitrucieJ by the vicinity of adja- 
cencies. Bryjvtis Yul^lr Errour:, 

ADJA'CIHT. adj. [adjacent, Lat.] Lying 
near or clofe ; bordering upon fomc- 
thing. 

It may corrupt within itfelf, although no part of 

it ifTue into the b 'dy adjacent. Bj.n. 

Uniform pellucid mediums, fuch as water, have 

no fenfible reflection but in their external fuper- 

ficies, where they are adjacent to other mediums 

of a different deoiity. Newton. 

ADJA'CE,MT. n.f. That which lies next 

another. 

The fenfe of the author goes vifibly in its own 
train, and the words receiving a determined fenfe 
from their companions and adjacenti, will not 
confem tt> give countenance and colour to what 
muft be fupported at any rate. Lvcke. 

ADI A'PHOROUS. adj. [x^xSo^, Gr.] 
Neutrnl ; particularly ufed of fomefpirits 
and falls, which are neither of an acid 
or alkaline nature. >uincy. 

Our adiaphorous fpirit may be obtained, by dif- 
tilling the liquor that is afforded by woods and 
divers other bodies. Beyle. 

ADIA'HORY. n.f. [aJiapojia, Gr.] Neu- 
trality ; indifference. 

7o ADJE'CT. i/. a. \_adjicio, attjeflntn, 
Lat.] To add to ; to put to another 
thing. 

ADJE'CTION. n.f. [adjeflio, Lat.] 

1 . The act of adjecting, or adding. 

2. The thing adjected, or added. 

T hat unto every poii'd 'tf lull hur, an adjetfion 
of jne ounce of quickfi.wr; 01 jnto every pound 
of petre, one ounce of fal-amm? niac, will much 
im-nd the force, and confcquently the rrport, 1 
find no verity. Brfwn'i Vulgar Ernurs, 



A D J 

ADJECTI'TIOUS. adj. [from adjetlioit.'] 

Added ; thrown in upon the reft. 
A'DJECTIVE. n.f. [adjeflitium, Lat.] A 
word added to a noun, to fignify the ad- 
dition or feparation of fome quality, 
circumftance, or manner of being ; as, 
good, lad, are adjt&ivct, becaufe, in 
fpeech, they are applied to nouns, to 
modify their iignification, or intimate 
the manner of exiitence in the things 
flgnified thereby. Clarke's Latin Gram. 
Ail the verfincation of Claudian is included 
within the compafs of four or five lines ; perpetu- 
ally clofing liis lenfe at the end of a verfe, and that 
verf: commonly which they call golden, or two 
fubltantivcs and two adjectives, with a verb betwixt 
them, to keep the peace. Dryden* 

A'DJECTIVELY. ad<v. [from adjecJive.] 
After the manner of an adjective ; a 
term of grammar. 

ADIEU', adv. [from a Dieu, ufed ellipti- 
cal ly for a Dieu je <vous commends, ufed 
at the departure of friends.] The form 
of parting, originally importing a com- 
mendation to the Divine care, but novy 
ufed, in a popular fenfe, foipetimes to 
things inanimate ; farewell. 

Ne gave him leave to bid that aged fire 
Adieu, but nimbly ran her wonted courfe. 

Fairy Sjiren. 

Ufe a mor^ fpacious ceremony to the noble 
lords; you retrained yourfeli' within the lift of 
too cold an adieu ; be more expreffive to them. 

Sbateff care's stlfi iatll that ends ivtlf. 
While now I take my laft adieu, 
Heave thou no figh, nor ihed a tear; 

Left yet my half-cl'is'd eye may view 
On earth an object worth its care. Prior* 

To ADJO'IN. v. a. [adjoindre, Fr. ad- 

jungo, Lat.] 
i. To join to ; to unite to ; to put to. 

As one who long in populous city p,-nt 
Forth ifTuing on a fuoimer's morn to breathe 
Among the pleafant villages and farms 
Adjoin d, from each thing met conceives delight. 

Milton, 

Corrections or improvements fliould be as re- 
marks adjiintd, by way of note or commentary, 
in their proper places, and fuperadded to a regular 
treat! fe. 



2. To fatten by a joint or juncture." 

As a malty wheel 
Fixt on the fummit of the higheft mounf, 
To whofe huge fpoke ten thoufand lefler things 
Are mortis'd and adjoined. Sbakefpeare. 

ToAojo'iN. v. a. To be contiguous to ; 
to lie next, fo as to have nothing be- 
tween. 

Th' adjoining fane, th* aflembled Greeks ex- 

prefs'd, 

And hunting of the Caledonian heart. Drydcti. 

In learning any thing, as little fliould be pro- 

pofed to the mind at once, as is poflible; and, 

that being underftood and fully maftered, proceed 

to the next adjoining, yet unknown, umple, un- 

perplexed propofition, belonging r/> the nu'.ler in 

hand, and tending to the clearing what is princi-- 

pa'ly dcfigned. Locke. 

To ADJO'URN. -v. a. [adjourner, Fr.] 

i. To put otf to another day, naming the 

time ; a term ufed in juridical pro-. 

ceedings ; as, of parliaments, or courts 

of juftice. 

1 he tjun being abfent, 'tis a needful fitnefi, 
That we adjourn this court to further day. 

Sbakefpeare, 

By the king's authority alone, and by his writs, 
they ar-! afTembled, and by him alone are they 
prorogued and diilolved j but each houfe may ad, 
J6itrn itUU. Bjcoitf 

*. To 



Cvweli. 

difmiiTion to 



A D J 

a. To put off; to defer ; to let (lay to a 
future time. 

Then, Jupiter, thou king of gods, 
Why hail thou thus ttdjourn'd 

The graces for his merits due, 
Being all to dolours turn'd. Sbalttff. Cymt. 

Crown high the goblets with a chearful draught : 
Enjoy the prcient hour, adjourn the future thought. 

Dry den. 

The formation of animals being foreign to my 
purpofe, I ihall adjourn the confi.ierari m of it t > 
another occasion. Wocdivard'i Natural Hijlory . 

ADJO'URNMENT. a.f. [adjournment, Fr.] 

1. An alignment of a day, or a putting 
off till another day. 

Adjsurnrr.fnt in tyre, an appointment of a day, 
when the juitices in eyre mean to tit again 

2. Delay ; procraftination ; 
a future time. 

We will and we will not, and then we will not 
again, and we will. Ac this rate we run our lives 
out in adjournments from time to time, out of a 
fantaftical levity that holds us oft' and on, betwixt 
hawk and buzzard. L'EJIrangr. 

A'nipovs.ae/j. [aatyo/tfj, Lat.] Fat. DiS. 
A'nir. n.f. [adirui, Lat.] A paffage for 

the conveyance of water under ground ; 

a pafiage under ground in general ; a 

term among the minemen. 

For conveying away the water, they fland in aid 

of fundry devices ; as, adits, pumps, and wheels, 

' driven by a dream, and interchangeably filling and 

emptying two buckets. Carevj. 

The delfs would be fo flown with waters (it be- 
ing imj-ofhble to make any adits or foughs to drain 
them) that no gins or machines could (uffice to lay 
and keep them dry. 

ADI'TION. n.f. [from adeo, aditum, Lat.] 

The aft of going to another. Dia. 

To ADJU'DGE. <v. a. [adjudico, Lat.] 

i . To give the thing controverted to one 

of the parties by a judicial fentence ; 

with the particle to before the perfon. 

The way of difputing in the fchools is by in- 
filling on one topical argument j by the fuccefs 
of which, victory is adjudged tn the opponent, 
or defendant. Locke. 

The great competitors for Rome, 
Cxfar and Pompey, on Pharfalian plains, 
Where (tern Bellona, with one final ftroke, 
Adjudgd the empire of this globe to one. Phillips. 

z. To ientence, or condemn to a punilh- 
rnent ; with to before the thing. 

But though thou art adjudged to the death ; 
Yet I will favour thce in what I can. Shakcfp. 

3. Simply, to judge ; to decree ; to de- 
termine. 

He adjudged him unworthy of his friendlhip, 
purpofing fliarply to revenge the wrong he had re- 
ceived. Knollcs. 

To ADJU'DICATE. v.a. [adjttdico, Lat.] 
To adjudge ; to give fomething contro- 
verted to one of the litigants, by a fen- 
tence or decifion. 

ADJUDICATION, n.f. [adjudicatio, Lat." 
The aft of judging, or of granting 
fomething to a litigant, by a judicia' 
fentence. 

To A'D JUGATE, "j. a. [adjugo, Lat.] To 
yoke to ; to join to another by a yoke. 



A'DJUMENT. n.f. [adjumentum, Lat." 

Help ; fupport. Di 

A'DJUNCT. n.f. [adjunSum, Lat.] 
I. Something adherent or united to an- 
other, though not eflentially part of it 



A D J 

Learning is but inadjuafr to ourfc'.f, 
And where we are, our learning likewife is* Sbak. 

But I make hafte to consider you as abftraclcd 
from a court, which (if you will give me leave to 
ufe a term of logick) is only an adjunft, not a 
propriety, of happmefs. Drydev. 

The talent of difcretion, in its feveral adjunfli 
and circumstances, is no where fo ferviceable as to 
the clergy. S-wifi. 

2. A perfon joined to another. This fenfe 
rarely occurs. 

He made him the aflbciate of his heir-apparent, 
together with the lord Cottington (as an aajurf? 
of lingular experience and truft) in foreign travels, 
and in a bufinefs of love. Wotton. 

A'DJUNCT. adj. United with; imme- 
diately confequent. 

So well, that what you bid me undertake, 
Though that my death were ajjunfi to my a4>, 
I'd do 't. Sbateff. King John. 

ADJU'NCTION. n.f. [aJjunOio, Lat.] 

1 . The aft of adjoining, or coupling to- 
gether. 

2. The thing joined. 
ADJU'NCTIVE. n.f. [adjunffivus, Lat.] 

1. He that joins. 

2. That which is joined. 
ADJURA'TION. n.f. [adjuratio, Lat.] 

1 . The aft of adjuring, or propofing an 
oath to another. 

2. The form of oath propofed to another. 

When thefe learned men faw Jicknefs and frenzy 
cured, the dead raifed, the oracles put to filence, 
the dzmons and evil fpirits forced to confefs triem- 
felves no gods, by perfons, who only made ufe of 
prayer and adjurations in the name of their cruci- 
fied Saviour ; how could they doubt of their Sa- 
viour's power on the like occafions ? 

Add-on on the Cbriftian Religion. 

To ADJU'RE. -j. a. [adjure, Lat.] To 
impole an oath upon another, prefcrib- 
ing the form in which he (hall fwear. 

Thou know'ft, the magiftrates 
And princes of my country came in perfon, 
Solicited, commanded, threaten'd, urg'd, 
Adjur'd by all the bonds of civil duty, 
And of religion, prefs'd how jufl it was, 
How honourable. Milton. 

Ye lamps of heaven ! he fiid, and lifted high 
His hands now free, thou venerable iky ! 
Ye facred altars ! from whole Barnes 1 fled, 
Be all of you ndj:ired. Dryden. 

To ADJU'ST. i/. a. [adjufter, Fr.] 
i. To regulate ; to put in order ; to fettle 
in the right form. 

Your Lurdfliip removes all cur difficulties, and 
fupplies all our wants, fafter than the moft vi- 
fionary projector can adjuft his fchemes. Swift. 

z. To reduce to the true ftate or llandard ; 
to make accurate. 

The nam-s of mixed modes, for the moft part, 
want Itandards in nature, whereby men may rectify 
and adjujt their fignificatiun \ therefore they arc 
very various and doubtfu'. l.ockc. 

3. To make conformable. It requires the 
particle to before the thing to which the 
conformity is made. 

As to tlie accomplishment of this remarkable 
prophecy, whoever reads the account given by Jo- 
lephus, without knowing his charale., and com- 
pares it with what our Saviour foretold, would 
think the hiltorian had been a Chrft'an, and that 
he had nothing elfc in view, but to ad jufl the event 
fa the prediction. Addtj n. 

ADJU'ST ME NT. n.f. [adjustment, Fr.] 
i. Regulation; the aft of putting in me- 
thod ; fcttlement. 

The farther and clearer adjujitr.ent of this affair, 
1 am conftrained to adjou.n to UK larger treatile. 



ADM 

2. The (late of being put in method, or 
regulated. 

It is a vulgar idea we have of a watch or clock, 
when we conceive of it as an inftrument made lo 
(hew the hour : but it is a learned idea which the 
watch-maker has of it, who knows all the feveral 
parts of it, togefher with the various connections 
and adjujtmetiti of each part. ffaltt'i Logick. 

A'D JUT A NT. n. f. A petty officer, whofe 
duty is to aflilt the major, by diftribut- 
ing the pay, and overfeeing the punifh- 
ment, of the common men. 
To ADJU'TE. i/. a. [adju-vo, adjutum, 
Lat.] To help ; to concur: a word not 
now in ufe. 

For there be 

Six bachelors as bold as he, 
Adjutiag to his company ; 
And each one hath his livery. 

Benycnfu-.'i UnJcrivooJi, 

ADJU'TOR. n.f. [adjutor, Lat.] A helper- 



ADJU'TORY. adj. \adjutorius, Lat.] That 
which helps. Dia. 

ADJU'TRIX. n.f. [Lat.] She who helps. 

Did. 

A'DJUVANT. adj. [adjuvant, Lat.] Help- 
ful ; ufeful. ' Dia. 

To A'DJUVATE. i>. a. [adju<vo, Lat.] To 
help ; to further ; to put forward. 



ADMEASUREMENT, n.f. [See MEA- 
SURE.] The adjuftment of proportions ; 
the aft or practice of meafuring accord- 
ing to rule. 

Admeasurement is a writ, which lieth for the 
bringing of thofe to a mediocrity, that ufurp more 
thru: their part. It lieth in two cafes : one is 
termed adrr.fiifurenient of dower, where the widow 
of the dcceaied holdeth from the heir, or his guar- 
dian, more in the name of her dower, than be- 
longeth to her. The other is admeasurement of 
failure, which lieth between thofe that have com- 
mon of pafture appendant to their freehold, or 
common by vicinage, in cafe any one of them, or 
more, do furcharge the common with more cattle 
than they ought. Ctvudl. 

In fome counties they are not much acquainted 
with cdmcafurement by acre; and thereby the writs 
contain twice or thrice fo many acres mure than 
the land hath. B.iccn. 

ADMENSUR A'TJON. n.f. [aj and menfura, 
Lat.] The aft, orpraftice, of meafuring 
out to each his part. 

ADMI'NICLE. n.f. [adminiculum, Lat.] 

Help ; fupport ; furtherance. Dia. 

AD Mi NI'CUL AR. adj. [from adminicu- 

lum, Lat.] That which gives help. Diff. 

To ADMl'NISTER. -v, a. [adminiftro, 

Lat.] 

1. To give ; to afford ; to fupply. 

Let zephyrs bland 
Admmjter t tepid genial airs ; 
Naught fear i.e from the weft, whofe gentle 

warmth 
Difclofes well the earth's all-teeming womb. 

Pti/ifs. 

2. To aft as the minifter or agent in any 
employment or office ; generally, but 
not always, with fome hint of fubordi- 
nation : as, to adminijter the govern- 
ment. 

For forms of government let fools contefl, 
Whate'er is bell adrt.inifter'd, is befr. Pope. 

3. To adminiiler juftice ; to diflribute 
right. 

4. To 



ADM 

4. To adminiiter the facraments, to dif- 
penfe them. 

Have not they the old popifh cuftom of adrr.ini- 
ftrring the blelTed facrament of the holy eucharift 
with wafer-cakes? Haulier, 

5. To adminiiler an oath ; to propofe or 
require an oath authoritatively ; to ten- 
der an oath. 

Swear by the duty that you owe to heav'n, 
To keep the oath that we adminijler. Sbakefpeare, 

6. To adminifler phyfic ; to give phyfic 
as it is wanted. 

I was carried on men's moulders, adminiflerlng 
phylick and phlebotomy. Wafer's Voyage. 

7. To adminijier to ; to contribute ; to 
bring fupplies. 

I muft not omit, that there is a fountain rifing 
in the upper part of my garden, which forms a 
little wandering rill, and adminijltn to the pleafure 
as well as the plenty, of the place. Spetliitor 

8. To perform the office of an adminiftra- 
tor, in law. See ADMINISTRATOR. 

Neat's order was never performed, becaufe the 
executors durft not adminifer. 

jfrbuthnot and Pope. 

To ADMINISTRATE, v. a. [adminiffro, 
Lat.] To exhibit ; to give as phylick. 
Not in ufe. 

They hare the fame effects in medicine, when 
inwardly adminiftrated to animal bodier. 



ADMINIJTRA'TION. n.f. \adminiftratio, 
Lat.] 

1. The aft of adminiftering or conducting 
any employment ; as, the conducting 
the public affairs ; difpenfing the laws. 

I then did ufe the perfon of your father ; 
The image of his power lay then in me : 
And in th' admir.ijlraihn of his law, 
While I was bufy for the commonwealth, 
Your highnefs plcafed to forget my place. 

Sbakffpeare. 

In the rtiort time of his adminijiration, he flior.e 
fo powe fully upon me, that, like the heat of a 
Ruflian fummer, he ripened the fruits of poetry in 
a cold climate. Drydtn. 

2. The active or executive part of govern- 
ment. 

It may pafs for a maxim in ftate, that the ad- 
miniflration cannot be placed in too few hands, nor 
the legi Mature in too many. Swift. 

3. Colleclively, thofe to whom the care 
of public affairs is committed ; as, the 
adminijlration has been oppofed in par- 
liament. 

4. Diftribution ; exhibition ; difpenfation. 

There is, in facraments, to be obferved their 
force, and their form of adminijlration. Hooter. 

By the univcrfal adminiflrathn of grace, begun 
by our bleffed Siviour, enlarged by his apoftles, 
carried on by their immedia'c fucceflbrs, and to 
be completed by the reft to the wo-ld's end ; all 
types that darkened this faith are enlig'itcned. 

Sprat's Sermons. 

ADMINISTRATIVE. adj. [from admini- 
ftrate.] That which adminifters; that 
by which any one adminifters. 

ADMINISTRATOR, n. f. [adminijlrator, 
Lat.] 

.1. Is properly taken for him that has the 

goods of a man dying inteftate com- 

mitted to his charge by the ordinary, 

and is accountable for the fame, when. 

ever it fhall pleafe the ordinary to call 

upon him thereunto. Ccnvell. 

fi ->ly diligent to enquire and oh- 

f'Tj'. what became of the king of Arragon, in 

'-g the kingdom of Cj.lilie, and whether he 



ADM 

did hold !t in his own right, or as adminiftrator tc 
his daughter. Bacon's Henry VII 

2. He that officiates in divine rites. 

I feel my confcience bound to remember th 
leath of Chrift, with fome fociety of Chriitians o 
other, fince it is a moft plain command j whethe 
the perfon, who diftributes thefe elements, be 
only an occsfional or a fettled adminijlrator. 

Watts 

3. He that condufts the government. 

The rcfidence of the prince, or chief adminl/lra- 
torof the civil power. Swift 

ADMINISTRATRIX, n.f. [Lat.] She 
who adminiilers in confequence of 
will. 

ADMINISTRA'TORSHIP. n.f, [from ad- 
miniftrator.] The office of adminillra- 
tor. 

ADMIRABI'LITY. n.f. \admiralilis, Lat. ] 
The quality or ftate of being admira- 
ble. Difl. 

A'DMIRABLE. adj. \admiralilis, Lat.] 
To be admired \. worthy of admiration ; 
of power to excite wonder : always ta- 
ken in a good fenfe, and applied either 
to perfons or things. 

The more power he hath to hurt, the more ad- 
mirable is his praife, that he will not hurt. 

Sidney. 

God was with them in all their afHiftions, and, 
at length, by working their admirable deliverance, 
did teftify that they ferved him not in vain. 

#*, 

What admirable things occur in the remains of 
feveral other philofophers ! Short, I confefs, of 
the rules of chriftianity, but generally above the 
lives of chriftuns. Smtb't Sermons. 

You can at moft 

To an indifFrent lover's praife pretend : 
But you would fpoil an admirable friend. Dryden. 
A'DMIRABLENESS. n.f. [from admirable.] 
The quality of being admirable ; the 
power of raifing wonder. 
A'DMIRABLV. adv. [from admirable.] 
So as to raife wonder ; in an admirable 
manner. 

The theatre is the moft fpacious of any I ever 
faw, and fo admirably well contrived, that, from 
the very depth of the ftage, the lowed found may 
be heard diftindlly to the fartheft part of the au- 
dience, as in a whifpering place j and yet, raife 
your voice as high as you pleafe, there is nothing 
like an echo to caufe the leaft confufion. Mdifcn. 
A'DMIRAL. . f. [amiral, Fr. of un- 
certain etymology.] 

1. An officer or magiftrate that has the 
government of the king's navy, and the 
hearing and determining all caufes, as 
well civil as criminal, belonging to the 
fea. Co-ivell. 

2. The chief commander of a fleet. 

He alfo, in battle at fea, overthrew Rodericus 
Rotundus, admiral of Spain, in which fight the 
admiral, with his fon, were both flain, and feven 
of his gallics taken. Knclles. 

Make the fea (nine with gallantry, and all 
The Englilh youth (tack to their admiral. Waller, 

3. The ftlip which carries the admiral or 
commander of the fleet. 

The admiral galley, wherein the emperor him- 
fclf was, by great mifchance, ftruck upon a fand. 

Knolles 

A'DMIR ALSHIP. n.f. [from admiral.] 
The office or power of an admiral. 

A'DMIRALTY. n.f. [amiraulte, Fr.] The 
power, or officers, appointed for the ad- 
miniftration of naval affairs. 

ADMIRA'TJON, n.f. \admiratio, Lat.] 



ADM 

1 . Wonder ; the ail of admiring or won- 
dering. 

Indu'd with human voice, and human fenfe, 
Reafoning to admiration. Milton* 

The paffions always move, and therefore, con- 
fequently, pleafe ; for, without motion, there can 
be no delight : which cannot be cor.fidered but as 
an aftive p.ilfion. When we view thofe elevated 
ideas of nature, the refult of that view JB admira- 
tion, which is always the caufe of pleafure. 

Dryden. 

There is a pleafure in admiration, and this is 
that which properly caufeth admiration, when we 
difcover a great deal in an object which we un- 
derftand to be excellent; and yet we fee, we know 
nit how much more beyond that, which our un- 
deiflandings cannot fully reach and comprehend. 

Tilhtfat. 

2. It is taken fometimes in a bad fenfe, 
though generally in a good. 

Your boldneis I with admiration fee ; 
What hope had you to gain a queen like me? 
Becaufe a hero forc'd me once away, 
Am 1 thought fit to be a fecond prey ? Dryden, 

To ADMI'RE. <v. a. \admiro, Lat. ad- 
mirer, Fr.] 

I. To regard with wonder: generally in 
a good fenfe. 

'Tis here that knowledge wonders, and there 13 
an admiration that is not the daughter of igno- 
rance. This indeed ftupidly gazeth at the un- 
wonted efteft ; but the philofophic paflion truly 
admires and adores the fupreme efficient. 

Glanville, 

z. It is fometimes ufed, in more familiar 
fpeech, for to regard <u>ith lo've. 

3. It is ufed, but rarely, in an ill fenfe. 

You have difplac'd the mirth, broke the good 

meeting 
With moft tf</wrWdiforder. Sbakefp. Macbeth, 

To ADMI'RE. v. n. To wonder j fome- 
times with the particle at. 

The eye is already fo perfeft, that I believe the 
reafon of a man would eafily have refted here, ani 
aJm'.r'd at his own contrivance. Ray on the Creation. 

ADMI'RER. n. f. [from admire.] 

1. The perfon that wonders, or regards, 
with admiration. 

Neither Virgil nor Horace would have gained 
fo great reputation, had they not been the friends 
and admirers of each other. jQddijon, 

Who moft to Ihun or hate mankind pretend, 
St'ek an admirer, or would fix a friend. Pope. 

2. In common fpeech, a lover. 
ADMi'RinGLY.adi>. [from admire.] With 

admiration ; in the manner of an ad- 
mirer. 

The king very lately fpoke of him admiringly 
and mournfully. Shakfjp. All's ivell that ends -will. 

We may yet further admiringly obfervej that men 

ufually give freelieft where they have not given 

before. Beyle. 

ADMI'SSIBLE. adj. [admitto, admijjum, 

Lat.] That which may be admitted. 

Suppofe that this fuppofition were admijjlble, yet 
this would not any way be inconliftent with the 
eternity of the divine nature and eflence. 

Hole's Origin cf Mankind^ 

ADMI'SSION. n.f. [admiffio,Lzt.] 

1. The aft or praftice of admitting. 

'I h re was alfo enacted that charitable law, for 
the admijjian of poor fuitors without fee ; whereby 
poor men became rather able to vex, than unable 
to fue. Bacon's Henry VII. 

By means of our folitary fituacion, and our rare 
admiffion of ftrangers, we know molt part of the 
habitable world, and are ourfelves unknown. 

Bacon's Ne*iv Atalantii , 

2. The ftate of being admitted. 

My father faw you ill defigns purlue; 
Ad jpy admiffian Ihow'd his (cat of you. Dryden. 

Co<k. 



ADM 

Cp4 Jid then eettife m.in's hopes with the ex- ' 
petitions of a better paradifc, or a more intimate 
tdmijfa* to himfelf. Soatb's Scrircnt. 

Our king defcends frum Jove : 
And hither are we come by bis command, 
To crave admiijicn in your happy land. Drjdn. 

3. Admittance ; the power of entering, or 
being admitted. 

All firings have fome degree of heat, none ever 
freezing, no not in the longelr and fevereft frofts ; 
efpecially thofe, where there is fuch a fitc and dif- 
pofuion of the ilrita as gives frsie and eafy ad- 
rniflitH to this heat. Woodward's ffatural Iliflory. 

4. [In the ecclefiaflical law.] It is, when 
the patron prefents a clerk to a church 
that is vacant, and the bimop, upon 
examination, admits and allows of fuch 
clerk to be fitly qualified, by faying, 
Admitlo te habilem. Ayltfe's Parergon. 

5. The allowance of an argument ; the 
grant of a pofition not fully proved. 

To ADMIT, -v. a. [admhto, Lat.] 

1. To fuffer to enter ; to grant entrance. 

Mirth, admit me of thy crew. Af:/f;;:. 

Does not one table Bavius ftill admit t Pufe. 

2. To fuffer to enter upon an office ; in 
which fenfe the phrafe of admijjion into a 
tollege, &c. is ufed. 

The treafurcr found it no hard matter fo far to 
terrify him, that, for the king's fervice, as was 
pretended, he admitted, for a fix-clerk, a perfcn 
recommended by him. Clarendon. 

3. To allow an argument or pofition. 

Suppofe no weapon can thy valour's pride 
Subdue, that by no force thou may'ft be won, 
Admit no fttel can hurt or wound thy fide, 
And be it heav'n hath thee fuch favour done. 

Fairfax. 

This argument is like to have the lefs eflecl on 
me, feeing I cannot eafily admit the inference. 

Loch. 

4. To allow, or grant in general ; fome- 
times with the particle of. 

If you once admit of a latitude, that thoughts 
may be exalted, and images raifed above the life, 
that leads you infenfibly from your owr. principles 
to mine. Drj-dcn. 

ADMI'TTABLE. adj. [from admit."] The 
perfon or thing which may be admitted. 

Brcaufe they have not a bladder like thofe we 

vein others, they have no gall at all, is a pa- 

rilogifm not adm'ntablt, a fallacy that nee Is not 

the fun to fcatter it. Ercit-n. 

The clerk, who is prefcnted, ought to prove to 
the bifliop, that he is a deacon, and that he has 
orders j otherwife, the biiliop is not bound to ad- 
mit him ; fgr, a> the law then flood, a deacon was 
adxiltable. Ajfiffe't Parergon. 

ADMITTANCE. n.f : [from admit. ~\ 
i. The aft of admitting ; allowance or 
permillion to enter. 

It cannot enter any man's conceit to think it 

lawful, that every man which liitcth fliould take 

him charge in the church; and therefore a 

folemn admittance is of fuch neceflity, tliat, with ni 

it, there can be no church-polity. Hooter, 

As to the admittance of the weighty elaftic part 

cf the air into the blood, through the coats o 

the TevTelt,St feems contrary to experiments upoi 

dtaJ bodies. Arlutbmt on Aliments 

t. The power or right of entering. 

What 
Ifl do line one of their hands ? 'tis gold 

h buys jJmttarce. Sbakcff care's Cymld'ir.e 
Surely a daijy expectation at the gate, is th 
readied way to gain admittance into the hcufe. 

South'* Sermons 

There's news from Bertran ; he ddircs 
A.imittan;e to the king, and cries aloud, 
Tins day flul) end our fears. Dry den 



ADM 

There re fome ideas wVich have aJr>:!trsnctOn\)- 
through one fenfe, which is peculiarly adapted to 
receive them. Locke. 

. Cuftom, or prerogative, of being ad- 
mitted to great perfons : a fenfe now 
out of ufe. 

Sir John, you are * gentleman of excellent 
breeding, of great admittance, authentick in your 
place and perfon, generally allowed for your many 
warlike, courtlike, and learned preparations. 



.. Conceffion of a po fit ion. 

Nor could the Pythagorean give eafy admittance 
thereto; for, holding that feparate fouls fuccef- 
fivcly fupplied other bodies, they could hardly al- 
low the railing of fouls from other worlds. 

Brvton's Vulgar Errours. 

"o ADMI'X. <v. a. [admifceo, Lat.] To 

mingle with fomething elfe. 
ADVII'XTION. n. f. [from admix.] The 
union of one body with another, by 
mingling them. 

All metals may be calcined by ftrong waters, 
or by adatixthn of fait, fulphur, and mercury. 

Bacon. 

The elements are no where pure in thcfe lower 
regions ; and if there is any free from the admix- 
tion of another, fure it is above the concave of the 
moon. Glatrville. 

There is r.o way to make a ftrong and vigorous 
powder of faltpetre, without the adaiixtion of ful- 
phur. Brown's Vulgr.r Errwrs, 

ADMI'XTURE. n.f. [from at/mix.] The 
body mingled with another ; perhaps 
fometimes the aft of mingling. 

Whatever acri mony, or amaritude, at any time 
redounds in it, muil be derived from the admixture 
of another (harp bitter fubftance. 

Harvey on Confumption; 

A mafs which to the eye appears to be nothing 
but mere finople earth, mall, to the fmell or tafte, 
difcover a plentiful admixture of fulphur, alum, or 
fome other mineral. Woodward's Natura 



To ADMO'NISH. <v. a. [admoneo, Lat.] 
To warn of a fault ; to reprove gen- 
tly ; to counfel againft wrong pr.ic 
ticcs ; to put in mind of a fault or a 
duty ; with the particle of, or again/}, 
which is more rare ; or the infinitive 
mood of a verb. 

One of his cardinals, who better knew the in- 
trigues of affairs, adm-.r.ficd him ag^r.H that un- 
jkilful piece of ingcnui-;. if Pity. 

He of \ i ways 

Shall them admcr.fi, ar.d before them fet 
The paths of righteoufn* Mitten. 

But when he was adinoii'Jhcd by his fubject /< 
defierd, he came down, gently circling in the air. 
and finging, tothe grrui.J. Drydcn 

ADMO'NISHER. . f. [from admonijh.' 
The perfon that admonilhes, or puts 
another in mind of his faults or duty. 

Horace was a mild adrMmJbtr ; a court-fatirif 
fit for the gentle times of Auguftus. Uiyc'en 

ADMONISHMENT, n.f. [from admottifo. 
Admonition ; the notice by which on 
is put in mind of faults or duties : a 
word not often ufed. 

But yet be wary in the ftudious care. 
Thy grave admonijhmtnts prevail with me. 

Stakcffeare'l Htrry V. f. I 
To th' infinitely Good we owe 
Immortal thanks, and his admonijhnent 
Receive, with iitlemn purpofe to obi^'ivc 
Immutably his fovercign will, the ei:d 
Of what we are. Milui 

ADMOM'TIOX. n. f. [a-faofi.'tio, L^t. 
The hint of a fault or duty ; counfel 
gentle reproof. 
They muft give our teachers leave, for the favin 



ADO 

ef fouls, to intermingle fometimei with other 
more neccflafy thing', aJn..ti;ti'.i> concerning th-fis 
nut umi.xiii.ii;. 

From this aJmor.ition they took only occafion to 
redouble their fault, and . 

up.m a fccond and third attii:st:tticr, the? had no- 
thing to plead for their unl'cafonabl : drov.'fiT, 

' 'i Srrmcwj. 

ADMONI'TIONER. n.f. [from admonition.] 
A liberal difpenfcr of admonition ; a 
general advifer. A ludicrous term. 

Albeit the admwtkntrs did fcem at firft to like 
no prcfciipt form of prayer at all, but thought it 
the bed that their minifter Ihould always be left at 
liberty 'to pray, as his own difcrction did fer\c, 
their defender, and his afi'ociates, have fnhence 
propofed to the world a fuim as thcmfclvcs did 
like. Hooker. 

ADMO'N ITOR.Y. adj. [admonitorius , Lat.] 
That which admonifhes. 

The fcntence of rcafon is either mandatory, 
fhewing what muft be done ; or elfe permidivc, 
declaring only what may be done; or, thirdly, ad- 
monjtdry, opening what is the moft convenient for 
us to do. II'. At r. 

ADMURMUR A'TION. n. f. [at/murmurs, 
Lat.] The aft of murmuring, or whif- 
pering to another. /)/.-?. 

To ADMO'VE. w. a. \_admo-~vto, Lat.] To 
bring one thing to another. A word 
not in life. 

if, unto the powder of loadftone or iron, v. 
D:'--VC the north-pole of the loadltone, the pov. t 
or fnjall divifions, will erect and conform them- 
felves thereto. Brown's Vulgar f. 

ADO', n.f. [from the verb to do, with a 
before it, as the French affaire, from 
und/aire.] 

1. Trouble, difficulty. 

He took Clitophon prifoner, whom, with much 
ado, he keepeth alive; the Helots be'.ng viliain- 
oufly cruel. S'ulntj. 

They moved, and in the end perfuaded, with, 
much ado, the people to bind themfelves by Iblemn 
oath. Hooter, 

He kept the borders and marches of the pale 
with much ad'j \ he held many parliaments, wherein 
fundry laws were made. Sir jfein Dji'ic s. 

With much adi, he partly kept awjke; 
Not fuflfring all his eyes repof; to tike. Drydc*. 

2. Eutlle ; tumult ; bufmefs ; fomeumes 
with the particle about. 

Let's follow, to fie the end of this ado. S ' 
All this ado about Adam's fatherhood, and the 
gre.ttnefs of its power, helps nothing to cftablifh 
the power of thole that govern. Locke. 

3. It has a light and ludicrous fenfe, im- 
plying more tumult and (how of bufincfs, 
than the affair is worth : in this fenfe it 
is of late generally ufed. 

I made no more ado, but to.ik ali their fcvcn, 
points in my Uigct, thus. S'-atJf. H,nrjlV, 

We'll keep no great ado a friend or two- 
It m.ty be thought we held him ca:e!cfs!y, 
Being our kinlman, if we revel much. SlcLcff. 

Come, fays Pufs, without any more ado, 'tis 
time to go to breakfaft ; cats don't live upon dia- 
logues. L'Eftrangc. 

ADOLK'SCENCE. 1 n.f. \_adoltfcentia, Lat.] 
ADOLR'SCENCY. J The age fucceeding 
childhood, and fucceeded by puberty ; 
more largely, that part of lire in which 
the body has not yet reached its full per- 
fection. 

He was fo far from a boy, that he was a man 
born, and at his full ftature, if we believe jot'ey 
phus, who places him in the ll& aJtJefciKf, and 
inalcci him twenty-five years old. Rr?mn% 

i The fons muft have a tedious time of childhood 
and ad:Itfccncf, before they can either tliemfclvn 

Ifift 



ADO 

sflift their parents, or encourage them with new 
hoots of pofterity. Benlley, 

To ADOTT. v. a. \_ndcpto, Lat.] 

1. To take a fon by choice ; to make him 
a fon, who was not fo by birth. 

Were none of all my fa :er's lifters left; 
Kay, were I of my mother's kin bereft ; 
None by an uncle's or a granJame's fide, 
Yet I could fome adapted heir proviiie. Dryden. 

z. To place any perfon or thing in a nearer 
relation, than they have by nature, to 
fomething elfe. 

Whether, advpud to fome neighboring ftar, 
Thou roll'ft above us in thy wand'ring race, 

Or, in procefiion fix'd and regular, 
Mov'd with the hcav'ns majeftic pace; 
Or call'd to more celcltia! blifs, 
Thou treaii'It, with liraphims, the vaft abj fs. 

Dryden. 

We are feldom at eafc from the felicitation of 
our natural or adopted delires ; but a conltant fuc- 
cclVi"n of uneafinefies, out of that ftock, 
natural wanti, or acquired habits, have heaped up, 
take the will in their turns. L ; '- 

ADO'PTEDLV. ad--j. [from adopttd.~\ Af- 
ter the manner of fomething adopted. 

Ad:p:?dly, as fchool-maids change their names, 
By vain, though apt, aft'eftion. St'.i- 

ADO'PTER. n.f. [from adopt.~\ He that 
gives fome one by choice the rights of a 
fon. 

ADO'PTION. n.f. [adoptio, Lat.] 

j. The aft of adopting, or taking to one's 
felf what is not native. 

2. The ftate of being adopted. 

My bed fliall be abufed, my reputation gnawn 
at j and I ftiall not only receive this v. 
wrong, but ftand under the adaption of abominable 
terms, and by him that does me the wrong. 

Sbakcfpeare. 
She purpos'd, 

When (lie had fitteJ you with her craft, to work 
Her fon into \.\\ adaption of the crown. Sb.i- 

Jn every adt of our Chriftian worihip, we are 
r to call upon him under the endearing cha- 
racter of our Father, to remind us of our ad^t'i ;:, 
that we are made heirs of God, and joint heirs of 
Chtiit. Robert's Sermont. 

ADO'PTIVE. adj. \odapttvui, Lat.] 

1. He that is adopted by another, and 
made his fon. 

It is impoffiblc an elective monarch fhould be fo 
free and abfoiute as an hereditary ; no more than 
it is poflible for a father to have fo full power and 
interelt in an adoptive fon, as in a natural. Batrn. 

2. He that adopts another, and makes him 
his fon. 

An adopted fon cannot cite his adaptive father 

into court, without his leave. Ayliffc'i Penrg',n. 

ADO'RABLE. adj. [adorable, Fr.] That 

which ought to be adored ; that which 

is worthy of divine honours. 

On thefe two, the love of God, and our neigh-, 
bour, hang both the law and the proph< 
the adorable Author of Chriftinnity ; and the 
e fays, the end of the law is charity. Ctcyr.t. 
ADO'R ABLENESS. n. f. [from adaralle.~\ 
The quality of being adorable ; wor- 
thinefs of divine honours. 
AOO'RABLY. adv. [from adoralle.~\ In a 

manner worthy of adoration. 
ADORA'TION. n.f. \_adoratio, Lat.] 
i. The external homage paid to the Divi- 
nity, diltinft from mental reverence. 

S 1 mn a~d fcrviceable worfhip we name, for 

dift'mction fake, whatfocver belongeth to thej 

church, or publick fociety, of Cod, by way of 

external adoration. Hooker.. 

It is poffible to fuppofe, that thofe who believe 

VOL. I. 



ADO 

a fupreme excellent Being, may yet give him no 
external aJ:rc:xn at all. Stillitlf fleet. 

2. Homage paid to perfons in kigh pJacfi 
or efteem. 

O ceremony, drew me but thy worth : 
W!;at is tiiy toll, O advrathr.! 
Art thou nought elfe but place, degree, and form, 
Creating awe and' fear in other men ? 
Wherein thou art lefs happy, being feai'd, 
Than they in fearing. 

What dr'mk'ft thou oft, inftcad of homage fweet, 
lj.it poii Sn'd (lattery ? Skflbtfyrarc*! ticnry V. 

To ADO'RE. v. a. [adore, Lat.] 

1 . To worfhip \vith external homage ; to 
pay divine honours. 

The mountain nymphs and Themis they adore, 
And from her oracles relief implore. Dn-dtn- 

2. It is ufed, popularly, to denote a high 
degree of reverence or regard ; to reve- 
rence ; to honour ; to love. 

: people appear adoring their prince,' and their 
prince adoring God. Tathr, NO 57. 

Make future times thy equal aft adort, 
And be what brave Oretes was before. 

Pcpt't Odyffi-y. 

ADO'REMENT. n.J. [from adore.'] Ado- 
ration ; worfhip : a word fcarcely ufed. 

The priefts of elder times deluded their appre- 
henCons with Tooth-faying, and fuch oblique ido- 
latries, and won their credulities to the literal and 
dcwr.right adverr.tr.: of cat;, lizards, and beetles. 

Br',iun'i Vulgar Errours. 

ADO'RER. n.f. [from adore.~\ 
I . He that adores ; a worftiipper ; a term 
generally ufed in a low fenfe ; as, by 
lovers, or admirers. 

Being fo far provoked as I was in France, I 
would abate her nothing ; though I profcfs myfelf 
her adorer, not her friend. Shakejprarc's Cymlf/inc. 

Whiift as th' approaching pageant does appear, 
And echoing crowds fpeak mighty Venus near ; 
I, her adirtr, too devoutly ftand 
Faft on the utmoft margin of the land. Prior. 
^. A worlhipper ; in a ferious fenfe. 

He was fo levere an adorer of truth, as not to 
diiremble ; or to fuficr any man to think that he 
would do any thing, which he refolved not to do. 

Clarendon. 

To ADO'RN. v. a. [artorno, Latin.] 

1. To drefs ; to deck the perfon wich or- 
naments. 

He hath clothed me with the garments of falva- 
ticn, he hath covered me with the robe of righteouf- 
nefi, as a bridegroom dccketh himfelf with orna- 
ments, and as a bride adornctb hcrfclf with her 
jewcis. Jfaiabj Ixi. 10. 

Yet 'tis not to a&rn and gild each part, 
Th.it mews more cod than art ; 
Jewels at nofc and lip^, but ill appear. Cf/wky, 

2. To fct out any place or thing with de- 
corations. 

A gallery adorntd with the pictures or ftat'JCS of 
the invention of things ufeful to human life. C:ivlcy. 

3. To embellifh with oratory or elegance 
of language. 

This will fupply men's tongues with many new 
tilings, to be narr.ed, adurr.td, and dcfcribeu 1 , in 
their difcourfe. Sprat. 

Thoufands there are in darker fame that dwell, 
Whofe names fome nobler poem (hall adtin; 
For, tho' unknown to me, they furc fought well. 

Dryden. 

ADO'RN. adj. [from the verb.] Adorned; 
decorated : a word peculiar to Milton. 

She'll to reaiitie; yield all her (hows, 
Made fo ad'jrn for thy delight the more. Milton. 
ADO'RKMENT. n.f. [from adorn.~\ Orna- 
ment; embelliflimcnt ; elegance: not 
now in ufe. 
This tttributc waj not givjn to the earth, while 



A D V 

it was confufed ; nor to the heavens, before they 
had motion and adornment. 

Raleigh's Hi/lory of the World. 
' She held the very garment of Pofthumus in more 
refpefl than my nobls and natural perfon, together 
with the adornment of my qualities. 

Skakefptare" 1 s Cymbdine. 

ADO'WN. adv. [from a and d<nun.~\ Down j 
on the ground. 

Thrice did (he fink ~>adt>ivn in deadly found. 
And thrice he her reviv'd with bufy pain. 

F airy <%uttrt. 

ADO'WN. prep- Down; towards the 
ground ; from a higher fituatiort to* 
wards a lower. 

In this remembrance Emily ere day 
Arofe, and drefs'd herfelf in rich array ; 
Frcfli as the month, and as the morning fair, 
Adf.'wn her fhouldersfell her lengthof hair.. Dryd'ert* 
ADRE'AD. adv. [from a and dread-* as> 
ajlde, athirjt, ajleep.~\ In a ftate of fear ; 
frighted ; terrified : now obfolete. 

And thinking to make all men adrcad\.o fuch 
one an enemy., who would not fpare, nor fear to 
kill (b great a prince. Sidney. 

ADRI'FT. adv. [from a and drift, from 
drive. ~\ Floating at random i as an^- 
impulfe may drive. 

Then, (h^.l this rr.ount 
Of paradife, by might of wares, be mov'd 
Out of his place, puiVd by the horned Hood; 
With all his verdure fpoii'd, and trees adrift 
Down the great ri.ver, to the opening gulf, 
And there take root, Afi/im+ 

It feem'd a corps adnft to diftant fight ; 
But at a diftance who could judge aright > Dryden, 

The cuftom of frequent reflection wjll kfcp 
their minds from running adrift, and call their 
thoughts home from ufelcfs unattentive roving. 

Locke on Educatiott t 

ADRQ'IT. adj. [French.] Dextrous j 
aftive; fkilful. 

An adroit ftout fellow would fometimcs deftroy 
a whole family, with juftice apparently againft 
him the whole time. Jcrvai't Den Quixote. 

ADROI'TNESS. n.f. [from adtoit.~\ Dex- 
terity ; jreadinefs ; activity. Neither 
this word, nor adroit, feem yet com- 
pletely naturalized. 

ADRY'. adv. [from a and dry.~\ Athirft; 
thirfty ; in want of drink. 

He never told any of them, that he was his 
humble fcrvant, but his wdl-wMher ; and would 
rather be thought a malecontent, than drink the 
kind's health when he was not adry. Spelfator. 

ADSCITI'TIOUS. adj. [euifcititius, Lat.] 
That which is taken in to complete 
fomcthing elfe, though originally ex- 
trinfick ; fupplemental ; additional. 

ADSTRI'CTION. n. f. [<tulftri&is, Lat.J 
The acl of binding together ; and ap- 
plied, generally, to medicaments and 
applications, which have the power of 
making the part contract. 

To ADVA'NCE. <v. a. [avancer, Fr.] 

i. To bring forward, in the local fenfe. 

Now morn, her rofy fteps in th' eaftern clime 
Advancing, fow'd the earth with orient peatl. 

HflltOH, 

z. To raife to preferment ; to aggrandize. 

He hath been ever conftant in his courfe of ad- 
vancing me j from a private gentlewoman he 
made me a marchionefs, and from a marchionefs a 
queen ; and now he intends to crown my innocency 
with the glory of martyrdom. Bacon. 

The declaration of the grcatnefs of Mordecai, 
whercuuto the king advanced him. Eflber, x. x, 

3. To improve-. 

What law can be advifed more proper and ef- 
F feftiial 



A D V 

fectuil to tJvanii the nature of nan to its highcft 
perfection, than thcfc precepts of Chriftianity ? 

Tillotfon. 

4. To heighten ; to grace ; to give luftre to. 

As the calling dignifies the man, fo the man 
much more advancer his calling* As a gar- 
ment, though it warms the body, has a return 
with an advantage, being much more warmed by 
it. South' t Sermons. 

5 . T forward ; to accelerate. 

Thefe three laft were flower than the ordinary 

Indian wheat of itfelf ; and this culture did rather 

.;d than advance. Bacon, 

f>. To propofe ; to offer to the publick ; to 
bring to view or notice. 

Phedon 1 htght, quoth he, and, do advance 
M.y anceflry from famous Coradin. Fairy Queen. 

I dare not advance my opinion Jg.iinft the judg- 
ment of fo great an author ; but i think it fair to 
leave the decifion to the publick. Drydtn. 

Some ne'er advance a judgment of their own, 
But catch the fp e.iding notion of ihe town. Pcfe. 
To ADVA'NCE. <v. n. 

1. To come forward. 

At this the youth, whofe vent'rous foul 
No fears of magick art controul, 

AfoanCd in open fight. Pernel. 

2. To make improvement. 

They who would advance in knowledge, and 
not deceive and fwell themfelves with a little arti- 
culated air, ihould not take words for real entities 
in nature, till they can frame clear and liirincl 
ideas of tbofe entities. Locke. 

ADVA'NCE. n.f. [from To advance.] 

1. The aft of coming forward. 

All the foot were put into Abington, with a re- 
folution to quit, or defend, the town, according 
to the manner of the enemy's advance towards it. 

Clarendon. 

So, like the fun's advance, your titles mow; 
Which, as he rifcs, does the warmer grow. Waller. 

2. A tendency to come forward to meet a 
lover ; an aft of invitation. 

In vain are all the pratis'd wiles, 
In vain thofe eyes would love impart; 

Not all th' advances, all the fmiies, 
Can move one unrelenting heart. 'Waljh. 

His genius was below 
The Jkill of ev'ry common beau ; 
Who, though he cannjt fp"!l, is wife 
Enough to read a lady's eyes ; 
And will each accidental glance 
interpret for a kind jdvamr. Swift. 

He has defer. bed the unworthy pafllon of the 
goddefs Calypfo, and the indecent advances fne 
made to detain him from his own country. Pofe. 

That prince applied h'.rnfelf firft to the Church 
of England, and upon their iclulal to fail in with 
his meafures, made the like advances to the Dif- 
fentcrs. Htuift. 

3. Gradual progreflion ; rife from one 
point to another. 

Our Saviour raifed the ruler's daughter, the wi- 
dow's fon, and Lazarus; the firit of thefe, when me 
had jii.t ex;i..i'.> ; the fccond, as he was carrieJ t> 
.rave yn his bier; .inJ |ie third, after he h.it 
:fceen foaie time buried. And having, by thef< 
.gradual advances, m.inifeftcJ h s divine pov,er, h. 
at laftexe ted the hi^ii fr. and mo!l gbrious degree 
of it; anJraifcdhi.nl i nil . by his own all-quick- 
ening viitue, and according tj his owncxp 
diction. -jftttriurj. 

Map of ftiidy and thought, that reafon rijjlir, 
and arcluvers of truth, do make no great cdvan, 
in tbjpir d.fcoxeries of it. Lvcke 

4. Improvement ; progreOs towards per 
fectiou. 

The principle and objefl of the greateft imp r- 
tance in the world to ilu- good of mankind, and. for 
the ar!v.!>i(e and ; . i';man nature. Ha.'e. 

ADVA'NCE ME NT. n.J. [advancement, FT.] 

-. The aft of coming forward. 

icrututcnt luaKxs daily advjtcemcati, 



A D V 

and, 1 hope, in time, will raife our language to 

the utmnft perfection. Sioift. 

^. The ftate of being advanced; preferment. 

The Percies of the North 
Finding his ufurpation moft unjurt, 
Endeavour'd my advancement to the throne. 

Sbakeffeare. 
The aft of advancing another. 

In his own grace he doth exalt himfelf 
More than in your advancement. 

Sbakffpeare's King Lear. 

4. Improvement ; promotion to a higher 
flate of excellence. 

Nor can we conceive it unwelcome unto thofe 
worthies, who endeavour the advancement of learn- 
ing. Brciun's Vulg ar Erroun. 

5. Settlement on a wife. This fenfe is 
now difufed. 

The jointure or advancement of the lady, was the 

third part of the principality of Wales. Bacon. 

ADVA'NCER. n.f. [from advance. ] He 

that advances any thing ; a promoter ; 

forwarder. 

Soon after the death of a great officer, who was 
judged no advancer of the king's matters, the king 
faid to his folicitor, Tell me truly, what fay you 
of your coufin that is gone ? Bacon. 

The reporters arc greater advancers of defama- 
tory defigns, than the very 6rft contrivers. 

Government t.f the Tongue. 

ADVA'NTAGE, n.f. [avaatage, Fr.] 
i. Superiority ; often with cf or over be- 
fore a perfon. 
In the practical prudence of managing fuch gifts, 

the laity may have fome advantage over the clergy ; 
whofe experience is, and ought to be, Icfs of this 
world than the other. Sprat. 

Ail other forts and feels of men would evidently 

have the advantage of us, and a much furcr title 

to happinefs than we. Atterbury. 

^. Superiority gained by ftratagera, or 

unlawful means. 

"The common law hath left them this henefit, 
whereof they make advantage^ and wreit it to 
their bad purpofes. Sptnfer^t State uflrtland. 

But fpecialiy he took advantage of the night for 
fuch pr'vy att'mpCs, infomuch that the bruit of 
hismanlinefs was fpread everywhere. 2 A/acr. viiu 7. 

Great malice, backed with a great intereft j 

yet can hive no adrvantage of a man, but from his 

own expectations of fomeching that is without him. 

Soutb't Sermons. 

.As foon as he was got to 'Sicily, they frnt for 
him back j di-figning to take advantage, and pro- 
f,*cute him in the a b fence of his friends. Stvift. 
3. Opportunity; convenience. 

Give me adv^tage of fome brief difcourfe 
With Defdfmona alone. Sbakeffeare. 

4.. Favourable circumftances. 

Like jewels to advantage fet, 
Her beauty by the ibadc docs get. JPal!?r. 

A fjce, which is over-flufhed, appears to ad- 
vantage in the dcepeft fcar'et j and the darked 
complexion is not a little alleviated by a black 
hood. dddifon. 

True wit is nature to advantage drrfs'd. 
What oft was thought, but ne'er fo well exprefs'd. 

5. Superior excellence. 

A mar. born with fuch advantage of COnftitu- 
tion, tha: it adulterates not the images of his mind. 

Clanville. 

6. Gain ; profit. 

.For tnou faiJit, what advantage will it be unto 

thee, and what profit fii^H I Jwvc, if I be clean fed 

\\\ iTiy fin ? J^ 1 ' 

Ccr.n.n it is, that advantage now fits in the 

room ol confcitnte, and fleers all. 

South' 1 ! Sermons^ 

7. Overplus ; fomething more than the- 
mere lawful gain. 
Weowothce rouchj within th'.s wall offUHi 



A D V 

There is a foul count! thee her creditor, 
And with advantage means to pay thy love. 

iikakeffeart, 

You faid, you neither lend nor borrow 
Upon advantage* Sbakefp. Merchant of V 'trice, 

8. Preponderation on one fide of the com- 
panion. 

Much more mould the confideration of this 
pattern arm us ith patience againft ordinary ca- 
lamities ; officially if we confider his example 
with this ad-vantage, that though his fuft'erings 
were wholly undefervcd, and not for himfclf but 
for us, yet he bore them patiently. Tillotfon. 

To ADVA'NTAGE. -v. a. [from the noun.] 

1. To benefit. 

Convey what I fet down to my lady : it fliall 
advantage more than ever the bearing of letter 
did. &bakrfyeart. 

The trial hath endamag'd thee no way, 
Raiher more honour left, and more efteem ; 
Me nought advantage!, miffing what I aim'd. 

lUiltm, 

The great bufmcfs of the fenfes being to make 
us take notice of what hurts or advantages the 
body, it is wifely ordered by nature, that pain 
mould accompany the reception of feveral ideas. 

Locke. 

We mould have purfued fome other way, more 
effectual, for diftrefling the common enemy, and 
advantaging ourfelves. Swift. 

2. To promote ; to bring forward ; ta 
gain ground to. 

The Itoics that opinioned the fouls of wife men 
dwelt about the moon, and thofe of fools wander- 
ed about the earth, advantaged the conceit of this 
effect. Brt-wn't Vulgar Eir.urt. 

To ennoble it with the fpirit that infpires the 
Royal Society, were to advantage it in one of the 
beft capacities in which it is improveablc. 

Clan-villfs Sctpjii Sclentijua. 

ADVA'NTAGE ABLE. adj. [from ad-van- 
tage.] Profitable; convenient ; gainful. 
As it is advantagfablc to a phyfician to be call- 
ed to the cure of declining difeafe, fo it is for a 
commander to fupprefs a fedition which has pair- 
ed the height. Sir J. Haytiarct, 

ADVA'NTAGED. adj. [from To ad-van- 
tage.] Poflefled of advantages ; com- 
modioufly fituated or difpofed. 

In the moll advantaged tempers, this difpofition 
is but comparative ; whereas the moil of men 1 1- 
bour under d;fadvanugcs, which nothing can rid 
them of. GlanviHc. 

ADVA'NTAGE-SROUND. n.f. Ground 
that gives fuperiority, and opportuni- 
ties of Annoyance or rcfiilance. 

This excellent man, who flood not upon the 
advantage-ground before, from the time of his 
promotion to the archbimoprick, provoked or un- 
derwent the envy, and reproach, and malice, of 
men of all qualities and conditions; who 
in nothing Clarendon. 

ADVANTA"CEOUS.<M)'. [a-vantageux, Fr.] 

1. Of advantage; profitable; uleful; op- 
portune ; convenient. 

The time of ficknefc, i-r affliction, is, like the 
co il of the day to Adam, a feafon of peculiar pro- 
priety for the voice of God to be he rd } and may 
be improved into a very cd-uantagnus opportunity 
of begetting or incrcafmg fpiritual file. Hammond. 

Here perhaps 

Some advantageous act may be achiev'd 
By fudden onfet, citl.e,- with hell-fire 
To wafte his whole creation; or poffefs 
All as our own. Milton. 

2. It is uied with relation to perfons, and 
followed by to. 

Since every painter paints himfelf in his own 
works, *tis advantageous to him to know himfelf, 
to the end tint he may cultivate thofe talents 
which make his genius. Dryitcn. 

ADYASTA'CBOUSLY. aJ-v. from ad-van- 

Jageous.\ 



AD V A(D v 

profitably. C ftVeniently; > ^ ' I %3^&S&#3&. f ^' 

It was ad-vantagnufy fituatej, there being an c; " ' 

fafy paflage from it to India, by lia. Arbutbna. 
ADVANTA'CEOUSN-ESS. n. / [from a</- 
-.] Quality of being advan- 
profitable^efs ; ufefulnefs ; 



A D V 



tageous 

convenience. 

The laft property, which qualifies God for the 

objeft of our love, is the adi>arttr M ufi,tf, 

to us, both in the prefent and the future 

_. . _. . By It's Seraphic Live. 

To ADVE'NE. v . n. [advenio, Lat.] To 
accede to fomething ; to become part 
offomethingelie, without being eflen- 
tial ; to be fuperadded. 
A caufe confidered in judicature, is ftilrd an 
cidental caufe ; aid the accidental of any aO 
is bid to be whatever edvtnts to the st itfelf al- 
ready^fubftantiaud. . Jyllfff ,**,. 

ADVE NIENT. adj. \futvjnitm, Lat.] Ad- 
vening ; coming from outward caufes 
fuperadded. 

Being thus divided from truth in themfelves, 

they arc yet farther removed by aJw.ier.t decep- 

Uon ; for they are daily mocked into errour by 

fubt.er fc5ftn. Brvwn'i Vvlgar E murs . 

1 to fuppofe the foul a diftinfl fub(t.,nce t'om 

e body, and extrinfically ad-vmint, be a greit 

error in philofuphy, aimoft all the world ha'h 

heen mlftalceo. Glamitllt'i Vanity ef Dvga-.anfm. 

ADVENT, n.f. [from ad-vinttis ; that 'is, 
ad-ventu, ReJemptoris.} The name of one 
)i the holy feafons, fignifying the cam- 
tag; that is, the coming of our Saviour ; 
which is made the fubjeft of our devo- 
tion during the four weeks before Chriit- 
Common Prayer. 

ADVENTINE. adj. [from advenio, ad- 
-ventum.] Adventitious ; that which is 
extrmfically added ; that which comes 
from outward caufes ; a word fcarcely 
in ufe. 

Asfor_the peregrin* heat, it is thus far true, 

ni., ir t.ie proportion of the ad-uminc heat be 

greatly predominant to the natural heat and fpirits 

t the body, ,t tendeth to diffolution or notable al 
teratinn. 

A f J-a '' t 

ADVENTI TIOUS. adj. {ed-vtatitiu,, Lat.l 
That which advenes ; accidental ; fu- 
Tvcnient; extrinfically added, not 
enentially inherent. 



ADVE'NTURE. 

i. An accident; a chance; a haznrd 

an event of which we have no direc- 

tion. 

The general fummoned three cities ; one def- 
perate of fucccur, and not defirous to difputc the 
defence, prefently yielded ; but two ftood upon 
their Mfoofnv. SetwarJ 

^. In this fenfe is ufcd the phrafe, at all 
adventures; [a I' adventure, Fr.J By 
Chance ; without any mional fcheme. 
_ Blows rkw at all gdikUuru, v/ounds and dc.uhs 
g'ven and tjkcn unexpected ; many fcarce know- 
rnem.es from their friends. Hay-war^ 
Where the mind does not perceive probable 
WnoeSion, there men's opinions are the cffcfts 
or chance and hazard, of a mind floating at all 
MvHttra, without choice and without direftion. 

i. The occafwn of cafual events ; an en- 
terpnfe in which fomething muft be left 
to hazard. 

For I oioft love, and am refjlv'd to try 
My fate, or, failing i n th' aliauure, die. 



ftr ave ,,,, u 

rength from cuitom, befidej their material cauf 
Jrom the humours. D 

Though we may call the obvious colours" 

ira,, and the others AwitiriuMi yet fuc 
changes of colours, from wbatlbever caufe the 
proceed, may be properly taken in. ,/. 

I. >d boil, and th' advtmhkus fire 

d by high meats, and higher wim-, require 
temper and allay the burning heat 
Waters are brought, which by dccoQion g- 
New coolneft. * 

In the gem-kind, of all the many fo rte . 

* up by ,apidar,es, th:re ar= not above three or 

our that are onginal ; their divvies, a s t, 

uftre, colour, and hardncfs, arlrtng from the dif- 

ferent adm,xture of other */;,, mineral 

Tnatter. ,fp f , 

T-H-E. n.f. [from ad-vcnio, LatinJ 
e thing or perfon that comes from 
without : a word not now in ufe. 

fhe natives be not fo many, but that ther 



rni . Dr\'din, 

Thia noun, with all its derivatives, is 
frequently written without ad; as, -ven- 
ture, venturous. 

To ADVE'NTURE. v. n. [adventurer, Fr.l 
I. To try the chance; to dare. 

Be not angry, 

Mod mighry princefs, that I have c 
To try your taking rf a f a ]f e rep ort. 

I he tender and delicate woman amorg you 

vhich would not gJvmturt to fet the fole of he? 

foot U p on t h c gro und, for delicjtenefs and tender- 

nefw n 

,T- A f JJfuter. xxvui. z6. 

To ADVENTURE. *. a . To put into the 
power of chance. 

F.ir my father fought for you, and afamurj 
e tor, and delivered you out of the hand of 
r'"' _, >-4,ix. , 7 . 

s often ufcd with the reciprocal 
pronoun ; aj, be ad-ventured bim/tlf. 
ADVENTURER. ,. / {adventuner, Fr.] 
He that feeks occafions of hazard ; he 
at puts h.mfelf in the hands of chance. 

He is a great advtmurtr, faid he, 
That hath his fword through hard aflay foregone 



ADVE'NTUAL. ajj. [f rom - 
lating to the feafon of advent 

lo Mb daily ufc one other collc^j a5 , nlme , 



rpi . . _ penirt 

ll.ck.ngs of England did not make thfc,- 
queft of Irc-lan.l j it was begun by particular ad- 
vtKtvrtr,, and other voluntar,es, who came to feek 
their fortunes. g ir j rj av ; c 

He intended to ] la rd his own a^ion', rhat'ft 
the more eaftly he n,ight win </,,, who elfe 
were hke to be lcf s forward. XM /v 

Hud ,t not bten for the B.itilh, which the lie 
war, drew over, and .<t vfnlurrrt or foldiers footed 

buftUS by the laft war ' and $**, 

Tl,e,r wealthy trade from pirates' rapine fret '' 
Our merchant, Hull no mare a d vt nf,l, be. 

ADVE-NTURESOME. adj. [from adwn- 
ire. ihe fame with ad-venturous: a 
>w word, fcarcely ufed in writing 

ADVE NTURESOMENESJ. n.f. [from ad- 

*<*f*rtfau.] The quality of being ad- 
vcnturefomc. TO 

NTUROUS. adj. [ndventureux.Fr.] 
that is inclined to adventures ; and 
confequently.bold, daring, courageous. 

At land nd fca, in many a doubtful fight, 
.vva, never known a more adwnfroui knight : 
Who pftner drew kit fword, and always for th* 

" h 



2. Applted to things, that which is full 
of hazard; which requires courage; 
dangerous. 

But I've already troubled you too long, 
Nor dare attempt a more advcm'rous fang. 
My humble verfe demands a fofter theme; 
A painted meadow, or a purling ftream. A 
ADVENTUROUSLY, adv. [from at/ven- 
turous.] After an adventurous man- 
ner ; boldly ; daringly. 

They are both hanged ; and fo would this be, 
if he durft fteal any thing advmiuraafy. 

Skatefffjrt's Henry V. 

A'DVERB. *./ [<MWW,Lat.] A word 
joined to a verb or adjective, and folely 
applied to the ufe-of qualifying and re- 
ftraining the latitude of their fignifica- 
tion, by the intimation of fome circurn- 
ftance thereof; as, of quality, manner, 
degree. Clarke's Latin Grammar. 

Thus we fay, he runs/w//?/x ; the bird 
flies^ aloft ; he lives virtuou/Iy. 

ADVE'RBIAL. adj. [adverbielis, Lat.] 
That which has the quality or ftrufture 
of an adverb. 

ADVE'RBIALLY. adv. [adverbialiter, Lat.-] 
Like an adverb ; in the manner of an 
adverb. 

I fhould think alta was joined adverlially with 
trmu, did Virgil make ufe of fo equivocal * 
W* 1 *' Mdtyn. 

ADVK'RJABLE.^. [from^^.] Con- 
trary to ; oppofite to. Diff 

ADVERSARU. n .f. [L a t. A book, as 
it (hould feem, in which Debtor and 
Creditor were fet in oppofition.] A 
common-place ; a book to note in. 

Thefe parchments are fuppofed to have been St. 
Paul s dwjtrif. Bull', Straw. 

ADVERSARY, n.f. [ad-verfaire,r. ad- 
'verfarius, Lat.] An opponent ; an- 
tagonift ; enemy : generally applied to 
thofe that have verbal or judicial quar- 
rels ; ^ as, controvertifts or litigants : 
fometimes to an opponent in fingle com- 
bat. It may fometimes imply an open 
profeflion of enmity ; as we fay, a fecr 
enemy is worfe than an open ad<verfary. 

Vet am I noble, as the aii-verfary 
I come to cope. Sbakcffcarf, K\n S L far . 

T e rites and ceremonies of the duirch, 
therefore, which were the felf-fame now tint thcr 
were when holy and virtuous men maintained 
hem agamft profane and deriding */ w / ar ;,,, her 
own children have in derifion. ) t<xttcr 

Mean while th' ad-utrfarj of Ood and man , 
S.tan, with thoughts inflam'd, of higheftdefign. 

tSU 

AnaJvufafjf niaVps a drifter fearch into us, 
diftbven every Saw and imperfection, in our 
tempers. A friend exaggerates a man's virtues ; 
nemy mriames his crimes. Add\f. 

A D v E'R s A T i v . adj. [atf-virfatlvHS, Lat.]' 
A term of grammar, applied to a word 
wnic x i makes fome oppofition or variety 
as, in this fcntencc : This diamond h 
runt, but // rough. But is an adwr. 
Jatf-ue conjunftion. 
A'D VERSE, adj. [adverfus, Lat.] 

fJ , I " < :^ r0f r,, it , has n0lv the accent on 
the firft fyllablc; in verfe it is ac- 
cented on the firft by Shakefptare' ; on 
either indifferently, ty Milton ; on .the 
'ait, by Drjden j on the firft, by Rof- 
common. 

1. 



A D V 

1. Acting with contrary directions ; as, 
'two bodies in colliilon. 

Was I for this nigh wreckt upon the fea, 
And twice, by adverfe winds, from England's bank 
Drove back again unto my native clime ? Sbaktff. 

As when two polar winds, blowing adverft, 
Upon the Cronian fea together drive 
Mountains of ice. Mi/tan. 

With adverfe blaft upturns them from the fouth, 
Notus and Afer. Milton. 

A cloud of fmoke envelopes either hoft, 
And all at once the combatants aie loft ; 
Darkling they join adverfe, and (hock unfeen ; 
^Courfers with conifers juitling, men with men. 

Drydn. 

Z. Figuratively, contrary to the wifti or 
defire ; thence, calamitous ; afflictive ; 
pernicious. It is oppofed to projperous. 

What if he hath decreed, that I lhail firft 
Be try'd in humble (late, and things advcrje ; 
By tribulations, injuries, infults, 
Contempts, and fcorns, and fnares, and violence. 

Afifroh 

Some the prevailing malice of the great, 
Unhappy men, or adverfe fate, 
Sunk deep into the gulls of an afBifled Oat;. 

Rcfccmmcn. 

3. Personally opponent; the perfon that 
counteracts another, or contefts any 
thing. 

Well me faw her father was grown her adverfe 
party ; and yet her fortune fuch, as (he muft fa- 
vour her rivals. Sidney. 

A'DVERSELY. ad-v. [from adverfe.] In 
an adverfe manner ; op,pofttely ; unfor- 
tunately. 

Wh..t I thiiflc, I utter, and fpcnd my malice in 
my breath. -If the drink you give me touch my 
.palate advtrfely t .\ make a crooked face at it. 

Sbakeffejre. 

.ADVE'RSITY. n. f. [adver/tte, Fr.] Af- 
fliction ; calamity ; that is, oppofition 
<o our wifhes. 

I. The caufe of our forrow ; affliction; 
misfortune. In this fenfe it may have 
a plural. 

Let me embrace thefe four<i<iWr/;r;, 
For wife men fay, it is the wifeft courfe. 

Shakefpeare 1 ! Henry VI. 

3. The ftate of uithappinefs ; mifery. 

Concerning deliverance itfclf from ali advcrfny, 
we ufe not to fay men are in adversity., \vhenfoever 
they feel any fmall hinderance of their welfare in 
this world, but when fome notable affliction or 
crofs, fome great calamity or trouble, befalieti 
them. Hock?*. 

Sweet are the ufes of adversity, 
Which, like the tosd, ugly and venomous, 
Wears yet a fr?cious jewel in his head. 

Kkakc r ptare. 

A remembrance of the good ufe he had made 
f profperity, contributed to fupport his mind un- 
der the heavy weight Qf^ufatfnKfJfj which then lay 
upon him. j^t'irbu 

To ADVE'RT. v. n. [adverto, Lat.] To 
attend to ; to regard ; to obferve ; with 
the particle to before the object of re 
gard. 

The mind of man being not capable at once 
to advert to more than one thing, a particular view 
and examination of fuch an innumerable number 
of vaft bodies, will afford matter of admiration. 

Ray on she Cnatim. 
Now -to the univerfal whole advert ; 
The earth regard as of that whole a part ; 
2n which wide frame more noble worlds abound ; 
Wicneli, ye glorious orbs, which hang around. 

BLickmvre. 

We fomctimts fayy Ta advert the mind 
to en eljecJ, 



ADVE'RTENCE. ./. [from ad-vert.] At- 
tentionrfo; regard to ; confideration. 

Chriftianity may make Archimedes his chal- 
lenge ; give it but where it may fet its foot-; 
allow but a fober advertence to its propofals, and it 
will move the whole world. Decay cf Piety. 

ADVE'RTENCY. n.f. [from. advert.] The 
fame with advertence. Attention ; re- 
gard ; heedfulnefs. 

Too much advertency is not your talent ; or 
elfe you had fled from that text, as from a rock. 

Stvift. 

ADVE'KTENT. adj. [from advert.'] At- 
tentive ; vigilant ; heedful. 

This requires choice parts, great attention of 
mind, fcqueftration from the importunity of fecu- 
lar employments, and a long advertent and deli- 
berate connexing of confequents. 

Hale 1 * Origin of Mankind. 

To ADVERTrSE. <v. a. [advertir, Fr. 
It is now fpoken with the accent upon 
the laft fyllable ; tut appears to have 
been anciently accented on -the fe- 
cond.] 

To inform another ; to give intelli- 
gence ; with an accufative of the per- 
fon informed. 

The bifhop did require a refpitc, 
Wherein he might the king his lord adveriife, 
Whether our daughter were 'legitimate. 

Sbjkefpt-are. 

As I by friends am well advtrtifed, 
Sir Edmund Courtney, and the-haughty prelate, 
With many more confederates, are m arms. Sbak. 

The king was not fo (hallow, nor fo ill advcr- 
tifed, as not to perceive the intention of the French 
king. Bacon. 

I hope ye will aJvertife me fairly of what they 
diflike. f>'gh'- 

2. To inform ; to give notice ; with of 
before the fubject of information. 

Ferhntes, understanding that Solyman expefted 
more allured advertiftmcnt, nntu the other BafTas 
declared the death of the emperor ; of which they 
advertised Solyman, Aiming thofe .letters with all 
their h.inds and feals. 

Knol/es's Hi/lory of tie Tin-/!. 

They were to -advatife the chief hero of the 
d;ftre(Tes of 'hU fubjefls, occafioned by his ab- 
fcncc. Dryden. 

3. To qive notice of any thing, by means 
of an atfrvertijeiaent in the public prints ; 
as, He advertifed his lofs. 

ADVERTISEMENT, or ADVE'RTISE- 
MENT. n.f. [advert ijftment, Fr.] 

1. Inftruftion ; admonition. 

'Tis all men's office to (peak pati.nce 
To tlnfe, that wring under the load of forrow; 
But no man's virtue nor fufftciency, 
To be fo moral, when he (hall endure 
The like himft-If : therefore give me no counfel ; 
My griefs are louder than aJvertifemcnt. 

St-nkffpeare's Much ado about Nott'wg, 

Cyrus was once minded to have put Crcefus to 
death; but hearing him report the edvutlfmcni 
of Solon, he fpared his liCe. 

Abba'i 'Dcfcripticn ef the World. 

2. Intelligence ; information. 

Then, as a cunning prince that ufeth fpies, 
If they return no news, doth nothing know j 

But if they make advertisement of lies, 
The prince's counfel all awry do go. 

Sir "J'.bn Da-vies 

He had received aJverti/rment, that the party, 
which was fent for his relief, had received fome 
brulh, which would much retard their march. 

daren 

The drum and trompet, by their feveral founds 
fcrve for many kinds of advenifements, in milttarv 
affairs: th bells ferve to proclaim afcarc-fire; and, 
ia fume places, water-breaches j the. dcpartu.s o: 



A D V 

i man, woman, or child ; time of divine fervict; 
the hour of the day ; day of the month. Holder, 

3. Notice of any thing publifhed in a pa- 

per of intelligence. 
ADVERTI'SER. n.f. [advfrti/eur, Fr.] 
I . He that gives intelligence or information. 
z. The paper in which advertifements arc 

publifhed. 

A D V E' R T I S I N G , Or A D V E R T I'S 1 N C . /ar/. 

adj. [from adverti/e.] Active in giving 
intelligence ; monitory : a word not 
now in ufe. 

As I was then 

Mvcrtifing, and holy to your bufinefs, 
Not changing heart with habit, I am ftill 
Attornied at your fervice. Stateff. Miaf.fir Mcaf. 

To ADVE'SPER ATE. v. n. [adveffero, Lat.] 
To draw towards evening. Di3. 

ADVI'CE. a./, [avis, advis, Fr. from ad- 
vifo, low Lat.] 

1. Counfel; inftmction : except that in- 
ftruction implies fuperiority, and advice 
may be given by equals or inferiors. 

Break we our Watch up, and, by my advice, 
Let us impart what we have fcen to-night 
Unto young Hamlet. Sbaktff. Hanlet. 

O troubled, weak, and coward, as tri^u art I 
Without thy poor advice, the lab'ring heart 
To worfe extremes with fwifter (reps would run ; 
Not fav'd by virtue, yet by vice undone. Prior, 

2. Reflection 4 prudent consideration : as, 
he always acts with good advice. 

What he hath won, that he hath fortified : 
So hot a fpeed, with fuch advice difpos'd, 
Such temperate order, in fo fierce a courfe, 
Doth want example. Sbakefp. K-i : '<g Jain. 

3. Confutation ; deliberation : with the 
particle with. 

Great princes, taking advice iviit workmen, 
with no lefs coft, fet their things together. 

Bjc:r,'s } 

4. Intelligence: as, the merchants received 
ad-vice of their lofs. This fenfe is fome- 
what low, and chiefly commercial. 

ADVI'CE-BOAT. n.J. A veflel employed 

to bring intelligence. 
AD\'\'sA3Lf.a</J. [from advife.] Prudent; 
fit to be advifed. 

Some judge it acivifaHe for a man to account 
with his heart every day ; and this, no doubt, is 
the bcft and fureft courfe j for ftill the oftner, the 
better. South' s Sermons, 

It is not advifable to reward, whei'e men have 
the tendernefs not to punifli. LSEftrtnge'tFablet. 



it./, [from ad--vijab!e.'\ 
1'he quality of being advifable, or fit ; 
fitnefs ; propriety. 
To ADVI'SE. v. a. [aJ-vifer, Fr.] 

1. To counfel : with the particle to before 
the tiling advifed. 

If you do ftir abroad, go-arm'd. 
- Arm'd, brother! - 

Brother, 1 advife you to the bed. 

Shaltcjp. King Lear* 

I would adinfe all gentlemen to learn merchants 
accounts, and not to think it a /kill that belongs not 
to them. Locke, 

When I confider the fcruples and cautions I here 
lay in your way, methinks it looks as if 1 adviftd 
you to fomething which J would have otiercJ at, 
but in effect nut done. Lc.ke. 

2. To give information; to inform ; to 
make acquainted with any thing : often 
with the particle of before the thing told. 

You were advis'J, his flefh was capable 
Of w.iunds and fears; and that his forward fpirit 
Would lifijiirn, where moft trade of danger rang'd. 

Sbjkefpearc. 
.Such 






A D V 

Such difcourfe bring on, 
As may adinfe him of his happy ftate ; 
Happinefs in his pow'r, left free to will. 

Paradife Loft. 

A pofting mefTenger difpatch'd from hence, 
0/this fair troop advis'd their aged prince. 

Dryden's Mneid. 

To ADVI'SE. v. n. 

1 . To confult : with the particle luitb be- 
fore the perfon consulted ; as, be advijed 
iui:b bis companions. 

2. Toconfiderj to deliberate. 

Advife if this be worth 
Attempting, or to fit in darlcnefs here, 
Hatching vain empires. 

Milton's Paradife Ltft, b, ii. 
ADVI'SE D. participial adj. [from advife.~\ 

1. Afting with deliberation and defign ; 
prudent ; wife. 

Let his travel appear rather in his difcourfe, than 
in his apparel or gefture j and, -in his difcourfe, 
let him be rather advif'd in his anfwers, than for- 
ward to tell ftories. Bacon's EQays. 

Th* Almighty Father, where he fits 
Shrin'd in his fanftuary of heav'n fecure, 
. Confulting on the fum of things farefeen, 
This tumult, and permitted aU, ad-vh'd. 

Paradife Loft, b. \'\. 

2. Performed with deliberation i done on 
purpofe ; afted with defign. 

By that which we work naturally, as, when we 
breathe, fleep, and move, we fet forth the glory 
of God, as natural agents do ; albeit we have no 
exprefs purpofe to make that our end, nor any ad- 
vijed determination therein to follow a law. 

Hooker, b. i. p. 40. 

In my fchool-days, when I had loft one ihaft, 
I (hot h'u fellow of the felf-farne flight, 
The felf-fame way, with more advijtd watch, 
To find the other forth ; by vent'ring both, 
I oft found both. Sbakefy. Merchant of Venice. 
ADVI'SEDLY. ad<v. {from ad--uifed.~\ So- 
berly ; heedfully ; deliberately ; pur- 
pofely ; by defign ; prudently. 

This book, adi'ifedty read and diligently followed 
but one year at home, would do more good than 
three years travel abroad. Afcbam. 

Surprife may be made by moving things, when 
the party is in ha.lj, a:id cannot ftay to confi&r 
ed-ulfrdly of that which is moved. 

Bacon, Effay xxiii, 

Thou ftiUrft fecond thoughts (by all allowed the 
bcft) a relapfe, and accufelt conftancy of mi (chief 
in what is natural, and advijedly undertaken. 

Sir John Suckling. 

ADVI'SEDNESS. n.f. [from adiiifed.} De- 
liberation ; cool and prudent procedure. 

While things are in agitation, private m_n may 
xnodeftly tender their thoughts to the confideration 
of thofe that are in authority; to v/hofe care it 
belongeth, in prcfcribing concerning indifferent 
things, to proceed with all juft advifednejs and mo- 
deration. Saunderjon's Judgment in one Puiu. 

ADVI'SE.V ENT. n.f. [ad-uifement , Fr.] 
I. Counfel ; information. 

Mote I wote, 

What ftrange adventure do ye now purfue ? 
Perhaps my fuccour, or advijement meet, 
Mnte ftead you much. Fairy S^ueen. 

I will, atcuiding to your adviftment, declare the 
evils, which feem moft hurtful. 

Sptnfer'l State of Ireland. 

a.. It is taken like wife, in old writers, for 
prudence and circumfpeftioa. It ii now, 
in both fenfes, antiquated. 

.ADVI'SER. n.f. [from aj-vi/e.] The per- 
fon that advifes, or gives counfel ; a 
counfellor. 

.Here, free from court-complianc, he walks, 
And with himfclf) his belt advifer, talks. 

Waller. 



A D U 

They never fail of their moft artful and indefa- 
tigable addrefs, to filence the impertinent advijer, 
whofe feverity awes their excefles. 

Rogers'* Sermons. 

ADULA'TION. n.f. \_adulation, Fr. adula- 
tio, Lat.] Flattery ; high compliment. 

O be fick, great Greatnefs ! 
And by thy ceremony give thee cure. 
Think'ft thou the fiery fever will go owt 
With titles blown from adulation ? 

Sbatffpearc's Henry V. 

They who flattered him moft before, mentioned 
him now with the greateft bitternefs, without im- 
puting the leaft crime to him, committed fince the 
time of that exalted adulation, or that was n,>t ,i.en 
as much known to them, as it cimld be now. 

Clarendon. 

ADULA'TOR. ;;./ [adulator, Lat.] A flat- 
terer. DiS. 

A'DULATORY. adj. \adulatorius, Lat.] 
Flattering; full of compliments. 

ADU'LT. adj. [adultus, Lat.] Grownup; 
paft the age of infancy and weaknefs. 
They would appear lefs able to approve themfelves, 
not only to the confeflbr, but even to the catechift, 
in their adult age, than they were in their minority ; 
as having fcarce ever thought of the principles of 
their religion, fince they conned them to avoid 
correction. Dt^ay of Piety. 

The earth, by thefe applauded fchoob, 'tis faiJ, 
This fingle crop of men and women bred ; 
Who g own adult, fo chance, it feems, enjoin'd, 
Did, male and female, propagate their kind. 

B/acimtre. 

ADU'LT. n.f. A perfon above the age of 
infancy, or grown to fome degree of 
ftrength ; fometimes full grown: a word 
ufed chiefly by medicinal writers. 

The deprdiion of the cranium, without a frac- 
ture, can but feldom occur ; and then it happens 
to children, whofe bones are more pliable and foft 
than thofe of adults. Sharp's Surgery. 

ADU'LTNESS. n.f. [from adult.} The 
Hate of being adult. See ADOLES- 
CENCE. DiQ. 

To ADU'LT ER. -v. a. [adulterer, fr.adul- 
tero, Lat.] To commit adultery with 
another : a word not claffical. 

His chaite wife 
He adultin ftill : his thoughts lie with. a whore. 

Ben Jonfsn. 

ADU'LTER ANT. n.f. [adulterant, Lat.] 
The perfon or thing which adulterates. 
To ADU'LTERATE. <v. a. [adulterer, Fr. 
adultero, Lat.] 

1. To commit adultery. 

But fortune, oh 1 
Adulterates hourly v. ith thine uncle John. 

Sbaltijftare. 

2. To corrupt by fome foreign admixture; 
to contaminate. 

Common pot-alhes, bought of them that fell it 
in mops, who arc not f.> foolilhly knavifh as to 
adulterate them with iah-pettc, which is much 
dearer th-iii p'.t-aihei. Boyle. 

Could a man be compofcd to fuch an advantage 
of conftitutir.n, that it Ihould not at all adulterate 
the images of his mind ; yet this fecond nature 
would alter the crafis of his undeiftanding. 

.ClaniiMlei S^epjh Scicntifica, c. xvi. 

The prefent war has fo adulterated our tongue 
with Itrangc words, that it would be impomble ior 
one of our great-grandfathers to know what his 
pofrerity have been doing, . SftfLllort 

ADU'LTERATE. adj. [from To adulterate.} 
i. Tainted with the guilt of adultery. 

I .am poflVls'd with an adulterate blot ; 
My blood is mingled with the grime of luit; 
Being (trumpeted by thy contagion. 

bkejfcarit Ciir.tdy of Errors. 



A D U 

That inceftuous, that adulterate beaft. 

Ska kef peart* 
2. Corrupted with fome foreign mixture. 

It does indeed differ no more, than the maker 

of adulterate wares does from the vender of them. 

Government of the Tongue. 

They will have all their gold and filver, and 
may keep their adulterate copper at home. 

Siuift's Mifcellanies. 

ADU'LTERATEN E ss. n.f.[ from adulterate.} 
The quality or ftate of being adulterate, 
or counterfeit. 
ADULTERA'TION. n.f. [from adulterate.} 

1. The aft of adulterating or corrupting 
by foreign mixture ; contamination. 

To make the compound pal's for the rich metal 
fimple, is an adulteration, or counterfeiting : but 
if it be done avowedly, and without difju.fing, it 
may be a great faring of the richer metal. 

Bacon's Natura! Hijiory, N 798. 

2. The ftate of being adulterated, or con- 
taminated. 

Such tranflations are like the adulteration of the 

nbbleft wines, where fumething of the colour, fpirit, 

and flavour, will remain. Feltcn on the Claffics. 

ADU'LTERER. n.f. [adulter, Lat.] The 

perfon guilty of adultery. 

With what impatience mult the mufe behold 
The wife by her procuring hulband fold ; 
For tho 1 the law makes null th' adulterer's deed 
Of lands to her, the Cuckold may fucceed. 

Dryden's 'Juvenal. 

ADU'LTERESS. n.f. [from adulterer.} A 
woman that commits adultery. 

The Spartan lady replied, when (he was aflced, 
What was the punifliment for adulterejes f There 
are no fuch things here. 

Government of the Tongue, 3. 

Helen's rich attire, 

From Argos by the fam'd adult'refs brought, 
With golden flow'rs and winding foliage wrought. 
Dryden's Virgil. 

A D U'L T E R i N E . n.f. [adulterine, Fr. adul- 
teriniis, Lat.] A child born of an adul- 
terefs : a term of canon law. 
ADu'LTEROus.a^'. [adulter, Lat.] Guilty 
of adultery. 

Th' .adulterous Antony, moft large 
In his abominations, turns you off, 
And gives his potent regiment to a, trull, 
That nofss it aga'mft us. 

Sbakejfrari's Ar.tmy and Cteipatra* 

An adulterous perlon is tied to restitution of 

the injury, fo far as it is reparable ; and to mukc 

provifion for the children, that they may not injure 

the legitimate. Taylor. 

Think on whofe faith th' adult'rous youth rely'd ; 

Who promU'd, who procur'd the Spartan bride ? 

Dryden's ALneid. 

ADU'LTERY. n. f. [adulterium, Lat.] 
The aft of violating the bed of a mar- 
ried perfon. 

All thy domcftic griefs at home be left, 
The wife's adult'ry, with the fervant's theft; 
And (the moft racking thought which can intrude) 
Forget falfe friends, and their ingratitude. 

Dryden's Juvenal, 

ADU'MBRANT. adj. [from adumbrate.] 
That which gives a flight refemblance. 

To ADU'MBRATE. <u. a. [adumtro, Lat.] 
To fhadow out ; to give a flight like- 
nefs ; to exhibit a faint refemblance, 
like that which fhadows afford of the 
bodies which they reprefent. 

Heaven is defigned for our reward, as well as 
refcue ; and therefore Is adumbrated by all thofe 
pofitive excellencies, which can endear or recom- 
mend. Decay of Piety. 

ADUMBRA'TION. n.f. [from adumbrate.} 

i. The 



A D V 

i. The aft of adumbrating, or giving a 
flight and imperfect reprefentation. See 
ADUMBRATE. 

To make fome adumbration of tht we mean, 
it ii rather an impulfion or contufion of the air, 
(had an elifion or feflion of the fame. 

Bac. Nat. Hi/7, N 187. 

z. The flight and imperfeft reprefentation 
of a thing ; a faint flcetch. 

The obfervers view but the backfide of the huig- 
ings ; the right one is on the other lide the grave : 
and our knowledge is but like thofe broken ends ; 
at beft a moft confufed adumbration. 

Clanville's Stiffs Scievtifca. 

Thofe of the firft fort have fome adumbration 

of the rational nature, as vegetables have of the 

fenfible. Male's Origin. 

ADUNA'TION. n.f. [from ad and unus, 

Lit.] The ftate of being united ; union : 

* word of little ufe. 

When, by glaciation, wood, draw, duft, anJ 
water, are fuppofed to be united into one lump, 
the cold does not caufe any real union or adunamr., 
but only hardening the aqueous parts of the liquor 
into ice, the other bodies, being accidentally pre- 
fent in that liquor, are frozen up in it, but not 
really united. Boyle. 

AD U'N c i T y . n.f. [aJuncitas, Lat.] Crook- 
ednefs ; flexure inwards ; hookednefs. 

There can be no queftion, but the aduncity o: 
the pounces and beaks of the hawks, is the caufe 
of the great and habitual immorality of thofe ani- 
mals. Arbatbn'it and Pope'! Mart. Scrib 

ADu'NojJE.a^r. [adWa/.Lat.] Crooked; 
bending inwards ; hooked. 

The birds that are fpeakers, are partots, pie 
jays, daws, and ravens ; of which parrots have an 
dunaue bill, but the reft not. 

Banns Nat. Hift. N 38 
A'DVOCACY. n.f. [from advocate.] The 
zSt of pleading ; vindication ; defence 
apology ; a word in little ufe. 

Jf any there are who are of opinion that there 
4re no antipodes, or that the ftars do fall, thev 
fliall not want herein the applaufe or advocacy o 
Satan. Browns Vulgar Errourt, b. i 

A'DVOCATE. n.f. [advocatus, : Lat.] 
l. He that pleads the caufe of another in 
a court of judicature. 

Anadvteate, in the general import of the word 
is that perfon who has the pleading and manage 
ment of a judicial caufe. In a ftridl way of fpeak 
ing, only that perfon is filled advocate, who is th 
patron of the caufe, and is often,-in Latin, termc- 
ttgatut, and, in Englilh, a perfor* of the Ion; 
robe. Ayliffes Parcrgon 

Learn whatthou ow'ft thy country and thy friend 
What's rsquilite to fpare, and what to fpend : 
Learn this ; and, after, envy not the ftorc 
Of the greas'd advocate that grinds the poor. 

Drytlcn'i Perfius 

Z. He that pleads any caufe, in whateve 
manner, as a controvertift or vindicator. 

If me dares truft me with her little baba, 
I'll (hew 't the king, and undertake to be 
Her advocate to the loud'ft. Kbakrff. rJatnla 

Of the fcveral forms of government that hav 
been, or are, in the world, that caufe fccms com 
m mly the better, that has the better advmute, o 
is advantaged by frc/her experience. 

T^l-lc's Mifcellanit. 

3. It is ufed with the particle fur befor 
the perfon or thing, in whofe favour th 
plea is offered. 

Foes to all living worth except your own, 
And advocates fir folly dead and gone. 

Pope's F.fijlli 

4. In the fcriptural and facrcd fenfe, i 
ftands for one of the offices of our Re 
deemer. 



A E 



Me hii 

And propitiation ; all his works on me, 
Oood, or not good, ingraft. Milton's Parad. Left. 
DVOCA'TION. n.f. [from advocate.] The 
office or aft of pleading; plea; apology. 

My ad-uo-atKn is not now in tune; 
My lord i not my lord ; nor fliould I know him, 
Were he in favour, as in humour, alter'd. 

Sbakej'f care's Otbllh. 

ADVOLA'TION. n. f. [ad-volo, advolatum, 
Lat.] The aft of flying to fomething. 

ADVOLU'TION. n.f. [fl</W*r/,Lat.] The 

aft of rolling to fomething. 
ADVO'UTRY. n. f. [a'voutrie, Fr.] A- 

dultery. 

He was the moft perfidious man upon the earth, 
and he had made a marriage compounded between 
an adwutry and a rape. Bacon's Henry VII. 

ADVOWE'. n.f. He that has the right of 
advowfon. See ADVOWSON. 

ADVO'WSON, or ADVO'WZEN, n.f. [In 
common law.] A right to prefent to a 
benefice, and fignifies as much as Jus 
Patronatus. In the canon law, it is fo 
termed, becaufe they that originally ob- 
tained the right of prefenting to any 
church, were great benefactors thereto ; 
and are therefore termed fometimes Pa- 
tro.ni, fometimes Advocati. Co-ivell. 

fo ADU'RE. <v. n. [aduro, Lat.] To burn 
up : not in ufe. 

Such a degree of heat, which doth neither melt 
nor fcorch, doth mellow, and not adure. 

Bacon's Nat. Hijl.ti 319. 

ADU'ST. adj. \aduftus, Lat.] 

1 . Burnt up ; hot as with fire ; fcorched. 

By this means, the virtual heat of the water 
will enter; and fuch a heat as will not make the 
body adujl, or fragile. Eacai. 

Which with torrid heat, 
And vapours as the Libyan air adujl, 
Began to parch that temperate clime. 

Milton's Paradr Loft. 

2. It is generally now applied, in a me- 
dicinal or philofophical fenfe, to the 
complexion and humours of the body. 

Such humours arc adttji, as, by long heat, become 
of a hot and liery nature, as choler, and the like. 

To eafe the foal of one oppreflive weight, 
This quits an empire, that embroils a (late. 
The fame adufl complexion has impelt'd 
Charles to .the convent, Philip to the field. Pope. 
ADU'STED. adj. [See ADUST.] 

1. Burnt; fcorched; dried with fire. 

Sulphurous and nitrous foam 
They found, they mingled, and with fubtle art 
C-mioa-.-d, and tidtijiid, they reduc'd 
To bhckcll grain, and into ftore convey'd. 

Paradife Lift. 

2. Hot, as the complexion. 

They arc but the fruits of adufted choler, and 
the evaporations of a vindicative fpirit. Hinoell. 

ADU'STIBLE. adj. [from aduft.~\ That 
which may be adulted, or burnt up. Dill. 

AnuVriON. n.f. [from aduft.] The ad 
of burning up, or drying, as by fire. 

This is ordinarily a confequcnce of a burning 
colliquative fever ; the- foftcr parts being meltet 
away, the heat continuing its adttjlhfi, upon the 
drier and fleihy parts, changes into a marcid fever. 
Harvey on Confumpticns 
Anz. n.f. SeeAoDiCB. 
AE, or IB.. A diphthong of yery fre- 
quent uie in the Latin language, which 
feems not properly to have any place in 
the Englilh ; fmce the <t of the Saxons 



A E R 

has been long out of ufe, being changed 
to e fimple, to which, in words fre- 
quently occurring, the <r of the Romans 
is, in the fame manner, altered, as in 
equattr, equinoilial, and even in Eneas. 
I'GILOPS. n.f. [afyiXw-vJ/, Gr. fignifying 
goat-eyed, the goat being fubjeft to this 
ailment.] A tumour or fwelling in the 
great corner of the eye, by the root of 
the nofe, either with or without an in- 
flammation : alfo a plant fo called, for 
its fuppofed virtues againfl fuch a dif- 
temper. Quincy. 

j.gilops is a tubercle in the inner eanthus of 
the eye. Woman's Surgery. 

"GI.OCUE. n. f. [written inftead of 
eclogue, from a midaken etymology.] A 
pailoral ; a dialogue in verfe between 
goat-herds. 

Which moved him rather in tfglogues otherwife 
to write, doubting, perhaps, his ability, which he- 
little needed, or minding to furnilh our tongue 
with this kind wherein it faulteth. 

Spenjer's Pa/lcrals. 

iCypTi'ACUM. n.f. An ointment con- 
fifting only of honey, verdigreafe, and 
vinegar. >uincy. 

, orEAL, or AL [in compound names, 
as irav in the Greek compounds] figni- 
fies ail, Or altogether. So jElivin is a, 
complete conqueror : Albert, all illujirious : 
Aldred, altogether reverend : Alfred, alto- 
gether peaceful. To thefe Pammacbiui r 
Pancratius, Pamphilius, &c. do in fome 
meafure anfwer. Gibfon's Camden. 

./ELF [which, according to various dia- 
lefts, is pronounced ulf, ivelph, hulph, 
hilp, helfc, and, at this day, help] im- 
plies affiftance. SojE/fiuin is victorious ; 
and jElfiuvld, an auxiliary governour f 
jElfgifa, a lender of ajjiftance : with 
which Boetius, Symmacbus, Epicurus, &c. 
bear a plain analogy. Gibfoifs Camden* 

JENI'GMA. See ENIGMA. 

AE'RIAL. adj. [aerius, Lat.] 

1 . Belonging to the air, as confifting of it. 

The thunder, when to roll 
With terrour through the dark : rw/ lull. 

Paradife Left, 

From all that can with fins or feathers fly, 
Thro 1 the aerial or the wat'ry flty. Prior, 

\ gathered the thickncfs of the air, or aerial in- 
terval, of the glaflea at that ring. 

Newtek's Opritkt, 

Vegetables abound more with aerial partick-j 
than animal fubftances. Arbutbnot on Aliments* 

2. Produced by the air. 

The gifts of heav'n my foU'wing fong purfucs, 
Atrial honey, and ambroli.il dews. 

Dry Jen's firg, Gearf. 

3. Inhabiting the air. 

Where thofe immortal dupes 
Of bright wria/fpirits live infpher'd, 
In regions mild, of calm and fercne air. 

Paradife Regained. 

yfrn0/animals maybe fubdivided into birds and 
flies. Lackc* 

4. Placed in the air. 

Here fubterranean works and cities fee, 
There towns aerial on the waving tree. 

Pipe's Kjjay on Man, 

5. High ; elevated in fltuation, and there- 
fore in the air. 

A fpacious city Hood, with flrmeft walls 
Sure mounJed, and with numerous turrets crown'd, 
Aerial fpires, and ciwdelj, the feat 
Of kings and heroes refolute in war. Philips. 

A'KRIE. 



A F F 

A'EJUE. n.f. {>>>, Fr.] The proper 
word, in hawks and other birds of prey, 
for that which we generally call a neft 
in other birds. CaivelL 

AERO'LOGY. n.f. [iv? and hoy*, Gr.] 
The doftrine of the r. 

A'EHOMANCY. n.f. [f and ut7ic, Gr.] 
The art of divining by the air. Difl. 

ABRO'METRY. n.f. [i^ and puty*-] The 
art of meafuring the air. Ditf. 

AERO'SCOPY. n.f. [aij and miirlu, Gr.] 
The obfervation of the air. Di<3. 

^E'THIOPS-MINERAI,. n.f. A medicine 
fo called, from its dark colour, prepar- 
ed of quickfilver and fulphur, ground 
together in a marble mortar to a black 
powder. Such as have ufed it mod, 
think its virtues not very great. Quincy. 

JEn'rts. n.f. [l\9-, an eagle.] Eagle- 
ftone. It is about the bignefs of a chell- 
nut, and hollow, with fomewhat in it 
that rattles upon lhaking. Quincy. 

AFA'R. adv. [from a and at., andjar.] 
See FAR. 

1 . At a great diftance. 

So fhaken as we are, fo wan with care, 
Find we a time for frighted peace to pant, 
And breathe (hort-winded accents of new broils, 
To be commenc'd in ftroudi afar remote ? 

Sbatifptare's Htnry IV. 

We hear better when we hold our breath than 
contrary ; infomuch as in liftening to attain a 
found afar off, men hold their breath. 

Bacon' i Natural Hiflory, Ni84. 
-Z, To or from a great diftance. 

Heftor haftened to relieve his boy ; 
Difmifs'd his burniik'd helm that (hone tfar, 
The pride of warriours, and the pomp of war. 

Drydcn. 

3. From afar; from a diftant place. 

The rough Vulturr.us, furious in its courfe, 
With rapid dreams divides the fruitful ground:, 
And from afar in hollow murmur founds. 

Add'lfrn on Italy. 

4. Afar off; remotely diftant. 

Much fufpefting his fecret ends, he entertained 
a treaty of peace with France, but fecretly and 
afar off, and to be governed as occafions (hr,uld 
vary. Sir J tn Hayii'anl. 

AFE'ARD. participial adj. [from to fear, 

for to fright, with a redundant.] 
a. Frighted ; terrrfied ; afraid. 

He loudly bray'd, that like was never heard, 
And from his wide devouring oven ftr.t 
A fhke of fire, that fhftiing in his beard, 
Him arl amaz'd, and almoft made aftard. 

Fai'j Sjittri. 

But fell me, Hal, art thou not horridly afiard T 
Thou being heir apparent, could the wurld pick 
thee out three fuch enemies again. 

Sbattfpiari't Htnry IV. 
Till he cheriftt too much beard, 
And make Love, or me, afcard. 

Sen Jnnfon't Underwood'*. 

2. It has the particle / before the objeft 
of fear. 

Fear is defcribed by Spenfer to ride in armour, 

a: the clalhing whereof he looks afiard ofh\mk\f. 

Peacham. 

It is now obfelete ; the laft author 
whom I have found ufmg it, is Sedley. 
JFER. n.f. [Lat.] The fouth-wcft wind. 
With aherlc bUd upturnt them from the 

fouth, 
Notus and Aftr, black with thund'rous clouds. 

Milton'i Paradife Lift. !/. x. 

AFFABI'LITY. n. f. [a/atilitt, Fr. af- 
fabilitas, Lau See AFPAM.*.] T',-e 



A F F 

quality of being affable ; eafinefs of 
manners; courteoufaefs ; civility ; con- 
defcenfion. It is commonly ufed of 
fuperiours. 

Hearing of her beauty and her wit, 
Her affability and bafhful niodedy, 
Her wond'rous qualities, and mild behaviour. 

Sbakcfpearc. 

He was of a moft flowing courtefy and affabi- 
lity to all men, and fo defirous to oblige them, 
that he did not enough confider the value of the 
obligation, or the merit of the perfon. Clarend. 

All ind^nces of charity, fweecnefs of converfa- 
tio:>, affability, admonition, all (ignifications of 
tendernefs, care, and watchfuluefs, muft be ex- 
prefled towards children. Taykr. 

It is impoffible for a publick minifter to be fo 
open and eafy to all his old friends, as he was in 
his priva:e condition ; but this may be helped out 
by an affability of addrefs. L'Eftrange. 

A'FFABLE. adj. [affable, Fr. affabilis, 
Lat.] 

1. Eafy of manners; accoftable ; cour- 
teous ; complaifant. It is ufed of fu- 
periours. 

He was affable, and both well and fair fpoken, 
and would ul'e Itrange fwcetnefs and blandilh- 
ment of words, where he delired to affect or per- 
fuade any thing that he took to heart. Bacon. 

Her father is 
An affablt and courteous gentleman. 

Xbakffp. Tarn. Sbrnu. 

Gentle to me and affable hath been 
Thy condefcenfion, and dial! be honour'd ever 
With grateful DKrnnry. Mi.'tzn's Par, L'Jl, i. viii. 

2. It is applied to the external appear- 
ance ; benign; mild; favourable. 

Auguftus appeared, locking round him with a 
fcrene and affable countenance upon all the 
writers of his age. Taller. 

A'FFABLENESS. n. f. [from affable.] 
Courtefy ; affability. 

A'FFABLY. adv. [from affable.] In an 
. affable manner ; courteoufly ; civilly. 

A'PFABROUS. adj. [affaire, Fr.] Skil- 
fully made ; complete ; iinifhed in a 
workman-like manner. Dtfl. 

AFPABULA'TIOK. n.f. [affabulatio, Lat.] 
The moral of a fable. Dia. 

AFFA'IR. n.f. [affaire, Fr.] Bufmefs ; 
fomething to be managed or tranfafted. 
It is ufed for both private and public 
matters. 

I was not born for courts or great affairs ; 
I pay my debta, believe, and fay my prayers. Pope. ' 
A good acquaintance with method will greatly 
aftiit every one in ranging, difpofing, and manag- 
ing all human affairs. Watts's Lcgick. 

Wii..t St. Juhn's (kill in date affairs, 
What Ormond's valour, Oxford's caics, 
To aid their finking country lent, 
Was all dedroy'd by one r\ nt. Sivift. 

To AFFE'AR. <v. n. [from affiir, Fr.] To 
confirm ; to give a function to; to^ 
eftabliih : an old term of law. 

Bleed, bleed, poor country ! 
Great tyranny, lay thou thy bafis fure; 
For goodncfs Blares not check thee ! 
His title is affcar'd. Skahfp. Macbeth. 

AFFE'CT. n.f. [from the verb affeft.} 

1. Affeftion ; paflion ; fenfation. 

It leemeth that as the feet have a fymp^thy 
with the head, fo the wrids have a fympathy 
with the heart; we (ec the afftfti and paliions of i 
the heart and fpirits are notably difclofcd by the 
pulfe. Bacon'! Natural Ili/lcry, N 97. 

2. Quality; circumftance. 

1 find it difficult to make out one (ingle ulcer, 
as authors dekribe it, without other f)mptoms or 
affeii: jgined to it. tfifcmati. 



A F F 

This is only the antiquated word for 
affeflion. 

To AFFE'CT. 11. a. [affe3er, Fr. afficio, 
ajfettum, Lat.] 

1 . To aft upon ; to produce effe&s in any 
other thing. 

The fun 

Had fird his precept fo to move, fo /hinff, 
As might ajfcflthe earth with cold and heat, 
Scarce tolerable. Milton's Paradife Loft, 1. x. 

The generality of men are wholly governed by 
names, in matters of good and evil; fo far as 
thefe qualities relate to, and affeil, the actions of 
men. Soittb's Sermons. 

Vet even tliofe two particles do reciprocally 
afftEl each other with the fame force and vigour^ 
as they would do at the fame diftance in any other 
fituation imaginable. Bentley't Sermons* 

2. To move the paflions. 

As a thinking man cannot but be very much 
afftfitd with the idea of his appearing in the pre- 
fence of that Being, whom none can fee and live; 
he mud be much more affefltd, when he con- 
tiders, that this Being, whom he appears before, 
will examine the actions of his life, and reward or 
punifh him accordingly. 

'A.idifon, Spfflattr, N 513. 

3. To aim at ; to endeavour after : fpoken 
of perfons.- 

Atrides broke 

His filence next, but ponder'd ere he fpoke : 
Wife are thy words, and glad I would obey, 
But this proud man affefh imperial fway. 

Drydcn's Iliad. 

4. To tend to ; to endeavour after ; fpokeo 
of things. 

The drops of every fluid affcfi a round figure., 
by the mutual attraction of their parts ; as the 
globe of the earth and fea affefls a round figure, 
by the mutual attraction of its parts by gravity. 

Nnvion'i Of lifts, 

5. To be fond of; to be pleafed with,; 
to love ; to regard with fondnefs. 

That little which fome of the heathen did 
chance to hear, concerning fuch matter as the 
facrcd Scripture plentifully containeth, they did 
in wonderful fort affefj. Hooker, If. \, 

There is your crown ; 
And he that wears the crown immortally, 
Long guard it yours ! If I affcfi it more, 
Than as your honour, and as your renown, 
Let me no more from this obedience rife. 

Sbakfjpcarfi Henry IV, 

Think not that wars we love, and ftrife affcfi ; 
Or that we hate iweet peace. Fairfax, t. ii 

None but a woman could a man direft 
To tell us women what we moftaffefl. 

Dryd.Wtfc of Batk. 

6. To make a Ihew of fomething ; to 
ftudy the appearance of any thing ; 
with fome degree of hypocrify. 

Another nymph, amongd the many fair, 
Before the rtft affcfitd dill to ftand, 
And watch'd my eye, preventing my command. 

trier. 

Thcfe often carry the humour fo far, till their 

affcfltd coldncfs and indifference quite kills all- the 

:'-fs of a lover. Addifon, Speltator, N 1 7 1. 

Coquet and coy at once her air, 
Both dudied, though both leem neglected; 

Carclefs (he is with artful care, 
Affixing to feem unaffefted. Congrtvc, 

The confcious hulband, whom like fymptoma 

kite, 

Charges on her the guilt of their difeafe ; 
Afftft'mg fury, afts a madman's part, 
He'll rip the fatal fecret from her heart. Grrtn<v\lle. 

7. To imitate in an unnatural and con- 
ftrained manner. 

Spenfer, in uffifling the ancients, writ no lan- 
guage ; yet 1 would have him read for his matter, 
but as Virgil read Eunius. 

fin Jonfon's Djfuvtria. 

8. To 



A F F 

t. To convift of fome crime ; to attaint 
with guilt ; a phrafe merely juridical. 

By the civil law, if a dowry with a wife be pro- 
mil'ed and not paid, the hulband is not obliged to 
How her alimony. But if her parents (hall be- 
come infolver.t by fome misfo;tune, (he fli.il! have 
alimony, unlefs you can aftfl them with fraud, 
in promifing what they knew they were not able 
to perform. dyliffc's fartraon. 

AFFE CTA'T JON. n.f. [affefiatio, Lat.j 
l. Fondnefs; high degree of liking; 
commonly with fome degree of culpa- 
bility. 

In things of U:cir own nature indifferent, if 
either councils or particular men have at any 
' time, with found judgment, rr.ifliked conformity 
between the church of God and infidels, the caufe 
thereof h.ith been fomcwhat clfe than only affrc- 
tatttn of diffimilitude. Hcoktr, b. iv. $ 7. 

r. An artificial (hew ; an elaborate ap- 
pearance ; a falfe pretence. 

It has been, from age to age, an a/eSation to 
love the pleafure of folitude, among thofe who 
cannot poffibly be fuppofed qualifi-d. for paffing 
life in that manner. Speftator, N 264. 

AfTE'cTtD.farticifialaf/j. [from afeB.'} 

1. Moved; touched with affeftion ; in- 
ternally difpofed or inclined. 

No marvel then if he were ill afifled. 

Sbakefp. King Lear. 

The model they feemed af^fied to in their di- 
rectory, was not like to any of the foreign re- 
formed churches now in the world. Clarendon. 

z. Studied with over-much care, or with 
hypocritical appearance. 

Thefe antick, lifping, afeCtitl phantafies, thefe 
new tuners of accents. SbakcJ'p. R:ma and Juliet. 

5. In a perfonal fenfe, full of affeftation ; 

as, an affeBed lady. 

AFFE'CTEDLY. adv. [from affeSed.^ 
j. In an affefted manner; hypocritically ; 

with more appearance than reality. 

Perhaps they are afeflcdly ignorant j they arc 
fo willing it mould be true, that they have not at- 
tempted to examine it. 

Gvairnmtnt of the Tongue, 5. 

Some indeed have been fo affcRedly vain, as to 
Counterfeit immortality, and have ftolen their 
death, in hopes to be efteemed immortal, 

Brovin's Vulgar Erroun, b. vii. c. lo. 

By talking fo familiarly of one hundred and ten 
thoufand pounds, by a tax upon a few commo- 
dities, it is plain, you are either naturally or af- 
fededl) ignorant of our condition. Swift. 

2. Studioofly ; with laboured intention. 

Some mifperiuafions concerning the divine at- 
tributes, tend to 'the corrupt'nj men's manners, 
as if they were dcfigned and afttltdly chofcn for 
that purpofe. Duay 'f V'.e:y. 

AFFE'CTEDNESS. n. f. [from ajftled.~\ 
The quality of being affefted, or of 
making falfe appearances. 

AFFE'CTION. n.f. [ a jeaio,t, Fr. ttfftc- 
tio, Lat.] 

1. The ftate of being affefted by any 
caufe, or agent. This general fenfe is 
little in ufe. 

Some men there are love not a gaping pig j 
Some that are mad if they behold a cat ; 
And others, when the bag-pipe fings i' th'nofe, 
Cannot contain their urine, for affrft'an. 

kefp. Mircbant ofl r tr.ice. 

2. Paffion of any kind. 

Then 'gan the Palmer thus : moft wretched mm, 
That to affctticnt does the bridle lend ; 

In their beginning they are weak and w.m. 
But foon through fufferance grow to fearful end. 

Fairy Queen, 

Impute it to my late folitary life, which is prone 

ffftditns. Sidney, b. i. 



A F F 

icm, as joy, grief, fear, and anger, with 
fuch like, being, as it were, the fundry fafliions 
and forms of appetite, can neither rife at the 
conceit of a thing mdifferent, nor yet choofe but 
rife at the fight of fome things. Hooker, t. i. 

To fpeak truth of Csefar, 
I have not known when his aftfticns fway'd 
More than his rcafon. Sbakeff. Julias Cxfar. 

Zeal ought to be compofcd of the higheft de- 
geees of pious affeflions ; of which fome are mil- 
der and gentler, fome fliarper and more vehement. 

Sprat's Sermons. 

I can prcfent nothing beyond this to your af- 
feflions, to excite your love and defire. Tillotfon. 

3. Love ; kindnefs ; good-will to fome 
perfons ; "often with to or towards be- 
fore the perfon. 

I have acquainted you 

With the dear love 1 bear to fair Ann Page, 
Who mutually hath anfwer'd my effcflhn. 

Sbakeff. Mtrry Wives of fVindfor. 
My king is tangled in afftttion to 
A creature of the queen's, lady Anne Bullcn. 

Sbakeffeare. 

What warmth is there in your affctlkns tmi-ards 
any of thefe princely fuitors ? 

Sbaktfp. Merchant cf ftnice. 
Make his intercft depend upon mutual afc&kn 
and good correfpondcnce with others. 

Collier on Ger.eral Kindnefs. 
Nor at firft fight, like moil, admires the fair; 
For y< u he lives, and you alone Hull {hare 
His laft affflivn, as his early care. Pope. 

4. Good-will to any objeft ; zeal ; paf- 
fionate regard. 

I have reafon to diftruft mine own judgment, 
as that which may be overborn by my zeal and 
afcltion to this caufe. Bacin. 

Set your affc&'nn upon my words ; defire them, 
and ye (hall be instructed. Wijdom, vi. n. 

His integrity to the king was without blemiih, 
and his afftclion to the church fo notorious, that 
he never dcferted it. Clarendon. 

All the precepts of Christianity command us to 
moderate our p.iflinns, to temper our ojfcfli- n to- 
wards all things below. Temple. 

Let not the mind of a ftudent be under die 
influence of warm affetTux to things of fenl'e, 
when he comes to the frarch of truth. 

Willis's Improvement of the Mitul. 

5. State of the mind, in general. 

There grows, 

In my moft ill-compos'd affefiion, fuch 
A rtanchlels avarice, that were I king, 
I (hould cut off the nobles for their lands. 

Sbabtfpeare's Macbeth. 
The man that hath no mufick in himfelf, 
Nor is not movM with concord of fweet founds, 
Is fit for trealbns, ftratagcms, and fpoils ; 
The motions of his fpirit are dull as night, 
And his ajftfiicrs dark as Erebus : 
Let no fuch man be truflcd. 

Sbakeffj, Mercb, of Venice. 

6. Quality ; property. 

The certainty and accuratenefs which is attributed 
to what mathematicians deliver, muft be rcftrained 
to what they teach,, concerning thofe purely ma- 
thematical difciplines, arithmetick and geometry, 
where the effeflions of quantity are abftractedly 
confidered. Boyle. 

mouth being neceiTary to conduct the voice 
to the fliapc of its cavity, ncceffarily gives the 
voio: fome particular afellion of found in its paf- 
fage before it come to the lips. 

Haider's Elements of Speech. 

God may have joined immaterial fouls to other 
kinds of bodies, and in other laws of union ; and, 
from thofe different laws of union, there will 
arife quite different affeftioni, and natures, and 
fpecies of the compound beings. Bent'ty's Sermons, 

j. State of the'body, as adled upon by any 
caufe. 

It feemed to me a venereal gonorrhea, and others 
thought it arofe from fome fcorbutical affeflhn. 

fPifemtn'i Surgery 



A F F 

8. Lively reprefentation in painting. 

ylfeetlo* is the lively reprei'entmint of any paf- 
fion whatfocver, is if the figures ftood not upon a 
cloth or board, but as if they were acting upon a 
fta^c. fPsttin'i ArMnflure. 

9. It is ufcd by Shakefpeare fometime 

for affttlatis'i. 

There w.is rothing in it tht could indict the 
authrr of ar, Sbakefpearr. 

AFFE'CTION ATE. adj. [afftSionne, Fr. 
from ajfelion.~\ 

1 . Full of auedion ; drongly moved ; 
warm ; zealous. 

ic of God, and defire to pleafc him, 
men can never be t.x> , and it is as 

true, that in their haticd of fin, rr.cn may be 

Innvt'm > to p.tT. .V*n;r,-': Sn-mtr.s. 

2. Strongly inclined to; difpofed to; 
with the pnrticle to. 

As for the parliament, it prcfently took fire, 
bcin t , '>( old, to the war of France. 

Bacon, Henry VII. 

3. Fond ; tender. 

He found m.- fitting, beholding this picture, I 
know not with h . It countenance, but, 

I am fure, with a meft affeflionate mind. .' 

Away trey fly 

j4jfi(!ionate, and undefiring bear 
The moft delicious morfel to their young. 

r lv:mf'>n's Spring. 

4. Benevolent ; tender. 

When we reflect on all this affifficnate care of 
Providence for our happincl'-, with what wonder 
mud we obfervc the little erF-ct it has on men ! 

R- pen's Vermont. 

AFFE'CTIONATELY. ad<u, [from affec- 
tionate.} In an affectionate manner ; 
fondly ; tenderly ; benevolently. 

AFFE'CTION ATENESS. n. f. [from af- 
fe3ionate.~\ The quality or ftate of be- 
ing affectionate ; fondnefs ; tendernefs } 
good-will ; benevolence. 

AFFE'CTIONED. adj. [from ajfenion.~\ 

1 . Affefted ; conceited. This fenfe is 
now obfolete. 

An afefiioned af& that cons ftate without book, 
and utters it by great iw:uhs. 

Sbatcfpejre's Twelfth Night, 

2. Inclined ; mentally difpofed. 

Be kindly affefticncd one to another. 

Rcm. xii. 10. 

AFFE'CTIOUSLY. adv. [from affefl.} In 

an affifling manner. D:R. 

AFFE CTIVE. adj. [from a/fitf-] That 

which affe&s ; that which ftrongly 

touches. It is generally uled for painful. 

Pain is fo uneafy a fentiment, that very little 

of it is enough to corrupt every enjoyment ; and 

the effect God intends this variety of ungrateful 

and affcflive fentiments ihould have on us, is to 

reclaim our affections from this valley of tears. 

Rtgers, 

AFFECTUO'SITY. n.f. [from afflfiuous.'] 

Paflionatenefs. Dia. 

AFFE'CTUOUS. adj. [from ajfcl.~\ Full 

of paffion ; as, an afetluous fpecch : a 

word little ufed. 
To AFFE'RE. v. a. \offi:r, Fr.] A law 

term, fignifying to confirm. See To 

AFFEAR. 
AFFE'RORS. n.f. [from afire.] 

Such as are appointed in court-Ieets, &c upon 
oath, to mulct fuch as have committed faults ar- 
bitrarily puniuSable, and have no exprefs penalty 
fet down by ftatute. Cifj/tll. 

AFFI' ANCE. n. f. [affiance, from offer, 

Fr.] 
i. A mwriage-contraft. 

At 



A F F 

At hft fuch grace I found, and metnl I wrought, 
That 1 that lady to my fpoufe had won, 

Accord of friends, confent of parents fought, 
jljptnice made, my happinefs beg'jn. 

Fairy S^ucen, b.\\. 

Z. Truft in general ; confidence ; fecure 
reliance. 

The duke is virtuous, mild, and too well given 
To dream on evil, or to work my downfall. 
Ah ! what's more dangerous than this fonc 

affi.iace ? 

Seems hs a dove ? his feathers are but borrowed. 
SbaktffMre't Htwj Vj. 

3. Truft in the divine promifes and pro- 
tection. To this fenfe it is now almoft 
confined. 

Religion receives man into a covenant of grac.-, 
where there is pardon reached out to all truly pe- 
nitent finners, and afiiftance promifed, and en- 
gaged, and beftowed upon very eafy conditions, 
viz. humility, prayer, and affijnce in him. 

Htimmwd's Fundamentals, 

There can be no furer way to fucccfs, than by 
d'fclairr.ing all confidence in ourfelves, and refer- 
ring the events of things to God with an implicit 
affiance. Alterbury^i Sermins. 

To AFFI'ANCE. v. a. [from the noun 

affiance.] 

\ . To betroth ; to bind any one by pro- 
mife to marriage. 

To me, fad maid, or rather widow fad, 
He was af.anced long time before, 

And Tacred pledges he both gave and had ; 
Fa, ic, errant knight, infamous, and forefwore. 

Fairy >ueen. 

Her fliiuld Angelohive married, was affianced to 
her by oath, and the nuptial appointed ; between 
which time of the contract, and limit of the fo- 
lemnity, his brother was wrecked, having in that 
%eiiei the dowry of his lifter. 

Se>ektffe<ire's Meafurefor Meajurt. 

2. To give confidence. 

Stranger! wh e'er thou art, fecurely reft 
dffianc'd in my faith, a friendly gueft. 

Pofe's Odyffty. 

APFI'ANCER. . /. [from affiance] He 
that makes a contrail of marriage be- 
tween two parties. Did. 

AFFIDA'TION. \n.f. [from ajpJo, Lat. 

AFFI DA'TURE. J See AFFIED.] Mutual 
contract; mutual oath of fidelity. Die}. 

AFFIDA'VIT. n.f. {nffida-vit fignifies, in 
the language of the common law, be 
mode oath] A declaration upon oath. 

Yuu laid, if I rrturn'd next 'fize in Lent, 
I iii iui i be in remitter of your giace ; 
In th interim my letters mould take place 
Of D'.nn?. 

C mnt Rechtcren m'ulJ have nude affitiai-it 
his fenrants had been affronted, and then 
Monfitur Mefna^er would have d me him jufticc. 

aior, N 48 1 . 

AFFI'ED. participial adj. [from the verb 
afy, derived from affido, Lat. Brafton 
uling the phrafe affittare midiire;.] Join- 
ed by contract ; atSanced. 

Br we ajfied, and fuch afTurancc ta'en, 
Asihail witheith :, Sbtlttff 

AKFI i.r A'T ION. n.f. [from ad and^/;'irj 
Lat.] Adoption ; the aft of taking a 
fon. Chamf-crs. 

A'FKIKACE. n.f. \affinage, Fr.] The 
aft of refining metals by the cupel. Diet. 
'NED. adj. [from a/inis, Lat.] Join- 
ed by affinity to another ; related to 
another. 

It ; irtijily affin'd, or leagu'd in cm. - e, 
, doft deliver more or lefs than truth, 
1-1 act no fotiicr. Sbaieffetrft Othtllt 



A F F 

AFFI'NITY. . / [afinite, Fr. from of. 

f.nii, Lat.] 

i . Relation by marriage ; relation con- 
trafted by the huiband to the kindred 
of the wife, and by the wife to thofe of 
the hufband. It is oppofed to conjan- 
gutnity, or relation by birth. 

In this fenfe it has fometimes the par- 
ticle with, and fometimes to, before the 
perfon to whom the relation is contracted. 

They had kft none alive, by the blindncfs of 
rage killing many guiltlefs perfons, either for 
"jfi'-'y " '^ e ty' ant or enmity to the tyrant-lcil- 
lers. Sidney, b. ii. 

And Solomon made affinity taitb Pharaoh king 
of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter. 

I Kings, iii. i. 

A bre.ich was made with France itfelf, notwith- 
ftanding fa (trait an f]ffiniy, fo lately accomplished ; 
as if indeed (according to that plcafant maxim of 
ftate) kingdoms were n-ver married. Wuton. 

. Relation to ; connexion with ; refem- 
blance to: fpoken of things. 

The Bric'ifh tongue, or Welfh, was in ufe only 
in this iflar.d, having great affinity tti'itb the old 
Callick. Camden. 

All things that have affinity with the heavens, 
move upon the center of another, which they be- 
nefit. Bacon, Ej/ay xxiv. 

The art of painting hath wonderful affinity ivitb 
that of poetry. Dryd. Dufrtjnoj, Fref, 

Man is more diftinguimed by devotion than by 
reafon, as feveral brute creatures difcover fome- 
thing like realln, though they betray not any 
thing that bears the icait affinity to devotion. 

MJiJsn, Sfxct. No so i . 

To AFFI'RM. -v. n. [a/irmo, Lat.] To 
declare ; to tell confidently : oppofed 
to the word deny. 

Vet their own authors faithfully affirm, 
That the land Salike lies in Germany, 
Between the floods of Sila and of Live. 

Sbatfff. Henry V. 

To AFFI'RM. v. a. 

1 . To declare pofitively ; as, to affirm a 

fail. 

2. To ratify or approve a former law, or 
judgment : oppofed to re<verfe or repeal. 

The houfe of peers hath a power of judicature 
in fome cafes, properly to examine, and then to 
affirm ; or, if there be caufe, to reverie the judg- 
ments which have been given in the court of king's 
bench. Baccn'i Ad-vtct to Sir G. Piilitn. 

Ill this fenfe we fay, to affirm the truth. 
APPI'R MABLE. adj. [from affirm.] That 
which may be affirmed. 

Thofe attributes and conceptions that were ap- 
plicable and affirmaHf of him 'vhen prefe-nt, are 
now affirmtible and applicable to him though pair. 

ll<ile*i Origin of Mankind. 

AFFI'RMANCE. n.f. [from affirm.] Con- 
firmation : oppofed to repeal. 

'1 Hi . rUtutx did but rellorc an ancient fta- 
t;ite, which was itfelf alfb made but in affirmance 
of the common law. Bacvn, 

AFPI'KMANT. n. f. [from affirm] The 
perfon that affirms ; a declarer. Diti. 
AFFIRMATION, n.f. \_affirmatio, Lat.] 
i. The aft of affirming or declaring : op- 
pofed to negation or denial. 

This gentleman vouches, upon warrant of bloody 
affirmation, hi* to he more virtuous, and lei's at- 
tcuiplabi';, than any of our Udies. 

SLaby'feJrc't CymieHn 

z. The pofition affirmed. 

That he Jhall receive n., benefit from Chrift, H 
the ffjprmatitm whereon hi; dcfpair is founded ; am 
one way of removing this difmal apprehenfion, is, 
to centime him, that Chrift'i cc>th, if he per- 



A F F 

form the condition required, (hall certainty belong 
to him. Hammond's Fundamentals. 

3. Confirmation : oppofed to repeal. 

The learned in the laws of our land obferve, 

that our- ftatutes fometimes are only the affii nation, 

or ratification, of that which, by common law, was 

held before. Hotter. 

AFFI'RMATIVE. adj. [from affirm] 

1. That which affirms, oppofed to nega- 
tive ; in which fenfe we ufe the affirma- 
tive abfolutely, that is, the affirmative 
fojlticn. 

For the affirmative, we are now to anfwer fuch 
proofs of theirs as have been before alleged. 

Whether there are fuch beings or not, 'ti< luffi- 
cient for my purpofe, that many have bel':ev\d 
the affirmative. DyJta. 

2. That which can or may be affirmed : a 
fenfe ufed chiefly in fcience. 

As in algebra, where affirmative quantities va- 
nifli or ccafe, there negative ones begin ; fo in 
rr.echanick?, where attraction ceafes, there a re- 
pulfive virtue ought to fucceed. Newt. Oft. 

3. Applied to perfons, he who has the; 
habit of affirming with vehemence ; po- 
fitive ; dogmatical. 

Be not confident and affirmative in an uncer- 
tain matter, but report things modeftly and tern* 
perately, according to the degree of that perfua- 
fion, which is, or ought t> be, begotten by the 
efficacy of the authority, or the reafon, inducing 
thee. Taylor. 

AFFI'RMATIVKLY. ad<v. [from affirma- 
tive] In an affirmative manner; on 
the polltive fide ; not negatively. 

The reafon of man hath no fuch rclhaintt 
concluding not only affirmatively, but negatively; 
not only affirming, there is no magnitude beyond 
the lift heavens, but alfo denying, there is any 
vacuity within them. Brown's Vulgar Errours. 
AFFI'RMER. n. f. [from affirm] The 
perfon that affirms. 

If by the word virtue, the affirmer intends our 
whole duty to God and man ; and the denier, by 
the word virtue, means only courage, or, at 
moft, our duty toward our neighbour, without in- 
cluding, in the idea of it, the duty which we owe 
to God. tPatts'i Logick. 

To AFFI'X. <u. a. \affigo, affixum, Lat.] 

1 . To unite to the end, or a pojieriori ; to 
fubjoin. 

He that has fettled in his mind determined 
ideas, with names affixed to them, will be able 
to difcern their differences one from another. 

Lockr. 

If men conftantly affixed applaufe and difgrace 
where they ought, the principle of ftiame would 
have a very good influence on publick conduct; 
though on fccret viilaniesit lays no reilraint. 

Rogiri't Sermons. 

2. To conneft confequentially. 

The doctrine of irrefiftibility of grace, in work. 
ing whatfocver it works, if it be acknowledged, 
there is nothing to be affixt to gratitude. 

Hamfftfriit's F^tiiliitnetitatt* 

3. Simply to fatten or fix. Obfolete. 

Her modclt eyes, abafhed to behold 
So many gazers as on her do ftare, 
Upon the lowly ground affixed are. Sfotfer. 

AFFI'X. n.f. [affixum, Lat.] A term of 
grammar. Something united to the end 
of a word. 

In the Hebrew language, the nnun has its nffixa, 
to denote the pronouns poil'eHivc or relative. 

Ci'jric's Latin Grammar. 
AFFI'XION. n.f. [from affix.] 

1. The aft of affixing. 

2. The ftate of being affixed. Diet. 

G 



A F F 

AFFTA'TION. n.f. [aJHo, afiatum, Lat.] 
The a& of breathing upon any th: 

JFFLjfTl'S. ,:. f. [Lat.] Communi 
cation of the power of proplu 

Tlie po.-t writing >t..i lit l-i-, ger.iu--, will l>< 
Tike a prophet without his ajfiatus. 

Spend an tbt Odyfley. 
To AFFLl'CT. i: a. \affllOo, i. 

_ _ I- -v , 

Lat.] 

1 . To put to pain ; to grieve ; to tor 
ment. 

It teacheth us how God thought fit to plague 

snd afflifJ them ; it doth not appoint in what 

f.>r-n and manner w ought to puni(h the fin ol 

v in others. 7/tofer, i, v. ^ 17. 

O coward confciencc, how dofl thou aglitt me ! 
The lights burn blue Is it not dead mi,l 
Coid fearful drops (land on my trembling tk/h. 

Sbakeff. "Rich. III. 

Give nnt ever thy mind to heavine'l's, and affiifl 
"ot ' eown counfel. Ecclus. XXT. u. 

A father aJJiineJ with untimely mourning, when 
he hath made an image of his child foon taken 
away, m,w honoured him as a God, which was 
then a dead man, and delivered to thofe that w;u- 
under him ceremonies and facrifkes. ffijdtim 

A meUnchu'y tear tij/licls my eye, 
And my heart labours with a fudden figh. Prior. 

2. Th'e pafiive to be affliaed, has often at 
before the caufal noun ; by is likewife 
proper. 

'I he mother was (i afflillid at the lofs of a fine 
bry, who was her only fon, that (he died for grief 



AFFLI'CTF.DNESS. n. /. [from ae. 
The ftate of affliftion, or of being af- 
flifted ; ibrrowfulnefs ; grief. 
AFFLI'CTER. n.f. [from afflict.} The 

perfon that afflifts. 
AFFLI'CTION. n.f. [affliaio, Lat.] 
I . The caufe of pain or forrow ; calamity. 

To the ficlh, as the spoftle himfelf granteth, 
all affltfion > naturally grievous ; therefore na- 
ti.re, which caufeth fear, tcacheth to pray a -aintl 
;l .^verfity. Ilnkr, b. v. ^48. 

V.'c'll bring you to one that you have coined 
i.t m >ney ; I think to repay that money will be a 

Si-ikifpcare. 

i. 'i'he ftate of forrowfulnefs ; mifery : 
oppofed to joy or profperity. 
Bjlidei you know, 
the \e:y bond of love, 
ii complexion, and whofe heart to- 
- ier, 

Jf.\--> in alter-. Sbateff. tfnter'sfale. 

c (hall we find the man that bears ajjilc- 
ikr, 
. Great and mijeftic in his griefs, like Cato ? 

r:*s Cl/5. 

Some virtues are only frcn in affliR'i-.r., and feme 

in profperiiy. 'Mfyn, Sfdiaf*, N257. 

AKFLi'tirivi:. adj. [from afflia.] That 

which caufes affliction ; painful ; tor- 

"ing. 

i un.l martyrdom a duty drefled up in- 
deed with all that was terrible and ai,l\-livi tc 
human nature, yet not at all the Id's doty-. 

South. 

Nor can they find 

.e to retire i v. h<"-c appeafe 

^'"' "' e.ire of food, expo 

To winds, and ftorm<, and jaws of fava^jr , 

I'bititis. 

ReCtlefs Pnoferpinc 
On f>e Tiain 

ifieads How d.feafc, and At^t aff'ilfevt pa'm. 

friar. 

A'FFLUENCE. . / [affluence, Fr. 
cntia, Lat.J 



A F F 

1. The acl of flowing to any place ; con- 
courfe. It is almoft always ufed figu 

rntiri-ly. 

I (hall not relate the affutmt of young nobles 
from hejice into Spain, al'ter the voice of oui 

being there had been i.nifcd. Wotf.r.. 

2. Exuberance of riches; ftre.im of wealth ; 
plenty. 

Thole degrees of fortune, whklfgive fulnefs 
and ajiuince to one ftation, may be want and pe- 
nury in another. Rtgin. 

Let joy or eafe, let efflucrcr or content, 
AnJ the gay confcience of a life well fpcnt, 
Calm ev'ry thought, infpirlt ev'rr grace. Pcfc, 

A'FI-LUENCV. a. /. The fame with of- 
fluence. 

A'FFLUENT. adj. {affluent, Fr. afflatus, 
Lat.] 

1 . Flowing to any part. 

Thefe parts are no more than foundation-piles 
of the enfuing body ; which are afterwards to be 
increaf=d and raifed to a greater bulk, by the 
affiut ;.' blood that is tranfmitted out of the mother's 
^ d v Harvey an Ccnf:i in ft MS. 

2. Abundant; exuberant; wealthy. 

I fee thee, Lord and end of my defire, 

Loaded and bleft with all the ajfiutr.t llore, 
Which human vows at fmoking Ihrines implore. 

Pmr. 

A'FFLUENTNESS. n. /. [from affluent.} 
The quality of being affluent. Difl. 

A'FFLUX. n.f. \_affluxus, Lat.] 

I. The. aft of flowing to fome place ; af- 
fluence. 

z. That which flows to another place. 

The caufe hereof cannot be a fupply by pro- 
creations; trge, it muft.be by new ajjluxa to 
London out of the country. " Graunt. 

The infant grows bigger out of the womb, by 
agglutinating one ajfiux of blood ^.another. 

Iljr-vty en Cwfumftictis. 

An animal that muft lie (till, receives the afflux 
of colder or warmer, clean or foul water, as it hap- 
pens to come to it. Locke. 

AFFLU'XION. n.f. [ajfluxto, Lat.] 

1. The aft of flowing to a particular 
place. 

2. That which flows from one place to 
another. 

An inflammation cither fimple, confiding of 

an hot and fanguineous ajjluxkn, or clfe denomi- 

nable trom other humours, according unto the 

predominancy of melancholy, phlegm, or choler. 

Bmun'i Vulgar Ermurs. 

To AFFO'RD. <v. a. \affourrer, ^fFourra- 
ger, Fr.] 

1. To yield or produce ; as, the foil af- 
fords grain ; the trees afford fruits. This 

feems to be the primitive fignification. 

2. To grant, or confer any thing; gene- 
rally in a good fenfe, and fometimes in 
a bad, but lefs properly. 

So foon as Maurmon there arriv'd, the door 
To him did open, and affu ,/.-./ wjy. Fairy >u(cn. 

This i', the conkil.iti.in of all good men, unto 
whom his ul>. tinual comrVtand 

fecurity ; and this is the alllifti.m of hell, to wh >m 
i; affwdf.u dcfpair and rem-juilefs cr.lamity. 
timvn'i l'ulg-.r I 

3. To be able to fell. It is uied always 
with re fere nee to fome certain price ; as, 
/ can nfl'ord this for lefs than the oticr. 

Th'-y li.l tlieir magazines in limes of t'ic Created 

- that fo they may aferJ cheaper, and in- 

c re .ilc the public n. i nail exp'ncc of its 

lrr " Million on Italy. 

.}. To be able to bear expences; as, tra- 



A F F 

dcrs tan afford more f.ncry in peace than 
war. 

The f.ime errours run through ill families, 
where ihtre is wealth enough to aff,rd that their 
fons may be good for nothing. 

Sti : .:/;;. 

To AFFO'REST. -,. a. [afcrcjiare, Lat.] 
To turn ground into forcfl. 

It a;>pcareth, by CL-ana tir I'arrft.i, that he 
affirtftd many woods and waftes, to the grievance 
of the fubjcft, which by that law were difaffo- 
TcfaA. r JJ, n Da-vifs :n Irtlai-J. 

AFFORESTA'TION. n.f. [from afforcft.~\ 

The charter dc Fsrtjla was to rd'jim the en- 
croachments made in the time of Rkbarii I. and 
Henry II. who had made ncv ^, t and 

much extended the rigour of the torctr. laws. 

Hjh't C:m.5r Laiv cf Erg/and. 

To AFFRA'NCHISE. v.a. [a/i-anci>cr,I<r.] 

To make free. 
To AFFRA'Y. -v. a. [efraycr, or effriger, 

Fr. which Menage derives horn fragir ; 

perhaps it comes . from frigus.] To 

fright ; to terrify ; to ftrike with fear. 

This word is not now in ule. 

The fame to wight he never would difclofe, 
But when as monfters huge he would difmay, 

Or daunt unequal armies of his foes, 
Or when the flying heavens he would affray. 

fairy Qiifn. 

AFFRA'Y, or AFFRA'YMENT. n.f. [from 
the verb.] 

1. A tumultuous aflault of one or more 
perfons upon others ; a law term. A 
battle : in this fenfe it is written fray. 

2. Tumult; confufion : out of ufe. 

Let the night be calm and quietf tme, 
Without tempcftuous ftorms or fa J affray. Sp.'rffr. 

AFFRI'CTIOK. n.f. [afrielio, Lat.] The 
aft of rubbing one thing upon another. 

I have divers times obferved, in wearing filver- 
hilted fwords, that, if they rubbed upon my 
cloaths, if they were of a light-coloured cloth, 
the ajfrifrurt would quickly blacken them; and, 
congruoufly hereunto, I have found pens blacked 
almoft all over, when I had a while carried them 
about me in a filver cafe. By It. 

To AFFRI'GHT. -v. a. [See FRIGHT.] 

1. To affedlwith fear ; to terrify. It gene- 
rally implies a fudden impreffion of fear. 

Thy name affi-i^bti me, in hole found is death. 

v VI. 

Godlike his courage feemV, whom nor delight 
Could foften, nor the face of death affright. Walltr. 

He, when his country (threatened w'ith alarm) 
Requires his courage and his conq'ring arm, 
Shall, more than once, the I'unic bands ef: 

Dryiitn'i &ne:d. 

2. It is ufed in the paflive, fometimes with 
at before the thing feared. 

Thou (halt not be affrigh:cd at them : f 
Lord thy God is amon^ \.m. Df:it.v'\\. 21. 

3. Sometimes with the particle imitb be- 
fore the thing feared. 

As one offrigtt 

Jf::b hetlilh fiends, or furies rnad uproar, 
He then uprofe. Fairy !$ittcn, b. ii. <-.:/. ;. 

AFFRI'GHT. n.f. [from the verb. 
I. Terrour; fear. This word is chiefiy 
poetical. 

As the moon, cloathcd with cloudy night, 
Does (he\v to him that walks ia for and fad 

Fairy i^ctn. 

Wide was his pnrilh, not extracted clofe 
In flrects, but here and there a itraggling houfe ; 
Vet dill he was at hand, without reqiiclt, 
To fcrve the fick, to fuccour the diitr 
Tempting, on foot, alone, without utjii*/.:, 
The dangers of a dirk tcmpertuous i 

Dntlfn's I 

2. The 



A F F 

z. The cnufe of fear ; a terrible object; 
dreadful appearance. 

I fee the gods 

Ur.bra'd our fufF'rings, and would humble them, 
By fending thefe affrights, while we are here, 
That \ve might laugh at their ridiculous fear. 

B. 3'jrf. Catiline. 

The war at hand appear with more of right, 
And riles cv'ry moment to tlie fight. DrjJ. Mvtid. 
AFFRI'CHTFUL. adj. [from aff'rigbt.] 
Full of affright or terrour ; terrible ; 
dreadful. 

There is an abfence of all that is dcftruflive or 
cffrigltful to human nature. Dtcai tf F':ct-. 

AFFRI'GHTMENT. n.f. [from af right. \ 
I. The imprelfion of fear ; terrour. 

awaked with the tffrigbtama of a dream. 

ITtttm. 

Paflionate words or blows from the tutor, fill 

the cYil-i's mind with terrour ar.d afrigbtmnt ; 

ii immediately takes it wholly up, and leave* 

m f')r other impr Lcckc. 

z. The (late of fearfulnefs. 

Whether thofe that, under any anjuiin of 

mind, return to affngbtair.ii or doubting:, have 

not been h)r cri;i. Kavimir.el. 

To AFFRO'NT. i/. a. {affronter, Fr. that 
is, ad frontem Jlare ; ad frontem contu- 
,;m alliderc, to infult a man to his 
face.] 

1. To meet face to face ; to encounter. 
This feems the genuine and original 
fenfe of the word, which was formerly 
indifferent to good or ill. 

We haie clofely fent for Hamlet hither, 
That he, as 'twere by accident, tmy here 

.Ophelia. fare's Ham'.et. 

The fcditious, the next dav, t.ffnn^d the king's 

of a highway; whom when 

;cady and refolute to fight, they 

nee. KirJ;bn Hayviard, 

2. To meet, in an hoflile manner, front 
to front. 

H's holy rites and folemn fearts profan'd, 
And with their darknefc durll ajfnr.r his i; 

Para 

3. To offer an open infult ; to offend 
avowedly. With refpeft to this fenfe, 
it is obfcrved by Cervantes, that, if a 
man ftrikes ancther on the back, and 
then runs away, the perfon fo (Iruck is 

red, but not ajj'rcnttd; an n/i-cnt al- 
ways implying a juftificaiion of the aft. 

Did chy coaft .' 

Yet! 11 id!; looker-on. Fairfax, i. 51. 

But harm precedes not fin, only our foe, 
Tempting, affitnti Uj\v'th hi 1 - foul cfrecm 
Of our integrity. MUttn'i farafijt Is/1, i. ix. 
J -.-iiild liMrn the caufc,why Torrilmond, 
Within my palace walls, within my hearing, 

ft within my fight, af rents a prince, 
' fliortly fliail command him. 

Drydtn'i Rfarlfr friar. 

This brings to mind Fauftina's fondnefs for the 

nd is inter-rct-d ,>s f.r^re. But how 

canoncirr. .' Fathers woujd have ilared 

to afrit. i the wife of Aurelius ? Addifon. 

AFFRO'NT. n.f. [from the verb affront.] 

1. Open opposition ; encounter : a fenfe 
not frequent, though regularly deduci- 
ble from the derivation. 

larger, like a petty god 
J walk't) about admir'd of all, and dreaded 
. .tile ground, no.ic darirg rm , ' 

iVw/crc dptilfles, 

2. Infult offered to the face; conteniptu- 

Or roile treatment; contumely. 

lii.uijiii r. 

ff'n Bae'jt, . 



A F L 

YouVedone enough; for you defign'd my chains: 
The grace is vanifh'd, but th' affront remains. 

Dry-den's Aurcngxcbe. 

He that is found reafonable in one thing, is con- 
cluded to be fo in all ; and to think o.r fay othervvif? , 
it thought fo unjult an afrcr.t, and fo fcnfelefs a 
cenfnrc, that nobody ventures to do it. Locke. 

There is nothing which we receive with fo much 
rclu&.mce as advice : we look upon the man who 
gives it us, as offering an affront to our underftand- 
ing, and treating us like children or idiots. 

Mttifitt', Sfcflaior t N 512. 

3. Outrage ; aft of contempt, in a more 
general fenfe. 

Oft have they violated 
The temple, oft the law with foul affnntt, 
Abominations rather. Mi!t'-n's Parjdift R.-g,iintJ. 

4. Difgrace ; fhame. This fenfe is rather 
peculiar to the Scottiih dbleft. 

Antonius attacked the pirates of Crete, and, by 
his too great prcfumptinn, was defeated"; upon the 
fenfe of which ajfrowhedicd with grief. 

ArlulbiM oiiCvins. 

AFFRO'NTER. n.f. [from affront.] The 
perfon that affronts. 

AFFSLO'XTIHG. participial a</j. [from /"- 
f,-ont.] That which has the quality of 
affronting ; contumelious. 

Among \vords which Minify the fame principal 
ideas, fome are clean and decent, others unclean ; 
fume are kind, others are afi~rsntk-g and reproach- 
ful, becaufe of tha fccondary idea which cultom 
has affixed to them. Wat'i'sLtgick. 

To AFFUSE. v. a. {nffunJo, afufum, 
Lat.] To pour one thing upon another. 

I poured acid liquors, to try if they contained 
any volatile fait or fpirit, which would probably 
have difcovcrcd itfclf, by making an ebullition 
with the afufcd liquor. E,ylc. 

AFFU'SION. n.f. [affiifio, Lat.] The ad 
of pouring one thing upon another. 

Upon the afufitn of a tincture of galls, it im- 
mediately became as black as ink. (VrcTr'j Mufieum. 
To AFFY'. <v. a. \_uffiir, Fr. affidare mu- 
lierem, Brafton.] To betroth in order 
to marriage. 

Weu !cd be thou to the hags of hcl!, 
For daring to ajfy a mighty lord 
Unto the daughter of a worthlefs king. 

Sbakcjpcaris Henry VI. 

To AFFY'. v. n. To put confidence in; 
to put trull in ; to confide. Not in ufe. 

Marcus /. Ironicus, fo I do afy 
In thy uprightnefi and integrity, 
That I will here difmifs my loving friends. 

Sbakfff. Titus Andr. 

AFI'ELD. ai(<v. [from a and \feld. See 
FIELD.] To the field. 

We drove afM, and bith together heard 
What time the grry fiy winds her fultry horn, 
Batt'ning our flocks with the freih dewi ct 

AJiclJ I went, amid the morning dew, 
To milk my kine, for fo fliould houl'cwives do. 

G.y. 

AFLA'T. adv. [from a and flat. See 
FLAT.] Level with the ground. 

When you would have many nt'.. i.. 
trees, take a low tre-, an-J bow it, 
branches ajitit u^on the grmind, i, 
upon them ; r.nd every twi;; wi ' 
Bacto 

ATI.O'AT. adv. [frooi a and jicat. Sfx- 
FLOAT.] Floating ; born up in the 
water; not finking: in a liguraiivc 
fenfe, within view ; in motion, 

men, 

h rik-n .it t'lf ftniiA, Irndi on to fortune ', 
Dm ii life 

In miferio. 
- ire we now 



A F O 

And we muft take thecurtent when it fervr ), 
Or lofe our renturcs. Sbakfff care's Julius Ctifar. 

Take any pailion of tire foul of man, while it is 
predominant and af.-..tt, ami, juft in the criticjt 
height of it, nitk it with fimic lucky or unlucky 
word, and you may as certai.-.ly over-rule it ta 
your own purpofe, as a fpark of fire, f.illin; 
gunpowder, will infallibly Wow it up. .Vc ../-. 

There arc generally leveral hun.lred load.; ot 'Jn - 
her ajlcjtj f( r they cue above tv.'cnty-rive 1 
up the river ; and other rivers bring in t'ifir eon- 
tributio; j. Adfijcifi Inly. 

AFO'OT. ail-u^ [from a and/oc/. j 

1. On foot ; not on horfeback. 

He thought it bell to return, lor that J.iy, to a 
Tillage not far oft"; and difp.i:chin ; ; !ns i 

I >rt, the next day early, to conn- a fa:' tlii- 
tber. Sit'^ffm, .: 

2. Iii aflion ; as, a dejigr. is nfoot. 

I pr'ytliec, when thou (celt th.it aft af<,at, . 
Ev'n with the very commeiit oft.)) f;u;l 
Ob.erve mine uncle. ^bukfjt^iire. 

3. In mction. 

Of Albany's and Cornwall's pow'rs you hearsl 

not 
'Tis faid tiu-y are .tjlct. Sbalffj-rare'i King Lear. 

AFC'RE. frep. [from a and/ire. See BE- 
FORE.] 

1. No: bcl-inJ ; as, he held the fhicld 
afc>\< ; not in ufe. 

2. Before ; nearer in place to any thing; 
as, he itood nfsre him. 

3. Sooner in time. 

If jour diligence be not fpeedy, I fliail be there 
afm you. Stahffiere s King Lear. 

AFO'RE. ad*v. 

1. In time foregone or pad. 

Whofocver fn iul4 make light rf any thing afore 
fpoken or written, out of his own houfe a tree 
mould be ukcn, and he thereon be hanged. 

Ejdras, vi. 22, 

If he never drank wine afert, it will go r, \i o 
remove his fit. Shaky f tare's Ti.r,:jif. 

2. Firft in the way. 

/Emilia, run you to the citadel, 
And tell my lord and lady what hath hap'd ; 
Will you go on afwi f Sbakjfeare's Otbelri. 

3. In front ; in the fore-part. 

Approaching nigh, he reared high afore 
His body monrirous, horrible, and vafl. Fairy 9. 
AFO'RIGOINC. participial adj. [from afore 

tttdftiHg.] Going before. 
AFO'R E H A N D. adv. [from afore and band.~\ 
I. By a previous provifton. 

Many of the pauicular Cubjccts of d'ifcnuife are 
ocrafional, and fuch ,is cannot fftnband be re- 
duced to any certain account. 

Government of tbe fsng,. 
z. Provided; prepared; previoufly fitted. 

ic will be laid, that in the former times, 
-f we have l|ijken, Spain was not lomigh.j 
as now it is ; and England, on tin; othci- iide, wa 
sferebanJ in all matters of power. 

Saion's Ctr.fidrrjtimt en Jl'ar loitb Sjteia. 
I MENTIONED, adj. [from afore 
and nuatioaed,] Mentioned before. 

Among the nil. c other parts, five arc n.,t in a 
condition to give alm> m :cli-t' in thole ef<irnr\n- 

, ; being very IK' ir rcjjced fi'.tinu-l-.r , 
! mi- miferalile condt ->n. 

AFO'R I! NAM ED. ajj. [from afure and 
'<] Named before. 

Imitate limicth ng ot ciicuLw form, in whicli, 
>i in all other ,<j ,/,,, j^u fa^ 

help ; 

Featbitm en Drawing. 

AFO'R E< A ID. atlj. [from efare and/a/V.] 
Said before. 

' r '' '( we rcfunie again 

that which we iV 

i'*ri;i'j Nttwai Hiftct y, M" 77 1 . 

G 2 AFO'RE- 



AFT 

AFO'K BTIMB. adv. [from afore and time.' 
In time pait. 

O thou mac art waxen old in wir.kednrfs, now 
thy fins which thou haft committed aforetlmi an 
come to light. 

AFRA'ID. fhftl. tfial c.tij. [from the verb 
affray : it fnould therefore properly b 
written withj|'.] 

1. Struck with fear ; terrified ; fearful. 

To perfecute them with thy tf mpi-ft, snd make 
them afraid with thy (torn). Pjalm Ixxx' : . i 

2. It has the particle of before the objecl 
of fear. 

There, loathing life, and yet tf death afraid, 
In anguifh of her fpirit, thus flic pray'd. 

Dryden's Fables 

If, wliile this wearied fleflidraws fleeting breath, 
Not fatisfy'd with lite, afraid of death, 
It hap'iy be thy will, that I mould know 
CJIimpfe of delight, or paufe from anxious woe j 
From now, fiom inftant njw, great Sire, dilpfl 
The clouds that prds my foul. I'rtor, 

AFRE'SH. adv. [from a and frejh. See 
FRESH.] Anew; again, after inter- 
rniflion. 

The Germans ferving upon great horfes, and 
charged wi^h heavy ar.-nour, received proat hurt by 
light Ikirmiftes; the Turks, with their ligh; 
horfes, eafily (hunning their charge, and again, 
at their pleafure, charging them afrejb, when 
they faw the heavy horfes almoft weary. 

Knellet's Hiftory of the Turts. 

When once we have attained thefe ideas, they 
may be excited afrtjbby the ufe of words. 

Watts't Logick. 

AFRO'NT. cd-v. [from a and front.'] In 
front ; in direft opposition to the face. 

Thefe four came all afront, and mainly thruft at 
me. Sbakeffeare't Henry IV. f. \. 

A'FTER. prep, [xpeeji, Sax.] 

1. Following in place, jifter is com- 
monly applied to words of motion ; as, 
he came after, and flood behind him. 
Jt is oppofed to before. 

What lays Lord Warwick, (hall we after them ? 
~Afttr them ! nay, itfere them, if we can. 

(Sbakffpearc't Henry VI. 

2. In purfuit of. 

s1f ' -whom is the Icing of Ifrael come out? 
jifur whom doft thou purfue ? After a dead dog, 
after a_flea. I'Kjm. xxiv. 14. 

3. Behind. This is not a common ufe. 

Sometimes I placed a third prifm after a fecond, 
and fomctimes alfo a fourth after a third, by al, 
which the image might be often refracted fide- 
ways, ffnvlcn't Oftickt. 

4. Posterior in time. 

Good afitr ill, and after pain delight ; 
Alternate, like the fcenes of day and night. 

Dryden'i Fables. 

We (hall examine the ways of conveyance of the 
fovereignty of Adam to princes that were to rtign 
after him. Locke. 

5. According to. 

He that thinketh Spain our over-match, is no 
good mint-man, but takes grcatnel's of kingJon,;, 
according to bulk and currency, and not after thci; 
intrinfic value. Bacm. 

6. In imitation of. 

There a c, among the old Roman ft.itucs, feve- 
ral of Venus, in different poftures and habits; as 
there are many particular figures of her made after 
the fame J ;, ,, / r ',,,v. 

Thil allufion is after the oriental m.t .rr : thui 
in the Pfalrm, how frequently are pj ;,,ns com- 
pared to ceJ.irs. Pofe's Oyjjey, nae\. 

A'F T E R . adv. 

i. In fjcceeding time. It is ufed of time 
mentioned as fucceeding fome other. 
So we cannot fay, I fliall be happy af- 



A F T 

ter, but hereafter ; but we fay, I wa 
firft made miferable by the lofs, bu 
was after happier. 

Far be it from me, tijuftify the cruelties whi 
were at firft ufcd towards them, which had th;i 
reward f<ion after. Baton 

Thole who, from the pit of hell 
Roaming to feek their prey on earth, durft fix 
Their feats long after next the feat of God. 

faradife Left 

z. Following another. 

Let go thy liold, when a great wheel runs down 
i hill, lc;l it break thy neck with following it; bu 
the great one that goes upward, let him draw tho 
after. Sbakefpcarc' s King Lear 

AFTER is compounded with many words 
but almoft always in its genuine anc 
primitive fignification ; fome, which 
occurred, will follow, by which others 
may be explained. 
A'FTER ACCEPTATION. n.f. [from after 
and acceptation.} A fenfe afterwards, 
not at firlt admitted. 

'Tis true, fomc doitors in a fcantier fpace, 
I mean, in each apart, contrail the place : 
Some, who to greater length extend the line, 
The church's after acceptation join. 

l)rydenl Kind and Panther. 

A'FTER ACES. n.f. [from after and ages.] 
Succeffive times ; pofterity. Of thi 
word I have found no fingular ; but fee 
not why it might not be faid, This 'will 
be done in fome afterage. 

Not the whole land, which the Chufites mould 
or might, in future time, conquer ; feeing, in 
afteragcs, they became lords of many nations. 

Raleigh'! Hi/lory of the World. 
Nor to philofophers is praife deny'd, 
Whofe wife inftr uclions aftcrages guide. 

Sir y. Denlan. 

What an opinion will afterages entertain of their 
religion, who bid fair for a gibbet, to bring in a 
fupcrftition, which their forefathers periihcd in 
flames to keep out. Addifoti. 

A~'FTER ALL. When all has been taken 
into the view ; when there remains no- 
thing more to be added ; at laft ; in 
fine ; in conclufion ; upon the whole ; 
at the molt. 

They have given no good proof in alTerting this 
extravagant principle ; for which, after ai:, they 
have no ground or colour, but a triage or two of 
fcripture, mifcrably perverted, in oppofition to 
many exprefs texts. Jlltcrburfs Sermons. 

But, after all, if they have any merit, it is to 
be attributed to foine good old authors, whoK- 
works I ftudy. i',fc n PaJJ^-al Pcctr-, . 

A'FTER BIRTH, a. f. [from after and 
birth.~\ The membrane in which the 
birih was involved, which is brought 
away after ; the fecundine. 

The exorbitances or degenerations, whether from 
a hurt in labour, or frcm part of the after-bulb 
left behind, produce fuch v> lent di.lempcrs of 
the blood, as make it caft out a '. imour. 

:.:/Tj Svfgfy. 

\'FTERCLAP. n.f. [from after and <//.] 
Unexpected events happening after an 
affair is fuppofcd to be at an end. 

For the next morrow's mead they clofciy went, 
For fear of afterclaps to prevent. 

Speitf. Hub. Tale. 

It is commonly taken in an ill fcnfe. 
VFTERCOST. n. f. [from after and coft.'] 
The latter charges ; the expence in- 
curred after the original plan is exe- 
cuted. 

You mud take care to carry off the land- floods 
and dreams, before you Attempt dunning j left your 

I 



AFT 

tfitreifl and labour prove unfucceftful. 

Mortimer's HufbanJry. 

A'FTERCROP. n.f. [from after and crip.~\ 
The fecond crop or harvell of the fame 
year. 

Aftercrops I think neither good for the land, nor 
yet the hay good for the catt!*. 

Aforriiner's Hujbatetry. 

A'FTER-DINNER. n.f. [from after and 
dinner.} The hour parting ju.i after 
dinner, which is generally allowed to 
indulgence and amufement. 

Thou haft nor youth nor age, 
But, as it were, an afttr-dirnr's deep, 
Dreaming on both. Sbakeff. Meajurtfor M- aftirt. 

A'FTER-ENDEAVOUR. n.f. [from after 
and endeavour.] Endeavours made after 
the firft effort or endeavour. 

There is no reafon why the found of a pipe 
(h iu!d leave traces in their brains, which, not firft, 
but by their aftcr-cndeavouri, Ihould produce the 
like founds. Locke. 

A'FTER-ENQJJIRY. n.f. [from after and 
enquiry.} Enquiry made after the fadl 
committed, or after life. 

You muft either be directed by fome that take 
upon them to know, or take upon yourfelf that, 
which, I am fure, you do not know, or lump the 
after-enquiry on your peril. Sbakrff. Cymbeline. 
To A'FTEREYE. v. a. [from after and eye.] 
To keep one in view j to follow in view. 
This is not in ufe. 

Thou (houldft have made him 
As little as a crow, or lels, ere left 
To afiertye him. Sbakeffeare's C}mbcli*i* 

A'FTERCAME. n.f. [from after and game.] 
The fcheme which may be laid, or the 
expedients which are praftifed after the 
original rleiign has mifcarried ; methods 
taken after the firft turn of affairs. 

This earl, like certain vegetables, did bud and 
open (lowly ; nature fometimes delighting tx> play 
an aftergame, as well as fortune, which had bith 
their turns and tides in courfe. Wo:nn. 

The fables of the axe-handle and the wedge, 
fervc to precaution us not to put ourfcrves nced- 
lefsly upon an aftergame, but to weigh beforehand 
what we fay and do. L' Ef.range' s Fables* 

Our firft defign, my friend, has proy'd abortive ; 
Still there remains an aftergame to play. 

Addifon'i Catt, 

A'FTERHOURS. n. f. [from after and' 
hours.] The hours that fucceed. 

So (mile the heav'ns upon this holy aft, 
fcriuifrj with forrow chide us not. 

Siakefpeat-e" s Romeo ar.d "J:i!':et. 
A'FTER-LIVEB. n. f. [from after and 
live.] He that lives in fucceeding times. 

By thee my promifc U:it 
Unto myfelf, let afttr-liv^s knmv. Sidney, b. ii. 

A'FTERLOVE. a.f. [from after and love.] 
The fecond or later love. 

Intended, or commitced, was this fault ? 
If but the firft, how heinous e'er it be, 
To win thy after-love, I pardon thce. 

ShakeJ'fcare'i Richard II. 

A'F TER MATH. n.f. [from afferandmatb, 
from mow.] The latter math ; the fe- 
cond crop of grafs, mown in autumn. 
See AFTERCROP. 

A'FTERNOON. n.f. [from after and noon.] 
The time from the meridian to the even- 
ing. 

A beauty-waining and diftrefTed widow, 
Ev'n in the afternoon of her bell days, 
Made prize and purchale of his wanton eye. 

Sbikcfpeart' 's Richard III. 
However, 



AFT 

However, keep the lively tafte you holiT 
Of God i and lovs him now, but fear him more ; 

And, in your afternoons, think what you told 
And promis'd him at morning-prayer before. 

Denr.t. 

Such, all the morning, to the pleadings run ; 
But, when the bus'nefs of tV day is done, 
On dice, and drink, and dribs, they fpend the af- 
tfrn. r. Dryden'sPtrfius,Sat,\. 

A'F T E R P A i N s. n.f. [from after and fain.} 
The pains after birth, by which women 
are delivered of the lecundine. 

A'FTERPART. n.f. [from after and fart.} 
The latter part. 

The flexib'er.efs of the former part of a man's 
age, not yet grown up to be headdror.g, makes it 
mote governable and fafe ; and, in the afterfart, 
reafon and forefight begin a little to take place, 
an-i mind a man of his fafety and irr.pro\i:inent. 

A'FTERPROOF. n. f. [from after and 
proof. } 

1. Evidence pofterior to the thing in 
qoeftion. 

2. Qualities known by fubfequent expe- 
rience. 

All know, that he likcwlfe at firft wa 
under the expectation of his afterfrtof; luch a 
folar influence there is in the folar alpecY W-Aicn. 
A'KTERTASTE. n./. [from after and tajie.} 
A talle remaining upon the tongue after 
the draught, which was not perceived 
in the aft of drinking. 
A'FTERTHOUGHT. n, f. [from after and 
thought.^ Reflections after the act ; ex- 
pedients formed too late. It is not pro- 
perly to be ufed for fccondthougbt. 
Expencc, and afterthought, and idle care, 
And doubts of motley hue, and dark defpair; 
S-ifpicions, and fantadical furmife, 
And jcaloufy fuffus'd with jaundice in her eyes, 
Difcobu.ing all flic view'd, in tawny iirefs'd, 
Downlook'd, and with a cuckow on her nft. 

Drydcn'sFabta. 

A'PTER-TIMES. n.f. [from after and 
titan.] Succeeding times. See AFTER- 
ACES. 

You promis'd once, a progeny divine 
Of Roman*, rifing from the Trojan line, 
In uftirtimis fhould hold the world in awe, 
And u> the land and ocean give the law. 

DryJins Plrgll. 

A'FTERTOSSI NO. n.f. [from after and 
toji.} The motion of the fea after a 
liotra. 

Confufions and tumults are only the impotent 
remains of an unnatural icbellion, and are no more 
than the afitrttj/ings of a lea when the ftorm is 
laid. AdJiforfl Freeholder. 

A'FTERWARO. adv. [from after arrd 
p2pb, Sax.] In fucceeding time : fome- 
tinies wriiten afterwards, but lefs pro- 
perly. 

Ufcs not thought upon be.'ore, may afterward 

fpring up, and be reafcnab.'c caufes of retaining 

that, which former confutations did formerly 

procure to be inftitutcd. H^hr 

An anxious didruft of the divine goodnefs, 

: a man more and more unworthy of it j anc 

jble beforehand, for fear of being fo after 

tffjrrl. *~ L'Eftrangt 

A'PTERWIT. n.f. [from after and -wit.] 
The c jntrivance of expedients after the 
occafion of ufing them is pad. Sec 
APT ER r HOUOHT. 

re >> r. ; icc-i.lir.g what's gone and pad; (u 
ml com-s too la;c, when the mi! 

L'tJtnUfi 
A'XTER-WRATH. it. / [from after anc 



A G A 

. wrath.] Anger when the provocation 
feems pad. 

I hear him mock 

The luck of Ca:far, which the gods give men 
T' excufc their after-wratt. 

Sbakcff. Antony and Cleopatra. 

. n.f. The title of a Turkifh mili- 
tary officer. 
AGA'IN. adv. [ajen, Sax.] 

1. A iecond time ; once more ; marking 
the repetition of the fame thing. 

T. : poor remnant of human feed, which re- 
mained in their mountains, peopled their country 
again flowly, by little and little. 

Bacon's Neiv Atalimi'n. 
Should Nature's felf invade the world again, 
And o'er the centre fpread the liquid main, 
Thy pow'r were fafe. Waller. 

Go now, deluded man, and feek again 
New toils, new dangers, on the du!>y plain. 

Dryd. Atneld. 

S~me are already retired into foreign countries ; 
and the reft, who pnftefs lands, are deti- 
n-ver to hazard them again, for the fake of eftab- 
: their fuperdition. Swift. 

2. On the other hand ; marking fome op- 
pi >tition or contrariety. 

wit increifed upon the occafion ; and fo 
MUI S the more, if the occafion were iharpaned 
with danger. Again, whether it were the flioitnefs 
of his forefi^ht, or the ftrength of his will, certain 
it is, thtt the perpetual t,r uble of his fortunes 
could not hive been without detects in his nature. 

Bacon. 

Thnfe things that we know not what to do 
withal, if we had tli^m, .'nd thofe things, again, 
which another cannot part with, but to his own 
lofs and (hame. L'EJirange's Fables, 

3. On another part ; marking a tranfition 
to fome new confideration. 

Behold yon mountain's hoa-v height, 
Made higher with new mourirs Y fnow ; 

Again, behold the winter's weight 
Opprefs the lab'ring woods below. DryJcn 

4. In return, noting re-action, or recipro- 
cal action ; as, His fortune worked up- 
on his nature, and his nature again upon 
hi; fortune. 

5. Back ; in reftitution. 

When your head did but ake, 
I knit my handkerchief about your brows; 
The bed 1 had, a princefs wrought it me, 
And 1 did never afk it you again. 

Sbakffp. fCig jfo 

6. In return for any thing ; in recom- 
pence. 

That he luth given will he pay again. 

Fr'-jv. xir. 17 

7. In order of rank or' fucceffion ; mark- 
ing diftribution. 

Queftion was afked of Demofthenc:, W! 
the chief part of an grator ? He anfwercc!, Action. 
What next? Action. What next again f Aclion 

Bacon's Ejjjyi 

The caufe of the holding green, is the cl jfe aji 
compact fubftar.ce of their leaves, and the pccticks 
of them : and the cauic of that again is eitlie 
the tough and vifcous juice of the p'ant, 
ftrength and htat thereof. Bacon'i Natural Hifl. 

8. Befides ; in any other time or place. 

They have the Walloons, who are tall I ": 
yet that is but i Ipot of ground. But, on tin. 
other fide, there is not in trio worH egaiii 
fpring and feminaiy of brave military p-o,il , a 
in England, Scotland, and Ireland. Bacon 

9. Twice as much ; marking the fame 
quantity once repeated. 

There are whom hcav'n has bled with ftore of 

wit, 
Yet want s much again to manage it ; 



A G A 

For wit and judgment ever are at ftrife, 
Tho' meant each other's aid, like man and wife. 

Pope. 

I (hould not be forry to fee a chorus on a theatre,, 
more than as large and as deep again as ours, built 
and adorned at a king's charges. 

Drydeti's Dufrrfny. 

10. Again and again ; with frequent repe- 
tition ; often. 

This is not to be obtained by one or two hafty 
readings: it mud be repeated again and again, 
with a dole attention to the tenour of the dif- 
courfe. **#- 

1 1. In oppofition ; by way of refiftance. 

Who art thou that anfwerett .^ain ? 

Rom. ix. 20. 

12. Back; as, returning from fome mef- 

Bring us word again which way we (hall go.- 

Deut. i. 22. 

AGA'INST.//. [a:n;$eon, onjeonb, Sax.] 

1. In oppofition to any perfon. 

And he will be a wild man ; his hand will be 
againjl every man, an4; every man's hand againjl 
him. Gen. xvi. 12*. 

2. Contrary ; oppofite, in general. 

That authority of men Ihould prevail with men 
either againft or above reafon, is no part of our be- 
lief. Hooker. 

He is melancholy without caufe, and merry 
againjl the hair. Sbakefyeare't Troilus and Crejfdd. 

We might work any effect without and againji 
matter; and this not holpen by the co-operation 
of angels or fpiiits, but only by the unity and har i 
mony of nature. Bacon's Natural Hiftory. 

The preventing goodnefs of God does even wreft 
him from himfelf, a! >d fave him, as it were, 
againft his will.. South, 

The god, uneafy till he flcpt again, 
Refolv'd, at once, to rid himfelf of pain; 
And, tho' again/I his cudom, call'd aloud. Drjder... 

Men often fay a thing is againft their confcience, 
when really it is not. Sioift'i Miscellanies. 

3. In contradiction to any opinion. 

After all that can be faid againj) a thing, this. 
will dill be true, that many things poffibly are, 
which we know not of; and that many more things 
may be than arc : and i/ fo, after all our argu- 
ments againjl a thing, it will tt uncertain whether 
it be or not. Tillotfun. 

The church-clergy have written the bed collcc- 
t ; on of traits agaliif popery that ever appeared in 
England. Ktoift. 

4. With contrary motion or tendency : 
ufed of material action. 

Boils and plagues 

Plaider you o'er, that one infeft another 
Agj'.njl the wind a miie. Sbatcfptari i Coriclariui. 
The kite being a bird of prey, and therefore 
hot, delightcth in th fre-fti air ; and many times 
flicth araixjl the wind, as trouts and f.ilmons fwim 
againjl the ii,-.. -mi. Bonn.. 

5. Contrary to rule or law. 

If aught agairft my life 

Thy country fought of thec, it fought unjuftly, 
jiga'uift the law at nature, law of nations. Milton* 

Againft the public functions of the peace, 
Agairjl all omens of their ill fucccfs ; 
W'lth fa", .ivcrfe, the rout in arms refort,. 
To force t' -i; monarch, and infult the court. 



6. Oppofnt to, in place. 

Againjl the Tiber's mouth, but far away. 

Drjdtx, 

7. To the hurt of another. See fer/e 5. 

And, whvvi thou Uiink'd -.1 her eurnity, 
TSvnk not that death agamft her nature ii ; 

Think it. 4 birth : and when thuu go' ft t.) die, 
Sing like a fvvan, as if tlwu w<ait'ft-ta bill's. 

Kir J. Daviii. 
3. In provifion for; in expectation or. 

This mode of fpeaking probab'y ted 
its original from the idea of. m;ik:ntj- 



A G A 

proviftoo tgainjl, or in oppofition to, a 
time of misfortune, but by degrees ac- 
quired a neutral fenfe. Tt fometimcs 
h.is the cafe elliptically fupprefled, as,; 
again/I he comes, that is, againfl the 
time when he comes. 

Thence (he them biought into a ftiMly ball, 
Wheiein were many tables fair difpred, 
And iraiiy dight with drapcts feliival, 
.sfga:t/} tl>e viands ihould be miniftred. 

The I'kc charge 'was given them ag<.. 
time liny IhouU conic to fettle. tiemfch es 
1in'! prc.rdifed unto their uriiers. Hi (a: 

S jr.ic fiy, t.vit ever 'gfri*}! that feaf:>n Cumci, 

Saviour's birth is celeb; .ilvd, 
. ; ij i -f Jmnin^ fmgtth all night long : 
And then they fly no fpirit walks abri-a i ; 
The nig'ut) are wholefome, then iio . planets ftr':kc. 
.No fairy |iies,'ni' w-'uch hath power to chxm ; 
So hallow'd and fo gracious U the tirr.e. 

Sl-~ 

To that pBrpofe, he made hade to ii ilVol, that 
all things might be ready agairjl the prince cjaic 
thither. <- 

.Agairf the promii'd time provides w'.th oj.-e, 
.And hallcns in the woof die robes he was to wean 

-Drydet. 

All which I giant to be reafunably and truh 

faid, and only dclire they may be lemembe ed 

agair.Ji another day. Stiti'uigjitft. 

AV.ALAXV. n.f. [from a. and yxKa, Gr.] 

Want of milk. D:d. 

Ac. A'PE. adv. [from a and tife.] Staring 

with eagernefs ; as, a bird gapes for 

meat. 

In bimfelf was all hU (Utc ; 
More folenm than the tedious pomp that waits 
On princes, when their rich retinue long 
Of horfes led, and grooms bcfmear'd with gold, 
Dazzles the crowJ, and lets them xL.ii- 

Paradlfe L'f. 
Dazzle the crowd, nnl fet them all aga/e. 

PtUips. 

The whole crowd ftood agaff, ant! ready to take 
the doflor at his w.ird. A>.'.'jr:r, N" 572. 

A'CARICK. n.f. [agaricum, Lat.] A drug 
of ufein phyfic, and the dying trade. 
It is divided into male and female ; 
the male is ufed only in dying, the fe- 
male in medicine : the male grows on 
oaks, the female on larches. 

'I here are two excrefceni es which grow upon 
trea,', both of them in the nature of muihrooms ; 
the one the Romans call l"A?rus, which gr wcji 
u. >in the n:i'U of ojks, and was one of the d.-.i:itk- 
ir table; tlie other is medicinal, that is call- 
ed agar':;k, which growth upon the tops of oaks; 
though it be affinncd by fome, that it , 
Mo it the roots. /?.;. 

Ac .*'> i adj. [This word, which is ufual- 
ly, by later authors, written "g'-^Jt, is, 
not improbably., the true word derived 
from agate, which has been written 
egbt'Jl, from a miftaken etymology. 
See AOHAST.] Struck with tcrrour ; 
amazed ; frighted to aitoniftunent. 

Thus roving on 

. Jn canfr.i'd march forlnrn, th' advcnt'rous bands, 
With fnudd'ring hnrrour pale, and eyes ago/I, 
Vicw'd full their lamentable lot, and found 
No rrft. M : .!lta'tPirailifet'jjl 

IE. u. J. [agate, Fr. achates, Lat.] A 
precious lloi e of the loweft clafs, often 
clouded with beautiful variegations. 

In lhape no b ; fger than an agate Itone, 
On the forefinger of an al Jeitnan. 

Statejf. R'mi'j <in,IJuli>t 
- only varieties of the tlir.tkiml ; they 
y ground, clouded, lincated, o 



A. G -E 

fpottcJ w'.th different colours, chiefly d'Ay, bl.iek, 
brown, red, and I'mietimci blue. :aard 

A'CATY. aJj. [fromfl^/f.] Partaking oj 
th'j nature of agate. 

An j. 'is above t\vi inches in diame- 

ter ; the whole coveted over with a friable ereta- 
ceou; , ,'".uard. 

To AGA'ZE. <v.4. [from /tand gaze, to fet 
a gazing ; as, amaze, amuje, and others. I 
To ftrikc with amazement ; to ilupify 
with ii:ddcn terrour. The verb is now 
out of u: .*. 
So as they travell'd, fo th^y 'gan efpy 

ward them ^'a.lop taft, 
'I !nr fecmcd ftom fome feared frc tn fly, 
Or other grU gafi. fj'irj Sjient. 

KO.- farticifial adj. [from agaze; 
which fee.] Struck with amazement; 
-"-terrified to ftjpidi.y. 

Hundrcus he lent to hell, and none durft ftan-i 
h : m ; 

..ere, and every where, enrag'd he flew : 
r.-nth excbini'd, "The ;;ms!" 

j whole arn-.y flood u^axed on h;m. 

.-ryVI. 

AGE. n.f. [age, Fr. anciently eage, or 
aug! ; it is deduced by Msuage from 
a-taihtm, of ietas ; by 'Juiii;<;, from aa, 
which, in the Teutonic dialefts, figni- 
fied long duration.] 
t. Any period of time attributed to feme- 
thing as the whole, or part, of its du- 
ration : in this fenfe, we fay, the age of 
man, the feveral ages of the world, the 
golden or iron age. 

One man in his time plays many parts, 
His life being fcven agn. Sbakrfftart. 

And Jacob lived in the bnd of Egypt fcventcen 
years ; lo the whole izgt of JacfK> wis an hundred 
forty and fevcn years. .ii- 28. 

2. A fucceffion or generation of men. 

Hence, laftiy, fprinus ca 1 -- i.f pofteri 
For things their kind wnild eveila'Hng make. 

Hence : s it, that old m I ; .ung trees, 

The fruit whereof another age ihali take. 

Sir J. Dawn. 
Nrxt tn the Son, 

Di rtin'd Rcftorer of mankind, by whom 
New hcav'n, and earth, ihail to the ages rife, 
Or down from hcav'n o 

No declining ege 
E'er felt the raptures of poetic ra..e. Rrfccmmon. 

3. The time in which any particular man, 
or race of men, lived, or Ihall livej as, 
the age of heroes. 

No longer now the golden age .lppf:irs, 
When patriarch wits furviv'd a thoufand years. 

; /,. 

4. The fpaceofa hundred years ; a fecu- 
lar period ; a century. 

5. The latter part of life; old-age; old- 
nefs. 

You fee how full of eh in^e his age is: the ob- 
fervation we have made of it hath not been little ; 
he always Invrd nnr filter' mi> It, ,m:( with what poor 
judgment he hath now caft H 

' !' T 

Srakff^ettre i A in* L-nr. 

Tlny^ mud not ! ' men, 

Nor i ' Kcfecnmc.-:. 

Aivl '''le has faid 

.1, :m.l tl.e ; . 

Infulting ..-/' will t 

Andleavi t ' hi deiliuc"li% li..'.y. 

Privr. 

6. Maturity ; ripcncfs ; years of dilcrc- 
tiou ; fui'l Ih-ength of H 

A I'.wmn ;iJ,;iiHio.-i of' ] 
, dciirc th.;. 



AGE 

r that, in infancy, arc by others prefented tr 
charity of th.* church, li'tir 

We '.ii'iiujht our fires, not with thiir own content, 
Had, cie we came to age, our portion i] -cnr. 

Drjiuu 

7. In law. 

In a luan, the age of fourteen years is the are 
of difcrcti-.n ; and twcnt; i i.cfultiiK: 

In a woman, at fcven years &;' age, the lord her 
father m.iy uiitninhis tenints for .ud 1 1 ruair) h-r; 
at the agi of nine years, flic is donral!? ; at twelve 
years, file is able fi.ially to ratify and confirm her 
f'jimcr cnnfer.t given to matrimjny ; at fourteen, 
flie is enabled to receive her land i 
hands, .11. i inall b; out of ward at the 
and (tor: at lixtecr, flic (hall be out of war), 
', at the death of her .-incetVir, ihe w.i. within 
the as of fourteen years; a:, twenty-one, 
able to alicr.ate her lands and tenements. At the 
age of fourteen, a ftriplir.j .ii enabled to choofc hi* 
iwn g iar^'ian ; at the agi of t":u.tcen, a m.m may 
cnnf.'nt to marriage. 

A'GED. adj. [from age. It makes two fyl-" 
lables in poetry.] 

1 . Old ; firicken in years ; applied gene- 
rally to animate beings. 

n do ft-ind between man and 
man, the aged, for the molt part, are bcft experi- 
enced, ieaft fubjecl to ra/h and unadvifed paflioivs. 

Novelty is only in rcqueO ; and it is as Jar 
to be <iV</in any kind of furfc, a; it i; virtuous 
to be confianc in any undertaking. 

Sbakefp. Me.'fure frr f.' 

Kindncfs itfelf too wc*k a charm will prove, 
To raife the feeble fires of age J love. Pri r, 

2. Old; applied to inanimate things. This 
uie is rare, and commonly with fome 
tendency to the profcpopacia. 

The people did not more worihip the images of 
gold aivl i'.ory, than they did the groves; and t'::; 
lame Qjintili.m faith of the aged 

Xnllingfeit't Defence of Difc. 101 Rcm. Jot!. 
A'CEDLY. adv. [from ageJ.] After the 

manner of an aged perfon. 
ACE'N. aa'-v. [ajen, Sax.] Again; in 
return. See Ac AIM. 

This word is now only written in this 
manner, though it be in reality the true 
orthography, for the fake of rhime. 

Thui Ve.ius : Thus her fon reply'd agin ; 
None of your fitters have we heard or leen. 

DiyJen. 

A'GENCY. n.f. [from agent. ~\ 

1. The quality of afting ; the ftate of be- 
ing in aftion ; aftion. 

A few advances there are in the following t 
tending to aflcrt the fuperintcndence and aginey ot 
Providence in the natural world. 

Wx-diuaiA s Pnf. lo Nat. Hi/lory. 

2. The office of an agent or failor for an- 
other ; bufmefs performed by an : 

le purchafcrs their.fel\es mjy bo con- 
ten: to live che.ip in a worfe country, rath.. 
b? at the charge of exchange and agenciet. Swrft. 

A'GENT. n,lj. [agem, Lat.] That which 
arts ; oppoicd to fa:ient, or that which 
is ailed upon. 

This fuccci'-, is oft truly afcribed unto th 

<if i-iu.;it'at : .i". I..-." th.' 'MI.'.; I , .en, by 

nejns, it may upon a ' 
ns, for cx.\ -v.plc, if .1 n-in einy n ring, or l'onje_ 

'It, l.-i'evingflrniii;!;,- tint it ' 
hini to Lbuin his lev, 

th.m ..i; e.wiie he wuuld be. ffaier.'s A'.II. llijt. 

A'GKNT. n.f. 

i . An aclor ; he that adb j he tiiat pofTf flc-s 
die: faculty of action. 

Where 



AGO 

Where there is no doubt, d'/I'te.at'on is not ex- 
c!' ':npei'i;incr.t unto the thing, but as necd- 

fcfs in rejird of the . iLt.h already 

what to ielo! : :e tpon. Hsofer. 

T> v/!:^:7) ; :nit.-ument, 

Nor pov.-'r 01 wo; ' >.e wuik is known. 

Atfv/tti 

.'n made us ffjcrrj frf to g"od or ill, 
And torc'd it not, tho' h will. 

. firil leftow'd or. human nco, 
And ptcfciencc onK hjj the lecond place. 

Drytfra. 

A miracle is a work exce 'dine the power of any 
ifeqftcntly being an efTecr. of the 

z. A luLili.utt. ; a deputy; a fjftor ; a 
perfcn employed to traniaft the bufinefs 
of another. 

All hearts in love, ufe ynur own tongue. ; 
I : - : - for hfelf, 

And truft nn -_. Sta' 

The) had r. Jt the wit to fend to them, in a >y 

.n, to texnp: 

, and to treat w;th them. JSdrar'i Hctry VII. 

. Sir, your fury of . 

\Vli c to ix: icvcnj'd on you, 

The agcxti ot y^ur paiTiwi will ..-Mlue. 

.un's Aurtng. 

3. That which has the power of operating, 
or producing eft'efts upon another thing. 
F cti, by the prope 
application of agents to patients. T^nt^u. 

ACGELA'TION. n.f. [Lat.^/a.] Concre- 
tion of ice. 

1 in hail, and figured in its g';" 
descent irom the air, growing ^citer or kffer ac- 
cording to the accretion or pin a ;us jggciatK* about 
the fundamcnUl atoms thereof. i 

r<,1trr.'s l r :J^ar Err-uri. 

AGCENER A'TION. n.f. [from ad and gi- 
r.eratio, Lat.] The ftate of growing or 
uniting to another body. 

To make a perfect nutrition, there is required a 
tranli : nutriment; i ,15 -con- 

:j orzpgtnfrafictris made, there isalfc i . 
in the alimei.t, a fimilirity of matter. 

Bri'xn'l J'ul^ar Errturi. 

$"o A'GGERATE. ij. a. [from agger, Lat.] 
To heap up. Diit. 

AGCERO'SE. adj. [from agger, Lat ] l-'uli 
of heaps. D.J. 

To AGGLOMERATED -v. a. [^ 

. Lat.} 

1 . To gather up in a ball, as thread. 

2. To gather together. 

To ACGLO'MER ATE. v. n. 

Ecfidc'i, the hard eg?hmtra;ir. t - 
The fpoii of ages, would impervious choke 
Their fecrct char-. . ..'. 

: N ANTS. TT.f. [ c 

Tlioie medicines or applicat: 
have the power of uniting parts together. 
To AGGLUTINATE. i-.. [from Wand 
gli'tcn, glue, Lat.] To unite one part to 
another; to join together, foas not 
f.f'jnder. Jt is a word almoft appropri- 
. icdicinc. 

i that is . dit.f ;ttki 

tinjttd to the loun, 

UTIN-A'TIO;;. './,, [from a* 
.] Union ; cch-fion : ' 



A G G 



; the ft..! 

I 



The occafion of its not fcealing b; 

a, the other did, was from the alteration the iclioi 
hid bcLjiir. '. ,. m of the wnind. 

WiJtlHJn'j 

A c c L u 'T i N A T I v E . n<ij. [ from agglutinate. ] 
That which h;;s the power of procaruio 
agglutination. 

Rowl up the rr.em'.cr with the a*glnf:':j>'.i' 
rowlcr. If.i'.rtan. 

To AGGRAN'DI'ZR. -v. a. [nggrantiijer, 
Fr. ] To make great ; to enlarge ; to 
ex-alt ; to improve in power, honour, or 
rank. It is applied to perfons gene- 
rally, fometimes to things. 

If the king ihould ufe it no better than the pope 
did, only to figgrandr^t: Covetous churchmen, it 
cannot be called a jewel in his crown. 

Atl:fe's Par ergon. 

Thcfc furnilh us with glorious firings and me- 
diums, to raife and aggrandixf our conceptions, to 
warm our f^uls, to awaken the better paili.ms, and 
t> elevate thorn even ro a divine pitch, and that for 
dtvjtional purpofes. tt'jiu't Impr. c.f:l M':i;d. 
A'CGRANDIZEMENT. n.f. \aggrandijje. 
men!, Fr.] The ftate of being aggran- 
dized ; the aft of aggrandizing. 
A'c o R A N D i z E R . n.J. [from aggrandize. ] 
The perfon that aggrandizes or makes 
great another. 

TOAGCRA'TE, t/. a. [aggraiare, Ital.] 
To pleafe; to treat wi:h civilities: a 
word not now in ufe. 

And in the mirifV thereof, upon the fldor, 
A lovely Kvy of fair ladies fate, 

' >urted'ot many a ;olly pa.-jrnour 5 
The which t!-..-m dij in modeil w'f- amate, 
A;.J each one 1'uught his laily to aggrait. 

Qrffr. 

To A'GGRAVATE. v. a. [a&rave, Lat.] 

1. To mnke heavy, ufed only in a meta- 
phorical fenle ; as, to aggravate an ac- 
cufation, or a punffhment. 

A grove hard by, fpning op v. i tli this their crurge, 
. H's wiil who reigns abive ! to aggrware 
Their penanc;-, luen with ftuit, like tljat 
Wh'n 
Us'd by the tempter. 1 -.-rafifi L'-JI. 

Ambitious Turmn in the prefs ap; -".irs, ' 
And aggravating crimes augments th-.ir fers. . 

lJry,i. 

2. To make any thinn; vvorfe, by the ad- 
dition of forne particular circumltance, 
not effential. 

'1 li , i.ft ince, ;n i'f,-i i ,,,, t ; r 

him ergravaieit by the rnr.ivs thcrf, which w.,, 

ing iniivl tr- 
the pn- / ,, vil. 

/" [from t^/vj-T',.'/,'.] 

1. The 'aft of aggr'aw-iting; or racking 
heavy.. 

inity. 
A P-' f.ic -, 

and i,_. 

' 

3. ine extnnflcal c::xu:n!iancc3 or aeu- 
dcnis, which i:ici -uilt of a 

. 

b ,hr a*. 

! i 

, I 
il. 
'IT it h: ../,. M 

rg'd, 

allowance cnunlcrpcis'.!, 
fii.d ' 

Milton. 

, L.it.] l-'ra-. 
. icalar 



A G G 

Tho folid reafon of one man with unprejudicnle.^ 
apprehenfions, begets as firm a belief? , rh^ amhe- 
lity or '^''^'f tetHmouy of many !ui;-id/ed.;. 

flmcx'i /'.7/V-ij/- Enw<. 

They had, for a long time together, p-oducrj 
rnahy other inept combirador.s, or errrigt'.clmm* 
of particular things, and nonftrlfTcsl fyftems of -\.?. 
Raj M the Crea:ia: 

A'coREGATE. n.f. [from the verb.] The 
complex, or colleftive refult of the con- 
junction or acervation of many pait'- 
.culars- 

The reafon of the far greated part of mankind,. 
is but zn'aggrcgatc of milrulien ph nirafms, and, 
in things not fenfible, a conftant deluil->n. 

Glanvitte's Sceffs Sc\?tit'if;a, 
A great number of living and thinking particle s 
could not pollibly, by their mutual contact, and 
piffling, and {Iriking, compolc one greater indi- 
vidual animal, with one mind and undcrftanding, 
and a vital confenfion ot the whole b <dy ;, any 
more than a fwarm of bees, or a crowd of men and 
women, can be conceived to make up one particular 
living creature, compounded and conltituted of the 
aggregate of them ail. B,-ntlt\-. . 

To A'GGREGATE. v. a. [aggrego, La\.] 
To colleft together ; to accumulate; to 
heap many particulars into one mafs. 

The ervrtgated foil 

Death, with his mace petrificfc, cold, and dry, 
As with a trident, fmote. Milton i Parjd. L>f?.. 

AGGREGA'TIOTC. n.f. [from aggregate. ~\ 

1. Cclleftion,. or Hate of being collefted. 

TJieir individual imperfeftions being great, th-y 
ire moreover enlarged by tb/;ir aggregation; and 
b-;mg erroneous in their frigle nurrot:-?, once hud- 
dled together, they will be crrour itfelf. 

Brwun'l Vittpiir Errovrs, 

2. The colleftion, or aft of collecting many 
particulars into one whole. 

'Ihc water refident in.fj.'; ahyfs is> in all parts- 
of Tt, ftored with. a Ci-ufiJerable quantity of heat, 
a^d more efpoc.i Jly in thoft: when: tlicfe extraoidi- 
na;-y <:ggr,gjii.r,i of this fire happen. 

W, xdtuard't Natural Hi/lory, 

3. The whole competed by the coacerva- 
tion of many particulars; an aggregate. 

To AGGRK'SS. i/. . [aggrtttiyr, agvref- 
/!.*:, Lat.] To commit the firft ad of. 
violence ; to begin the quarrel. 

The glorious pair advance. 
^ T:t '' ' ft, and coll'-fled might, 

To turn the w.;r, and toll aggr^'frii^ l : r.ir.c-, . 
How Britain's ions and BrjtaFu's friendj can n -lit. 

Friar. 

AGGRE'SSION'. n.f. [n^rr//?,), Lat.] The 
firft aft of injury ; commencement of 
i.irrel by fome aft of iniquity. 

isnorefiltin -', without 

an uni.;:l to: 

_ be alfo, on the other i. , ; n 

' fa"- LT.ji, 

AGGRK.SSOR. n.f. [from aggrcfs.} The 
pci"'on, that firit commences holHlity ; 
the afiHalttr or invader, oppofed to the 
defeito 

' \\ nature's face? 

IT? 
l.ct h/r look to'f. 



:ycirc)nn/>a- , t . c 

, v.hofa 
arc IT; danger 
Tors. 

Pcfe anil Swift. 

AGGRI t VANCE, n.f. [Sec GRI tVA Net .] 
Injury ; hardliiip in/lifted ; wrong en-- 
dured. 



VE. v. f a. [from gravis,. Lat. 

vt J 

i. To 



A G I 

i. To give forrow ; to caufe grief; to rx. 
It is not improbable, that to grieve was 
originally neuter, and aggrieve the ac- 
tive. 

But w.hile therein I took my chief delight, 
. lfa\v, alas! the gaping earth devour 

The fpring, the place, and all clean out of fight : 

Which -; > i.r.nt even to this hcmr. 

z. To impofe fomc hardfhips upon ; to 
harafs ; to hurt in one's right. This 
is a kind of juridical fenfe ; and when- 
ever it. ii uled now, it feems to bear 
fome allufion to forms oflaw. 

Sewall, archbithip ot York, much oggr'uvrd 

Inme vn'jfticei of the pcvpc's colic&ots, cock 

ill patiently. Catntiei. 

The lan-'.ed mn finds hirufelf aggrieved by the 
failing of Vis rents, and the ftreightsning of his 
fortune ; whih> the wwied man keeps up his gain, 
nd the mcichant thiivcs and grows rich by trade, 

Lcckf. 

Of injin'd fame, and mighty wrongs reteiv'd, 
Cbloc comp liins, and wond'roufly 's aggrirv'd. 



To AGGROIJ'P. <u. a. [aggroparc, Ital.] To 
bring together into one figure ; to crowd 
together : a terra of pninting. 

Bodies of divers natures, which are iJggnu 
(or combined) together, are agreeable and pleaUnt 
to the fight. DryJtti- 

AGHA'ST. adj. [cither the participle of 
agaze (fee AGAZE), and then to be 
written agazed, or agnft, or from a and 
jr,apc, a ghoft, which the prefent ortho- 
graphy favours ; perhaps they were ori- 
ginally different words.] Struck with 
horrour, as at the fight of a fpectre ; 
ftupified with te.rrour. It is generally 
applied to the external appearance. 

She. fighing fore, as if her heart in twaine 
Had riven been, and all her heart-ftrings braft, 
With dreary drooping eynelaok'd up like oe agbjjl. 

Spcnjer. 

The aged earth agbajl, 
With terxour of that blaft, 
Shall from thefurface to the centre (hake. M'llun, 

jigbajl he. wak'd, and, darting from his ted, 
Cold fweat in clammy drops his limbs o'erfprcad. 
Dryden's jfcr.cid> 

I laugh to think how your unfliaken Cato 
Will look agbaj!, while unforcfeen definition 
Pours in upon him thus from every fide. 

^dltifvn's Cjt'j. 

A'GILE. adj. [agile, Fr. agilu, Lat/ 
Nimble ; ready ; having the quality o 
being fpeedily put in motion ; aUve. 

With that he gave his able horfe the head, 
And bending forward (truck his agile heels 
Againftthe panting fides of his poor jade, 
Vp to the rowel-head* Sbakrff. Htnry IV 

The immediate and agile fuhfervieoce of ihj 
fpiriu to the empire of the mind or foul. 

Hale' i Origin of Mankind 

To guide its aftions with informing care, 

In peace to judge, to conquer in the war, 

Render it agile, witty, valiant, fjge, 

As fits the various courfe of human age. Prior 

A'OILKKESS. n.f. [fromagi!e.] The qua 

lity of being agile ; nimblenefs ; rea 

dinefs for motion ; quicknefs ; activity 

agility. 

A'c I'L i T y. n.f. [agilitai, Lat. from agilis 
agile.] Nimblenefs ; readinefs to move 
quicknefs ; activity . 

A limb over-Drained by lifting a weight abov 
its power, may never recover its former tgility an 
vigour. Watts 

JGI'LLOCHUM. n.f. Aloes-wood, i 
tree in the liall-Iiidies, brought to us i 



A G I 

fmall bits, of a very fragrant fcent. It 
is hot, drying, and accounted -a ftrength- 
encrof the nerves in general. The bell 
is of a blackim purple colour, and fo 
light as to fwim upon water. >uincy. 

ifGIO. n.f. [An Italian word, fignifying 
cafe or conveniency.] A mercantile 
term, ufed chiefly in Holland and Ve- 
nice, for the difference between the value 
of bank notes, and the current money. 

Clambers. 

'o AGI'ST. v. a. [from gift, Fr. a bed 
or refting-place, or from gifter, i. e. 
ftabulari.~\ To take in and feed the 
c.-utle of ftrangers in the king's foreft, 
and to gather the money. The officers 
that do this, are called cgiftors, in Eng- 
liih, gueft or gift-takers. Their function 
is termed agiftment ; as, agiftment upon 
the fea-banks. This word agift is alfo 
ufed, for the taking in of other men's 
cattle into any man's ground, at a cer- 
tain rate per week.] Blount. 

AGI'STMENT. n.f. [See AGIST.] It is 
taken by the canon lawyers in another 
fenfe than is mentioned under agift. 
They feem to intend by it, a modus or 
competition, or mean rate, at which 
fome right or due may be reckoned : per- 
haps it is corrupted from addoucijjeinent , 
or adjuftment. 

AGI'STOR. *./ [from agift. ~\ An officer of 
the king's foreft. See AGIST. 

A'G i T A B i. E . adj. [from agitate ; agiteKlit, 
Lit.] That which may be agitated, or 
put in motion ; perhaps that which may 
be diiputed. See AGITATE, and AGI- 

T A T I O N . 

To A'GITATE. v. a. [agito, Lat.] 
I . To put in motion ; to ftiake ; to move 
nimbly ; as, the furface of the waters 
is agitated by the wind ; the veflel was 
broken by agitating the liquor, 
z. To be the caufe of motion; to actuate ; 
to move. 

Where dwells this fcv'rc'jn arbitrary foul, 
Which does the human animal controul, 
Inform each part, and agitat: the whole ? B /ackn 

3. To affect with perturbation ; as, the 
mind of man is agitated by various 
paflions. 

4. To ftir ; to bandy from one to another ; 
to difcuis ; to controvert ; 35, to agita! 
a quelHon. 

Though this controverfy be revived, and hitl) 
agitated among the moderm ; yt I doubt whcthe 
it be not, in a great part, a nominal difpufi'. 

Bc-flt on Ci'atin 

;. To contrive ; to revolve ; to form by 
laborious thought. 

Formalities of extraordinary zeal and piery an 
never more ftudied and elaborate, than when poli 
ticians mod agitate delperate deiigns. Kmg Charles 

ACITA'TION. n.f. [ from ag itatc; agitatio 
Lat.] 

1. The aft of moving or making any thing 

Putrc.fadtion aflceth rcil ; for the lubtlc inotio: 
which putrcfa&ion requireth, is disturbed by 31, 
agitation. Ea.cn 

2. The ftate of being moved or agitated 
as, the waters, after a ftorm, are fome 
time in a violent agitation. 

3. Difcuiiion ; controvcrfial examination. 



AGO 

A .VmJ of a fchool queftion i> flirted in thi) faMe, 
upon reafon and inllindl ; this delibeiative pro- 
ceeding of the crow, was rather a logical af.' 
of the matter. L'fJ>ra%t'i Fa!:\i. 

.. Violent motion of the mind ; pertur- 
bation ; dillurbance of the thoughts. 

A great perturbation in nature ! to receive at 
once the benefit of deep, and do the eftect of 
watching. la thit flumbry agitation, beJides her 
walking, and other aftaal performances, what 
have you heard her fay ? Stakrjfrart't Macbeth. 
[ :i:>ther could no longer bear the agitation* 
of Co many paliions as thronged unon her. 

' Tatlcr, N 55. 

5. Deliberation; contrivance; the ftatc 
of being confulted upon. 

The prujcit now in agitation for repealing of 
th; teil aft, and yet leaving the name'cf an t 
lilhment to the prefent national church, is ircon- 
fiftfnt. Swift's Mi'ceUttlti, 

AGITA' TOR. n.f. [from agitate.] He that 
agitates any thing ; he who manages 
affairs : in which fenfe feems to be ufed 
the agitators of the army. 

A'CLET. n.f. [Some derive it from a."y^r,, 
fplendour ; but it is apparently to be 
deduced from aigulette, Fr. a tag to a 
point, and that from a-gu, (harp.] 

I . A tag of a point curved into fome re- 
prefentation of an animal, generally of 
a man. 

He thereupon gave for the garter a chain worth 
zool. and his gown addrefied with aglets, efti-cnv i 
worth 15!. Hayward. 

Why,, give him gold enough, and marry him 
to a puppet, or an agltt baby, or an old trot, and 
ne'er a tooth in her head. 

Sba kejftare ' s Tjmir.g cf the Si 

z. The pendants at the ends of the chieves 
of flowers, as in tulips. 

A'CMINAL. adj. [from agmen, Lat.] Be- 
longing to a troop. D:(l. 

A'GNAIL. adj. [from anje, grieved, and 
najle, a nail.] A difeafe of the nails ; 
a whitlow ; an inflammation round the 
nails. 

AGNA'TION. n.f. [from agnatas, Lat.] 
Defcent from the feme father, in a di- 
reft male line, diftincl from cognation, 
or confanguinity, which includes defceu- 
dants from females. 

AGNI'TION. n.f. [from agnitio, Lat.] 
Acknowledgment. 

TaAcNi'zE. <v. a. [from agiofco, Lat.] 
To acknowledge ; to own ; to avow. 
This word is now obfolete. 

I do agr.'iz* 

A natural and prompt alacrity 
I find in haninefs. Sbt'.-ff tan's Otii!':. 

AGKOMINA'TION. n.f. [agnominatio, Lat.] 
Allufion of one word to another, by re- 
fembhnce of found. 

The British continued yet in Wales, and fime 
villages cf Cornwall, intermingled with provincial 
Latin, being very fignifkative, copioi.s, and plra- 
fantly running upon agncKins::-, although harih 
in alpirations. fa 

AGKl/S CASTUS. n.f. [Lat.] The name 
of the tree commonly called the Chajle 
free, from ;in imaginary virtue of pre- 
ferving chaflity. 

Of laurel fame, of woodbine many more, 
And wreathes of agnus caflus otlicr? bore. D ,-.</. 

AGO', adv. [ajan, Sax. paft or gone; 
whence writers formerly ufed, and in 
fome provinces the people ftill ufe, agone 
for age.] Paft ; as, loug ago ; that is, 

long 



AGO 

Jong time has pad fince. Reckoning 
time towards the prefent, we \ik fines ; 
as, it is a JCS.T Jiace it happened : reck- 
oning from the prefent, we ufe ago ; as, 
it happened a year ago. This is not, 
perhaps, always obferved. 

The great fupnly 
Are wreck'd three nights aft on Godwin finds. 

SbakJi tare. 

Thi*bttV. by others and myfdf I know, 
For i have fcrv'd their fovereign long ago ; 
Oft have been caught within the winding train. 



I (hill fet down an account of a difcourfe I 
chanced to have with one of the.ri fjme timecgo. 

Aco'c. adv. [a word of uncertain ety- 
mology : the French have the term a 
g'-ga, in lo-.v language ; as, ils iti--vcnt a 
gcgo, they live to their wilh : from this 
phrafe our word may be, perhaps, de- 
rived.] 

I. In a ilate of dcfire ; in a ftate of warm 
imagination ; heated with the notion 
of feme enjoyment ; longing ; ilrongly 
excited. 

As fjr the fenfe and reafon of it, that his little 
or n .thing to do here; only let it found full and 
round, and chime right to the humour, which 
is at prclent agog (juft as a big, long, ra:t!ing 
name is faid to command even adoration from a 
Spaniard), and, no doubt, with th's powerful, 
fenfelefs engine, the rabble driver (hall be able t 
carry all before i Sculb'i X 

z. It is ufed with the verbs to be, or to fet ; 
as, he /'/ agog, or you may fet him 



The gawdy goflip, wher. (he's/-? agog, 
In j;wels drelt, and at each car a bob, 

i', ami, in her trim of pride, 
Thinks all fl.c f.iys or dors is jultify'd. 

Dryd. Jav. Sat. vi. 

This maggot has no fooner j'n 

he gets him a f;.. . iilds ca:ties in 

J conceiu both the Lsdies in liis cof- 

L'fftrmgt. 

3. It has the particles on, or far, before 
the object of defire. 

On which the fj'a:s are all agog, 
Ard all this for a bear and dog. Iludilr. cart. ii. 
nerally rt.agjjlc into the fe parts, and 
fet the heads of our fervant-malci fo ,. 
hulbar.dj, that we do not cxr-efl to have any bufi- 
nefs done as it ihcu'.u be, whiift they a? 
country. Mi. 

AGO'INC. participial adj. [from a and 
ging.~\ Inaction; into adtion. 

Their firft movement, and imprciicj mot'ors, 

' demanded the impulie of an almighty hand to fet 

them firft agoing. Tatlrr. 

ACO'NE. ad--j. [ajan, Sax.] Ago; paft. 

See AGO. 

It ht fuch a princely one, 
-i fpeak him long a fane f 

Ben 'Jonfin't Fair;' Pr'.r.ce. 

A'CONISM. n.f. [uyutiffpo;, Gr.] Conten- 
tion for a prize. Difl. 

A'GONIST. n.f. [iyt/njs, Gr.] Aeon- 
tender for prizes. Difl. 

AGONI'STES. n.f. [ItfiniriKi Gr.] A prize- 
fighter ; one that contends at r,y pub- 
lic folemnity for a prize. Milton has 
fo ilyled his tragedy, bec.iufe Sam/on 
was called cut to divert the Philiftines 
with feats of ftrength. 

AOONI'S ncAL.adj. [fromagoni/lt-s.] Re- 
lating to prize-fighting.. Difl. 

fa A'CONIZE. v. a. [from aronizo, low 
VOL. I. 



A G R 

Latin ; iym'fa, Gr. e.gonifer, Fr.] To 
feel agonies ; to be iti exceflive pain. 

Doft thou behold my poor diltrafteJ hcirt, 
Thus-rent with agor.\zir.g love ar.d r:ige, 
And afk me what it means ? Art thcu not falfe ? 

Or touch, if, tremblingly alive all o'er, 
To laiarc and agtmixe at ev'ry pore ? 

Pcpe^s F.Jpjf on Man 

ACONOTHE'TICK. adj. Fiy and w9nfii ; 
Gr.] Propofing publick contentions for 
prizes ; giving prizes ; prefiding at pub- 
lick games. Di3. 

A'GONY. n.f. [ity, Gr. agon, low Lat. 
Cigcnic, Fr.] 

1. The pangs of death ; properly the laft 
conuil between life and death. 

Never was there more pity in faving any than 
in ending me, becaufj therein my agzny fliall end. 

Slurry . 

Thou who for me didTeel fuch piin, 
Whofe precious blood the crofs diJ ftain, 
Let not thofe ag'.nies be va.n. Rafccmmcn. 

2. Any violent or exceflive pain of body 
or mind. 

Betwixt them both, they have me done to dy, 
Thro' wounds and Strokes, and ftubborn handeling, 

Thut death were better than fuch agony, 
As grief and fury unto me did bring. Fairy Queen. 

Thee 1 have mils'd, and thought it long, depriv'd 
Thy prefer ce, ag'-ny of love! till rmw 
Nit felt, nor (hall be twice. MiiKn'i Par. Lafl. 
j. It is particularly ufed in devotions for 
our Redeemer's conflict in the garden. 

To propofe our defires, which cannot take fuch 
erteiS as we fpecify, (hall, notwithftanding, other- 
wife procure us his heavenly grace, even as this 
very prayer of Chrift obtained angels to be fent 
him as comforters in his iigony. Hooker. 

AGO'OD. adv. [a and gcoii.~\ Jn earnelt ; 
not fielitioutly. Not in ufe. 

At that time I majc her wt-jp t ifood, 
For : ' imentable pirt. 

Tvii Gtr.t.t'' T,-r i:.i. 

AGOU'TY. n.f. An animal of the An- 
tilles, of the bignefs of a rabbet, with 
bright red hair, and a little tail without 
hair. He has but two teeth in each j.iw, 
holds his meat in his fore-paws like a 
fquirrel, and has a very remarkable cry. 
When he is angry, his hair Hands on 
end, and he itrikes the* earth with his 
hind-feet, and, when chafed, he flies 
to a hollow tree, whence he is expelled 
by fmoke. 7ri<uoux. 

To ACRA'CE. <v. a. [from a znA grace.] 
To grant favours to ; to confer benefits 
upon : a word not now in ufe. 

She granted, and that knight fo much agrat'd, 
That (he him taught celeftial difcipline. 

Fairy Queen. 

ACRA'MMATIST. n. f. [*, pri<v. and 
y;iy.u.u., Gr.] An illiterate man. Difl. 

AGRA'RIAN. adj. [ngrarius, Lat.] Re- 
lating to fields or grounds ; a word fcl- 
dom ufed but in the Roman hillory, 
where there is mention of the agrarian 
IAW. 

ft AGRE'ASE. ii.a. [from a and greafe.'] 
To daub ; to greale ; to pollute with 
filth. 

The waves thereof fo flow and flupgifh were, 
Engrofs'd with mud, which did them foul agreafe. 

Fairy Qacrn. 

To AGRE'E. r v. n. [agrecr, Fr. (tomgrc, 
liking or good-will; gratia and gratus, 
Lat.J 



x A G R 

1. To be in concord ; to live without con- 
tention ; not to differ. 

The more you egret together, the Icfs hurt cart 
your enemies do you. Bmac'i Vic-w t-f Epic Poetry. 

2. To grant ; to yield to ; to admit ; with 
the particles to or upon. 

And perfuaded them to agree to all reafonable 
conditions. 2 llTjccalcfs, xi. 14. 

We do not prove the origin of" the earth from a 
chaos ; feeing that is agreed an by all that give it 
ary origin. Eurr.et. 

3. To fettle amicably. 

A form of words were quickly agreed or between 
th -m for a perrVfl combination. C'arenJoti. 

4. To fettle terms by ftipulation ; to ac- 
cord : followed by ivitb. 

Agree with thine a'iverfary quickly, whilft thcu 
art in the .way with him ; left at any time the 
adverfary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge 
deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cart into 
prifon. Matt. v. 25. 

5. To fettle a price between buyer and 
feller. 

Friend, I do thre no wrong: didft not thou 
agree with me for a penny ? Matt. xx. 13. 

6. To be of the fame mind or opinion. 

He exceedingly provoked or underwent the 
envy, and reproach, and malice of men of all 
qualities and conditions, who agreed in nothing 
ell'f. Clarmd.x. 

Milton is a noble genius, and the world agrees to 
confefs it. H'dtti"! Improvement cf the Mind, 

j. To concur ; to co-operate. 

Muft the whole man, amazing thought! return 
To thi cold ma.ble and contrafted urn ? 
And never (ha!l thofe particles aprce, 
That were in life this individual he ? Prior. 

8. To fettle fome point ajnong many, with 
ufort before a noun. 

Strifes and troubles would be cndlefs, except 
they gave their common confent all to be ordered 
by fome whom they fliould agree upon. Hoiker. 

If men, ikilled in chymical affairs, mall agree 
to write clearly, and keep men from being rlunned 
by dark or enip'.y words, they will be reduced 
either to write nothing, or books that may teach 
us fjmethii);.'. Bvyle. 

9. To be confiilent ; not to contradict ; 
with to or with. 

For many bare fa'fe witncfs againft him, but 
their witnefs agreed not together. Mark, xiv. 56. 

They that flood by faid again to Peter, Su.ely 
tl.ou art one of them : for thou art a Galilean, 
and thy fpecch agreah thereto. Mark, xiv. 70. 

Which teftimony I the lefs fcruple to all gc, 
bec.iufe it agrees very well with what has been af- 
firmrd to me. Boyle. 

10. To Am with ; to be accommodated 
to : with to or ivitb. 

Thou frc.leil thine own people with angeh food, 
and didft fend them from heaven bread agreeing ti 
evel 7 irifdom. 

His principles could not be made to avrte with 
that conftitution and order which God had fettied 
in the world ; and, therefore, muft needs cl.uh 
with common fenfe and experience. Locke. 

1 1. To caufe no difturbance in the body. 

I have often thought, that our preferring affe 
milk in fuch final] quantities, is injudicious; for, 
undoubtedly, with fuch as it agrees with, it would 
perform much gieatcr and quicker cfr'cdh, in 
greater quantities. Arbutbmt. 

To AGRE'E. <v. a. 

1. To put an end to a variance. 

He f'lw from far, or feemcd for to fee, 
Some troublous uproar, or contentious fray, 
Whereto he drew in hafle it to agree. 

Fairy %, t. it. 

2. To make friends ; to reconcile. 

The mighty rivals, whofe deftruftive rage 
Did the whole world in civil aims engage, 
Are now agretd. RofcomMMi. 

H AGRE'EABLE. 



AGR 

/CRS'IAJLI. eJj. [agrcal/t, Fr.] 
1. Suitable to ; confident with ; conform- 
able to. It has the particle to, or with 

This paucity of blood is agreeable to many othe 
tuimilj, as frigs, lizards, and other fifhei. 

Brbiun's Vulgar Errcars 

Th:: dcl'^r whicli men have in popularity 
fam m, and fubjeftion or' o'.iitr nxn' 

minds, (eemeth to be a thing, in itfelf, withou 
nnfequence, agrestic and grate- 
ful to the nature of man. Bacon's Natural Hijt',ry 

What you do, is not at all agreeable tithe 
ie'::b fo good a chriltian, or fo rcafonable and f> 
g.^at a p;-if.,n. Terrific. 

That which is agreeaHe ft the nature of one 
thin;, is many times contrary to the nature 
nothcr. L'Ffr.'n^ 

As Uie practice of all piety and virtue is agrfc- 
able to our reafon, fo is it likewife the interef 
both of private perfonf and of public focieties. 



2, In the following paflage the adjective 
is ufed by a familiar corruption for the 
adverb agreeably. 

Agreeable hereunto, perlreps it might not beam'fs 
to make children, as foon a$ they are capable of it, 
^ften to tell a ftory. Locke on Education. 

3. Pleafing ; that is fuitable to the incli- 
nation, faculties, or temper. It is ufed 
in this fenfe both of perfons and things. 

And while the face of outward things we find 
PleaUnt and fair, agreeable and I'weet, 
Thefc things tranfport. Sir J. Davits. 

1 recollect in my mind the difcourfes which 
have pailed between us, and call to mind a thou- 
fand agreeable remarks, which he has made on 
thcfe occafions. Addifcn, Sfeflator, N 241. 

ACRE'EABLENESS. n.f. [from agreeable.} 

1. Confiftency with; fuitablenefs to: with 
the particle to. 

Pleai'ant tafles depend not on the things thcm- 
fcives, but tlicir agreeablenefs to this or that parti- 
cular palate, wherein there is great variety. Locke. 

2. The quality of pleafing. It is ufed in 
.in inferiour fenfe, to mark the pro- 
duftion of fatisfaftion, calm and laft- 
ing, but below rapture or admiration. 

There will be occafion for largenefs of mind 
aJ agrnablenefs of temper. Collier of friendjhif. 

It is very much an ifmg? of that author's writ- 
ing, who has an agricatlenefs that charms us, 
without corrcftnefs ; like a miftrefs, whofe faults 
we fee, but love her with them all. Pope. 

3. Refemblance; likenefs; fometimes with 
the particle bctwuH. 

This rela'ion is likewife fecn in the agreeable- 
nefs bd-Kttn man and the other parts of the uni- 
verfe. Grtafi Cofmo/ogia Sacra. 

ACRE'EABLY. atfv. [from agreeable .~\ 
1. Confiftently with ; in a manner fuitable 
to. 

They may look into the affairs of ludea and 
Jerufaiem, agreitkly to that which is in the law of 
tlit Lojd. I Ej'J. xviii. \i. 

1. Pleafingly. 

1 d>d never imagine, that fo many excellent 

rules could Le produced fo advanugeoufly and 

agmatty. i-ivift. 

AGRE'ED. participial adj. [from agree.] 

Settled by confent. 

When they had gjt known and agretd names, 
to fi^nify thofe internal operations of their own 
minds, they were fuifici-iitly furnifhed to make 
known by words all their iJcjs. I.i-fki. 

AGRE'BINGNESJ. n.f. [from agr ee.] Con- 
fidence ; fuitablenefs. 

A<-;RE'EMENT. n. j. {agrtment, Fr. in 
la\v Latin agreamentmn, which Coke 
would willingly derive from egrrtgatia 



A G U 

i. Concord. 

What agreement is there between the hyen am 
the dug? and what peace between the rich an ' 
the poor ? Ecciuj. ri'i. i? 

z. Refemblance of one thing to another. 

Tlu divilim and quavering which pleafc f( 
much in mufick, hive an tjgrawtr.'. with the gilt 
tering of light, as the moon-beams playing upon \ 

Bjfon 

Expanfion and duration have this farther agree 
rtift:;, that though they are both ctinfidered b\ 
us as having parf, yet their parts are not feparabl 
ore from another. Locke 

3. Corapafl ; bargain; conclufionof con- 
troverfy ; ilipulation. 

And your covenant with death (hall be difan 
nulled, and your agreement with hell fliall no 
(rand ; when the overflowing fcourge fliall paf 
through, then ye fliall be trodden down by it. 

Jjaiab, xxviii. 18 

Make an agreement with me by a prefen:, am 
come out to me, and then eat ye every man o. 
his own vine, and every one of his fig-tree. 

2 Kings, xviii. 31 

Frog had given his word, that he would mee 
the company, to talk of this agrermnt. 

A'butbnofs Hiftory of John Bull. 

AGRE'STICK, or ACRE'STICAL. adj 
[from agrcfth, Lat.] Having relation 
to the country ; rude; ruftick. Ditt. 
AGRICOLA'TION. n. f. [from agricola, 
Lat.] Culture of the ground. Dlff. 
A'CR i CULTURE, n.f. [agricultura, Lat.] 
The art of cultivating the ground ; til- 
lage ; husbandry, as diitinft from paf- 
turage. 

He ftrittly advifeth not to begin to fow before 
the fetting of the (lars; which, notwithstanding, 
without injury to agriculture, cannot be obferved 
in England. Brown's Vulgar Errcurs. 

That there was tillage beftowed upon the ante- 
diluvian ground, Mofes does indeed intimate in 
general ; what fort of tillage that was, is not 
exprelTcd : I hope to (hew that their agriculture 
was nothing near fo laborious and trcublefome, 
nor did it take up fo much time as ours doth. 

Woodward's Natural Hiftory. 
The difpontion of Ulyffes inclined him to war, 
rather than the more lucrative, but more fecure, 
method of life, by agriculture and hulbandry. 

Broome's Notes on the Odyfiy. 
A'GRIMONY. n.f. [agrimania, Lat.] The 
name of a plant. The leaves are rough, 
hairy, pennated, and grow alternately 
on the branches ; the flower-cup con- 
fiftsofone leaf, which is divided into 
five fegments : the flowers have five or 
fix leaves, and are formed into a long 
fpike, which expand in form of a rofe ; 
the fruit is oblong, dry, and prickly, 
like the burdock ; in each of which are 
contained two kernels. Miller. 

To AORI'SE. <v. n. [ajriij-an, Sax.] To 
look terrible. Out of ufe. Spenfer. 

To A o R i 's E . it. 'a. To terri fy . Spenfer. 
ACRO'UND. ad*u. [from a and ground.] 
1. Stranded ; hindered by the ground from 
paffing farther. 

With our great (hips, we durft not approach the 
coaS, we having been all of us aground. 

Sir tr. Raleigh's EJfiys. 

Say what you feck, and whitherwcre yiub.-tmJ ? 
Were you, by ftrefs of weather, caft aground f 

OryJen's j&mitl- 

z. It is likewife figuratively ufcd, for 
being hindered in the progrefs of af- 
fairs ; as the negociators were aground 
at that objection. 

'VGUE, n. f. [a'u, Fr. acute.} An in- 



AHA 

termitting fever, with cold fits fuccee-d- 
ed by hot. The cold fit is, in popular 
language, more particularly called the 
/ ague, and the hot the fever. 

Our caftle's ftrength 

Will laugh a fiegc to (turn. Hc-rp let them lie, 
Till famine and the agtit eat them up. i- k 

'I hough 

He feels the heats of youth, and colds of age,. 
Vet neither tempers nor correct^ -he other; 
As if there were an ague in his nature, 
That Hill inclines to one extreme. 



. 

A'GUED. adj. [from ague.] Struck, with 
an ague ; fhivering ; chill ; cold : a 
word in little ufe. 

All hurt behind, backs red, and facei pale, 
With flight and ague d tear ! Sbattjf. Ceri^'aras. 
A'GUE FIT. n. f. [from ague and//.] 
The paroxyfm of the ague. 

This ague ft of fear is overblown. 

Sbakijf. Rick. II. 

A'CUE PROOF, adj. [from ague and proof.] 
Proof againft agues ; able to refift the 
caufcs which produce agues, without 
being affefted. 

When the rain came to wet me once, and the 
winj to make me chatter; when the thunder would 
not peace at my bidding j tliere I found 'em, 
there I fmelt 'em out. They told me J was every 
thing : 'tis a lie ; I am not ague proof . 

Skakfjr.exre't King Isfar. 

A'GUE-TREE. n.f. [from ague and tret.] 
A name fometimes given to faffafras. 



E. ir. a. [ from a and guife. See 
GUISE.] Todrefs; to adorn; to deck : 
a word now not in ufe. 

As her fantaftic wit did moft delight, 
Sometimes her head (he fondly would aguift 
With gaudy garlands, or fre(h flowers dighc 
About her neck, or rings of ruihes plight. 

F.iiry Queen. 

A'CUISH. adj. [from ague.] Having the 
qualities of an ague. 

So calm, and fo ferene, but now, 
What means this change on Myra's brow ? 
Her aguijh love now glows and burns, 
Then chills and (hakes, and the cold fit returns. 

A'CUISHNESS. n. f. [from aguijh.] The 
quality of refembling an ague. 

AH. InterjcSicn. 

I. A word noting fometimes diflike and 
cenfure. 

Ab! fmful nation, a people laden with ini- 
quity, a feed of evil-doers, children that are cor- 
nipters, they have forfaken the Lord. Ijaijb, i. 4. 
z. Sometimes contempt and exultation. 

Let them not fay in their hearts, Ah ! (o we 
would have it : let them not fay, we have fwal- 
lowed him up. Pfalm xxxv. 25. 

3. Sometimes, and moft frequently, com- 
paffion and complaint. 

In youth alone, unhappy mortals live; 
But, ab ! the mighty blifs is fugitive : 
Difcqlour'J fickivfs, anxious labour come, 
And age and death's inexorable do vn. 

Dryd. Virg. Gccrg. \\\, 

Abmt\ the blooming pride of May, 
Ar.J t'.jt ,)F ln.-ar.ty are but one : 

At morn botrVflouiiiri bright and gay, 
Both fa:!c at evening, pale, and gone. Priori 

4. When it is followed by that, it ex- 
preffes vehement defire. 

In gooJnefs, as in greatnels, they excel ; 
Ab .' that we lov'd ourfelves but half fo well. 

Drjanfi jfuveKijf.. 

AHA'! AHA'! interjection. A word inti- 
mating triumph and cumerupt. 

They 



A I D 

They opened their mouth wide sgainlt me, 
and faid, aba ! aba ! our eye hath fcen it. 

ffalm xxxv. II. 

AHB'AD. ad-v. [from a and head.] 
i. Farther onward than another : a fea 
term. 

And now the mighty Centaur fms to lead, 
And now the fpeedy Dolphin gets ahead. 



2. Headlong; precipitantly :^ ufed of ani- 
mals, and figuratively of men. 

It is mi^htiiy the fault of parents, guardians, 
tutors, and governours, that lo many men mil- 
carry. They fufTer them at firft to run ctcad, 
and, when perverfe inclinations arc advanced into 
habits, there is na dealing with them. 

L'EJlrangc's Fablts. 

AHE'IGHT. adv. [from a and height.'} 
Aloft ; on high. 

But have I fail'n or no ? 

From the dread I'ummit of this chalky bourne ! 
Look up alttgbt, the mrill-gorg'd lafk fo far 
Cannot be feen or heard. Skaktfp. K'mr Lfar. 

AHQUA 'I. n.f. The name of a poifonous 

plant. 

To AID. >v. a. \_aiJer, Fr. from aajutare, 
Lat.] To help ; to fupport ; to fuc- 
cour. 

Into the lake he leapt, his lord to aitf, 
And of him catching* hold, h'rn ftrongly ffaid 
From drowning. Fairy S^uetn. 

Neither fliall they give any thing unto them 
that make war upon them, or aid them with 
victuals, weapons, rr.oney, or Slips. 

Mjccabres, viii. 26. 

By the loud trumpet, which our courage aids, 
We learn that found as well as fenfe perfuadu. 

Rafcunmon. 

AID. *. /. [from To aid.] 
I . Help ; fupport. 

The memory of ufeful thing- may receive con- 
Cderable aid, if they are thrown into verfe. 

Wans" i Iitfrovemeitt of the Mind. 
Your patrimonial (tores in peace po(Tefs j 
Undoubted all your filial claim confefs : 
Ycur private right (hould impious power invade, 
The peers of Ithaca would arm in aid. fife's Od. 

2. The perfon that gives help or fupport ; 
a helper ; auxiliary. 

Thou haft faid, it is not good that man (hou!d 
be alone ; let us make unto him an aid, like unto 
himfclf. Titit, viii. 6. 

Great aids came in to him, partly upon miflives, 
and partly voluntaries from many parts. 

Back's Htnry VII. 

3. In law. 

A H.bfiJy. did is alfo particularly ufed, in 

r of pleading, for a petition made in cuurt, 

for the calling, in of help from another, that hith 

an inttrctt in the caufe in queftion ; and ii i.kc. 

wife both to g've ftrength to rVie party that pray. 

- in aid of him, anJ alfo to avoid a prejuH'ce a^- 

eruir.g towards his own right, except it be pre- 

vented : as, when a tenant for term of life, c.jur- 

tefy, V. beinj implcadcd touching his dVatr, h<- 

may pray in aid of hirrt in the rcverfion ; that is, 

entreat the court, that he may b- called in bv 

writ, to all-gc what he thir.ks gnod fur t! 

tenancc both of his right and his own. CVit-r.7. 

AI'DANCE. n.f. [from a/W.] Help ; fup- 

port : a word little ufed. 

Oft have I Iccn a timely parted gholr, 
Of aff-.y fcmblance, meagre, pale, ant! bloodlefe, 
Bt-ing all defcendcd to the lab'ring henrt, 
Who, rn the c.>nflift that it holds wish .t-atfi, 
Arr.tiU the fame for aidanc -/:aiy. 

.h-lfeare's Hirry VI. 

AI'DA.NT. ai/j. [aidant, Fr.] Helping; 
helpful : noc in ufe. 



.> ibiilVd xirtuesof tlu-a.-lh, 
my lean ; be aldar.i and rcmrdiate 
: goud man's dillrefi. Stakcff. Klr.g Lear. 



A I M 

AI'DER. it./, [from aid.'} He that brings 
aid or help ; a helper ; an ally. 

All along .is he went, were punilhed the adhe- 
rents and aijus of the late icbels. 

Bacon s llcttry VII. 

AI'DLESS. adj. [from aid and lefs, an in- 
feparable particle.] Helplcfs ; uniup- 
ported ; undefended. 

Alone he enter'd 

The mortal gate o' th' city, which he painted 
With ihunlels deftiny : aidl-^ \ came oiT, 
And, with a fudden re-enforccmcnt, ftruck 
Corioli, like a planet. &bak<.fp. Csrulanps. 

He had r.ic: 

Already, ert my befr. fpeed could utevent, 
The aidleji innocent lady, his wifh'd prey. 

HMtctfiCcmtts. 

A' lev LET. a./, \_aignlet, Fr.] A point 
with tags ; points of gold at the end 
of fringes-. 

It all above befprinkled was throughout 
With golden aigu'as that glifttr'd bright, 

Like twinkling ftars, and all the feirt about 
Was hemm'd with golden fringes. Fairy Saar. 

To AIL. *u. a. [ejlan, Sax. to be trouble- 
fome.] 

1. To pain ; to trouble ; to give pain. 

And the angel of God calleJ to Ka^ar out ot 
hven, and f.'.id unto her, What ailctb thee, Ha- 
gar ? fe not : for God hath heard the voice of 
the lad where he is. Cm. xxi. 17. 

2. It is afed in a fenfe lefs determinate, 
for to afitt in any manner ; as, finx- 
tbing ails me that I caniiot ft jiill\ what 
ails tie man that be laughs without rea- 

Jbn? 

Love fmiled, and thus faid, Want joined to 
defire is unhappy ; but if he nought do deftre, 
what can Heraclitustf/7? Sidney. 

What tits me, that I cannot lofe thy thought ! 
Command the emprefs hither to be brought, 
I, in her death, (hall fome diverlion find, 
And rid my thoughts at once of woman-kind. 

DryJin's 'Ijrt:nr;^k Lcvc. 

3. To feel pain ; to be incommoded. 

4. It is remarkable, that this word is 
never ufed but with fome indefinite 
term, or the word nothing ; as, What 
ails him ? What does he nil? He ails 

fotnethin^ ; he ails nothing. Sdmithhig ails 
him ; nothing ails him. Thus we never 
fay, a fever ails him, or he ails a fever, 
or ufe definite terms with this verb. 
AIL. n.f. [from the v:rb.] A difcafe. 
Or heal, O NarlVs, thy obfctner ail. f'fe. 

A i ' i. M E N T . H . /. [ from ail. ] Pain ; dif- 
eafe. 

''!:' ." attend the fair, 

Not decent lor a huioanJ's eyj or. ear. Grsr.-vi'k. 

I am never ill, but I thing of your a 
and r-p!r,e tli.'.t they mutually hinder our being 
toget:. . Hv.-'ft': Liters. 

A'ILING. participial adj. [from To //.] 

Sickly; full of complaints. 
To AIM. i: a. [It i; derived by c 

from efmtr, to point at ; a word which 

I have not found.] 

1. To endeavour to ftrikc with a miffive 
weapon ; to direct towards ; with the 
particle at. 

Aim ft thou at princes all an'.azM they fn';', 
The lalt of gam**? 

2. To point the view, or dircft the ftcps 
towards any thing ; to tend toward", ; 
to endeavour to reach or obtain : with 
to formerly, now only with 'nt. 

Lr, here the world is blifk ; io hcic '.I,-.- 



A I R 

fa which all mm do aim, rich to tie made, 
Such grace now to be happy is before trite laid. 

P'aiy i^v. 

Another kind there is, which although wfc de- 
fne for itfelf, ;is health, and virtue, f,:d know- 
ledge, nevei'thelefs they are not the laft mark 
ir..-ira;/ we tf/M, but have their further end where* 
unto t. ey are referred. Jlontfr, 

Swoln with applaufe, and aiming ftill at more, 
He now provokes the fea-gods from the (hore. 

Drydttft j&ne'hl. 

Religion tends to the e.if?. and pleafure, the 
peace and tranquillity of our minds, which nit 
the wifdom or" the world did always aim at f as the 
utrf.oil felicity of this life. Tilbrfin, 

3. To guefs.X 

To Ai M. <v. a. To direft the miffle wea- 
pon ; more particularly taken Jur the 
aft of pointing the weapon by the eye, 
before its difmiffion from the hand. 

And proud Ideus, Priam's charioteer, 
Who (hakes his empty reins, and aims his airy 
fpear. Dryjat, 

AIM. n. f. [from the verb.} 

1 . The direction of a miflile weapon. 

Afcanius, young and eager of his game, 
Soon bent his bow, uncertain of his aim ; 
But the Jire fiend the fatal arrow guides, 
Which picic'd his bowels through his pjnting 
fid-s. Dry den, ji>. vii. / 69:. 

2. The point to which the thing thrown is 

tiirecled. 

That arrows fled not fwifter toward their aim, 
Thaa c!i j our foldiuc, aiming at thtir fafety, 
Fly from t'lc fitlu. Sb,:k(Jl>. Henry IV. f. ii. 

3. In a figurative fenfe, a purpofe ; a 
fcherne ; an intention ; a defign. 

He fruited to have equall'd the Mutt High, 
If he cppos'd : and, with ambitious uim, 
Againd the throne and monarchy of God 
RaVd impious war. M;//. Par. Left, it. i. /. 41. 

But fee how oft ambitious aim arecrolr, 
And chiefs contend till all the prize is lolf. Ptpt. 

4. The object of a defign ; the thing after 
which any one endeavours. 

The fafeft way ij to fuppofc, th.it the epiftle 
has but one aim, tiM, by a frequent pcnifal of it, 
you are forced to fee there are diftinft indcpendi nt 
parts. Lode's Efy on St. Paul's Efijiles. 

5. Conjecture'; giiefs. 

Tt is impolnble, by aim, to tell it ; and, for 
expei icnce and knowledge thereof, I do not think 
;ere was ever any of the particulars thcre'cr". 
Sf infer at Irdin'd. 
There is a hiftory in all men's lives, 
F:"u,-irig tne nature of the times Jeceas'd; 

v.-iijch obferv'd, a man may prophcfy 
With a near air., of the main Chance of things, 
As yet nrt come to life, which in their ileds 
And "weak br^ir-.niiigs/Iic intie'fuied. 

'p. limy IV. 
AIR. n.f. [ajr, Fr. a'e'f, Lat.} 

1. The element encompaffing the terra- 
queous gfobe. : 

It I \veix- to tell what I mean t>y the word air, 
I may fry, it is that fine matter which we breathe 
in and- Breathe out contiuually ; or it ia that thin 
fluid body, in which the birds fly, a little abova. 
the earth ; or it is that iuviliblc matter, v.hkh 
. nt whith in n:< (Ir- 
ately cncompafiis the j;lobe of earth ai;d w. trr. 

Watts's Lcgick, 

2. The date of the air ; or the air con- 
Cifeied with regard to health. 

> nuny goad and healthful airs, that 
/car by habitation and other proofs, that 
u/Hcr nut in l;^:! hum oilier airs. 

Bacoi.'s Natural Hijlory, N 904* 

3. Air in motion ; a lYnall gentle wind. 

Fie'], i,entle airs, 

Whifr^AI it to-tha woo.ls, and from their wings 

i . from the fpicy fhrub 
Uifporting ! Muton't Parajjife Lojt, i>, viii. /. 51 ;. 

H z Uut 



A I R 

But fife repofe, without an air of breath, 
Dwells here, and a dumb i;uiet next to death. 

Dryttetl. 

Let rernil tin through trembling ofiers pLy, 
And Albion's cliffs lelound the rural lay. 

Pofe's Paf.rals. 

4. Scent ; vapour. 

Stinks which the noftrils flra'ght abhor ire not 

the molt pernicious, but fuch a.rs as have lu...i 

; .j.;c with man's body ; and fo infinuate 

themldves, and betray ;hc fjirits. Bacor.. 

5. Blalt ; peflileniial vapour. 

All the ftor'd vengeances of heaven fall 
On her ingrateful top ! rtrike her young bones, 
You taking airs, wUhiamencfs ! Sbak. King Lear. 

6. Any thing light or uncertain ; that is 
as TVght as air. 

momentary grace of mortal men, 

Which we more hunt for than the grace of God ! 
Who builds his hope in air of your fa'r looks, 
Lives like 3 drunken faiior on a marc, 
Ready with ev'ry nod to tumble down. 

Sbattff care's Ritbard III. 

7. The open weather ; air unconfined. 

The garden was incl s'd within th; I 
Whcic ycung Emilia took the morning air. 

Diyrlex's Failrs. 

t. Vent ; utterance ; emiflion into the air. 

1 would have afk'd you, if I du: ft for fliame, 
If Mill you I >v'd ? you gave it air before n.c. 
But ah ! why were we not both of a lex ? 

For then we might have lov'd without a crime. 

9. Publication ; expofure to the publick 
view and knowledge. 

I am' ferry to find it has taken air, that 1 have 
fome hand in thefe papers. P fe's Letters. 

10. Intelligence ; information. This is 
not now in ufe. 

It grew from the airs which the princes and 
fates abroad received from their ambairaJors and 
agents here. Span's Htnry VII. 

11. Mufick, whether light or ferious ; 
found ; air modulated. 

This muCck crept by me upon the waters, 
Allaying both their fury and my paflion, 
With its fweet air. Sbakeff tare's TarfeJ!. 

Call in fome mufick ; I have heard, fofi airs 
Can charm our fenfes, and expd our caies. 

Detibdtn's Scfily. 

The fame airs, whxh fome enteitiin with rucft 
delightful transports, to others are importune. 

Glanvil/e's Sccfjis Sacntljica. 
Since we have fuch a trcafury of words f; 
proper for the airs of mufick, I wonder that per- 
fcns mould give fo little attention. 

jtddifsn, Sfcfljtor, N 406. 
Borne on the fwclling notes, our fouls afpire, 
While folemn airs improve the facrcd fire ; 
And angels lean from heav'n to hear ! 

Pope's Si. Cf cilia. 

When the foul is funk with Cares, 
Exalts her in enliv'ning airs! Pope's St.Ceecilia 

12. Poetry ; a fong. 

The repeated air 

Of fad Eledlra's poet had the pow'r 
To fave th' Athenian walls from ruin bare. 

Paradifl Regained 

13. The mien, or manner, of the perfon 
the look. 

Her graceful innrcence, her ev'ry air, 
Of gefture, or lea ft action, over-aw'd 
His malice. Milt.n's Paraiiife Loji 

For the air of youth 

Hopeful and cheerful, in thy bl 'Oil Oiall reign 
A melancholy damp of cold and dry, 
To weigh thy fpiritt down ; and lad confume 
The balm of life. Milton's ParadiJeLcJ. 

But, having the life before us, befides the ex 
perience of all they knew, it is no wonder to 1.' 
fomc airs aud features, which they have milled. 
Drydtr. on Dratnatiik Entry 



A I R 

There 11 fbmething wonderfully divine in the 
airs of this picture. Addtjon art Italy. 

Vtt fliould the Graces all thy figures place, 
And breathe nn air divine on ev'ry face. Pope. 

4. An aftefted or laboured manner or 
gcfture ; as, a lofty air, a gay air. 

Whom Ancus follows with a fawning air \ 
But vain within, and prouuly popular. 

Drydcns JEncid, vi. 

There are of thefe fort of beauties, which 
lair but for a moment ; ss, the different airs oi 
an aficmbly, upon the fight of an unex; ecied and 
;mon nrijed>, force particularity of a vi >ici;t 
paflion, fime graceful acTion, a fmile, a glance of 
an eye, a dil'aainful look, a look of gravity, and a 
thoufand other fuch like things. 

Dry Jen's Dnfrrfncy. 

The'r whole lives were employed in intiigues o/ 
(late, and they naturally give therafelves airs of 
kings and princes, r<f which the miniftcrsol other 
nations arc only the rcprcfentatives. 

Mdijm's Remarks en Italy. 
To curl their waving hairs, 

A/lift their blufties, and infpire their airs. Poft. 
He aflu-ncs and afl'efts an entire fet of very 
d'.ftVrent airs ; he conceives himfelf a being of a 
fuperiour narurc. Stvj r t. 

;. Appearance. 

As it was communicated with the air of a fe- 
cret, it foon found its way into the worM. 

fcpei Ded. to R.'fe of the Loci. 

6. [In horfemanflup.] Airs denote the 
artificial or pradliied motions of a ma 
naged horfe. Chambers. 

r o AIR. <v. a. [from the noun<i/>.] 
:. To expofe to the air; to open to the 
air. 

The others make it a matter of fmall com- 
mendation in itfelf, if they, who wear it, do 
notl.ing elfe but air the robes, which their place 
req;iircih. H<xk<r, b. v. 49. 

Fleas breed principally of ftraw or mats, where 
there hath been a little moirture, or the chamber 
and bsd-ftraw kept clofe, ami not aired. 

Bacon s N<iiura! tUjhry,^" 6j5. 

We have had, in our time, experience twice or 
thrice, when both the' judges that fat upon the 
jail, and numbers of th.ife that amended the 
bufmefs, or were prcfcnt, fickened upon it, and 
died. Therefore, it we.e good wifd:>m, that, in 
fuch cafes, the jail were aired, before they wen 
brought forth. I'accn's Natural Hlftry, N 9 1 4. 

As the ants were airing their provifioni on 
winter, up comes a hungry grafshopper to them, 
s a charity. L'EJl 'range's Fables. 

Or wickejr-ba.'kets weave, or air the corn. 
i> 

2. To gratify, by enjoying the open air, 
with the reciprocal pronoun. 

Nay, May a little 

Were you but riding forth to Kr jltfjelf, 
Such parting Wf:e t >o petty. Sbattjf. Cymielint. 

I afcendeJ the hi^hell hilis of Bagdat, in ordei 
to pafs the reft of the Jay in meditarion and prayer 
As I was here airing *"yf f (f on the tv.ps of the 
m jun'iiins, I fell into a profound co .temptation 
on the vanity of human life. Addit n, . ( 

. To air liquors ; to warm them by the 

fire : a term u'ed in converfation. 
4. To breed in ncfls. In this fenfe, it i 
derived from aerie, a neft. it is now ou 
of ufe. 

Yi'u may add their bufy, dirg^rous, ('ifcour 
teous, yea and fometimes deipiteiu! it..,[ 
from an 'thi-r, of the eggs and young ones; whr 
y were allowed to air naturally anJ qu't t'\ 
there would be ftoie fufhcier.t, to kill not only th 
pm.idges, but even all the good houfewivc 
chickens in a country. 

Carnv's Survey cfCcritwa! 

A'IRBLADDER. n. f. [from air and blad 
der.} 



A I R 

. Any cuticle or veficle filled with air. 

The pulmonary artery and vein pafs along the 
furfaees of thcfc aubltddin, in an infinite num- 
ber of ramifications. Arluibno in Atimnti* 
. The bladder in fifties, by ihe contrac- 
tion and dilatation of which, they vary 
the properties of their weight to that of 
their bulk, and rile or fall. 

Though the airHadJer -in fiihej feemt necefTary 
fir I'wimmin;, yc; fome are fo formed as to fwi-n 
without it. Cudii'trtb. 

A'IR BUILT, atfj. [from air and build.] 
Built in the air, without any folid foun- 
dation. 

Hence the fool's paradife, thcftatefman'sfchcme, 
The airl/tiili caftle, and the golden dream, 
The maid's romantick wiih, the chymilt'i flame, 
And poet's vilion of eternal fame. 

Pofe's DaitciaJ, f-. 

AIR-DRAWN, adj. [from a;r and Jra--j./i.] 
Drawn or painted in air : a word not 
ufed. 

This is the very painting of your fear, 
Thii Is the air-drawn dajr^er, which, you faid, 
Led you to Duncan. '-. Ma.li'.b. 

A'l R E R . //. / [from To air. ] He that tx- 

pofes to the air. 
A'IR HOLE. n. /, [from air and tele."] A 

hole to admit the air. 
A'IRINKSS. n. f. [from airy."] 
. Openneft ; expofure to the air. 
z. Lightnefs ; gaiety ; levity. 

The French have indeed taken worthy pains to 
make claHick learning fpeak their language ; if 
they have not fucceeded, it mull be imputed t j a 
certain talkativencfs and airlnefs reprefcnted in 
their tongue, which will never agree with the fe- 
datenef; of the Roman?, or the lolemnity of the 
Gieeks. F-.'i'.n. 

VIRISG. ./ [from air.] A mort jour- 
ney or ramble to enjoy the free air. 

This lit le licet ferves only to fetch them wine 

and corn, and to give thc'.r ladies an airing in the 

fummer icafon. / 

VIRLESS. adj. [from air.] Wanting 

communication with the free air. 

Nor ftony tower, nor walls of b.'attn brafs, 
Nor air/eft dungeon, nor ftrong links of iron, 
C.m be retentive to the flicn^rh of fpirit. 

Shakf/pearSt Julius Cafar. 

A'IRLING. n. f. [from air, for gayetj."\ 
A young, light, thoughtlefs, gay pcr- 
fon. 

Some more there be, flight afr/mgj, will be won 
With dogs, and horfes, and perhaps a whore. 

Bin 'J-r^n. 

A'IRPUMP. n. /. [from air and pump.] A 
machine by whofe means the air is ex- 
hauiled out of proper veflels. The piin- 
cip!e on which it is built, is the elaiU- 
city of the air ; as that on which the wa - 
terpump is founded, is on the gravity of 
the air. The invention of this curious 
inilrument is afcribed to Otto de Gue- 
rick, conful of M:igdebourg, in 1654. 
But his machine laboured under k . 
defefts ; the force neccflary to work it 
was very great, and the proprefs very 
flow; it was to be kept under water, 
and allowed of no change of fubjefts for 
experiments. Mr. Boyle, with the af- 
iiftance of Dr. Hi-oke, removed feve- 
ral inconveaiencics ; though, (till, the 
working was laborious, by reafon of the 
prefl'ure of the atmofphere at every ex- 
fuilion. Tlus labour, has been fiuce re- 
moved 



A I S 

moved by Mr. Hawkfbee ; who, by 
adding a fecond barrel and piflon, to 
rile as the other fell, and fall as it rofe, 
made the prefTure of the atmofphere on 
the descending one, of as much lervice 
as it was of diflervice in the afcending 
one. Vream made a firther improve- 
ment, by reducing the alternate motion 
of the hand and winch to a circular 
one. Ckp.micrs. 

The air that, in rxhaufted receivers of tiirj.u;r.[!, 
is exhaled from minerals, and fl:ih, and fruits, 
and liquors, is as true and genuine as to eUir.cic 
and dcnlity, or raie-'aftion, as that we refpire in ; 
and yet this factitious air is fo far fr. m being fit t 
be breathed in, that it kills animals in a moment, 
even footer than the abfence of air, or a vacuum 
itfelf. Btnt'.cy. 

A'IRSHAPT. n.f. [from air and Jbafi.'} 
A patfage for the air into mines and 
fubterrancous places. 

By the finking uf an airjbaft, the air ha'h 1'- 
to circuUce, and carry ou; the ffeams both ot 
the miners b cath and the damps, which w^uld 
ife ftagnate there. Ray. 

A'iRY. adj. [from air ; circus, Lat.] 
I. Compoied of air. 

The fiiil i- thi tranfmiffion, or errifli:>n,of the 
thinner and mare airy parts of bod>s j as, in 
odours and infections : and this is, of all the reft, 
the moft corporeal. Bacon 

z. Relating to the air; belonging to the 
air. 

There are fifties that have wings, that are no 
ftrangers to the airy rejj >n. Boytt. 

3. High in air. 

Wuole rivers he e forfake the fields below, 
, And, wond'nrg a: their height, through a.ry chan- 
nel? fl .w. Mdfin. 

4. O,-en to the free air. 

Joy'd to rarge abroad in frrfli attire 

the wide cornpafs of the t.ry coaft. Sptnf;r. 

5. Light as air ; thin ; unfubftantul ; 
without folidity. 

I hold ambition of fo airy and light a quality, 
that it is but a (liadow'i (naaow. Statc/f. Hamltt. 

Slill may the dog the w nftrain 

Of airy ghof.s, and vex the guilty train. DryJ^n. 

6. Wanting reality ; having no Heady- 
foundation in truth or nature ; vain ; 
trifling. 

Nor think with wind 

Of airy threats to aw^, wh >m yrt with deeds 
Thoy Miittr'i Parjjifc Lrf. 

i fuch meannefi) Ibaring high, 
With empty found, and airy notions, fly. 

Rcfcfminvn. 

I have found a complaint concerning the lc,i c! r -, 
of money, which nccafijne.1 many airy yr-tr-ofuions 
for th- rr.ne Jy of it. Tftrjilt s Mifcellanlfs. 

7. Fluttering; loofe ; as if to catch the 
air ; full 01 levity. 

The i.iii.ters draw their nymphs in thin and 
tiry h.bi.i; but the weight r>f gold and of embroi- 
der'rs ]', reiencJ (it queens and g"/djfTc!. Dryciin. 

By this na^ne '-f lad.cs, he m~ans all 
finely fhaped, airy, and i 
fuch as ate rymp!.s n 1 NaVids. 

8. Gay ; fprightly ; full of mirth ; viva- 
cious ; lively; Ipirited ; light of heait. 

HP tr it is merry and airy at rtr ic when he lees 

a fid tempeil on the lea, or dances when < : 

.ds not when G -d 

fpeaks t. a I ;h- Taylor. 

AISI E. n. f. [Thus the word is written by 
, but perhaps improperly ; iince 
it feems dcducilne only Irom, either aile, 
a wing, or alter, a path, and is there- 
fore to be written at/e.] The walks in 
a church, or wings of a (juire. 



ALA 

The abbey is by no means fo magnificent as one 
would expect from its endowments. The church 
is one huge net, with a double aijlc to it ; and, it 
each end, is a large quite. jjddifcn. 

AIT, or EYGHT. n.f. [fuppofed, by 
Skinner, to be corrupted from ifiet-~\ A 
fmall ifland in a river. 

AJUTAGE, n.f. [ajutage, Fr.] An ad- 
ditional pipe to water-works. Di3. 

fo ARE. *u. M. [from %-, Gr. and 
therefore more grammatically written 
acbe.~\ 

i. To feel a lafting pain, generally of the 
internal pirts ; diltinguiilied from fmart, 
which is commonly uied of uneafinefs in 
the external parts ; but this is no accu- 
rate account. 

To fue, and be deny'd, fuch common grace, 
My wounds ale at Sialjpiare. 

Let our finger akc, and it endues 
Our other hjakhful membeis with a ferle 
Of pain. Sbattfftart. 

Wciethe pleafure of drinking accompjn '<:-., :iv. 
very moment, with that fr k (tcmach and akir:g 
heal, which, in f^mc men, are fure to f How, 1 
think no body would ever let wine touch his lips. 

Licit. 

His limbs muft att, with daily toils opprelr, 
Ere long-wiih'd night brings ncceflary reft. Prior. 

z. It is frequently applied, in an impro- 
per fenfe, to the heart ; as, the heart 
akei ; to imply grief or fear, fbake- 
ffeare has uled it, ftill more licentioufly, 
of the foul. 

My foul tlet 

To kn.",w, when t-.vo aurhorities are up, 
Neither fupreme, how foon confufi n 
M^y enter. Skaiffp* Ctriolartus. 

Here (hame dilTuades him, theiehis tear prevails, 
And each, by turns, his akirg heart affails. 

Add^n. 

AKI'N. adj. [from a and .'] 

1. Related to; allied by blood: ufed of 
perfons. 

1 do not envy thre, Pamela} only I wi/h, that 
being thy fiftcr in nature, 1 were not fo far off ak:n 
in fortune. Sidney. 

2. Allied to by nature ; partaking of the 
fame properties : ufed of things. 

The cankered pafiion of envy is nothing atirt to 
the fiiij'envy of the afs. L'Eflrar.gt'i 1'allts. 

Some limbs J^ 'in in bulk or Itature 
Unlike, and not akin by nature, 
li corcert aS, like modern nien-s, 
Becaufe one ferves the other's ends. Prior. 
He ffparates it from queilionswith which it may 
have been complicated, and diftir.gu. flies it from 
q'jeilions which may be akin to it. 

Horn's Improvement (>f ibe Mind. 
AL, ATTLE, ADI.E, do all fecm to be 
corruptions of the Saxon JL'-^\, noble, 
famous ; as allb, Ailing and Aulmg, are 
corruptions of ^tpelinj. noble, jfleadid, 
famous. 

Al, AU, being initials, are derived 
from the Saxon Kalb, ancient ; and fo, 
oftentimes, the initial all, being melted 
by the Normans from the Saxon <talb. 

G>bj(,ns Camden. 

A'LABASTER. n.f. [aXafar(o>.] A kind 
of foft marble, ealier to cut, and lefs 
durable, than the other kinds ; fome is 
white, which is moll common ; fome of 
the colour of horn, and tranlpa-ent ; 
fome yellow, like honey, marked with 
veins. The ancients ufed it to make 
boxes for perfumes. Savary. 



ALA 

Yet I'll not died her blood, 
Nor fear that whiter fkin of hers than (how, 
And fmooth as monumental afatajfer. Stalefp* 
A'LABASTER. adj. Made of alabailer. 

1 cannot forbear mentk.nir.g part of an alvbefer 
column, found in-the ruins of Li via" t portico. It 
is of the colour of fire, and may be (een over the 
high altar of St. M atia in Campi tello ; for they have 
cut it into two pieces, and fixed it, in the (nape 
of a cnl's, in a hole of the wall ; fo that theiight 
paffing through it, makes it look, to thole in tha 
church, like a huge tranfparent crofs of amber. 

Addifrn on Tf a(y* 

ALA'CK. inttrjcll. [This word feems only 
the corruption of alas.] Alas; an ex- 
preffion of forrow. 

Alack I when once our grace we have forgot, 
Nothing goes right ; we would, and we would not. 
Skakej'f...Meafure for Miajurl, 
At thunder now no more 1 ftart, 
Than at the rumbling of a cart : 
N.ty, what 's incredible, alackl 
I hardly hear a woman's clack. S-ai'ift* 

ALA'CKADAY. inttrjetlion. [This, like 
the former, is for alas the Jay.] A word 
noting forrow and melancholy. 
AL A'CRIOUSLY. adv. [from alacriour, 
fuppofed to be formed from alacris ; but 
of alacricus I have found no example.] 
Cheerfully ; without dejeftion. 

Epaminondas alacriovjly expired, in confidence 
that he left behind him a perpetual memory of the 
victories he had achieved f r his country. 

Govirnmir.t of tic Tongue, 

ALA'CRITV. n.f. [alacritas, Lat.] Cheer- 
fulnefs, exprefled by fome outward to- 
ken ; fprightlinefs ; gayety ; livelinefs ; 
cheerful willingnefs. 

Theft orders wsie, on all fides, yielded unto 
with no lei's alacrity of mind, than cities, unable 
to hold out any longer, are wont to (hew when t!v j 
take conditions, fuch is it liketh him to offer 
them, which hath them in the narrow ftraits of 
advantage., H^ker, 

Gie me a bowl of wine ; 
I have not that alacrity of fpirit, 
Nor cheer of mind, that I was wont to have. 

Sbatefftart, 

H?, gl.-d th.it now his fea mould find a fiiore, 
With frefli alacrity, and force renew'd, 
Springs upward. Milton's Paradife Lojlt 

Never did men more joyfully obey, 
Or I'.ionrr underftord the fign to Hy : 

With fuch alacrity they bore away, 
As if, to praile them, all the dates (tood by. 

Dry-Jen. 

ALAMl'RE. n. f. The lovveft note but 
one in Guido Aretine's fcalc of mufick. 

ALAMO'DE. adv. [ la mode, Fr.] Ac- 
cording to the fafhion : a low word. It 
is ufed likewife by fhopkeepers for a kind 
of thin filken manufacture. 

ALA'ND. adv. [from a for at, and land.~\ 
At land ; landed; on the- dry ground. 

I c "nly, with the prince his c 'Ulin, wen- call 
aliiiui, far i.ff from the place whither their <1 lires 
would have guided them*. Si:infy, 

Three more fierce Eurus, in his ant*ry mood, 
D:ifh'd on the lhallows of the m ving fand, 
And, in mid ocean, left them moor'd aland. 

Dryden. 

ALA'RM. n.f. [from the French a I'arine, 
t ) arms ; as, crier a I'arme, to call to 
arms.] 

l. A cry by which men are fummoned to 
their arms; as, at the approach of an 
enemy. 

When the congregation is to be gathered toge- 
ther, you (ball bluw, but you ihall not found an 
alarm Humbert 

God 



Al, A 

r, >i himfelf is with n> for our csptain, and h i 
fridf with founding trumpets, to cry alarm 
gainft you. 2 Ciron. xiii. iz. 

The trumpets loud clangour 

Excites us to arms, 
With thrill notes of anger, 

And mortal alarms. Dr*il.-r.. 

Taught by this llroke, renounce the wars alarms, 
And learn to trembit at the name of arms. 



. 

*. A cry, or notice, of any danger ap- 

proaching ; as, an r.larm of fire. 
3. Any tumult or difturbance. 

Crowds of rivals, for thy mother's charms, 
Thy palace fill with infuitj and a'.arf.-. 

Pofc't 

"fa ALA'R w. <v. a. [from alarm, the noun.] 
J. To call to arms. 

i. To dillurb ; as, with the approach of 
an enemy. 

The wafp the hivo alarms 
With louder hums, and with unequal aims. 



3. To furprife with the apprchenfion of 
any danger. 

When rage mifguides me, or when fear alarm!, 
When pain diftreffes, or when pleafure charms. 

Tickill. 

4. To diftarb in general. 

His fun, Cup.iv i, brufli d the briny flood j 
. Upon his ftern a brawny Centaur itood, 
Who hcjv'd a rock, and threat'ning ftill to throw, 
With lifted hands, alarm'd the feas below. DryJin. 
ALA'RMBELL. n.f. [from alarm and tell.'} 
The bell that is rung at the approach of 
an enemy. 

Th" alarm/>ell rings from our Alhambra wall, 
And, from the ftreets, found drums and auballes. 

Dryden. 

Al. A'R MING, particip, adj. [from alarm.'} 

Terrifying ; awakening ; furprifing ; 

as, an alarming mefiage ; an alarming 

pain. 
ALA'RMPOST. n.f. [from alarm and poft.~\ 

The poft or place appointed to each body 

of men to appear at, when an alarm 

(hall happen. 
ALA'RUM. n.f. [corrupted, as it feems, 

from alarm. See ALARM.] 
Noware ourbrows bound with victorious wreaths, 

Our bruifed arms hung up for monuments, 

Our ftern alarums chang'd to merry meetingj. 

Staktffcart. 
; Almatro might better bear, 

She fcts a drum at either ear ; 

And loud or gentle, harlh or fwect, 

Are but th* alarums which th: ; . Prior. 

To ALA'RUM. v. a. [corrupted from Te 

alarm.] See ALARM. 

Withered murder 

( Alarum d by his fentinel the wrlf, 

Whofe howl's his watch) thus with his Healthy pace 

Moves like a glioft. Sbalcfpean. 

ALA'S. interjeQ. [helas, Fr. tylaes, Dutch.] 
i . A word expreffing lamentation, when 

we ufe it of ourfelves. 

But yet, alat! O but yet, aim ! our haps be but 
hard haps. Sidney. 

sJliis, h >w little from the grave we claim ! 
*Thou but preferv'fl a form, and 1 a name. Pope. 

2. A word of pity, when ufed of other per- 
fons. 

jlkt! poor Protheus, thou haft entertain' d 
A fox to be the (hepherd of thy lambs. Sbaktfp. 

3. A wftrd of forrow and concern, when 
ufed of things. 

Thus faith the Lord God, Smite with thine 
hri(t,,and Ca-np with thy foot, and fay, Alas! 
/vr all UK evil abominatloai of die jioulc of lira. i. 



A L C 

Aim ! both for the deed, and for the caufc ! 

Milter.. 

dlai ! for pity nf this bloody field 5 
Piteous indeed mufi be, when I, a fjiii', 
Can h.ivc tj fort a fenfe of human w its. Drytlia. 
ALAS THE DAY. intcrjeB. Ah, unhappy 
day ! 

Al~> tti Jay ! I never gave him caufe. Stalnff. 

Alas a day ! you have ruined my poor ni 
y-m hive made a pap in her reputation; and cnn 
you blame her, if {hi make it up with her hufbar.d > 

Congrevt. 

AT. AS THE WHILE. inttrjeH. Ah! un- 
;>y time ! 

All as :hc (licep, fuch was the (hcphcrd's look ; 

!c and wan he was (a'.ai tbt -while!) 
May teem he lov'J, or else fome care he tfolc. 

Sftnftr. 
ALA'TE. adv. [from a and late.] Lately; 

no long time ago. 
ALB. n.f. [album, Lat.] A furplice ; a 

white linen vellment worn by priefts. 
ALBE. laifo. [a coalition of the words 
ALBE'IT. j all be it fo. Skinner.} Al- 
though ; notwithltauding ; though it 
fhould be. 

Ne woi/d he fuffer fleep nnce thitherward 
Approach, aibt his drowfy 4en was next. Spcnfcr. 

This very thing is caufe furficient, why duties 
belonging to each kind or virtue, ailt'-.t the law of 
reafjn teach them, ih.vjld, notwithftandirg, be 
prefcrib^d even by human law. Ilwker. 

One whofe eyes, 

Albeit unufed to the melting mood, 
Drop tears, as faft as the Arabian trees 
Their medicinal gum. Statteffeare. 

He, who has a probable belief that he (hall 
meet with thieves in fuch a road, thinks himf.'ll 
to have reafon enough to decline it, albeit he is fure 
to fuftain fome lefs, though yet considerable, in- 
convenience by his fo doing. Sojib's Serimrs. 

ALBUGI'NEOUS. adj. [albugo, Lat.] Re- 
fembling the white of an egg. 

lijgs will fieeze in the altugiram part thereof. 
Brwan's fulgar Erroun. 

I opened it by incifion, giving vent firft to an 
albugintous, then to white concocted matter: upon 
which the tumour funk. ffifeman's Surgrry, 

ALBUGO, n.f. [Lat.] A difeafe in the 
eye, by which the cornea contrails a 
whitenefs. The fame with leucoma. 

A'LBURN COLOUR, n.f. See AUBURN. 

A'LCAHEST. n.f. An Arabick word, to 
exprefs an univerfal diflblvent, pretend- 
ed to by Paracelfus and Helmont. 



ALCA'ID. n. f. [from al, Arab. ai.J 

TpTp, the head.] 
i. In Barbary, the governour of a caille. 

Th' alcaid 



Shuns me, and, with a grim civility, 
Bows, and declines my walks. 



Dryden. 



, . 

z. In Spain, the judge of a city, firft 
inltituted by the Saracens. Du Can c. 

ALCANNA, n. f. An Egyptian 

ufed in dying ; the leaves making a 
yellow, infufed in water, and a red in 
acid liquors. 

The root ui nUanna, though grei-n, will give a red 
fr.iin. Br(,ivi:*s l/u.'ljr Errcart. 

AI.CH Y'MICA L. adj. [from akb*;my."\ Re- 
lating to akhymy ; produced by al- 
chymy. 

'1 he rofc-n->ble, then current for fix (hilling- 
and eight pence, the alchymifts d,i alh.. 
unwritT'.-n (fl n ;dr- by pr ;r 

\iil uf Ka^nionJ Lully in tin- 
tower ol London. Lamdct:'i Rmair.s. 



A L C 

. adv. [from alcly. 
meal.} In the manner of an alchymiit; 
by means cf akhy my. 

Raymond Luliy would prove \taktyjr.ically. 

Cumdtn, 

A'LCHTMIST. n.f. [from alchymy.} One 
who purfues or profefTes the i'cience of 
alchymy. 

'I " lulemnize this day, the glorious fun 
Stays in his c urfe, and plays the A- 
'i'urning, with fplenduur of his precious eye, 
The meagre cloJdy earth to glittering gold. 

Staltiff. Kmg yd*. 

Every alcbymift knows, that gold will cnduie 
a vehement fire f< r a long time witho t any 
change ; and after if has been divided by corr.fr. s 
liquors into inviftble p.\rts, yet may prefently be 
precipitated, fo as to appear in it* o..n form. 

Grew. 

A'LCHYMY. n.f. [of a!, Arab, and 



. 

1. The more fublime and occult part of 
chymiltry, which propofes for its object 
the tranfmutation of metals, and other 
important operations. 

There' is nothing more dangerous than ;(m 
deluding art, which changeth the meaning of 
v/.jids, as o/i/jwy doth, or would do, the IUD- 
ftance of metals ; maketh of any thing what it 
lifteth, and bringeth, in the end, all truth to no-. 
thing. 

O he fits high in all the people's hearts; 
And that which would appecrr offence in ui, 
His countenance, like richtfr. alcbymy, 
Will change to virtue and to wortliinefs. 

Sbakeff. y alias Cxfir. 
Compared to this, 
All honour's mimick, all wealth alclymy. 

Donne* 

2. A kind of mixed metal ufed for fpoons, 
and kitchen utenfils. 

White aicbynty is made of pan-brafs one pound, 
and arfenicum chrec ounces ; or alclymy is made 
of copper and auripigmentum. 

Baccn't Ptj/iia! RtKalxs* 
They bid cry, 

With trumpets regal found, the great refult: 
Tow'rds the four winds, four fpeedy cherubim* 
Put to their mtmths the founding aJcbymy, 
By herald's voice exf.-lain'd. Mhttr.'! ParjJife L'Jl 

A'LCOHOL. n. / An Arabick term 
ufcd by chymifts for a high rciflified 
dephlegmated fpirit of wine, or for any 
thing reduced into an impalpable pow- 
der. Quincy. 

If the fame fj't (hall be reduced into <j/r?s/, 
as the ch;m:!r fpcak, or an impalpable powder, 
the particles a, id intercepted fpacci will be ex- 
tremely lirffened. B-yle* 

Sal volatile oleofum will coagulate the feruni on 
account ui tlie alabtl, or rectified fpirit which it 
contains. Arbutbsyt* 

ALCOHOLIZA'TION. n. /. [from alcobo- 

///.] The act of alcoholizing or rec- 

tifying fpirits ; or of reducing bodies 

to an impalpable powder. 
Ta A'LCOHOLIZE. v. a. [from alcoht>l.~\ 
i . To make an alcohol ; that is, to rec- 

tify fpirits till they are wholly dephleg- 

mated. 
2. To comminute powder till it is wholly 

without roughnefs. 
A'HORAN. n. f, [al and kcrau, Arab.] 

The book oi the Mahometan precepts, 

and crcdenda. 
It this would fatisfy the confcience, we n 

not only take the p v efent covens-it, but i ; - 

to the- cojnul of Trent; yea, and m the i 

-. ; ar.J i'.vc.lr to m3'iKa>n and J*J>: .'; 

of them* Smukr/tit 0fain/} tbe Gai 

ALCO'VS. 



ALE 

ALCO'VE. n.f. [alcota, Span.] A re~cefs, 
or part of a chamber, feparated by an 
eftrade, or partition, and other corre- 
fpondenc ornaments ; in which is placed 
a bed of Hate, and fometimes feats to 
entertain company. Treiioux, 

The weary'd champion lull'd in foft alcoves, 
The n blf:!t boaft of thy rom^pt'ck groves. 
Oft, if the muff preface, thai) tie be feen 
By Rol'am nda fitting o'er the green, 
Jn dreams be haU'd by heroes' mighty (hades, 
A .d hear old Ci.aucer warble through the glades. 

Ttckeli. 

Deep in a rich ahvue the prince was laid, 
And fiept beneath the pompous co!on:*aJe. 

Pope's OJyfy. 

A'LDE R. n. f. [alma, Lat.] A tree hav- 
ing leaves reiembling thofe of the ha- 
zel ; the male flowers, or karkins, are 
produced at remote diitances from the 
fruit, on the fame tree ; the fruit is 
fquamofe, and of a conical figure. The 
fpecies are, i. The common cr round- 
leaved alder. 2. The long-leaved alder. 
3. The fcarlet aider. Thefe trees de- 
light in a very moitt foil. The wood is 
ufed by turners, and will endure long 
under ground, or in water. MJler. 

W hour the gior, a various fylvan fcene 
Appear'd around, a-.d groves of living green ; 
Poplars and ald,n e er quivering play'd, 
And nodding cjprefs form'ii a fragrant (hade. 

Poll's Odyffy. 

ALDERLI'EVEST. adj.fuferl. [from aid, 
abler, old, eider, and lieve, dear, be- 
loved.] Moll beloved ; which has held 
the longeft pofleffion of the heart. 

The mutual conference that my mind hath had, 
In courtly company, or at my beads, 
With you, mine aljcrlleveft fovereign, 
Makes me the bolder. Sbattfp. H<my VI. p. ii. 

A'LDERMAN. n. f. [from aid, old, and 
man.] 

1. The fame as fenator, CmuM. A go- 
vernour or magiftrate, originally, as 
the name imports, chofen on account 
of the experience which his age had gi- 
ven him. 

Tell him, myfeif, the mayor, and alJtrmin, 
Are come to have fame confrence with his trace. 

Sbakrjpcare. 

Though mv own aljermn conferr'd :n_ 
To me committing their eternal praife ; 
Their f:i!l-fc,l heroes, their pacifiVlc miy'rs, 
Their annual trophies, and their monthly wars. 

Pope's Dunciad. 

2. In the following paffage it is, I think, 
improperly ufed. 

But if the t.umjiet's clangour you abhor, 
And dare not be an alderman of war, 
Take to a Diop, behind a counter lie. 

DryJ. Juiit Sat. 

A'L DTP. MANLY, adv. [from aldcrtnua.] 
Like an alderman ; belonging to an 
alderman. 

Tlief-, and many more, fuflfered death, in envy 
to th?:r virtues and fuperiour genius, which em- 
bo. Jencd them, in exigencies (wanting an aldtr- 
manly dif.-reti.jn) to attempt fervice out of the 
T>n I-,.rms. Swift's MifecL'jaM. 

A'L i) E UN. adj. [from alder.] Made of 
alder. 

. at-'tm boats firft plow'd the ocran. 

Afjv'j fiirii. 

ALR. n.f. [eale, Sax.] 
i. A liquor made by infufing malt in 
9 



ALE 

hot water, and then fermenting the 1 
quor. 

You mull be feeing chriftenlngs. Do you loo 
for ale and cakes here, you rude rafcals ? 

Siultfptan's Henry VII 

The fertility of the foil in grain, and its beir 
not proper for vines, put th? Egyptians upon diink 
ing alt, of which they were the inventors. 



ufed 



in countr 



, A merry-meeting 
places. 

And all the neighbourhood, from old records 
Of antick proverbs drawn from Whirfon lords, 
And their authorities *t wakes and a!es, 
With country precedents, and uld wives tales, 
We bri ng you now. Be n 'Joxfa 

A'LEBERRY. n. f. [from ah and berry. 
A beverage made by boi'.ing ale wit 
fpice and fugar, and fops of bread : 
word now only ufed in conversation. 
Their aliterries, cawdles, porTets, each one, 
Syllibubs made at the milking pale, 
But what are cornpofed of a pot of good ale. 

Beaumont 

A'LE-BREWER. n.f. [from ah and brew 
er.~\ One that profefles to brew ale. 

The fummer-made maifbrews ill, and is dif 
liked by moft of our ale-brrwcrs 



A'I.ECOKNER. n.f. [from ale and con. 
An officer in the city of London, whofe 
bulinefs is to infpeft the rr.eafures o 
publtck houfes. Four of them are cho 
fen or rechofen annually by the com- 
mon-hall of the city ; and, whatever 
might be their ufe formerly, their places 
are now regarded only aa finecores for 
decayed citizens. 

A'LECOST. n.f. [perhaps from ale, and 
coftus, Lat.] The name of an herb. 

Dia. 

ALE'CTRYOMANCY, -or AI.E'CTORO- 
MANCY. n. f. \a,\iput and 
Divination by a eock. 
A'I-EGAR. n. f. [from ale and eager, 
four.] Sour ale ; a kind of acid made 
by ale, as vinegar by wine, which has 
lod its fpirit. 

A'Lrr. ER. adj. \_allegrt, Fr. alacrit, Lat.] 
Gay ; chearful ; fprightly : a word not 
now ufed. 

Coffee, the roct and lenf hetle, and leaf tobacco. 
of which the Turks are great takers, d.i all con- 
dcnfc the Ipirits, ar.J make them ftrong and ah. 
K er ' ttacon'i Natural Hiftory. 

A'LE HOOF. n. f. [from alt and hoopb, 
head.] Groundivy, fo called by our 
Saxon anceftors, as being their chief in- 
gredient in ale. An herb. 

Jttebvtf, or groundivy, is, in my opinion, of 
the moft excellent and moft genera! ufe and vir- 
tue, of any plants we have among us. Tanfle. 

A'I.EHOUSE. n. f. [from ale and hcufe,] 
A honfe where ale is publickly fold ; 
a tipling-houf". It is diftinguilhcd from 
a tavern, wiicre they fell wine. 

Th . : :ous inn, 

Why (hould h;d-fav u.-'d g.-isr' !> Mg'd in, thcc, 
.When triumph is become an eleboufe gueft ? 

Shukefpeart 

One would think it (hould be nn eafy matter to 
bring (*>nfc in love with an ale.bf>itfc\ 

indeed of f> much fenfe as feeing and Ir 
aimu 't to j there bcin^ fuch ftron^ encounters of 
bo' i, as wauld qu ; ckly lend him packing, did not 
th- -ovr of good fellowfliip reconcile to thefe 

South. 



A L E 

Ti-.sc flull each aliliouje, thec each gilHioufe- 

mourn, 

And anf.v'ring ginfliops fourcr fighs return. Pofc. 
A'LEHOUSE-KEEPER. n. f. [from ale- 
koufe and keeper.] He that keeps ale- 
publkkly to fell. 

Vou referable perfectly the tvs> aL-'eouJe-tcefifs 
in Holland, who were at the fame time burgo- 
mafters of the town, and taxed one another's bill'.; 
alternately. Later to Sm'tft. 

A'L E K N i G H T . . /. [from ale and knight. ] 
A pot- companion ; a tippler; a word, 
now out of ufe. 

The old alc!i.,i%hts of England were well de- 
painted by Hanville, in the alehoufe-colours- of 
thar time. Camdin. 

ALE'MBICK. n.f. A veffel ufed in diftil- 
ling, confiding of a veriel placed over . 
a fire, in which is contained the fu'o- 
ftance to be diftilled, and a concave- 
clofely fitted on, into which the fumes 
arife by the heat ; this cover has a beak 
or fpout, into which the vapours rile, 
and by which they pafs into a ferpen- 
tine pipe, which is kept cool by making 
many convolutions in a tub of water; 
here the vapours are- condenfed, and 
what entered the pipe in. fumes, comes 
out in drops. 

Though water may be rarefied into invifible 
valours, yet it is not changed into air, hut only 
Scattered into minute parts ; which meeting toge- 
ther in the alcmbicl, or in the receiver, do pre- 
ferrtly return into fuch water as they conftituteJ 
before. Eyle. 

ALE'NGTH. ad<v. [from a for at, artd> 
length.] At full length; along ; ftretched 
along the ground. 

ALE'RT. adj, \alerte, Er. perhaps from 
alacrti, but probably from a I'art, ac- 
cording to art or rule.] 
. In the military fenfe, on guard ; watch- 
ful ; vigilant ^ ready at a call. 
. In the common fenfe, briik ; pert ; pe- 
tulant ; fmart ; implying forne degree 
of cenfure and contempt. 

I faiv an a/en young fellow, that cocked his 
hat upon a friend of his, and accofted him, 
Well, Jack,, the olJ prig is dead at lift. 

Add'tjan, SpcHatar. 

ALE'RTNESJ. n.f. [from alert.] The 
quality of being alert ; fprightlinefs ; 
pertrtefs. 

That aJcrtnifs and unconcern for matters of 
common life, a campaign or two would infallibly 
have ^ive:i Mm. - MJifa, Sfcfiarcr. 

A'I.ETASTER. n.f. [from ale and tajler.] 
An officer appointed in every court leer,, 
and fworn to look to the affize and the 
goodnefs of bread and ale, or beer, 
within the precin&s of that lordfhip. 



L'LEVAT. n.f. [from ah and <vat.] The- 

tub in which the ale is fermented. 
<V'LEW. n.f. Clamour; outcry. Not in., 

ufe. ' Spenfer. 

'LEWASHED. adj. [from ale and wajh.] 

Steeped or foaked in ale : not now in- 

ufe. 

What a beard of the general's cut, and a horrid 
fuit of the camp, will do am >ng funraing batdes 
and alewapicd wits, is woudcrtul to 1> ; tfcc 
on- Stakclf.caj-1.. 

^'LEWIFE. n.f. [from ah and wife'.] A- 
woman that keeps an alchonfe. 

Perhaps 



A L G 

ill fwagger and heflor, and th'ea'.en 
to ben and butcher an al;iu'.f<, or take the goods 
by force, and throw them down the bad halfpence. 
Stvift'i Drjfer's Lelttrt. 

A'i.EXANDERS. n.f. [fmj/rnium, Lat.] 
The name of a plant. 

A'LEXANDER'S-FOOT. n.f. The name 
of an herb. 

ALEXA'NDRIKE. n.f. A kind of verfe 
borrowed from the French, firft ufed in 
poem called Alexander. They confcft, 
among the French, of twelve and thir- 
teen fyllables, in alternate couplets ; 
and, among us, of twelve. 

Our numbers fhoulu, for the moft part, be 
lyrical. For variety, or rather where the majefty 
Of thought requites it, they may be ftrrtthed to 
the Emjliili heroic of five feet, and to the French 
jtlactnirim of fix. Drydcr.. 

Then, at the lad and only couplet, fi aught 
With fome unmeaning thing they call a thought, 
A nccdlefs A^xan^r.ne ends die fong, 
That, like a wounded fnake, drags its flow length 
along. Pope's Ejjay in Criiicijm. 

ALEXIPHA'RMICK. adj. [from XI|EV and 

fa^axox.] That which drives away 

oifon ; antidotal ; that which oppofes 



Some antidotal quality it may have, fince not 
only the bone in the heart, but the horn of a deer 
is a'.exifbarmick. Brown's Vulgar Ernurs. 



A L I 

Sir Ifaac Newton brought th'u art to 
the height at which it ftill continues. 

Trrvoux. Chambers. 

It would furely require no very profound (kill in 
elytra, to reduce the difference of ninepence in 
thirty (hillings. Swift. 

ALCEBRA',C,C. 1 , , f algtbra .] 

ALGEBRA ICAL. J J L 

i . Relating to algebra ; as, an algebraical 

treatife. 
2. Containing operations of algebra ; as, 

an algebraical computation. 
ALGEBRA'IST. n.f. [from algebra.} A 

perfon that underilands or pra&ifes the 

fcience of algebra. 

When any dead body is found in England, 
no algebraifl or unciphe/er can ufe more fubtlc 
fuppofitions, to find the demonftration or cipher, 
than every unconcerned perfon doth to find the 
murderers. Gr JUKI'S Bills cf Mortality. 

Confining themfelves to the fynthetitk and ana- 
lytick methods of geometricians and algebraifs, 
they have too much narrowed the rules of method, 
as though every thing were to be treated in marhe- 
irutical forms. ffatts's L:^iet- 

A'LGID.M'. [a/?/V<w,Lat.] Cold; chill. 

Dia. 

ALCI'DITY. In./, [from algid.] Chil- 
A'LCIDNESS. j nefs ; cold. Dicl. 



,or ALEXITE'RICK.^'. 
[from aAi^i'i).] That which drives away 
poifon ; that which refills fevers. 
A'LGATES. adv. [ from all and gate. Siin- 
jter. Gate is the fame as <via ; and ftill 
ufed for<u'<y in the Scottifh dialeil.] On 
any terms ; every way : now obfo- 
1-te. 

Nor hiri th" boad.T ever rifen more, 
Eut thit Rcnaldo's horfc ev'n then down fell, 
And with the f.iH his leg opp/e(Vd fo fjvc, 
'1 iut, fjr a fpace, there muft he aigatis dwell. 

Fairfax. 

A'LGEERA. n.f. [an Arabic word of 
uncertainetymology ; derived, by fome, 
from Gcbcr the philctbpher ; by fome, 
from grfr, parchment ; by others, from 
lgehijla, a bonefetter ; by Menage, from 
filgiabarat, the restitution of things bro- 
ken. ] A peculiar kind of arithmetick, 
which takes the quantity fought, whe- 
ther it be a number or a line, or any 
other quantity, as if it were granted, 
and, by means of one or more quanti- 
ties given, proceeds by confequence, 
till the quantity at firft only fuppofcd to 
be known, or at leaft fome power there- 
of, is found to be equal to fome quantity 
or quantities which are known, and con- 
fcquently itfelf is known. This art was 
in ufe among the Arabs, long before 
it came into this part of the world ; and 
they are fuppofed to have borrowed it 
from the Perfians, and the Perfians from 
the Indians. The firft Greek author of 
algebra, was Diophantus, who, about the 
year 800, wrote thirteen books. In 
1494, Lucas Pacciolus, or Lucas de- 
Bargos, a cordelier, printed a treatife 
of algebra, in Italian, at Venice. He 
fays, that algebra came originally from 
the Arabs. After feveral improvements 
by Victa, Oaghtred, Harriot, Defcartes, 



. adj. [from algor, Lat.] That 
which produces cold. Di3. 

jfLGOR. n.f. [Lat.] Extreme cold; 
chilnefs. DiB. 

A'I.GORISM. 7 " /: Arabick words, 

A'LGORITHM.} which are ufed to im- 
ply the fix operations of arithmetick, or 
the fcience of numbers. Di3. 

ALGO'SE. adj. [from algor, Lat.] Ex- 
tremely cold ; chill. Dil. 

A'LIAS. adv. A Latin word,' fignify ing 
otbenuijf ; often ufed in the trials ot 
criminals, whofe danger has obliged 
them to change their names ; as, Sim- 
fon, alias Smith^,c/w Baker ; that is, 
otherwife Smith, etbcru-ije Baker. 

A'LIBLE. atij. [alililis, Lat.] Nutritive; 
nouriihing ; or that which may be nou- 
rifhed. Dia. 

A'LIEN. adj. [alienus, Lat.] 

1. Foreign, or not of the fame family or 
land. 

The mither plant admires ths leaves unknown 
Of alien trees, and apples not her own. Dryden. 

From native fill 

I'.xil'd by fate, ton from the tender'embrace 
Of his young guiltlefs progeny, he fecks 
In^l rious (hclter in an alien land. Flil'.fs. 

2. Eftranged from ; not allied to ; ad- 
verfe to: with the particle from, and 
fometimes to, but improperly. 

To declare my mind to the difciples of the 
fire, by a fimilitude not alien from their profeflion. 

Byte. 

The fcntimrnt that a'ifes, is a conviction of 

the deplorable ftate of nature, to which fin re- 

duced us ; a \ve.ik, ignorant creature, alien frvtj 

God and goodnefs, and a prey to the great de- 

- ftnr. er, Rugtr^s Sermons. 

They encouraged perfons and principles, alien 

firm our religion and government, in order to 

(trengthcn their faction. S^cift's Mifcellanies. 

A'LIEN. n.f. [alienus, Lat.] 

I. A foreigner; not a denifon ; a man 

of another country or family ; one not 

allied j a ftranger. 



A L I 

In whomfoever theft thing are, the church 
doth acknowledge them for her childrm ; them 
only (he holdcch for alum and (tranters in whom 
thcfc thingt are not found. Hester, 

If it be prov'd againft an alien, 
He fecks the life of any citizen, 
The party, 'gainft the which he doth contrive, 
Shall feize on half his goods. 

Sbaktff. JUenl: if ftai.e, 

The mere Iriih were not only accounted a/ietts, 
but enemies, fo as it was no capital offence to kill 
them. Sir John Dai'iet on Ireland* 

Thy place in council thou halt rudely loft, 
Which by thy younger brother is fupply'd, 
And art almoft an alien to the heart! 
Of all the court and princei of my blo?d. 

Sbckiftt.trr. 

The lawgiver cjndemned the perfon,, WB ' l.tt 

idle in divifnns dangerous to the government, ai 

ali'ns to the community, and therefore tu br cut 

off from it. Aldijin, Freeholder. 

2. In law. 

An alien is one born in a ftrange country, and 
never enfranchifed. A mm bnrn out o!' the land, 
fn it be within the limits beyond die fcas, or of 
Englilh parents out of the ktng'i obedience, h 
the pare.us, at the time of the birth, be of the 
king's obedience, is not alien. If one, born out 
of the king's aikgia-icc, cume and dwell in Eng- 
land, h ; s children (if he be,;et any here) are not 
aiiens, but denifons. C.-.-cell. 

ToA'nEN. i>. a. \_aliencr, Fr. aliena, Lat.] 

1. To make any thing the property of an- 
other. 

If the fonaficn l.mds, and then repurchaf: them 
again in fee, the rules of defcents are to be ob- 
ferved, as if he W're the o;icinal purchafer. 

Hale* I Hijlory of Cwr. Li:ltr. 

2. Toeftrange; to turn the mind or affec- 
tion ; to make averfe : with from. 

The king was dilquicteJ, when he found that 
the prince was totally alur.td frtjr. all thoughts of, 
or inclination to, t'ie marriage. C'ai 

A' i. I EN ABLE. adj. [from To alienate.] 
That of which the property may be 
transferred. 

Land is alieitatle, and trcafure is tranfitory, and 
both muft pafs from him, by his own voluntary 
aft, or by the violence of others, or at leaft b 

Dinrit's Letters. 

.To A' I. IE NATE. ii. a. [a!iener,PT. alitita, 
Lat.] 

1. To transfer the property of any thing 
to another. 

The countries of the Tu: ks were once OhrifV.in, 
and members of the church, and where the golden 
candk-fticks did fund, tin, ugh now they be utterly 
a'irnateri, and no Chriftians I . . Bacon. 

2. To withdraw the heart or affe&ions-: 
with the panicle from, where the firfl 
pofleilbr is mentioned. 

The manner of men's writing muft not al'mttt 
our hcarty/-w the truth. 

Be it never fo true w hich we teach the world to 

, yet it" once their affections b-gin to be 

alienated, a fmall thing pcifuadeth them to change 

their opinions. Ht*eker 

His eyes furvey'd the dark idolatries 
Of alienated Judah. Milton 't Paradfi Ltfl. 

Any thing that is apt to difturb the w^rlj, and 
to alienate the affections of mtn frcm one another, 
fuch a. crofs and diiUfleful hurujurs, is either e- 
prcMy, or by clca; conference and deduction, lor- 
b.dden in tlic New TefUment. Tillvtfc*. 

Her mind was quite alienated frotti the honcft 
C.ilrilian, whom (he was t.iu^lit to look upon as a 
formal old fellow. ;-! 

A'LIENATE. adj. [aliena/us, Lat.] With- 
drawn from; ftrangerto: with the par- 
ticle f,r.m. 

The Whigs are damnably wicked ; impatient 
for the death of the qu.cen j ready to gratify their 

ambitio* 



A L I 

roliition ar.d revenge by all defperate methods; 
wholly alienate fr.m truth, law, religion, mercy, 
conference, or honour. Sivift's Mifcellanics. 

ALIEN A'TIOX. n.f. [alienaiio, Lat.] 
k The aft of transferring property. 

This ordinance was tor the maintenance of their 
lands in :'.: ind for excluding all inao- 

M ftrangers. 
Sftoftr's State of Ireland 

God put it into the heart ol one of our princes, 

to give a check to fic:i!e.;e. Her fucceflbur pafl'cu 

a law, which prevented all future jli:r.atk'ns of the 

h revenues. Antriary 

G,it changes "J of property, hav; 

created new and great dependencies. 

c Atber.t and Horm. 

L. The ftate of being alienated ; as, the 
ftate was wafted during its alienation. 

3. Change of affection. 

ll is left but in dark memrry, whit was the 

ground of his defection, and the tlisr.ati-.r. of hH 

from the king. Bann. 

4. Applied to the mind, it means diforder 
of the faculties. 

Some things are done by man, though not 

,_ch outward force and impulfion, thcu t :h not 

,t, yet without their wilisj as in alienation ol 

mind, or any like inevitable utter abfence of wit 

and judgment* 

ALI'FEROUS. /iv#. [from ala andffro,La.t.] 
Having wings. Did. 

ALI'GEROUS. adj. [aliger, "Lat.] Having 
wings ; winged. Di3. 

Ti A i . I'G&E. <u. a. [from a, and lig, to 
lie down.] To lay ; to allay ; to throw 
down ; to fubdue : an old word even 
in the time of Spenfer, now wholly for- 
gotten. 

Thomalin, why fitten we fo, 
ren overwent with , 

i'o fair a morrow ? 
1 he'i r.-i'js time now ni^heth faft, 
Th.-- this bitter ! 

: iow. 

Sperf'Si FJJ! r.:U. 

To ALI'GHT. -v. n. falihran, Sax. nf-lich- 

ten, Dutch.] 

I. To come down, and flop. The word 
implies the idea of deJtntKng ; as, of a 
bird from the wing ; a traveller from 
his horfe or carriage ; and generally of 
refting or flopping. 

There ancient night arriving, did at 
Frcm her high weary wa ; n;. , S^ueen. 

There is alMud it your gate 
A young Venetian. "-i-;k. cf Ponce. 

SUcknefi brer>j it the fure traveller, 

Tl.ough he alights fometimes, (till goeth on. 

Ilcrhtrt. 

Wh'.n TnrJihv-v. i-h his foot he walks til! night; 
When with his hoi is, he iie\cr wili aiigr'. 

% Dttibam. 

When Drdalu!, 10 fly the Cretan (hore, 
ted pinions bore ; 

To the Cumca". C'-all .it length he came, 
And here aligbt'.ng built this cortly t. 

Drydtti! Mr.iui. 

When he wa admoniiT^ed by his (ubjeft to de- 
fcend, he came down gen'ly, and circlinR in 
and fioging to the ground. Like a lark n 
out in her m- 'ir.ting, and continuing her fong til! 
(he afigtn ; ftih piepanng tor a higher flight at her 
neit : Drydeti. 

When finiih'd was the figl.t, 
The viflors from th-ir lufty fteed^ ali/ti; 
Like them difmounted all the warlike tra n. 

Dryden. 

Should a f^irit of fupcriour rank, a ffrangcr to 
human nature, alight upon tie 

of us be ? Md\y,r,, :-\' t teiau,r. 

VOL. I. 



A L I 

2. It is ufed alfo of any thing thrown or 
falling ; to fall upon. 
But Itorms of ltoi.es from the proud temple'* 

...t 
Pour down, and on our batter'd helms a!iglt. 

Dryden. 

At I'KE. ad--j. [iVnra a and like.'] With 
refemblance ; without difference ; in the 
fame manner ; in the fame form. In 
fome expreflions it has the appearance of 
an adjective, but is always an adverb. 

Tie darknefs l.i.icih not from thee ; but the 
night fl.ini.-di as tile Jay : the darknefs ar.d the 
light are both elikt to tliee. l'!~<:.'in cvxxix. II. 

With rhee conversing, I forget all time ; 
All feafons, and their change, all pleafe alike. 

Paradifs Lc/l. 

Riches cannot refcue from the grare, 
Which claims alike the monarch and the (lave. 

Dryden. 

Let us unite at lead in an equal zeal for thoi'e 

capital doctrines, which we all equally embrace, 

and are alike concerned to maintain. Atterbary. 

Two handmaids wait the throne ; alike in place, 

But difTring far in figure and in fate. Pi-fc. 

A'LIMENT. n.f. [alimentum, Lat.] Nou- 
ri(hment ; that which nourimes ; nutri- 
ment ; food. 

New parts are added to our Jubilance; and, as 
we die, we are born daily: nor can we give an ac- 
count, how the aliment is prepared tar nutrition, or 
by what mechanifm it is di.lrii 

G/anv:!/t'i S'-fffis Stientijica. 

All bodies which, by the animal faculties, can 

be changed into the fiuidi and f, lids of on: 

are called alimcr.ts. In the largelt fcnfc, by e!'m:ext, 

1 up.Jerftand every thing which a humin creature 

in common diet; as, meat, diink; and fca- 

foning, as, fait, fpice, vii jirliutbnct. 

ALIME'NTAL. adj. [from aliment.'] That 
which has the quality of aliment ; that 
which nourimes ; that which feeds. 

The fun, that light imparts to all, receives 
From all his aHmirlal rccompenfe, 

ions. Milicn't Pared. Left. 

Except they be watered from higher regions, 

thele weeds mult lofe their elsmental fap, and wi- 

Brnvn. 

Th' industrious, when the fun in Lc 
Forget not, at the foot of ev.-ry plant, 

;k a circling french, and daily p.,ur 
A juft fupply of jtimtnta! dreams, 
Exhauftca lap recruiting. Pbi/ifs 

AMME'NTALLY. i>dv. [from alimental.~\ 
So as to ferve for nourifhment. 

The fubftance of gold is invincible by the pov,- 

ertlihrt heat, and that not only aiimentally in a 

mutation, but alfo medicamentally in 

any corporeal converfion. Smun's Vulg. Erroun. 

ALIME'NTARINESS. n.f. [from alimen- 

/'uy.] The quality of being.alimentary, 

or of affording nourifhmcnt. Dili. 

A 1. 1 ME'NTARY. adj. [from aliment. ~\ 

1. That which belongs or relates to ali- 
ment. 

The folution of the aliment by maftication is 
neccdiry; without it, the aliment could no 
pofed for the changes which it receives as it paffeth 
through the alimentary dud. 

'jtrfatblut on A!in:er.'.i. 

2. That which has the quality of aliment, 
or the power of nourilhing. 

I do not think that w.it;r lupplies anirr, 
evm plants, with n*uriuSmcnt, bat 

> particles, to cop.vey and 
diftr.bntc tnem to tht fevcral pnrts of the bodv. 

Ray on lli Cie..t:;a. 

Of alimentary roots, fome are pulpy an. 
nutrit: , Hi nips and ' \ 

a fattening 11 Arb<.tla;t in Ailmtnls. 



A I, K 

ALIMENT A'TION. n.f. [from aliment.'] 
I. The power of affording aliment; the 

quality of nourishing. 
:. The ftate of being nourifhed by afTimi- 
huion of matter received. 

Pi.ir.ts do nouiilh ; inanimate bodies do not: they 
have an accretion, but no a/imcntuthi:. 

Bjcon's Natural //i/vry. 

ALIMO'NIOUS. adj. [from alima>y.~\ That 
which nourimes : a word very little in ufe. 

The plethora renders us iear-, by fup ji'elling our 
fpirits, whereby they are incapacitated of digeitii g 
the aliinrMiQus humours into fleih. 

tlc.rij ('y fin Confurrptiens, 

A'LIMONY. n.f. [alimonia, Lat.] Ali- 
mony fignifies that legal proportion of 
the hufband's eftate, which, by the fen- 
tence of the ecclefiaftical court, is al. 
lowed to the wife for her maintenance, 
upon the account of any feparation from 
him, provided it be not caufed by her 
elopement or adultery. Ay life's Parcrg. 

Uerwre they fettled hands and hearts, 
Till t'.Hninny or death them parts. Hvfiibra*. 

A'LIO^UANT. adj. \_aliquantus, Lat.] Parts 
of a number, which, however repeated, 
will never make up the number exaflly ; 
as, 3 is an aliquant of 10, thrice 3 being 
9, four times 3 making 12. 

A'LIQJJOT. adj. [aliquot, Lat.] Aliquot 
parts of any number or quantity, fuch 
as will exally meafure it without any 
remainder : as, 3 is, an aliquot part of 
12, becaufe, being 1 taken four times, 
it will juft icafure it. 

A'LISH. adj. [from a/e.] Refembling ale j 
having qualities of ale. 

Stirring it and beating down the yeaft, gives it 
the fwect alijb talte. Mortimer's Hufkardiy. 

A'LITURE. . /. [alitura, Lat.] Nourifh- 
inent. Ditf. 

ALI'VE. adj. [from a and live.'] 

1. In the ftate of life ; not dead. 

Nor well alive, nor wholly dead they were, 
But fome faint figns of feeble life appear. Dryden 

Not youthful kings in battle feiz'd alive, 
Not fcornful virgins who their charms fuivive. 

Pope. 

2. In a figurative fenfe, unextinguifhed ; 
undeftroyed ; acTlve ; in full force. 

Thofe good and learned menhadreafon to wifh, 
that their proc'.-ivlinijs might be favoured, and the 
good affection of futh .15 inclined toward them, kept 
alive. Hooter. 

3. Cheerful ; fprightly ; full of alacrity. 

Sl\e was not Jo much allvi the wliole day, if (he 
(lept more than fix hours. Clarffi. 

4. In a popular fenfe, it is ufed only to 
add an ewiphafis, like the French Ju 
taonde ; as, the he/I man alive ; that is, 
the tejl, with an emphafis. This fenfe 
has been long in ufe, and was once ad- 
mitted into ferious writings, but is now 
merely ludicrous. 

And to thofe brethren faid, rife, rife by-live, 
And unto battle do yourfelves addicfi ; 

For yonder comes the prowelc knight alive, 
Prince Arthur, flower of grace and nobi'efs. 

Fairy Queen. 

The carl of Northumberland, who was the proud, 
eft man al'nt, could nor look upon the deftruclion 
of monarchy with any pleafure. Clarethkx. 

John was quick and underdood bufincfs, but no 
man ,I//OT wiaiuurc carclcl:, in looking into his ac- 
cntl jfr/iuttxot. 

A'LKAHEST. . / A word ufed Srft by 

Parscelfus, and adopted by his follow- 

I ers 



A L K 

ers, to fignify an univerfal diflblvent, 
or liquor which has the power of re- 
folving all things iato their firft prin- 
ciples. 

'ALKALE'SCENT. adj. [ from alkali. ] That 
which has a tendency to the properties 
of an alkali. 
All animal diet is alkaltfctnt or anti-acid. 

jirbutbna. 

AT KALI. K. f. [The word alkali comes 
from an herb, called by the Egyptians 
kali ; by us, glaflwort. ' This herb they 
burnt to alhes, boiled them in water, 
and, after having evaporated the water, 
there remained at the bottom a white 
fait ; this they called/*/ kali, or alkali. 
It is corrofive, producing putrefaction 
in animal fubflances to which it is ap- 
plied. Arbutbuot on Aliments.] Any fub- 
ftance which, when mingled with acid, 
produces effervefcence and fermenta- 
tion. 

A'LKALINE. adj. [from alkali.} That 
which has the qualities of alkali. 

Any watery liquor will keep an animal from 
ftarving very long, by diluting the fluids, and con- 
fequently keeping them from an alkaline ftate. 
People have lived twenty-four days upon nothing 
but water. Arbulbmt. 

To ALKA'LIZATE. >v. a. [from alkali.'] 
To make bodies alkaline, by changing 
their nature, or by mixing alkalies with 
them. 

ALKA'LIZATE. adj. [from alkali.] That 
which has the qualities of alkali; that 
which is impregnated with alkali./ 

The odour of the fixed nitre h very languid ; but 
that which it difcovers, being difiolved in hot 
water, is different, being of kin to that of other 
tlkalizatt (alts. Style. 

The colour of violets in their fyrup, by acid li- 
quors, turns red, and, by urinous and aiHalizati, 
turns green. Nnuttm. 

ALK ALIZA'TION../ [froai alkali .] The 
aft of alkalizating, or impregnating 
bodies with alkali. 

A'LKANEI-. . /. \anchufa, Lat.] The 
name of a plant. This plant is a fpe- 
cies of buglofs, with a red root, brought 
from the fouthern parts of France, and 
ufed in medicine. Miller. 

ALKEKKNGI. n. /. A medicinal fruit 
or berry, produced by a plant of the 
fame denomination ; popularly alfo call- 
ed winter -cherry : the plant bears a near 
refcmblance to Solanum, or Night- 
ihade ; whence it is frequently called 
in Latin by that name, with the addi- 
tion or epithet of <vejicarium. 

Chambers. 

ALKE'RMES. n.f. In medicine, a term 
borrowed from the Arabs, denoting 1 a 
celebrated remedy, of the confidence of 
a confeftion ; whereof the keraui ber- 
ries are the bafis. The other ingre- 
dients ar# pippin-cyder, rofe-water, 
fugar, ambergreafe, mufk, cinnamon, 
aloes-wood, pearls, and leaf-gold ; but 
the fwcets are ufually omitted. The 
tonfefiit alkermei is chiefly made at Mont- 
pelier. The grain, which gives it the 
denomination, is no where found fo 
plentifully as there. Cbamken. 



ALL 

ALL. atf. [JEll, JEzl, calls, all*, Sax. 
oil, Wellh; al, Dutch; alle. Germ. 
Sxe-, Gr.] 

1. Being the whole number ; every one. 

Brutus is an honourable man ; 
So are they all, all honourable men. 

Sbake/f. Julius Cffar. 

To graze the herb all leaving, 

Devour'd each other. Miitm'i farad. Loft. 

The great encouragement oi all, is the aflurance 

of a future rewird. Tili'st/en. 

2. Being the whole quantity ; every part. 

Six days thou {halt labour, and do all thy work. 

Dcut. v. I 3. 

Political power, I take to be a right of making 
laws with penalties, and of employing the force of 
the community in the execution of luch laws, ajvj 
in the defence of the commonwealth; and til ;hi. 
only for the public good. Luckc. 

3. The whole quantity, applied to dura- 
tion of time. 

On thole paftures chearful fpring 
Jill the year doth fit and ling ; 
And, rejoicing, I'miles to fee 
Their green backs wear his livery. Cralhaw. 

4. The whole extent of place; 

Graciano fpeaks an infinite deal of nothing, 
more than any man in all Venice. 

Shake] f. Merchant cf Venue. 

ALL. ad-v. [See ALL, a<r).] 
I . Quite ; completely. 

How is my love all ready forth to come. 

Spenfer, 

Know, Rome, that all alone Marcus did fifljt 
Within Corioli gates. Sbjkefpecre'i Coriolanus. 

He fworc fo loud, 
That, all amaz'd, the prieft let fall the book. 

Sbakefftare. 

The Saxons could call a comet a fixed ftar, which 
is all one whhjlella crittita, or Kntfta. 

Camden's Remains. 

For a large confcicnce is all one, 
And fignifies the fame with none. Hudilras. 

Balm, from a filver box diftill'd around, 
Shall a/I bedew the roots, and fcent the facred 
ground. Dry Jen. 

I do not remember he any where mentions ex- 
prefsly the title of the firft-born, but all along 
keeps himfelf under the /belter of the indefinite 
term, heir. Locke. 

Juftice may be furniihed out of fire, as far as her 
fword goes ; and courage may be all over a conti- 
nued blaze. Adjfin. 

If e'er the mifer durft his farthings fpare, 
He thinly fpreads them through the public fquare, 
Where, all befide the rail, rang'd beggars lie, 
And from each other catch the doleful cry. Gay. 

z. Altogether ; wholly ; without any other 
ctKifideration. 

I am of the temper of mod king?, who love to 
be in debt, are all for prefent money, no matter 
how they pay it afterward. D*\.i.r,. 

3. Only; without admiflion of any thing 
elfe. 

When I (nail wed, 
That lord, whofe hand mud take my plight, ihall 

carry 

Half my love with him, half my care and duty. 
Sure 1 {hall never marry like my filter, 
To love my father all. Sbakiff. King Lear. 

4. Although. This fenfe is truly Teuto- 
nick, but now obfolete. 

Do you not think th' accompli/hment of it 
Sufficient work for one man's fimple head, 
All were it as the reft but /imply writ. Sftnfcr. 

5. It is fometimes a word of emphafis ; 
nearly the fame with juft. 

A fhephcrd's fwain, fay, did thee bring, 
All as his ftraying flock he fed ; 
And, when his honour hath thcc read, 
Crave pardon for thy Uardylicad. 

Spenjtr'l 



ALL 

6. It was anciently in Englifh what it it 
now in the other Teutonick dialefls, a 
particle of mere enforcement. 

He thought them fixpenct all too dear. 

S<-';g in bbakefpeart. 
Tell us what occafion of import 
Hath all fo long dctain'd you from your wife. 

;>M. 

ALL. n.f. 

1 . The whole ; oppofed to part, or no- 
thing. 

And will (he yet debafe her eyes on me ; 
On me, whofe ali not equals Edward's moiety > 

Stakrfftan, 

Nought's had, //"s fpent, 
Where our defire is got without content. 

Stahfpeart'i Macbeth. 
The youth mall ftudy, and no m-, re engage 
Their flattering wiihes for uncritain age ; 
No more with fruitlcfs care, and Cheated ftrlfe, 
Chace fleeting pleafure through the maze of life ; 
Finding the wretched all they here can have, 
But prcfent food, a:-.d but a future grave. Friar. 
Our all is at ftake, and irretrievably loft, if we 
fail offuccefs. Md\j M . 

2. Every thing. 

Then mail we be news-cramm'd. AH the 
better ; we fliall be the more remarkable. 

Sbalefftare. 

Up with my tent, here will I lie to-night; 
But where to-morrow ? Well, ail's, one tor that. 

Sbakifpeare* 

Al! the fitter, Lentulus : our coming 
Is not for falutation ; we have bus'nel's. 

Bern Jmfcr. 

3. That is, every thing is the tetter, ibt 
fame, the Jitter. 

Sceptre and pow'r, thy giving, I affume ; 
And glad her (hall refigii, when in the end 
Thou {halt be all in all, and I in thee, 
For ever ; and in me all whom thou lov'fl. 

Milton. 

They that do not keep up this indifferency for 
all but truth, put coloured fpeclacles before their 
eyes, and look through falfe glades. Locke. 

4. The phrafe and all is of the fame kind. 

They all fell to work at the roots of the tree, 
and left it fo little foothold, that the firft blaft of 
wind laid it fat upon the ground, neft, eagles, 
<"> d alt - L'EJlrange. 

A torch, fnufF and all, goes out in a moment, 
when dipped in the vapour. 

Adetifon's Remarks en Italy. 

5. All is much ufed in compofuion ; but, 
in moll instances, it is merely arbitrary ; 
as, all-commanding. Sometimes the words 
compounded with it, are fixed and claf- 
fical ; as. Almighty. When it is con- 
nefted with a participle, it feems to be 
a noun ; as, all-jurrounding : in other 
cafes an adverb; as, all -a amplified, or 
completely accomplifhed. Of thefc com- 
pounds, a fmall part of thofe which 
may be found is inlerted. 

ALL-BEARING, adj. [from n//and bcar.~\ 
That which bears every thing ; omni- 
parous. 

Thus while he fpoke, the fovereign plant he 

drew, 

VVhere on th' all-bearing earth unmark'd it grew, 

Ptpt. 

ALL-CHEERING, adj. [from a//and cheer.] 
That which gives gayety and cheerful- 
nefs to all. 

Soon as the all-cicerirg fun 
Should, in the futheft eaft, beg^n to draw 
The (hady curtains from Aurora's bed. Sitatefp. 
ALL-COMMANDING, adj. [from all and 
command.'] Having the fovereignty over 
all. 

He 



ALL 

He now fets before them the high and ftiini 
3ol of glory, the all-commanding image of bright 
gold. Ralf'i^h. 

A L L-co M POS INC. adj. [from all and com- 
fofe.] That which quiets all men, or 
every thing. 

Wrapt in embowering ihades, UlyfTes lies, 
His wucs forgot ! but Pallas now adoreft, 
To break the bands of all ^mfojiag reft. Pcfi. 

ALL-CONO^UERINC. adj. [from all and 
conquer.] That which fubdues every 
thing. 

Second of Satan fprung, aH-fcr.qxering death ! 
%Vn.u think'ft thou of our empire now? Mutsn. 

ALL-CONSUMING, adj. [from all and 
coafume.] That which confumes every 
thing. 

By age unfcroke^but all-confvmitg care 
Deftro) s perhaps the ftrength that time would 
fpare. Popt. 

ALL-TJEVOURIXG. adj. [from all and de- 
<vour.] That which eats up every thing. 
Secure from flames, from envy's fiercer rage, 
DeftrucYwe war, and all -devouring age. Pope. 
ALL-FOURS, n.f. [from all and four.] 
A low game at cards, played by two; 
fo named from the four particulars by 
which it is reckoned, and which, joined 
in the hand of either of the parties, are 
faid to make all-fours. 
AM. HAIL. n. f. [from all and hail, for 
health.] All health. This is therefore 
not a compound, though perhaps ufually 
reckoned among them ; a term of falu- 
tation. Safoe, orfal-vtle. 

ill, ye fields, where conftant peace attends ! 
All bail, ye facred, folitary groves ! 
A.I bail, ye books, my true, my real friends, 
Whofe convcrfation pleafes and improves ! 

Waljb. 

ALL HALLOW. In.f. [from all and bal- 
ALL HALLOWS. 5 lo-iv.] All faints day; 

the firll of November. 
ALL-H.VLLOWN. adj. [from all and hal- 
lo, to make holy.] The time about 
All faints day. 

Farewell, thou latter fpring ! farewell, 
All-ballmin Summer. Sktkeff. Henry IV. 

ALLH AI.LOWTI DE. n. f. [See ALL- 
HALLOWK.] The term near All faints, 
or the firft of November. 

Cut off the bough about Allkalkiatidt, in the 
hire place, and fet it in the ground, and it will 
grow to be a fair tree in one year. 

Moron's Natural rllflvry, 

ALL-HEAL, n.f. [paanx, Lat.] A fpecies 

of ironivcrt ; which fee. 
1\\ \ -JUDGING, adj. [from ^//andyV./^c.l 
That which has the fovereign right o; 
judgment. 

I !<yik w'th horrour back, 
That I detrfr my urciched k-if, and curfc 
H> pa:l p -,'.: 

Who kr iv.4 my crimes, has ; . >w for 

. 

A: i -KNOWING, adj. [from all and i... 
Omnilcient ; all-wife. 

Shall we repine at a little mifplac'd charity, 

we, who could no way forefce the effect ; -A!:CM 

an all-ln if :u'-r.^ t * , /rinwers dovvnrvcry 

:s benefits on the unthankful and undef-rv- 

ing ? -jry's Krrm'.iis., 

MAKING, adj. [from all and K 
That created all ; omninck. See ALL- 
SEE: t:o. 
ALL-POWERFUL, adj. [from all and 



ALL 

fmuerfu/.] Almighty ; omnipotent ; 
poffeired of infinite power. 

O all -powerful Being! the lead motion of 
whofe will can create or deftroy a world ; pity us, 
the mournful friends of thy diftrcfied firvant. 

Siuift. 

ALL SAINTS DAY. n.f. The day on 
which there is a general celebration of 
the faints. The firft of November. 
ALL-SEER, n.f. [from all and fee.] lie 
that fees or beholds every thing ; he 
whofe view comprehends all things. 

That high Ail-jar, which I d.iilied with, 
Hath turn'd my feigned prayer on my head, 
Ar.d giv'n in earned what J begg'd in jeft. 

Sbabffptare. 

ALL-SEEING, adj. [from all and Jee.] 
That beholds every thing. 

The fameFirii Mover certain bounds has plac'd, 
How long thofe perilhablt fornii fliall laft ; 
Nor cin they la ft beyond the time afiign'd 
By that all-feeing and all-making mind. Drydin. 
ALL SOULS DAY. n.f. The day on which 
Applications are made for all fouls by 
the church of Rome ; the fecond of 
November. 

This is all Jails day, fellows, is it not ? 
Jt is, my lord. 
Why then, all fouls Jay is my body's doomfday. 

Sbaklffeart. 

ALL-SUFFICIENT, adj. [from all and 
fujpdent.] Sufficient to every thing. 

The teltimonies of God are perfect, the tefti- 
monics of God are alt-fiiffic-eut unto that end for 
which they were given. " Hooter. 

He can more than employ all our powers in 
their utmofl elevation ; forjie is every way per- 
fect and ttt-fuffitunl, Norris. 
ALL-WISE, adj. [from all and ivift.] Pof- 
feft of infinite wifdom. 

There is an infinite, eternal, all-wife mind go- 
verning the affairs of the world. South. 

Supreme, alt-tuife, eternal, potentate ! 
Sole author, fole difpofer of our fate ! Prior, 

ALLANTO'IS, or ALLANTO'IDES. n.f. 
(from aX?z.-, a gut, and i>!>&-, fhape.] 
The urinary timick placed between the 
amnion and chorion, which, by the 
navel and urachus, or pafl'age by which 
the urine is conveyed from the infant in 
the womb, receives the urine that conies 
out of the bladder. ^jiiiicy, 

To ALLA'Y. v. a. [from alloyer, Fr. to 
mix one metal with another in order to 
coinage ; it is therefore derived by fome 
from a la lot, according to law ; the 
quantity of met;/1s being mixed ac- 
cording to law ; by others, from a/tier, 
to unite ; perhaps from allocare, to put 
trier.] 

1. To mix one metal with another, to 
nuke it fitter for coinage. In this fenfe, 
moll authors preserve the original 
French orthography, ami write //y v . 
See ALLOY. 

2. To join any thing to another, fo as to 

if, pn-.i, ir.inant qualities. It is 
u.'cu commonly in a fenfe contrary to 
ks original meaning, and is, to make 
fometriing bad, lef;, bad. To obtund ; 
to reprefs ; to abate. 

Bring bri,ug,,t into the open air, 
I would j/Ary the burning quality 
Of that fcll'poifon. Sl>al--jpt*i-: 

No friendly offices (hall alter nr allay that 
rancour, that frets in fame hcllifli Lre.ilt<, which, 



ALL 

upon all oecnfions, will foam out at its foul month 
in flander and inventive. South, 

3. To quiet; to pacify ; to reprefs. The 
word, in this fenfe, I think not to be 
derived from the French alioyer, but to 
be the Bnglilh word lay, with a before 
it, according to the old form. 

If by ynur art you have 
Put the wild waters in this roar, allay them. 

Sbakc/jp. arc, 

ALLA'Y. n.f. [alloy, Fr.] 

1. The metal of a bafer kind mixed in 
coins, to harden them, that they may 
wear lefs. Gold is allayed with filver 
and copper, two carats to a pound 
Troy ; filver with copper only, of which 
eighteen pennyweight is mixed with a 
pound. Ccvce/1 thinks the allay is add- 
ed, to countervail the charge of coin- 
ing ; which might have been done only 
by making the coin lefs. 

For fools are ftubborn in their way, 
As coins are hardened by th' alley* Hudibrast 

2. Any thing which, being added, abates 
the predominant qualities of that with, 
which it is mingled ; in the fame man- 
ner, as the admixture of bafer metals 
allays the qualities of the firft mafs. 

Dark colours eafily fuffer a fenfible allay, by 
little fcattering light. Nrwtorfs Opticks* 

3. Allay being taken from bafer metals, 
commonly implies fomething worfe than 
that with which it is mixed. 

The joy has no allay of jealoufy, hope, and fear, 

Rofcommtn. 

AI.LA'YE*. n.f. [from allay.] The per- 
fon or thing which has the power or 
quality of allaying. 

Phlegm and pure blood are reputed allaycn of 
acrimony : and Avicen countermands letting blood 
in cholerick bodies ; becaufe he efteems the blcod 
a frtenum tills, or a bridle of gall, obtunding its 
icrimony and nercenefs. Harvry. 

ALLA'YMENT, n. /. [from allay.] That 
which has the power of allaying or abat- 
ing the force of another. 

It" I could temporize with rny affection, 
Or brew it to a weak and colder palate, 
The like a/la^rKt-nf would I give my t' r i er ~* 
ALLEGA'TION, n.f. [from allege.] 

1. Affirmation ; declaration. 

2. The thing alleged or affirmed. 

Hath he not twit our fovereign lady here 
With ignominious words, though darkly coucht ? 
As if ihe had fuborned Ibme to fwear 
Falfe allegations, to o'erthrow his Mate. 

Sbakcfpcart's Hairy VI. 

3. An excufe ; a plea. 

I i mittcd no. means to be informed of my 
err u;rs ; and I expect not to be excul'ed in any 
negligence on account or' youth, want of leifure, 
or any otlif.- i lie allegation!. ' Pope. 

To ALLE'GE. <*. a. [alli-ge, Lat.] 

1. To afHrm ; to declare ; to maintain. 

2. To plead as an excufe, or produce as 
an argument. 

Surely the prrfent form of church-government 

, u r.i l.:w of (io-l, or p-.ifoii of mr.ii, 

hath hitherto been alleged of force iufficieut to 

proxe they do ill, who, to the utmuft of tl,.-ir 

power, withiUnd the alteration thereof. Uvilcr. 

It we forfake the ways of gr.ice or goodneft, 

we cannot al/igt any colour of ignorance, or 

wjri ot inftruction j we cannot fay we have not 

i tlit-m, or we could not. Sprat. 

lie h.uh a clear and full view, and there is no 

more to be alleged for bis better information. 

Lo fh. 

I z Ai, LE'CEABLB. 



ALLE'CEATII.R. atij. [from al/rge.] Th:.t 

which may be alleged. 
Upon this interpretation .il! m^y He folvrd, thru 

is uHt^eabie agaWiil it. Breton s J'ulrar Err r ur;. 
AI.LE'GEMENT. n. f. [from allege.] 'J he 

fame with allegation. 
A:. LE'GER. n. f. [from allege.'] He that 

alleges. 

narrative, if we bslievc it as confidently as 

the famous alleger of ir, Pnmghitio, 

wou'd argue, that there is no other principle re- 

qu'lite, than what may rcfult from the lucky 

mixture of feveral bodiis. 
ALLE'GIANCE. n.f. \alligeance, Fr.] The 

duty of fubjefts to the government. 

I did pluck allegiance from m?n's heaits, 
Loud (hours and lalutations from their mouths, 
Even in the prefence of the crowned king. 

Siakef/ieare. 

We cha-gc you. on alltgianct to ourli 
To hold your flaughtcring hands, and keep the 
peace. Sbatrfpeart. 

The houfe of commons, to whom every day 
petitions are directed by the feveral counties of 
England, profefling all allegiance to them, govern 
abfolutily; the lords concurring, or rather fub- 
mitting to whatfoevcr is propofed. Ciartntlcti. 

ALLE'GIANT. adj. [from allege.'] Loyal; 
conformable to the duty of alhgiauce : 
a word not now ufed. 

For your great graces 
Heap'd upon m?, poor undsferver, I 
On nothing render but aflegjaqt thanlcs, 
My pray'r; to heaven for you. .^'J p. Hen. VIII. 
ALLEGO'RICK. adj. [from f.R:gory.'] After 
the manner of an allegory ; not real ; 
not literal. 

A kingdom they portend thee ; bt what king- 
dom, 

Real or aHe^irick, I discern not. 
ALLEGO'RIC-AL. adj. [from alkgery.] In 
the form of an allegory ; not real ; not 
literal ; myffical. 

When our Saviour f.iid, in an atkg'r'uel and 
mvtlical fenfe, Except ye. eat the rlefh of the S^n 
of Man, and drinit his blo^-d, ye have no life in 
you ; the heaters underftoud him liter.iHy ru! 
grofsly. /?,r;/ry 

The epithet of Apo'lo for (hootirg, is capable 

of two applications; one liter.il, in r. fpLcl of the 

da'ts and bow, the enHns or that god; the other 

rica!, in regard t> theuvs /fth-; fur 1 . Pope. 

All EGO'RICALLY. adv. [from allegory.] 

After an allegorical manner. 

Virgil often makes Iris ih; mefi'cngcr of Juno, 
ell.gwical'.y taken for the air. Peacbam. 

The phce is to be undriftSod alltgsric.illj ; and 
what is thus fpoken by a Hhxician with wifdom, 
is, by the Poet, applied to the goddefs of if. Po^e. 
ALLEGO'RICALNESS. n.f. [from allego- 
rical.'] The quality of being allego- 
rical. Di3. 
7o A'LLEGOR:ZF. r v. a. [from allegory.] 
To turn into allegory ; to form an alle- 
gory ; to take in a fenfe not literal. 

He hath very wittily allegorize! th-s tree, al- 
lowing his fuppofition of the tree itfelf to be ;r..e. 

Rafcigb. 

As Come would alltgormi thefe figns, fo others 
wauld confine them to the deftruflion of Jeru- 
falem. Burnefs Theory. 

An alchymift (hall reduce divinity to the max- 
ims of his laboratory, explain morality by fal, 
fulphur, and mercury; and allegorize the fciipturc 
itlelf, "id tn e fao.ed myfterics thereof, into tile 
philofopher's fK ne. Lccke. 

A'LLEGORY. n.f. [iA^yo^a.] A figu- 
rative difcourfe, in which fomething 
other is intended, than is contained in 
the woids literally taken ; as, wealth 



ALL 

is tl.it daughter tf diligence, and the fa- 

' of anther i:y. 

Nchiier mutt we <!nw out our a/lfgory too 

long, Iclf r : r! : -r we make mu (fives ohfcurr, or 

fall into affectation, w! i \. Rrn.Jonfor.. 

This word nympha meant nothing life but, by 

a/,'tGt-y t i! t rc that 

'- neth and g'.vtrtb /Lie to treci and flowers, 

Prackam 

jiLLE'GRQ. n. f. A word denoting one 
of the fix diftinftions of time. Jt ex- 
prefles a fprigluly motion, the quickell 
of all, except Prerto. Jt originally 
means %ay, as in Milton. 
ALLELUJAH. n.f. [This word is falfely 
written for Hallelujah, J^n and n.] 
A word of fpiritual exultation, ufed in 
hymns ; it fignifies, Praife Gad. 

He will fet his tongue to thufe pious divine 
irraii-5, which may be a proper pratludium to thofe 
alltlujahi he hopes eternally to (ing. 

GffVfntntenl of the Tctrr 

ALLEMA'NDE. n.f. [Ital.] A grave kind 
of mufick.] Dift. 

To ALLE'VIATE. -v. a. [alk, Lat.] 

1. To make light ; to eafe ; to fofteir 

The pains taken in the fpeculative, will much 
alleviate me in del'cribing the practic part. 

Harvey. 

Moft of the difremoers are the effects of abjfeJ 
plenty and luxury, and rn'ift not be charged upon 
our Maker; who, notwithstanding, hath ; 
excellent medicines, to alleviate thofe evils which 
we bring up.m ourfelves. Bcntley, 

z. To extenuate, or foften ; as, he alle- 

'viales his fault by an excufe. 
ALLEVI A'T ION. n.f. [from alleviate.] 
\. The aft of making light, of allay ing, 
or extenuating. 

All apologies tor, and alleviat'icns of faults, 
though they are ihe heights of humanity, yet 
they are not the favours, but the duties of friend - 
(hip. Scittb. 

2. That by which any pain is eafed, or 
fault extenuated. 

This lif's of one fifth c-f their income will fit 
heavy on them, who (hall feel it, without the <;/- 
Ifuiati'.n of any profit. L- \t, 

A'LLEY. n.f. [aliee, Fr.] 

1. A walk in a garden. 

And all within were walks and alleys wide, 
-With footing \vorn, and leading inward far. 

Spenfer. 

Wheve alleys are c!of- gravel'ed, the eatth put- 
teth forth th-e firit year kuo-gr.:f.;, and atV 
gral's. Jif con's Natural Hijlory. 

Yonder alleys green, 
Our walk at noon, with branches overgrown. 

M.'t r.. 

Come, my fair love, our morning's ta(k we lof; ; 
Some labour ev'n the ealie.t life would ch 
Ours is not great; the dangling bnws to crop, 
Whofe too luxuriant growth our uilcys tlop. Dryef. 

The thriving plants, ignoble bro-mfticks made, 
Now fweep thofe alleys they were born to ihaje. 

P lft . 

2. A paflage in towns narrower than a 
ftreet. 

A back frienJ, a (houldcr clapper, one that 
commands the palTages of alleys, creeks, and nar- 
row lands. Stali-ffeare. 
ALLI'ANCE. n. f. [alliance, Fr ] 

1. The ftate of connexion with another 
by confederacy ; a league. In this fenfe, 
our hillories of Queen Anne mention 
the grand alliance. 

2. Relation by marriage. 

A b!ox!y Hymen jha.l th' alliance join 
Eelw.xt the Trojan and th' AuloaUn line. Dryd. 



ALL 

3. Relation by any form of kindred. 

For my father's fak-, 
And, for tlKar.ce' fake, declare the cnufe 
My father loft his I . . ry IV. 

Adrafhn fo< if, '-, ^v.-'fc, ih ill join 

In dire alliance with : i:ie; 

Thence ftritt- lujil iil., ; in .J n,,..iai w.ir (urc?cJ. 

'' ', ' 

).. The aft of forming or contracting re- 
lation to another ; the aft of making a 
confederacy. 

Dorfct, yr>ur fon, that with a fearful f -ul 
Leads discontented Iteps in foreign 
This fair alliance quickly (hall call ho:i 
To high pro.-noti ;ns. Sbat/ff. Richard III. 

5. The perfons allied to each other. 

I would not boall the greatr.e.s of my fjrlier, 
But point out new allu-i-a to C.itr>. Aadihn. 

ALLI'CIENCY. . /. [allicia, Lat. to en- 
tice or draw.] The power of attracting 
any thing ; m.igneulm ; attraftion. 

The feigned central allicimy is but a word, and 
the manner of it Jtill occult. GL-n-uii/f. 

To A'LLIGATE. <v. a. [all; go , Lat.] To 

tie one thing to another ; to unite. 
ALLICA'TION, n.f. [from aUigate.] 

1 . The aft of tying together ; the ftate of 
being fo tied. 

2. The arithmetical rule thst teaches to 
adjuft the price of compounds, formed of 
feveral ingredients of different value. 

ALLIGA'TOR ; n.f. The crocodile. This 
name is chiefly ufed for the crocodile 
of America, between which, and that of 
Africa, naturaliils have laid down this 
diiTercnce, th.it one moves the upper, 
and the other the lower j.iw ; but this 
is now known to be chimerical, ths 
lower jaw being equally moved by both. 
See CROCODILE. 

In his needy ftiop a toi toife nung, 
An al''.galor ftufPd, and other fcins 
Of ill-ih.ip'.i Si-'*tf!frjrt* 

Aloft in rov, i large poppy-heads V.-.T^ .trung, 
And here a f;aly a.'.';V.;.'.r hu.-.g. 

Gjrtb's D ':'.' 

A'I.LIGATURE. n.f. [from alligate.~\ Thff 
link, or ligature, by which two things 
are joined together. ' DUl. 

AL L I's ION. n.f. \_aRida, alii '""' Lat.] The 
aft of linking one thing ag^i:ill auo- 
ther. 

There have not been any idmds of note, or c .:n- 
fid'-rab!e extent, torn and car. oii' from the conti- 
nent by earthquakes, or fevered from it by the 
boilierous all\ji<.it of the WtaA'.ejrJi. 

ALLITERA'TION. . f. [ad and litera, 
Lat.] Of what the critics call the alii, 
teratioa, or beginning of feveral words io 
the fame verfe with the fame letter, there 
are initances in the oldeft and bell wri- 
ters, as, 
Behemoth biggeft born. 

A^.'ron's ParaJife Loft. 
ALLOCA'TION. n.f. [alloco, Lat.] 

The aft of putting one thing to ano- 
ther. 

2. The admiffion of an article in reckon- 
ing, and addition of it to the account. 
. An allowance made upon an account ; 
a term ufed in the Exchequer. 

Chamtei s, 
ALLOCU'TION. n.f. [allocutio, Lat.] The 

aft of fpeaking to another. 
ALLO'DIAL. adj. [from allodium.'] Held 

without 



A L L 

without any acknowledgment offuperio 
rirv ; nor feudal ; independent. 

ALL'fo'DlUM. K.f. [A word of very un 
certain derivation, but moft probably o 
German original.] A pciTellion held ii 
ablolute independence, without any ac 
k.iowledgme;it of a lord paramount. J 
is oppoied loft.', or fetHii/m, which inti 
mates fomo kind of dependence. There 
are no allodial lands in England, al 
being held either mediately or imme- 
diately of the king. 

ALLO'NGE. n.f. \_allonge, Fr.] 

1 . A pafs or thrnft with a rapier, fo callec 
from the lengthening of the fpace taken 
up by the fencer. 

2. It is likewile taken for a long rein 
when the horfe is trotted in the hand. 

To ALLO'O. -v. a. [This word is gene- 
rally fpoken hallio, and is ufed to dogs, 
when they are incited to the chace or 
battle ; it is commonly imagined to 
conie from the French allons ; perhaps 
from all lo, look all ; (hewing the ob- 
jeft.] To fet on; to incite a dog, by 
crying fJLo. 

r" rirus mafliS"; bid him vex 
The ; . =nd print upon their ears 

A fad memorial of their paft offence. /Vr. 

A'LLOQJ/Y. . /. [a'.loquium, Lat.] The 
aft of ("peaking to another ; addrefs ; 
converfation. Did. 

To ALLO'T. -v. a. [from lot.] 

1. To dillribute by lot. 

2. To grant. 

Five d.i\s v/e d j al'o: tb.ee f r -rov'finn, 
To rtlie'd thee from cifjfters of 
And, on tl.c fixrh, to urn thy h iied Vjck 
Upon our kingdom. Sbaktf;-. Kir.g Lear. 

I (nil! d:lerve my fjte, if I r^lulc 
That happy hour which heaven alloti to peace. 

Dry Jen, 

3. To diftribute ; to parcel out; to give 
each his (hare. 

S,n the only end rf all their (ln- 

. i man cannot be t^i Icru-ulous in - 
t L .en t!i?ir d-^e portion of it. Ta'Ur. 

ALLO'TMKNT. n.f. [from allot.] 

1 . That which is allotted to any one ; the 
part, the lliare, the portion p;r.\:.ted. 

There can b: . :y or q'l'et ir. 

this 'Aorld, but in a reli^n.-tion tu the n! 
of God and nature. L'FJirangt. 

ity to fnbmitw : th patience 

to r. .,e may 

-,.k of Cod. 

Rogeit's Sermons. 

2. Part appropriated. 

Ui : :o a grove for fruits and ihade, a 

i-:d an aibimcr.t for olives and herts. 

Br'.oiKc. 

AI.I.O'TTER Y. n.f. [from allot.] That 
which is granted to any particular 
perfon in a diftributicn. See ALLOT- 
MENT. 

wme fucheiercifcs as may become a grntle- 
man, rr g ; ve mi the pour allanery my father left 
me by trlr.-Ti'r.t. Staltffpcare. 

To ALLO'W. v. a. [allouer, Fr. from al- 

laudare, Lat.] 
I. To admit ; as, to allc-ta a polition ; 

not to contradicl ; not to oppofe. 

The principle) which ail manic. nd atlh-w for 
true, are innate; thofe, that men of right rejfon 
arc ihe principle* allnutdtsj all mankind. 

lick. 



ALL 

Th<- pow'r of mufick all our hearts d! -.v ; 
Ard what Timothrus \vas, is DiyJen now. 

That fome of the Prdbyterians declared opcnl 
a;:\ii)!t the king's murder, 1 alLiv to be true. 

Siuif 

2. To juilify ; to maintain as right. 

The pow'rs above 

A'l<*i-} obedience. Skakefpf 

The Lord allvwttb the righteous. Bible 

3. To grant ; to yield ; to own any one' 
title to. 

Vv i- wiil not, in civility, alkia too much fin 
cerity to the profeilior.s < f molb men ; but thin 
their actions to be interpreters of their thoughts. 

Lo.L 

I {Hall be ready to all.iv the pope as litc'.e r v. r 
here a? y ;u pleale. Stcift 

4. To grant licenfe to ; to permit. 

Let's follow the old earl, and get the beldam 
To lead him where he would ; his roguiih mnj 

nefs 
dllotil ilfe'f to any tl.i Steiefpeart 

But as we were a'^iceJ of God to be put in 
tiui'c with the gofpel, even lo we lpe.it, not a: 
p'.eafmg men, but God, vvh.ch trieifi cm l.rirts. 

i Tt 

They referred a'l i iws, that wore 'o !<> 
Ireland, tj be confidereJ, correcleJ, and allsivc, 
firft bv the ftate of E.i^land. D,:-J:,SU: 



j. To give a fanftion to ; to authorize. 

1 here is no (lander in an aUvw'd fjoi. Stattff 

6. To give to; to pay to. 

: then ! n v.-= no tear-, ell 
To him that gave us peace and empire do. 

Walter, 

7. To appoint for ; to fet out to a certain 
ufe ; as, lie allowed his fen. the third 
part of his income. 

8. To make abatement, or provifion ; or 
to (cttle any thing, with fome concef- 
fions or cautions regarding fomething 
elfe. 

If we confider the different occafions of ancient 
and modern medals, we ihall find they both ag.ee 
in recording the great aclions and fuccefles in 
war ; allowing ftill nr the different ways of mak- 
ing it, and the circumilanccs that attended it. 

Add"ifott. 

ALLO'WABLE. aJj. [from allow.] 
. That which may be admitted without 
contradiction. 

It is not alktvjtlt, what is obf;rvable in mmy 
pieces of Raphael, where Ma^Jalen is reprtfentcd, 
before our Saviour, waihirg his feet on her knees j 
which will not confift with the t-.-xt. 

Brvwri'l Vtt'gar Erroun. 

2. That which is permitted or iicenfed ; 
lawful ; net forbidden. 

In aflions of this fort, the light of nature a- 

Irne .may difcover that which is in the fight ot 

God alloical/f. Jlcoker. 

I wa?, by the freelnm jilnuabte among friends, 

tempted to vent my thoughts with re.jligencr. 

Boyle. 

Reputation becomes a fignil and a very peculiar 
blcffi g t.) matriftrates ; and their purfult of it i,. 
not only alLivaiic but laudable. 

At'erbnry'i Scrw.ni. 



ALLO'WABLKNESS. n.f. [from 
ble.} The quality ot being allowable; 
lawfulnefs ; exemption from prohibi- 
tion. 

Lots, as to their nature, ufe, and atlcToablenefs, 
in matters of recreation, are inJerd impugned by 
foni;:, though better defended by others. 

Souti's Sermons. 

ALLO'WANCE. n.f. [from al/cw.] 
, Admiflion without contradiction. 

'I h.it which wifdom did firft begin, and hath 
been with good men long continued, challengcth 



ALL 

alh-Ktncc of them that fucceed, although it ptead 
for itfelf nothing. H?.-r. 

Without the notion and alhiKar.ce of Ipirits, 
our philofnphy will be lame and defective in one 
main part of it. Lccitf, 

2. Sanction ; licenfe ; authority. 

Ycu Cent a Urge commiffion to conclude, 
Without the king's will, or the date's allowance, 
A league between his Highnefs and Ferrara. 

Sbakefpeart. 

3. Permiffior. ; freedom from reftraint. 

They (houiJ therefore be accuilomed betimes to 
corfult and make ule of their reafori, before they 
ghe alkti'znci to their inclinations. L'\te. 

4. A fettled rate, or appointment for any 
ufe. 

The visual in plantations ought to be expended 
almoft as in a befieged town j that is, with certain 
allowance. Baccn. 

And his allowance was a continual allsviaxct 
given him of the king; a i;aiiy rate ;or every day 
all hi? life. 2 K. '. 

5. Abatement from the ftrift rigour- of a 
law, or demand. 

1 he whole pcem, though written in h; : 
verfr, is of the Pindarick natuie, as well in i!ii 
thought as the exp;eflion ; and, as fuch, re . 
the l:ime grains of alhtuance for ir. />, y . . 

I > arents never give alLivances for an inr.ci.ent 
pufnon. Siv.ft. 

6. Ettablifhed charafter ; reputation. 

His bark is ftoutly timbered, a id his pilot 
Of veiy expert and approved aL f O".v^nfe. Slfty/P* 

ALLO'Y. n.f. [See ALLAY.] 

1 . Safer metal mixed in coinage. 

'I hat precife weight and fincnels, by law ap- 
propriated to the pieces of each denomination, is 
called the frandard. Fire filver is fitver without 
the mixture of any bafcr metal. Alky is bafer me- 
tal mixed with it, Locke. 

Let anoihcr pitce be coTru'd of the fame weight,' 
wherein half the filver is taken out, and copper, 
or other alloy, pilt into the place, it will be worth 
but half as much ; for the value of the alloy is fa 
inconsiderable as not to be reckoned* Locke. 

2. Abatement ; diminution. 

The pleafuies of fenfe are probnbly relifhed by 
beafts in a more exquifite degree than they are by 
men ; for they tjfte them lincere and pure without 
mixture or alley. Aitcrbury, 

ALLUBE'SCENCY. n. f. \allulefcent in t 
Lat.] Willingnefs ; content. Diet.' 

To ALLU'DE. -j. n. [nlluJo, Lat.] To 
have fome reference to a thing, without 
the direct mention of it ; to hint at ; to 
infinuate. Jt is ufed of perfons ; as, be 
alludes to an old ftory ; or, of things, 
as, the lampoon alludes to his mother*! 
faults. 

Thefe fpceches of Jcrom .in.l Chryfoftom do 

feem to allude unto fuch ministerial garments as 

were then in i.fc. Hooker* 

True it i*, that many things of this natuie be 

alluded unto, yen, many things declared. Hooker. 

Thi-n j uft proportions were taken, and cve;-y thing 

placed by we-ght and mcafure: and this 1 doubt 

not w.t, that artificial flruclure here alluded to. 

BurntCi Theory* 

ALL U'M i NOR .n.f. \_allu;ner, Fr. to light.] 
One who colours or paints upon paper 
or pirchmcnt ; becauia he gives graces,, 
light, and ornament, to the letters or 
figures coloured. Cotvcll. 

o ALLU'RK. v. a. \_lenrer, Fr. loorcn, 
Dutch ; belaejiifn, Sxv.] To entice to any 
thing whether good or bad ; to draw to- 
wards any thing by enticement. 

Unto laws that men make fur the benefit of 
men, it hath fenned always needfil to add re- 
wards, which may more allure unto good, than 
9 any 



ALL 

my hirdnrfi dererreth from it; and punil'jmsnts, 
i r.U) marc deter from evil, than any fweet- 
oels theiet t ullurelh. Hookfr. 

The joldin fun, in fplendour liked heav'n 

tt' i PtradifeL'.JI. 
Hach flate'ring hope, and tach aliurixg joy. 

Lyttletcn. 

ALL I/RE, n. f. [from the verb allure.] 
Something f-.-t up to entice birds, or 
other things, to it. We now write lure. 

I he rather to tra.n th m to his aliure, he told 

the.n both often, rnj with a vehement voice, how 

.ere ever-topped and trodden down by gn- 

tlcni . li.iynuartl, 

Ai. i. U'K FM ENT. n.f. [from allure.] That 
which allures, or has the force of allur- 
ing ; eiuicfmciit ; temptation of plea- 
Cure. 

Agninft tiliiir&ifnt, cultom, and a world 
led ; [cartel's of reproach, and iVorn, 
<>: \:o!?r.cc. Mi/ton'l Paradif; L'Jl. 

.Adam, by his wife's allurctmnt, fVll. 

To /hun th* f.'hrfmenfh not h.Ml 
To minds refolv'd. ::irew,i.n'd, and well prepar'd ; 

-.vnd'rotis dirlkult, when once bcfet, 
To rtrugfj'.r thnugh the iiraits, and break tY in- 
\o-ving net. Diyttcn. 

AI.LU'RER. n.f. [from allure.] Theper- 

fon that allures ; enticer ; inveigler. 
ALLU'RI KGL Y. adv. [from allure.] In an 

alluring manner ; enticingly. 
ALI.U'R.INGNESS. n.f. [from alluring.] 
The quality of alluring or enticing ; in- 
vitation ; temptation by propofing plea- 
{ure. 

ALLU'SIOK. n. f. [allujio, Lat.] That 
which is fpoken with reference to fome- 
thing fuppofed to be already known, and 
therefore not exprciled ; a hint : an im- 
plication. It has the particle to. 

Here are manifeft allitjiom and footlteps of the 
dift'.'lurion of the earth, as it was in the deluge, 
and will be in if. laft ruin. Burmt's Theory. 

This laft allitficn gall'd the Panther more, 

Becaufe indeed it rr,h'/'d upon the fore. Dry dm. 

iixprefiions now out of uie, tiHujiuns to cuftoms 

loft to us, and various particularities, muft needs 

continue ftveral pallages in the dark. L-jck<;. 

AI.LH'SIVE. adj. \_allttdo, allufum, Lat.] 
Hinting at fomething not fully expreffed. 

Where the exprefiirn in one place is plain, and 
the fenfe affixed to it agreeable to the proper force 
of the words, and no negative objection requires 
ir . to depart from it ; and the exprcllion, in the 
other, is figurative or clluji-jc, and the doctrine, 
deduced from it, liable M great objections ; it is 
rcafnnable, in this Litter place, to reftrain the ex- 
tent of the figure and ailufion to a confrliency with 
the firmer. Room's Samons. 

AI.LU'SI VF.LV. adv. [from al/it/iiie.] In 
an allufivc manner ; by implication ; by 
infmuation. 

The Jcv.ifh nation, that rejected and crucifies 
him, within the co,7ipafs of onr ^e:r r-iti.Ki, \\orc. 
according to his p.cdicrion, deitruved b\ El 
rrtans, and picyed upon by thofe eagles ( M.ttt 
xr.iv. 18.), by which, uitufwr \ , .i:e noted itieKo- 
man armies, whoft- enfrgn w.ii the ea^lc. 

Hammond 

AM.U'SIVENESS. n. f. [from 
The quality of being allufivc. 
ALLU'VION. n.f. [ n'.L' -\: o, L.it.] 

1 . The carrying of any thing to fomething 
elfe by the motion of the water. 

2. The thing carried by water to fome- 
tliing elf-. 

lii" civil law gives the owner of land a rigfit to 
dut incicafc which ariies frum alluvitin, which i 



A L M 

define:! an infeniible increment, brought by the 
water. Ctmcil. 

ALLU'VIOUS. adj. [from al/ii'vian.] That 
which is carried by water to another 
place, and lodged upon fometliing ellc. 

To ALLY', v. a. \alli-:r, Fr.] 

1. To unite by kindred, f'riendfhip, or 
confederacy. 

All theft fcpcs are allltd to the inhabitants of the 
North, Ib as there is no hope that they will ever 
ferve faithfully againft them. i'ftnjcr an Ireland. 

Wants, f. ailtics, patfions, clofer ftiil ally 
The common int'rcll, or en-lear the tye. Pcfe. 

To the fun alfyjf 
From him they draw the animating fire. Tkcmfcn. 

2. To make a relation between two things, 
by fimilitude, or refemblance, or any 
other means. 

Two lines art' indeed remotely allitJ to Virgil's 
fenfe; but they are too i':kc the tendcrneis of 
Ovid. Diydcn. 

ALLY', a./, [allie, Fr.] One united by 
fome means of connexion ; as marriage, 
friendship, confederacy. 

He in court ftood on his own feet; for the moft 
of his allies rather leaned upon him than fhored 
him. Wottcn. 

We could hinder the acceflion of Holland to 
France, culler as Subjects, with great immunities 
for the encouragement of trade, or as an inferiour 
and dependent ally under their protection. Ttmfle. 

ALMACA'KTAR. n. /. [An Arabick 
word, written variouily by various au- 
thors ; by D'Herbelot, altnocantar ; by 
others, almucantar.] A circle drawn pa- 
rallel to the horizon. It is generally 
ufed in the plural, and means a feries of 
parallel circles drawn through the feve- 
ral degrees of the meridian. 

ALM ACA'NTAR'S STAFF. n. /. An in- 
itrument commonly made of pear-tree 
or box, with an arch of fifteen degrees, 
ufed to take obfervations of the fun, 
about the time of its riling and fetting, 
in order to Jjnd the amplitude, and con 
fequently the variation of the compafs. 

Chambers. 

A'LMANACK. . f. [Derived, by fome, 
from the Arabick al, and manah, Heb. to 
count, or compute ; by others, from al, 
Arabick, and ^t, a month, or p.xoe, 
the courfe of the months ; by others, from 
a Teutonlck original, al and maan, the 
moon, an account of every moon, or 
month : all of them are probable.] A 
calendar ; a book in which the revolu- 
tions of the feafons, with the return of 
feafts and fafts, is noted for the enfuing 
year. 

it will be faid, this is an a/mar.tck for the old 
year; all hath betn '.veil ; Spain hath not . 
this kingdom. Baron. 

This .i:i:\>lo:;cr made his almanack give a tolcta- 
b'r account of the weather, by a direct inverfion 
of the common piognolticit'.rs. 

Government of lie Tergal, 

Beware the woman too, and (him her light, 
Who in ihefe frudies docs herfeif delight ; 
By whom a grr.ify ahiun:ack is borne, 
With often hand*.' g, like chaft amber worn. 

DryJtn 

I'll have a fading almanack printed on purpjii 
f.ir her ufe. Drjdtn'i Spani/b Prim 

A'LMANDINE. n. /. [Fr. almandina, 
Ital.] A ruby coarfer and lighter than 



ALM 

the oriental, and nearer the colour of 
the granate. Did. 

ALMI'CHTINESS. *. / [from almighty.'} 
Unlimited power ; omnipotence ; one of 
the attributes of God. 
It iViwrh tj the woild for a witnefs of hii /:/- 
liom we outwardly honour with the 
chiefeft of outward things. 

In creating and making exiftent the wor! 
verl';l, liy the ablolute aft of his own word, Cut 
(hewed his power and almigbt'mefi. 

A.'r /,". 

In the wildernefs, the bittern and the Itork, i.'ic 
unicorn and the ellc, live upon his p.; 
revere his power, and kel the force of his a 

tlMtfi. 

ALMI'CHTY. adj. [from all and light j.] 
Of unlimited power; omnipotent. 

The Lord appeared unto Abraham, and fald 
unto him, I am the altr.iglty God; walk before 
me, and be thou perfect. Gir.tfis xvii. i. 

He wills y;iu in the name of God alt,- 
That you divert yourfclf, and lay apart 
The borrow'd glories, that, by gift ol" heav'n, 
By law of nature and of nations, 'long 
To him and to his hxi.s. Slakcfatare. 

A'LMOND. n. f. \_amand, Fr. derived by 
Menage from amandala, a word in low 
Latin ; by others, from Allcmand, a Ger- 
man ; fuppofing that almonds come to 
France from Germany.] The nut of the 
almond tree, either fweet or bitter. 

Pound an almond, and the clear white' colour 
will be altered into a dirty one, and the fweet tafte 
into an oily one. Lccie, 

A'LMOND TREE. H. / [amygjalm, Lat.] 
It has leaves and flowers very like thofe 
of the peach tree, but the fruit is longer 
and more comprefled ; the outer green 
coat is thinner and drier when ripe, and 
the (hell is not fo rugged. Miller, 

Like to an almond rnv, mounted high 
On top of Green Sclenis, all alone, 
With bloll'oms brave bedecked daintily, 
Whofe tender locks do tremble every one, 
At every little breath that under heav'n is blown. 

Fairj i^uem, 

Mark well the flow'ring o/mWi in the woo] j 
If od'rous blooms the bearing branches load, 
The glebe will aniw:r to the fylvan reign, 
Great heats will follow, and large crops of grain. 

Dry.: n. 
A'l.MONDS OF THE THROAT, Or To N - 

SILS, called improperly Almoids of the 
ears, are two round glands placed on 
the fides of the bafis of the tongue, un- 
der the common membrane of the fau- 
ces ; each of them has a large oval 
fmus, which opens into the fauces, and 
in ft are a great number of lefler one?, 
which difcharge thcmielves through thj 
great finus of a mucous and llippery 
matter into the fauces, larynx, and cefo- 
phagus, for the moiftening and lubri- 
cating thofe parts. When the oelb^ha- 
gus mufcle afts, it compreffes the ai- 
mondi, and they frequently are the occa- 
fion of a fore throat. Qtiitcy. 

The tonhi . / ds of the fan, an- aj'.j 

fre.]u:nt!y fwclled in the kjr.jfs evil ; w'.ich tu- 
mour m.iy be very well reckoned a Ipecies of it. 

- urgfry, 

A'LMOND-FU UN ACE, or A'I. M AN-FU R- 
NACE, called alfo the Swerf, is a pecu- 
liar k nd of furnace ufed in refining, to 
feparate metals from cinders and other 
foreign fubltailCCS. Chamb.rt, 

' R, 






A L M 

R, or A'LMER../ \eleemofy- 
narius, Lat.] The oiEcer of a prince, 
or other perfon, employed in the diftri- 
bution of charity. 

I enquired for an almoner; and the general fnme 
h.is pointed out your reverence as the worthieii 

Drjfiien 

A;'MONRY. n. f. [from almoner.] The 
place where the almoner relides, or 
where the alms are diiTributed. 
ALMO'ST. ad<v. [from all and mojt ; that 
is, moft part of all. Skinner.] Nearly; 
well nigh ; in the next degree to the 
whole, or to univerihlity. 

Who is there ahi-f, whofe mind, at fome time 

or t^tha', 1 vc or ar j:r, fear or griel, has not fo 

'.'. f> fome clog, that it couli not: turn itfe'.f 

to any ot'ter objeft. Lethe. 

There can be no fuch thing or notion, as an al 

itijt infin'f ; there can be nothing next or fecond 

to an omnipotent God. Bir.:hy*i .SV;wc.<. 

At!a^ becomes unequal fo his freight, 
And alaofl faints beneath tl.s glowing weight. 



ALMS. n. f. [in Saxon, elmej-, from 
elee-m'jfyna, Lat.] What is given gra- 
tuitoufly in relief of the poor. It has 
no fmgular. 

My arm'd knees, 

Which bow'd but in my ftirrup, bend like his 
That hath received an a.'rKs. Skakefpeare, 

- beggar hath a ju(l demand of an alms 
from the rich man ; who is guilty of fraud, injuf- 
tice, and opprefilon, if he docs not afford relief ac- 
cording to his abilities. Swift. 

ALMS-BASKET, n.f. [from alms and baf- 
ket.] The bafltet in which provisions are 
put to be given away. 

There fweepings do as well, 
Ac the bed order'd meal ; 
For who the relilh of thefe guefts will fit, 
Needs fet them but the alns-tajket of wit. 

Ben Jonfon. 

We'll (land up for ourpropcrties, was the be^ar'i. 
fong that lived upon the almt-bajkrt. 

L' Ejlrangc'i Fables. 

A'LMSDEED. n.f. [from alms and deed.] 
An aft of charity ; a charitable gift. 

This woman was full of good works, and aljr.s- 
decdi which (he did. Acts, .x. ^6. 

Hard-favour'd Richard, where art thou ? 
Thou art nit here : murder is thy ahsdeea 1 ; 
Petitioner for blood thou ne'er put'it back. Sba'rcfy. 

A'LMS-GI VE R. n.f. [from alms and giver. ] 

He that gives aims ; he that fupports 

Others by his charity. 

He endowed many rcliji- us foundation::, and yet 

\f. a great alms-fiver in fecret, which ftiewel 

that his works in publick were dedicated rather to 

God's glory than his own. Bacon. 

A' I. MS HOUSE, n.f. [from alms zn&kottfe.] 

A houfe devoted to the reception and 

fupport of the poor ; an hofpital for the 

poor. 

r the clergy by tithrs, the 
: f p'jo-, a;,d the forting out 
manifeft. Hunker. 
AnJ to relief of lazars, and weak age 
Of" indigent faint fouls, pad corporal t ii, 

dlmtbcufes right well fupplird. Sbchfp. 
Many penitents, aftsr the robbing of '. 
and other rapine, build an hofpital, or a- 

mins of the church, and :h ; (polls of 
and orpi' I'vitgi. 

neat, but void of (fate, 
Where age and want fit fm T'ng at tii? gare. /' ' t . 

MiN. n.f. [from alms and man.] 
A man who lives upon alms ; who is 
funported by charity. 



A L O 

Til give my jewels for a fet of beads ; 
My gorgeous palace for a hermitage ; 
My gay apparel for an almsman s gown. Sbakcfp, 

A'LMUC-TREE. n.f. A tree mentioned in 
fcripture. Of its wood were made mu- 
fical inflruments, and it was ufed allb 
in rails, or in a itaircafe. The Rab- 
bins generally render it coral, others 
ebony, brazil, or pine. In the Septua 
gint it is tranflated 'wrought wood, and 
in the Vulgate, Ligna Thyina. But co- 
ral could never anfwer the purpofes of 
the almugim ; the pine-tree is too 
common in Judea to be imported from 
Ophir ; and the Thyinum, or citron- 
tree, much efteemed by the ancients for 
its fragrance and beauty, came from 
Mauritania. By the wood almugim, or 
algumim, or fimply gummim, taking al 
for a kind of article, may be underitood 
oily and gummy forts of wood, and par- 
ticularly the trees which produce gum 
ammoniac, or gum arabick ; and is, 
perhaps, the fame with the Shittim 
wood mentioned by Mofes. Calmet. 

And the navy alfo of Hiram that brought gold 
from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of 
almug-trefs and precious trees. i Kings, x. 1 1 . 

A'LNACAR, A'LNACER, or A'LNEGER. 
n.f. [from alnage.] A meafurer by the 
ell ; a fworn officer, whofe bufinefs for- 
merly was to infpeft the affize of woollen 
cloth, and to lix the feals appointed 
upon it for that purpofe ; but there are 
now three officers belonging to the 
regulation of cloth-manufaftures, the 
fearcher, meafurer, and alneger. Dt<5f. 

A L HAGS. n.f. [from avlnage, or au- 
nage, Fr.] ll-meafure, or rather the 
meafuring by the ell or yard. Di8. 

A'LNIGHT. n.f. [from all and night.] 

A fervice which they call alnigbt, is a great cake 
of wax, with the wick in the midft j whereby it 
Cometh to pafs, that the wickfetcheth thenjurifli- 
roent farther off. Bacon. 



A'LOES. n.f. [obriK, as it is fuppofed.] 
A term applied to three different things. 

1. A precious wood ufed, in the Eaft, for 
perfumes, of which the bed fort is 
ot higher price than gold, and was the 
moil valuable prefent given by the king 
of Siam, in 1686, to the king of France. 
It is called Tambac, and is the heart, or 
innermoft part, of the aloe tree; the next 
part to which is called Calembac, which 
is fometimes imported into Europe, and, 
though of inferiour value to the Teudbet, 
is much efteemed : the part next the 
bark is termed, by the Portuguefe, Pao 
d'aquila, or eagle-wood ; but fome ac- 
count the eagle-wood not the outer part 
of the Tambac, but another fpscies. Our 
knowledge of this wood is yet very im- 
perfeifl. Savory. 

2. dlies is a tree which grows in hot coun- 
tries, and even in the mountains of 
Spain. 

3. dlocs is a medicinal juice, extracted, not 
from the odoriferous, but the common 
aloes tree, by cutting the leaves, and ex- 
pofing the juice that drops from them to 
the fun. It is diftinguifhcd into Socoto- 



A L O 

rine and Caballine, or horfe aloes : the 
firft is lo called from Socotora ; the fe- 
cond, becaufe, being coarfer, it ought 
to be confined to the ufe of farriers. It 
is a warm and ftrong cathartick. 
ALOE'TICAL. adj. [from aloes."] Con- 
fifting chiefly of aloes. 

It may be excited by alotticol, fcammoniate, or 
acrimonious medicines. Wijeman's Surge/y. 

ALOE'TICK. a./, [froma/oes.] Any me- 
dicine is fo called, which chiefly conMs 
of aloes. Quincy. 

ALO'FT. adv. \lojfter, to lift up, Dan. 
Loft air, Icelandijh; fo that aloft is, into 
the air.] On high ; above ; in the air: 
a word ufed chiefly in poetry. 

For I have read m (lories oft, 
That love has wings, and (bars a lift. Suckling, 

Upright he flood, and bore alcft h's fliield 
Cor.fpicuous from afar, and overlooked the field. 

Drjden* 

ALO'FT. prep. Above. 

The great luminary 
Aloft the vulgar conftellations thick, 
That from his lordly eye keep dif'ance due, 
Difpenfes light from far. Milton's Paradife Loft. 

A'LOGY. n. /. [aAoy-.] Unreafonable- 
nefs ; abfurdity. Dili. 

ALO'NE. adj. \alleen, Dutch; from al and 
een, or one, that is, Jingle.] 

1 . Without another. 

The quarrel touchech none but us atom; 
Betwixt ourfelves let .s decide it then. Sbalefp* 

Jf by a mortal hand my father's throne 
Could be defended, 'twas by mine alum. Drydtn. 

God, by whofe alone pjwer and converfation we 
all live, and move, and have our being. Btntliy. 

2. Without company ; folitary. 

Eagles we fee fly a/ant, and they are but (heep. 
which always herd together. &6r/y 

Alone, for other creature in this place 
Living, or lifdefs, to be found was none. Milton* 
I never durll in darknefs be alone. Drjdtn. 

ALO'NE. aj<v. 

i. This word is feldom ufed but with the 
word let, if even then it be an adverb. 
It implies fometimes an ironical prohi- 
bition, forbidding to help a man who i* 
able to manage the affair himfelf. 

Lee us aloae to guard Corioii, 
If they fet down before 's ; 'fore they remove, 
Bring up your army. Sb^kefyears* 

Let you akne, cunning artificer ; 
See how his gorget peers above his gown, 
Tu tell the people in what darger he wa. 

Ben Jcnftit, 

z. To forbear ; to leave undone. 

His chent dole it, but he had better have let it 
alone; for h>- loll his caufe by his Jeff. Addijon* 
ALO'NG. adv. \_au longue, Fr.J 

1. At length. 

Some rowl a mighty (tone ; fomc laid along, 
And bound with burning wires, on (pokes of 
wh"eis a c hung. Dryrim* 

2. Through any fpace meafured length- 
wife. 

A firebrand carried along, leaveth a train of light 
behind it. Bjcon't Natural Ilijtoiy* 

Wierc Ufens glides afatg the lowly laodi, 
Or the black water of l*nmptii:a (lands. Drydcit. 

3. Throughout ; in the whole : with all 
prefixed. 

b liomon, all a/ang in his Proverb*, gives the 
title of fool to a vs.ckcd man. Tiltolfon. 

They were all akng a crofs, unti.warj I ".re .1" 
people. South* 

4. Joined with the particle ivitb-, in com- 
pany i joined with. 

lyour 



A L O 

T v>;ir commiflion will forthwith difpatch, 
And he to England (hall along with you. 

Sbakefftare's Hamlet. 

Hence then ! nd Evil go ';ri thee j'ang, 

Thy offspring, to the pla>:c of evil, Hell. tMiltdfi. 

Religious zeal is fubjec*l to an excefs, and to t 

defect, when fmi ".liing is mingled with it which 

-it fhould not luvc; or wlwn it wants fomething 

that ought to go ahnjr -with it. S]-rat. 

5. Sometimes vjitb is underftood. 

Command thy (laves : my free-born foul difdains 
A tyrant's curb, and reftive breaks the reins. 
TlKC this almg; and no difputc (hall rife 
(Though mine the woman) for my ravilh'd prize. 

DrfJea. 

6. Forward ; onward. In this fenfe it is 
.derived from allons, French. 

Come then, my friend, my genius, come al"r.^, 
Thou mafter of the poet and the fong. Pop?, 

ALO'NCST. ad-v. [a corruption, as it 
feems, from along.] Along; through 
the length. 

The Turks did keep ftrait watch and ward in all 
tticir ports ahtigjt the fea coaft. 

Kr.oll<s's Hijfiry cftbcTuris. 

ALO'OF. adv. [all off, that is, quite off'.] 
I. At a diilance ; with the particleyj-iw. 
It generally implies a fmall diltance, 
fuch as is within view or obfervation. 

Then bade the knight this la.iy jeir 
And to an hill herfelf withdraw afide, 
Trom whence (he might behold the battle's proof, 
And elfe be fate from danger far dcfcncd. 

Fairy S^ucea. 
As next in :. 

.Came (ingly where he ilootl, on the bare flrand, 
"While the promifcuous crowd flood yet a. 

Mitten's Partial? Left 

The noife approaches, though our palace (rood 
Jflwffran ftreets, encompafs'J with a wooJ. 

Dyden. 

z. Applied to perfons, it often infmuates 
caution and circumfpeftion. 

Turn on the bloody hounds with heads of ftcel, 
An J make the cowards Hand alcifM bay. Staltff. 

Going northwards, atcof, ns long as they had any 
doubt of b^ing purfued ; at laft, when tl> 
out of reach, they turned and eroded the ocean to 
Spain. Bactn. 

The king would not, by any means, enter the 
city, until he had alocf feen the crofs fct up upon 
the greater tower of Granada, whereby it became 
Chriftian ground. Bacon. 

Two pots ftood by a river, one of brafs, the 
other of clay. The water carried them away j the 
earthen veflel kept aloof from t'other. 

L'EJirange's Failcs. 

The ftrong may fight alcof; Ancreus tiy'd 
His force too near, and by prcfuming dy'd. 

Dryden's Fables. 

3. In a figurative fenfe, it is ufed to import 
art or cunning in converfation, by which 
a man holds the principal queftion at a 
diltance. 

Nor do we find him forward to be founded ; 
But with a.cnfty madnefs keeps a!cef, 
When we would bring him on to fomc confcffion 
"Of his true Hate. Sbakeffeare's Hamlet. 

4. It is ufed metaphorically of perfons that 
wiH not be feen in a defign. 

It is neceflary the queen join ; for, if (he ftand 
chef, there will be (Kll (ufpicions : it being a re- 
ceived opinion, that (he'hajji a great intercut in the 
king't favour and power. 

5. It is applied to things not properly be- 
longing tp each other. 

Love's not love, 

When it it mingled with rrguds that ftand 
Aiocffrm til' entire point. Sbakeffeafe's K. Lear. 
AI.O'UD. adv. [from a and louj.] LouJly; 
with a ftrong voice; with a great noije. 



A L S 

Strangled he lies ! yet Teems to cry ahuj, 
To w.irn the mighty, and ir.ftrucl the ur-tui; 
That of the great, neglecting to be juil, 

'n in a moment makes an heap of duft. 
Then heav'n'i high monarch thund'rcd thrict 

aloud, 

And thrice he (hook alofc a golden cloud. Dr-f/tgti. 
ALO'W. adv. [from a and lew.] In a low 
place ; not aloft. 

And now a/civ, and now aloft they fly, 
As borne through air, and feem to touch the (ky. 

Drjdtm. 

A'LPHA. ,:. /. The firft letter in the 
Greek alphabet, anfwering to our A ; 
therefore ufed to fignify the firft. 

1 am a![iL'j anJ ome^a, the beginning :\\ 
ending, faith the Lord, which is, and which w,u, 
and which is to come, the Al.rjighty. R j 
A'LPHABET. n. f. [from Sxip, alpha, 
and (Sira, beta, the two firft letters of 
the Greeks.] The order of the letters, 
or elements of fpeech. 

Thou (halt not figh, 

Nnr wink, nor nod, nor kneel, nor make a fign, 
But 1 of thH'e will reft an alfltabct, 
And by (lill prac"tii icarn to know thy meaning. 



The letters of the alphabet, formed by the feve- 
ral motions of the mouth, and the great variety or 
fyllablcs compofed of letters, and formed with al- 
moft equal velocity, and the endiefs number of 
w.irds capable of being framed out of the alfbaket, 
either of more fyllables, or of one, are wonderful. 



Taught by their nurfes, little children get 
This fayirg, fuoncr than their a<: 

VrjJ. jun. Juv. 

To A'LPHABET. <v. a. [from alphabet, 
noun.] To range in the order of the 
alphabet. 

ALPHAS E'TICAL. \aaj. [from alphabet ; 

ALPH ABE'TICK. j alphabetize, Fr.] Jn 
the order of the alphabet; according to 
the feries of letters. 

I have d:g;fted in an jlj'tabctical order, all the 
counties, corporations, and boroughs in Great Bri- 
tain, with tlu-.r ixfpirift \v tempers. Sivift. 

A L P H A B E' T i c A L L v . adv. [ from alpha- 
betical.} In an alphabetical manner; 
according to the order of the letters. 

I had once in my thoughts to >. >mri\e a gram- 
mar, more than I c.m now comprife in (h >rt hints; 
and a dictionary, alphabetical 1 } containing the 
wmls of the lajiguage, uh1ch%he deaf perfon is to 
learn. HoUcr's ^Avwj.'j ' ' 

ALRE'ADY. adv. :[from all and ready. ,] 
At this prefent time, or at fome time 
paft ; oppofeJ to futurity ; as, Will he 
come feon ? He is here already! Will it 
be done ? It has teen done already. 

Touching our uniformity, that which hath been 
already anfwered, may ferve for anlwir. 

You warn'd me ftill of loving tw > ; 
Can I love him, already lov'ng y m ! 

Drytkn's Ir.dlan Ejnpcrcr. 

See, the guards, from y.m far ealtcrn hill 
Already move, no longer (lay aftbrd ; 
Hi^h in the air they wave the fiaming fword, 
Your fignal to depart. Drydt-n's State of Jnnu.-m. 

Methods for the advancement of p ety, are in 
the power of a prince, limited like ours, by a ilrift 
execution of the laws already in force. Swift. 

Mcthinks, already 1 your tears lurvey, 
dlnady hear the horrid things they fa_, , 
Already fee you a degraded to. Hi, 
And ah your honour in a whifpcr loft ! Pope. 

Ai.s. adv. [ah, Dutch.] Alfo ; likewife: 
a word now out of ufe. 

S ij remembrance now the prince amoves 
With frefh defire his voyage to purfue j 
Alt Una earn'd her travel to renew. Fa^y Sgecn. 



ALT 

A'I.SO. aJv. [from all and fo.] 

1. Jn the Same manner ; Hkewife. 

In ihe. r c co, jio doubc, arc con:amrd the canCei 
of the great dc.ug;, as ac^aijing to Moic , : 
according to nixcllity ; f^/r our world affords no 
Oiher treafuro uf wat^-r. Evrmt's Ttr ly. 

2. Alfo is fometimes nearly the fame u it i 
and, and only conjoins the members of 
the fentence. 

Cod dj i j to me, and more alfo. 

i Sarnie!, x!v. 44. 

A'LTAR. n.f. [altare, Lat. It is obfemd 
by Junius, that the word al:ar is re- 
ceived, with chriftianity, in all the Eu- 
ropean languages ; and that altare is 
ufed by one of the Fathers, as appro- 
priated to the Chriftian worftiip, in op- 
pofition to the ar<z of gentilifm.] 

1 . The place where offerings to heaven are 
laid. 

The godjefs of the nuptial bed, 
Tir'd with hsr vain devotions for the dtad, 
Rcfjiv'd the tainted hand (hould be repell'd, 
Wliicli incenfe offer'd, and her altar held. Dryd. 

2. The table in Chriftian churches where 
the communion is adminiftered. 

Her grace rofe, and, with inodeil p.u 
Came to the altar, where (he kneel'd, an J ('.> 
Caft her fair ejcs to heav'n, aad piay'd Jcv 

Sbat 

A'LTARAGE. n. f. [altaragium,Lzt.] Aa 
emolument ariiing to the prieft from 
oblations, through the means of the 
altar. Aylife's Parergon. 

A'LTAR. -CLOTH, n.f. [from altar and 
cloth.} The cloth thrown over the altar 
ia churches. 

I (houid fet down the wealth, books, hangings, 
and altar-dabs, which our kings gave this abbey. 
Pcacbam on Draiui> F. 

To A'LTER. v. a. [alterer, Fr. from al- 
ter, Lat.] 

I. To change; to make otherwife than it 
i?. To alter, feems more prope?ly to 
imply a change made only in fome part 
cfa thing; as, to alter a writing, may 
be, to blot, or interpolate it ; to change 
it, may be, to fubilitute another in its 
place. With frotfi and to ; as, her face 
is altered from pale to red. 

;i note 

How much her gra is alter'd on the fudd/n > 
How long her face is drawn ? how pale (he looks, 
And of an earthly cold ' < HtxryVHI, 

Adts appropriated to the worfrrp of Gad, by his 
own appointment, mud continue fo, tiil himfelf 
ha"h otherwife declared: for who dares alttr whit 
God hath appointed ! : fi tt. 

z. To take off from a perfuafion, praciice, 
or fed. 

For the way of writing plays in verfe, I find it 

trojllefome and flow; but I am n > way alt red 
from my opinion or it, at leafl w.th any realhns 
which have oppofed it. Dryden, 

To A'LTER. -v. n. To become otherwife 
than it was ; as, the weather alters/raw 
bright to cktitly. 

A'L T E R A B L E . adj. [ from after ; alterable, 
Fr.] That which may be altered or 
changed by fomething elfe ; diftinft 
from changeable, or that which changes, 
or may change itfelf. 

That elttrable reipcdts are realities in natur-, 
will never be admitted by a conCdcrate difccrncr. 

GL: 

Our condition in this world is mutable and un- 
certain, 



ALT 

certain, a'terMt by a thoufand accidents, which 
we can neither forefee nor prevent. Rigtrt, 

I with they had been more clear in their direc- 
tions upon that mighty point, Whether the fettle- 
rr.ent of the fuccellion in the Houfe of Hanover 
be alterable, or no ? Swift- 

A'LTERABLENESS. n.f. [from alterable.] 
The quality of being alterable, or ad- 
mitting change from external caufes. 

A'LTERABLY. adv. [from alterable.] In 
fuch a manner as may be altered. 

A'LTERAGE. n.f. [from a/o.] The breed- 
ing, nouriihing, or foflering of a child. 

In Ireland they put their children to fofterers : 
the rich fell, the meaner fort buying the alterant 
of their children ; and the reafon is, becaufe, in 
the opinion of the people, foftering has always 
been a ftrongcr alliance than blood. 

Sir John Daisies on Inland. 

A'LTERANT. adj. [alterant, Fr.] That 
which has the power of producing 
changes in any thing. 

And whether the body be alterant or altered, 
evermore a perception precedeth operation ; for 
clfe all bodies would be alike one to another. 

Bacon, 

ALTERA'TION. n.f. [from alter; altera- 

tion, Fr.] 
i . The aft of altering or changing. 

Alteration, though it be from worfe to better, 
hath in it inconveniencies, and thofe weighty. 

Hwktr. 

2. The change made. 

Why may we not prefume, that God doth even 
call for fuch change or alteration, as the very 
condition of things themfelves doth make necef- 
fary > Htokir. 

So he, with difficulty and labour hard, 
Mov'd on : 

But he once part, loon after, when man fell, 
Strange alteration ! Sin, and Death, amain 
Following his track (fuch WM the will ofheav'n !) 
Pav'd after him a broad and beaten way. Milton. 

No other alteration will fatisfy; nor this neither, 
very long, without an utter abolition of all order. 

Sunk. 

Appius Claudius admitted to the fenate the 

fons of thofe who had been fiaves ; by which, 

and fucceedingu/WJ<;-,>!!, that council degenerated 

into a moft corrupt body. Swift. 

A'LTERATIVE. adj. [from alter.'] 

Medicines called alterative, are fuch as bave 
no ^Timedtate fenfiblc operation, but gradualK 
gain upon the confutation, by changing the hu- 
mours from a Itate of diftcmpcrature to health. 
They are oppofed to evacian::. '<%uinry. 

When there is an eruption of humour in any 
part, it is not cured merely by outward applica- 
tions, but by fuch alttrat.'vc medicines as purity 
the blood. Government cf the 'Tongue, 

ALTERC A'TION. n.f. [altercation, Fr. 
from altercor, Lat.] Debate ; contro- 
verfy ; wrangle. 

By this hot purfuit of lower controversies 
amongft men protefling religion, and agreeirg in 
the principal foundations thereof, they conceive 
hope, that, about the higher principles thcmfelvcs, 
time will cJufe tiltei fatten to grow. Hsxktr. 

Their whole life was little clfc than a perpetual 
v rangling and altercation ; and that, many times, 
rather for victory and oftrr.tation of wit, than a 
fober and ferious fearch of truth. 

Haleviil! en Prvutdmte. 



!', adj. [alternut, Lat.] Afting by 
turns, in fucceflion each to the other. 
And God made two great lights, great for their 

ufe 

To man ; the greater to have rule by day, 
The lefs by night, alttrn. Mil/in. 

AI.TE'RNACY. n.f. [from alternate.] Ac- 
tion performed by turns. 
VOL. I. 



ALT 

ALTE'RNATE. adj. [atternus, Lat. 
Being by turns; one after another; re- 
ciprocal. 

Friendfliip confifb properly in mutual offices 
and a generous ftrife in alternate acts of kind 
nefj. South 

Hear how Timotheus' various lays furprife, 
And bid alternate pafiions fall and rile ! 
While, at each change, the fan of Lybian Jove 
Now burns with glory, and than melts with love. 

Pope. 

ALTE'RNATE ANGLES [in geometry" 
are the internal angles made by a line 
cutting two parallels, and lying on the 
oppofite fides of the cutting line ; the 
one below the firft parallel, and the 
other above the fecond. 

A L T E' R N A T E . n. f. [ from alternate, adj. ] 
That which happens alternately ; vicif- 
fitude. 

And raii'd in pleafure, orrepos'd in eafe, 
Grateful alternates of fubftantial peace, 
They blefs the long nocturnal influence ihed 
On the crown'd goblet, and the genial bed. Prior 
To ALTE'RNATE. *. a. [alterno, Lat.] 

1. To perform alternately. 

Thofe who, in their courfe, 
Melodious hymns about the fov'reign throne 
Alternate all night long. Milton. 

2. To change one thing for another re- 
ciprocally. 

The moft high God, in all things appertaining 
unto this life, for fundry wife ends, alternate! the 
difpofition of good and evil. Grew. 

ALTERNATELY, adv. [from alternate.] 
In reciprocal fucceflion, fo that each 
ftall be fucceeded by that which it fuc- 
ceeds, as light follows darknefs, and 
darknefs follows light. 

The princefs Mclefinda, bath'd in tears, 
And tols'd alternately with hopes and fears, 
Would learn from you the foi tunes of her lord. 

Drydtn. 

Unhappy man ! whom forrow thus and rage 

To different ills alternately engage. friar. 

The rays of light are, by fome caufe or other, 

alternately difpofcd to be reflected or refueled for 

many viciflitudcs. f \\-wt: n. 

ALTE'RNATEKESS. n.f. [from alternate.} 
The quality of being alternate, or of 
happening in reciprocal fuccefiion. Diet. 

ALTERNATION-, n.f. [from a/fcn.-af,.] 
The reciprocal fucceflion of things. 

The one would be opprcfTed with conrt.mt heat, 
th: other with infuficrablc cold j and fo the defecJ 
of a/tc. njiitm would utterly impugn the generation 
of all things. Brntun. 

ALTERNATIVE, n. J. [nlternatif, Fr. ] 
The choice given of two things; fo that 
if one be rejected, the other muft be 
taken. 

A ftrange a/imiat'rve 

Mud ladies have a doctor, or a dance ? Toung. 
ALTERNATIVELY, adv. [from alterna- 
tive.] In alternate manner; by turns; 
reciprocally. 

An appeal alternately made may be tolerated 
by the civil law as valid. Ayliffe's Parcrg n. 

ALTE'RNATIVENESS. n.f. [from alter- 
native.] The quality or Hate of being 
alternative ; reciprocation. Ditl. 

ALTI'RNITY. n.f. [from altern.] Reci- 
procal fucceflion ; viciflitude ; turn ; 
mutual change of one thing for another ; 
reciprocation. 

They imagine, that an animal of the vaftcft 
dimewfioi.i, and bngtft duration, fhould live in 



ALT 

a continual motion, without the altemiy and i- 
ciflitude of reft, whereby all other animals con- 
tinue. Brcwn'j Vulgar Errourt. 

ALTHO'UGH. conj. [from all and though. 
See THOUGH.] Notwithstanding ; how- 
ever it may be granted ; however it 
may be that. 

We all know, that many things are believed, 
although they be intricate, obfcure, and dark; 
although they exceed the reach and capacity of our 
wits; yea, although in this world they be no way 
poflible to be underftood. Hooker. 

Me the gold of France did not fcduce, 
Although I did admit it as a motive 
The fooner to eftect what I intended. Sbatrff. 
The ftrefs muft be laid upon a majority ; with- 
out which the laws would be of little weight, al- 
though they be good additional lecurities. S-wift. 

A LTIGRADE. adj. [from altus and gra- 
dior, Lat.] Rifing on high. Di3. 

ALTI'LOQ^UENCE. n.f. [altus znd/ojuor, 
Lat.] Highfpeech; pompous language. 

ALTI'METRY. n.f. [altimetria, Lat. from 
altus and pir^i.] The art of taking or 
meafuring altitudes or heights, whether 
acceffible or inacceflible, generally per- 
formed by a quadrant. 

ALT f SONANT. j a(/J.[altifoaui,Lzt.] High 

ALTI'SONOUS. J founding; pompous or 
lofty in found. 

A'LTITUDE. n.f. [altitude, Lat.] 

1 . Height of place ; fpace mcafured up- 
ward. 

Ten marts attach'd make not the altitude, 
Which thou haft perpendicularly, fall'n. Shakeff. 

Some define the perpendicular altitude of the 
higheft mountains to be four miles ; others but 
fifteen furlongs. Hrnan. 

She dimes above, we know, but in what place, 
How near the throne, and heav'n's imperial face, 
By our weak optics is but vainly guefs d j 
Diflance and altitude conceal the reft. Drydt*. 

2. The elevation of any of the heavenly 
bodies above the horizon. 

Even unto the latitude of fifty-two, the efficacy 
thereof is not much considerable, whether we 
confider its afcent, meridian, altitude, or abode 
above the horizon. Brown's Vulgar Errours. 

Has not a poet more virtues and vices within 
his circle, cannot he obferve them and their in- 
fluences in their oppofitions and conjunctions, in 
their altitude! and cicprcflions ? Rymer. 

3. Situation with regard to lower things. 

Thofe members which are pairs, ftand by one 
another in equal altitude, and anfwer on each fide 
one to another. Ray. 

5. Height of excellence ; fuperiority. 

Your altitude ofJVnds the eyes 
Of thofe who want the power to rife. Stuift. 

5. Height of degree ; highelt point. 

He aid it to pleafe his mother, and to be partly 
proud ; which he is, even to the altitude of his 

Staktfrar,. 

ALTI VOLANT, adj. [///Wa/, Lat. from 
altus and volo.] High flying. Difi. 

ALTOGETHER, adv. [from all and to- 
gether. ] 

i. Completely ; without reftriftion ; with- 
out exception. 

It is in vain to fpeak ef planting laws, and 
plotting policy, till the people be altogether fub- 
du ! d ; , Sfenfir', State of Ire'and. 

We find not in the world any people that hath 
lived altogether without religion. He,ik cr . 

If death and danger are things that really can- 
not be endured, no man could ever be obliged 
to luftcr for his confcience, or to die for his re . 
ligion ; it being altogether as abfurd to imj e i ne 
a man obliged to fuft'er, as to do ijnpoflibilitje s . 

K 



A M 

t do not tfogrtt-- of the manner of 

inrrrweaving texts of fcripturc through the ftyif 
of Y rj ur fermon. 

2. Conjunftly ; in company. This is ra- 
ther all togttbtr. 

C*x.fu"or Sdnxrfet, join you wirh mr, 
And alioferbtr with the duke ot' Suffolk, 
We'h quickly hoift duke Humphry from his feat. 

Sbaktipfatt. 
.fLUDIL. n.f. [from a and lutum ; that 

i.1, ' /.-iff."] 

j1itt, J ..-h are lu! ufed in chemiiri-y, 

wUhout bottoms, snd fitted into one another, n.s 
many as there i pcc.ifr:n for, without luting. At 
the bottom of the fu:nace is a pot that h 
matter tcyte fu'j'ip..cd ; a.id at the top is 4 head, 
to retain the fl wers that rife up. S^ir.cy. 

A'LUM. *./. [alumen, Lat.] 

A kind of mineral fait, of an acid tide, leaving 
in the mouth a fcnfe of fweetncf;, accompanied 
with 3 coniiderable degree of aitringeney. The 
ancient naturalists allow of two forts of alum, natu- 
ral and .factitious. The natural is found in the 
ifland of Milo, being a kind of whitifli (lone, very 
li-hr, friable, and porous, and ftreaked with fila- 
ments relcmbling filver. England, Italy, and 
Flanders, are the countries where alum is princi- 
pally produced ; and the Engliih rocke-ulum is 
made from a b'u'ih mineral ftone, in the hills of 
Yorkmire and Lancafliiic. 

Saiciarixc tltin is a comp jfition of common 
e'utn, with rofe-water and whites of eggs boiled ,o- 
gether, to the confidence of a paite, and thus 
moulded at pleafure. As it cools, it grows hard as 
a Rant. 

Burnt alum is alum calcined over the fire. 

Plumofe or pjume afvm is a fort of faline mineral 
ftonc, of various colours, moft commonly whi^-, 
bordering on green ; it rifes in threads or fibres, 
rcfembling thofe of a feather j whence its name 
from plvma, a feather. Cbam^tri. 

By long beating the white of an egg with a 
lump of alum, you may bring it, for the mot) 
part, into white curd;. Bylt. 

ALUM STONE, n.f. A ftone or calx uled 
in forgery ; perhaps alum calcined, 
which then becomes corrofive. 

She gargled with oxycrate, and was in a few 

days cured, by touching it with the vitriol and 

alum fanes. Wifcmjn, 

ALU'MINOUS. adj. [from alum."] Relating 

to alum, or confuting of alum. 

Nor do we reafonably conclude, bccaufe, by a 

<old and c.'uminrtis moifture, it is able awhile to 

the fire, that, from a peculiarity of nature, 

it fubfifteth and iiveth in it. iY&Ti-fl. 

The tumour may have other mixture with it, 

to make it of a vitriolic or alumimus nature. 

Wj/tffiflw'i Surgery. 

A'LWAYS. ad-ii. [It is (bmetimes written 
al-uiay, compounded of all and ivay ; 
eallepxja, Sax. tuttavia, Ital.] 

1. Perpetually; throughout all time: op 
pofed \ojomclime, or to never. 

That, which fometimc is expedient, doth not 
always to continue. 

Man never is, but always to be bleft. faft. 

2. Conftantly ; without variation: oppofed 
tofomftiines, or to now and then. 

He is always great, when fome great occafum 
is prefented tn him. Drydrn. 

A. M. ftands for arllum magijler, or maf- 
ter of arts ; the fecond degree of our 
univerfities, which, in fome foreign 
countries, is called doctor of philoiophy. 

AM. The firft perfon of the verb lt> be. 
[See To BE.] 

And God faid unto Mofes, I am that I am : 
and he faid, thus fhalt thou fay uuto the children 
it Ifracl, I am hath font me unto yo. 

xcdus, iii. 14. 



A M A 

Came th*r., my f >ul: 1 call thte by that rme, 
Th m buty thing, from whence I know I am : 
t<ir knowing that 1 am, 1 kr.a'.v thru it; 
Since that muit needs cxid, which can impart. 

Frier. 

AM ABI'LITV. n. f. [from amabilis, Lat.] 
Lovelinefs ; the power of pleafing. 

No ruies can make .. s and 

appreheiifions make that ; and Ib is our felicity. 

Taylor. 

AMADETTQ. n. f. A fort of pear [See 
PEAR] fo called, fays 5 '(inner, from 
the name of him who cultivated it. 

JM4DOT. n. f. A fort of pear. [See 
PEAR.] 

AM A'I ft.aJv. [from maine, ormaier.e, old 
Fr. derived from magnas, Lat.] With 
vehemence ; with vig.rur ; fiercely ; vio- 
lently. It is ufed of any action per- 
formed with precipitation, whether ei 
fear or courage, or of any violent ef- 
fort. 

Great lords, from Ireland am I come amair., 
To fignify that rebels there are up. Ska 

What ! when we fle ! imam, pu; lu'd, and Aruck 
With heav'n's afHlcYmg thunder, and befcught 
The deep to Ihclcer u> .' Mi!t(.n. 

The hills, to their fupply, 
Vapour and exhalation, dulk and mo.lt, 
Ser.t up email:. Afi/t'-n. 

From hence the bor was roos v d, and iprung 

amain, 

Like light'ning fudden, on the warriour tr.iin, 
Beats dvwn tl:e trees before h'.m, (hakes the 

ground ; 

The forclt echoes to the crackling found, 
Shout the fierce youth, and clamours ring around. 

Drydfn. 

AMA'LGAM. 7 . /. [fy and ya^.r,.] 
AMA'LGAMA. \ The mixture of metals 
procured by amalgamation. See AMAL- 
GAMATION. 

The in.luratitm of the amalgam appears to pro- 
c:c.l fiom the m-.v texture rcfuiting from the coa- 
lition of the mingled ingredients, that make up the 
amalgam. Boyle. 

To AMA'LGAMATE. f. a. [from amal- 
gam.'] To unite metals with quickfilvcr, 
which may be practifed upon all me- 
tals, except iron and copper. The uie 
of this operation is, to make the me- 
tal loft and ductile. Gold is, by this 
method, drawn over other materials by 
the gilders. 

AM ALG A M A'TION. n. f. [from amalga- 
mate.'} The act or practice of amalga- 
mating metals. 

Amal^amatiiii is themixirg of mercury with any 
of the merals. The manner is thus in golj, th; 
reit are anfweraUe : Take fix ports of mercury, 
mix them hot in a crucible, and piur them to o.".e 
pJTrt of gnM made red hot in another cruobte ; It.r 
thefe well that tb-.-y m-r. : 
mala into cold water, and walh it. Bacbn. 

AMANDA'TION. n./. [ from anan.ic, Lat.] 
The aft of fending on a meliage, or 
employment. 

JMMfU&JfSIS. n. f. [Lnt.] A perfon 
who writes what another dictates. 

A'MARANTH. n.f. \_nmarnnth:ts, Lat. from 
a. and ,/a ? -at>w.] The name of a plant. 
Among the many fpecics, the moft 
beautiful are, I. The tree amaranth. 
2. The long pendulous amaranth, with 
reddifh coloured feeds, commonly called 
Loiie lies a bleeding. 

2. In poetry, it is fometi:ncs an imaginary 



A MA 

flower, fuppofed, according to its name, 
never to tade. 

Immortal caarantb I a flower which once 
In parndjfc, ('ail by the tree o: 
Bejan to bloom ; but foon, fi.r man's offence, 
To heav'n remov'd, where liiit it grew, there 

growr, 

And flow'rs aloft, (hading the front of life j 
And where rhe ruer of tiiifs, thro' midft of 

heav'n, 

li o'er Elynan flow'rs her amber dream : 
With thele, that never fade, the fpirits cleft 
Bind their rtfplendent lockf, inwj.-.i'h'd with 

beams. Mitlox's faradl: 

AMAH A'NTHINE. adj. \_amaranthinus, 
Lat.] Relating to amaranths; coniirtinjj 
of amaranths. 

By the ftrcams that ever fl .w, 
By the fragrant winds that blow 

O'er the Eiyfiau liow'rs ', 
By thofe happy fouls that dwell 
In yellow meads of afphodel, 

Or amaranthine bow'rs. ftft. 

AMA'RITUDE. n. f. [amar:tsdo, Lat.] 
Bhternefs. 

What amaritudc or crimony is dejrehended ia 
ch. l.-r, it acquires from a commixture of melan- 
choly, or external malign bodies. 

Uarviy en Caifiaiptimt, 

AM A'RULBNCE. n.f. \amarituiio, Lat.] 
Bitternefs. Dia. 

AMA'SMENT. n.f. [from amafs.~\ Aheap; 
an accumulation ; a collection. 

What is now, is but an amojmtnt of inv 
conceptions, prejudices, ungrounded . 
,.ipoftures. 

To AMA'SS. v. a. \amajjer, Fr.] 

1. To collect together in one heap or mafs. 

The rich man is not blamed, as having made 
ufc of any un. awful means ' 
having thriven by fraud and injullice. 

:>ry's Scrmtt'l. 

When we would think of intiniLe ipace, or du- 
ration, we, at firtt l:ep, ufcally make fome very 
large idea, as perhaps of millions of ages, or 
miles, which p.'tiibly we dauble and multiply 
feveial times. All that we^thus amafi together 
in our thoughts, is p.>fiiive, and the aiTcmblage 
of a great number ot' pofitive ideas of fpace or 
duration. 

2. In a figurative fenfe, to add one thing 
to another, generally with (bine ihare 
of reproach, either of eageriiels or in- 
discrimination. 

Such as ar.aj's all relations, muft err in fome, 
and be unbelievcd in many, ^r&'uvj'i Vul. Errcurs, 

Do not content yourfclves with mere word?, left 
your improvements only amafs a heap of ir 
ligible phrnfes. // <:tiCs Impr, of the Mir.i-i. 

i:feof Homr- ..iiuer, by amain 

of all the traditions -,d Uiiils the writers couJJ 
meet with, ia order to tell a rlixy of him to the 

AMA'SS. n.f. [aaas, Fr.] An aJTemblage ; 

an accumulation. 
This pillar is but a medley or amifs of a!l the 

precedent ornaments, makii.'g a new kind by 

Health. 
To AMA'TE. v. a. [from a and male.] See 

MATE.] 

1. To accompany; to entertain as a com- 
panion. It is now obsolete. 

A lovely bevy cf f -;r h-ies l 
Courted of many .1 lour, 

ilch did them in moJeft wife an:,-!.-, 
And each one fought his lady to aerate. 

Fairy S^uon. 

2, To terrify ; to ftrike with horrour. In 
this fcnfc, it is derived from the old 
French matter, to crafli or fubdue. 

4 AMATO'R- 



A M A 



A little insignificant lover ; a pretender 
to arFeftion. Difl. 

A'MATORV. adj. [amaton'us, Lat.] Rela- 
ting to love ; caufing love. 
It ! rig whether one raviihjacretia 

rcr, as Tarquin, or L; amatvy potions not 
cnly allur? her, but nece.Tuate her to fi;'> 
luft, and incline her effectually, and drjw her in- 
evitab'y, to follow him fpon^aneufl v. 

Brnmbam again/} Hobbes. 

4Ms*URO'SIS. n.f. [& l tav S S fl .']A dimnefs 
of fight, not from any vifible defeft in 
the eye, bat from fome diftemperature 
ofth: inner parts, occafioning the re- 
prefentationa of flies and duft floating 
before the eyes : which appearances are 
the parts of the retina hid and com- 
prefTed by the blood-veflels being too 
much diltended ; fo that, in many of 
its parts, all fenfe is loft, and therefore 
no images can be painted upon them ; 
whereby the eyc^, continually rolling 
round, many parts of objedts falling 
fucceifively upon them, are obfcure. The 
cure of this depends upon a removal of 
the ftagnations in the extremities of 
thofe arteries which run over the bottom 
of the eye. * Quincy. 

To AMA'ZE. -v. a. [from a and maze, 
perplexity.] 

1. To confufe with terrour. 

Yea, I will make many people amazed at thee, 
and their kings (hall be horribly afraid for thee, 
when 1 /hall brandid my fword before them, and 
they {hall tremble at every moment j every man 
for his own life in th- day of the fall. Extkiil. 

2. To put into confufion with wonder. 

Go, heav'nly pair, and with your dazzling 

ilriues, 

courage, truth, your innocence and love, 
dr-jzf and charm mankin 1. Smith. 

3. To put into perplexity. 

That cann >t choofc but amaze him. If he be 
not amazed 1 , he will he mocked j if he be . 
he will every way be mocked. Skm 

AMA'ZE. n.f. [from the verb avtaze^] A- 
ftoniflimeut ; confufion, either of fear 
or wonder.- 

hofenamein arms thro' Europe rings, 
:.l.s all mo'jthi with envy or with praifc, 
And ail her jealous monarchs with amazt, 

ime the Trojan cuts his wat'ry way, 
Fii'd 0:1 h' vnyige, through the curling fea ; 
'Then catting bjck his ryes, w : th dire ai. 

n ti.e I'unick Ihori: the mounting blaze. 

Dryder.. 

AMA'ZEHLY. aJa. [from amazfd.^ Con. 
fuft;dly ; with amazement ; with confu- 
fion. 

ak amazidly, and it becomes 

.ind my mcd'age. SiaKtfpeart* 

Scf'i thu 'itnazejlj t 

Comi', fi'lrrs, cbeer we UD his fprights. Sbatcff. 
AMA'ZEDNESS. n.f. [from amazed.} The 
ftate of bsing amazed; alkmifhruent ; 
wonder ; conf jfion. 

I v js by at the opening of the farthrl, I.eard 
the old (hephcrd deliver the manner i 

ion, after a little amaztdntjt, we were 
nmnJed out of the chamber. tihaktjp. 
AMA'ZEMENT. n.f. {from amaze.} 
I. Such a confufed apprehenfion as does 
not leave reafon its full force ; extreme 
fe.ir ; horrour. 
1 1 a .i .: r'd no-iht nt all ; but adding new 

'.rft ama7,,n- ,^ ft 

With (lony eye, and hcirtlefs hollow hue, 



A M B 

AJlo.i'/h'J ftood, as one th.it hij efpyM 
Infernal furies, with their chains unty'd. 

Fairy ^tjfea. 

But look ! amjx,rr.ent on thy mother Hts; 
O ftep between her and her fighting foul : 
Conceit in weakcft bodies ilmngcit v. 

\tjfurt. 

2. Extreme dejection. 

He ended, and his words impreffion left 
Of much anaxtmcnt to th' infernal crew, 
Diffracted and lurpris'd with deep difmay 
At theie fad lid: Milton. 

3. Height of admiration. 

Had you, fome ages pair, thia race of glory 
Run, with amazement we ih >nlJ read your ftory ; 
But living virtue, all alchieiemcnts part, 
Meets en\y Hill to grapple with at laft. H^//fr. 

4. Aftonifhment ; wonder at an unexpeft- 
ed event. 

They knew that it was ht which fat for alms at 

the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were 

v.ith wonder and amcz,tm<r.t at that which 

ppenej unto him. A8s. 

A M A'Z INC. partitipial adj. [ from amaze .] 

Wonderful ; altonifhing. 

It is an aH:az,\ng thing to lee the prefent dofola- 
tion of Italy, wiien one coniiJcrs what incredible 
multitudes it abounded with during the reigns of 
the Raman emperours. AA&fo*. 

AMA'ZINCLY. eui-v. [from amazing.] To 
a degree that may excite ailonilhment ; 
wonderfully. 

If we arife to the world of fpirits, our know- 
ledge of them muft be amazingly imperfect, whe.i 
there is not the leaft grain of land but has too many 
difficulties belonging to it for thewifeft philofopher 
toanfwer. H^aiis's Logick. 

AMAZON, n.f. [a. and p*?*.] The A- 
nwzons were a race of women famous 
for valour, who inhabited Caucafus ; 
they are fo called from their cutting oft' 
their breads, to ufe their weapons better. 
A warlike woman ; a virago. 

Stiy, ftay thy hands, thou art an atnazin, 
And nghteft with the fword. Kbakefyearr, 

AMBA'GES. n.f. [Lat.] A circuit of 
words ; a circumlocutory form of fpeech ; 
a multiplicity of words ; an indirect 
manner of expreffion. 

^Thc; g.ue ihofe complex idjasname?, that they 
eafily recr rd and cilfcourfe ot 
things they w^re daily convtrhint in, witiiout lon^ 
an:, l jgcj and circumlocutions ; ami that the tiling . 
i givf and receive inform i- 
tion about, might be the eafierand quickci 
ftood. l.;clc. 

AMP. A'OIOUS. adj. [fmtn anAartf.] Cir- 
cumlocutory ; perplexed ; tedious. Di3. 
AMBASSA'DE. n.f. {amlmjjade , Fr.] Em- 
bafly ; character or bufinefs of an am- 
baifador : a word not now in ufe. 

When you difgraccd me in my ambajfedt, 
Then 1 degraded you from being king. Siateff. 

AMBA'SSADOUR. n.f. \aniafadtur, Fr. 

emiaxaJor, Span. It is written diffe- 
rently, as it is fuppofed to come from 
the French or Spamih language ; and 
the Original derivation being uncertain, 
it i.-. not eafy to (ettle its orthography. 
Some derive it from the Hebrew -laa, 
to tell, and Itfao, a mffingcr; others from 
ambatfus, which, in the old Gaulifti, 
fignified a fer--vant ; whence ambafcia, 
in low Latin, is found to figiiifyylr-w/V*, 
and ambajciator, a fcr--vant ; others de- 
duce it from ambacbt, in old Teutonic!?, 
fignilying a government, and Junius 
mentions a pollibility of its delceat from 



A M B 

K?ata> ; and others from am for art, 
and baffis, /Mi 1 , as fuppofmg the aft of 
fending an amb.ifTadour, to be in fome 
lore an ad pf fubmiffion. All thefe de- 
rivations lead to write ambajfadour , not 
cnt'-aj/adoui-.] A perfon fent in a public 
manner from one fovereign power to an- 
other, and fuppofed to reprefent the 
power from which he is fent. The per- 
fon of an ambafTadour is inviolable. 

Ambaffiidour is, in popular language, 
the general name of a meilengcr from 
a fovereign power, and fometiines, lu,- 
dicrouily, from common perfons. In 
the juridical and formal language, it 
fignifies particularly a minifter of the 
higheft rank reading in another country, 
and is diftinguifhed from an envoy, who 
is of lei's dignity. 

Gi\e nrlt admittance to th' amboffadours* 

Shakefpeare. 

Rais'd by thefe hopes, I fent no news before, 
Nor alk'd your leave, nor did your faith implore ; 
But come without a pledge, my own ambajjadtur. 

Dryden. 

Oft have their black tunbajjadcun appeared 
L laden with gifts, a - id flll'd the courts of Zama. 

Addifon. 

AMBASSADRESS, n.f. \ambaffadrhe, Fr.] 

1. The lady of an ambaffadour. 

2. In ludicrous language, a woman fent 
on a meffage. 

We!!, my ambajfadnfi 

Come you t? menace wjr, and loud defiance ? 
Or does the peaceful olive grace your brow ? 

RmtK, 

A'MBASSAGE. n.f. [from ambaffaJour.] 
An embafly ; the bufinefs of an ambaf- 
fadour. 

Maximilian entertained them with dilatory an- 
fwers ; fo as the formal part of their arttbaj/age might 
well warrant their further ftay. Bacon. 

A'MBER. n.f. [from ambar, Arab, whence 
the lower writers formed ambar :.] 

A yellow tranfparent fubftance of a gummous 
or bituminous confidence, but a refinous tafte, 
and a fmeil like oil of turpentine; chiefly found 
in the Baltick fca, along the emails of Pruffia. 
Some naturalifts refer it to the vegetable, othera 
to the mineral, and fome" even to the animal king- 
dom. Pliny dctcribes it as a rcfinous juice, oozing 
from aged piiKS and firs, and dilch.irg^d thence 
into the lea. He adds, that it was hence the an- 
pivc it the denomin.itio.1 of juccinum, from, 
jutcus, juice. Some have imagined it a concretion 
of tiie tears of birds ; others, tlic urine of a b^-aft ; 
otliers, the fcum of the lake I ephitis, near the 
Atlantic!; ; others, a congelation formei in the 
Baltick, and in forne fouiudins, where it is found 
fwimming like pitch. Others fuppofc it u bitumen 
trickling into the ft-a from fubterraneous fourcts ; 
b.ir this opinion is alfo difcardcd, as good amber 
having been found in digging at a conliderable Jif- 
tance frjm the lea, as that gathered on the coaft. 

:.'ave ranks it with camphire, which is. aeon* 
cre:e oil of aromatic plants, elaborated by heat into 
a cryftjlline form. Within fome pieces of amber 
have been found loaves anJ infects include;! ; 
which fecmi to indlcue, either th t the amttrwts 

..'ly in a fltii.1 ftute, or thai, having been ex- 

p fed to the fun, it was fjftcncJ, and rendered 

fufceptiblc of the leaves and infect*. Amber t when 

v:; or attracts bodies to it, and,, by 

;>, is brought to yield light pr.'tty copioufly 
in the dark. Some d'Hlinguifli amber into yellow, 
white, broA'.n, and black: but the two latter ar 
fupp'.fed to be of a different nature and dcnornina- 
ti ,n ; the one called j.'t t the other anberffrh, 

. v. Chambers. 

Liquid amber \: a kiml of native b,,lia.Ti'>r veGnj 

Rke turpentine ; clear, reJdiih, or yellowilh ; of a 

K. 2 plcafju^ 



A M B 

f'eafant fnv-fl, klmoft like i.-nbergris. It flow: 
from an incifion made in the bark of a Ane large 
tree in New Spain, called by the natives ofafcJ. 

Chambers. 

If light penetrateth any clear body, that is co- 
loured, as pointed glafs, ambtr, water, and the 
like, it gives the light the colour of its medium. 

Peacban. 

No interwoven reeds a garland mad>, 
To hide his brows within the vulgar lhade ; 
But pjplar wreathes around his temples Iprcad, 
And tears of amber trickled down his head. 

AUifn. 

The fpoils of elephants the roofs inlay, 
And ftudded amber darts a golden ray. P.pe . 

A'MBER. adj. Confifting of amber. 

With (cart's, and fans, and double charge of 

brav'ry, 

With an.ttr bracelets, beads, and all this knav'ry. 

Sbaltffcarc. 

A'MBER-DRINK. n.f. Drink of the colour 
of amber, or refembling amber in co- 
lour and tranfparency. 

All your clear amber-drink is flat. Bacon. 

A'MBERCRIS. n.f. [from amber and gris, 
or grey ; that is, grey amber.~\ 

A fragrant drug, that melts almoft like wax, 
commonly of a greyifh or alh colour, ufed both as a 
perfume and a cordial. Some imagine it to be the 
excrement of a bird, which, being melted by the 
heat of the fun, and walhed off the (hereby the 
waves, is fwallowed by whales, who return it back 
in the condition we find it. Others conclude it to 
te the excrement of a cetaceous nih, becaufe fome- 
times found in the inteftines of fuch animals. But 
we have no inftance of any excrement capable of 
melting like wax ; and if it were the excrement of a 
whale, it (hould rather be found where thefe ani- 
mals abound, as about Greenland. Others take it 
for a kind of wax or gum, which diftils from trees, 
and drops into the fea, where it congeals. Many 
of the orientals imagine it fprings out of the fea, as 
naphtha does out of fome fountains. Others aflert 
it to be a vegetable production, ifluing out of the 
root of a tree, whofe roots always moot towards the 
fea, and difcharge themfelves into it. Others 
maintain, that ambergris is made from the honey- 
tombs, which fall into the fea from the rocks, 
where the bees had formed their nefts; feveralper- 
fons having feen pieces that were half ambergris, 
and half plain honey-comb; arid others have found 
large pieces of ambergris, in which, when broke, 
honey-comb, and honey too, were found in the 
middle. Neumann abfolutely denies it to be an 
animal fubftance, as not yielding, in the analyfis, 
any one animal principle* He concludes it to be a 
bitumen ilTuing out of the earth into the fea ; at 
4rlt of a vifcous confiftence, but hardening, by its 
mixture with fome liquid naphtha, into the form in 
which we find it. Trwoux. Chambers. 

Bermudas wall'd with rocks, w!io does not know 
That happy iiland, where huge lemons grow, 
Where (liming pearl, coral, and many a pound, 
On the rich more, of ambergris is found ? Waller 

AMBER SEED, or mujk feed, refembles 
millet, is of a bitterilh tafle, and brought 
dry from Martinico and Egypt. 

Chambers. 

AMBER TREE. n.f. [frutex Africanu' am- 
iramjf <irans. .] A ftirub, whofe beauty is 
in its fmall evergreen leaves, whicl 
grow as clofe as heath, and, being 
bruifed between the fingers, emit a very 
fragrant odour. Miller 

AMBIDEXTER, n.f. [Lat.] 

1. A man who has equally the ufe of botl 
his hands. 

Rodiginus, undertaking to give a reafon ofan:bi 
dexttrs, and left-handed men, dclivcieth a thir 
opinion. Brcnun 

2. A man who is equal-ly ready to a& on 



A M B 

either fide, in party difputes. This 
fenfe is ludicrous. 

AMBIDEXTE'RITY. n.f. [from ambi- 
dexter,] 

. The quality of being able equally to 
ufe both hands. 

;. Double dealing. 

AMBIDE'XTROUS. adj. [from ambidexter. 
Lat.] 

. Having, with equal facility, the ufe of 
either hand. 

Others, not confidcring ambidextrous and left- 
handed men, do totally fubmit unto the efficacy 
of the liver. Brown. 

2. Double dealing ; praftifing on both 
fides. 

/Elop condemns the double practices of trim- 
mers, and all falfe, (huffling, and ambidextrous 
dealings. L'Efircir.ge. 

AMBIDE'XTROUSNESS. n.f. [from ambi- 
dextrous.} The quality of being ambi- 
dextrous. Di3, 
A'MBIENT. adj. \ambiens, Lat.] Sur- 
rounding ; encompaffing ; invefting. 

This which yields or nils 

All (pace, the ambient air wide interfus'd. Milton. 
The thicknefs of a plate requifite to produce any 
colour, depends only on the denfity of the plate, 
and not on that of the amUiat medium. 

ffeuma'i Ofticls. 
Around him dance the rofy hours, 
And damafking the ground with rl.w'rs, 
With ambient fvveets perfume the morn. 

Fentotl to Lord Gnuer. 
Illuftrious virtues, who by turns have role 
With happy laws her empire to fuftain, 
And with full pow'r all'ert her ambient main. 

Prior. 

The ambient aether is too liquid and empty, to 
impel horizontally with that prodigious celerity. 

Bmtley. 

d'MBIGU. n.f. [French.] An entertain- 
ment, confifting not of regular courfes, 
but of a medley of difhes fet on toge- 
ther. 

When ftraitcn'd in your time, and fervants few, 
You'd richly then compofe an amligu ; 
Where firft and fecond courfe, and your defert, 
All in one (ingle table have their part. 

King's Art of Cookery. 

AMBIOU'ITY. n.f. [from ambiguous.] 
Doubtfulnefs of meaning ; uncertainty 
of fignification ; double meaning. 

With ambiguities they often entangle thcmfelves, 
not marking what doth agree to the word of God 
in itfclf, and what in regard of outward accidents. 

ttodur, 

We can clear thefe ambiguities, 
And know their fpring, their head, their true defcent. 

Shakefpearc. 

The words are of (ingle fignification, withou 
any ambigu.ty ; and therefore I Jhall net trouble you 
by {training for an interpretation, where there ii 
no difficulty; or diltincYion, whde there is no dif- 
ference. Soutb 

AMBI'GUOUS. adj. [ambiguus, Lat.] 
I . Doubtful ; having two meanings ; o: 
uncertain fignification. 

But what have been thy anfwers, what but dark 
Ambiguous, and with daubtful fenle deluding ? 

Milton 

Some expreffions in the covenant were atniiguuis 
and were left fo ; becaufe the perfons who framcc 
them were not all of one mind. Clarendon 

z. Applied to perfons ufing doubtful ex 
preffions. It is applied to expreflions 
or thole that ufe them, not to a dubiou 
or fufpended ftate of mind. 



A M B 

Th' ttr.bigueus god, who rul'd her la'o'rmg brea.1, 
In thefe mylterious words his mind expreft ; 
Some truths reveal'd, in tetrm involv'd the reft. 

Drydcx, 

Silence at length the gay Antinoui broke, 
Conilrain'd a (mile, and thus ambiguous ipuke. 

Pope. 

AMBI'GUOUSLY. adv. [from ambiguous.] 
In an ambiguous manner ; doubtfully ; 
uncertainly ; with double meaning. 
AMBI'GUOUSNESS. n.f. [from ambiguous.] 
The quality of being ambiguous ; un- 
certainty of meaning ; duplicity of fig. 
nification. 

AMBI'LOCY. n.f. [from ainbo, Lat. and 
*t>y<&-.] Talk of ambiguous or doubtful 
fignificatign. Dicl. 

AMBI'LOO^UOUS. adj. [from ambo and lo- 
quor, Lat.] Ufmg ambiguous and doubi.- 
i ul expreffions. Di3. 

AMBI'LOCJJU v. n.f. \ambiloquium, Lat.] 
The uie of doubtful and indeterminate 
expreffions ; difcourfe of doubtful mean- 
ing. Diet. 
A'MBIT. n.f. [ambitus, Lat.] The com- 
pafs or circuit of any thing ; the line 
that encompafles any thing. 

The tu(k of a wild boar winds atlout almoft into 
a perfect ring or hoop ; only it is i little writhen. 
In meafuring by the ambit, ic is long or round about 
a foot and two inches ; its baJis an inch over. 

Grt-'w's Mujtrum, 

AMBI'TION. n.f. [amiitio, Lat. the defire 
of fomething higher than is polfefled at 
prefent.] 
i. The defire of preferment or honour. 

Who would think, without having fuch a mind 
as Antiphilus, that fo great goodnefs could not 
have bound gratefulnefs ? and fo high advancement 
not have fatisfied his amb'.ti'.n ? Sidn,y, 

z. The defire of any thing great or excel- 
lent. 

The qukk'ntng power would be, and fo would reft j 
The fenfe would not be only, but be well I 

But wit's ambii'.dn long^th to the beft, 
For it dclircs in endlcfs blifs to dwell. Davits, 

Urge them, while their fouls 
Are capable of this atr.titim ; 
Left zeal, now melted by the windy breath 
Of foft petitions, pity, and rcmoriV, 
Cool and conceal again to what it was. Sbalrrff}. 

3. It is ufed with to before a verb, and cf 
before a noun. 

1 had a very early ambition to recommend myfelf 
to your Lordmip's patronage. Addifon. 

There was an ambition of w\t, and an affectation, 
of gayety. fife's frefact to bis Letters, 

AMBI'TIOUS. adj. \_ambitiofus, Lat.] 
i. Seized or tou'.hed with ambition ; de- 
firous of advancement ; eager of ho- 
nours ; afpiring. It has the particle of 
before the object of ambition, if a noun ; 
to, if exprefled by a verb. 
We iecm ambitious God's whole work t' undo. 

j9fcMb 

The ne'ghb'ring monarchs, by thy beauty led, 
Contend in crowds, ambitious cf thy bed : 
The world is ;it thy choice, except but one, 
Except but him thou canft not choofe alone. 

Dtyitm, 

You have been pleafcd not to fuffer an old man 
to go difcontented out of the world, for w*,it of" 
that protection, of which he had been fo long am- 
bitKUS. DrydfH. 

Trajan, a prince ambitious of glory, deu 
to the mouths of the Tigris and Euphrates, anj 
went upon the ocean, where, feeing a vet;'. 
, ing to the Indies, he had thoughts of outdoing 
Alexander. Aitutkna a: Cii.;. 

2. Eager 



A M B 

a. Eager to grow bigger ; afpiring. 

1 have (een 

Th' ambition ocean fwell, and rage, and foam, 
To be exalted with the Oucat'nir.g clouds. 

Sbakefftan. 

AMBi'TiousLY.mfo. [from ambitious.] In 
an ambitious manner ; with eagernefs 
of advancement or preference. 

With fuch glad hjjrts did our defpairing men 
S Jute th' appearance of the prince's fleet ; 

And each .itr.L i:\::fy would claim the ken, 
That with firft eyes did diliant fafety meet. 

Dryder.. 

Here Flecknoe, as a place to fame well known, 

s4iKk:'i:i<jll defign'd his Sh 's throne. Drydin. 

AMBI'TIOUSNESS. n.f. [from ambitious.'} 

The quality of being ambitious. 
A'MBITUDE. n.f. \ambio, Lat.] Com- 
pafs ; circuit ; circumference. Dili. 
Tt A'MBLE. v. n. [ambler, Fr. ambulo, 
Lat.] 

1 . To move upon an amble. See AMBLE. 

It is good, on fome occafions, to enjoy as much 
of the prelent, as will not endanger our futurity ; 
and to provide ourl'elves of the virtuofo's faJJle, 
which will be fure to amble, when the world is 
upon the hardeft trot. Drydtn. 

2. To move eafily, without hard (hocks, 
or (halting. 

Who amtlei time withal ? A rich man that 
hath not the gout ; for he lives merrily, becaufe 
he feels no pain ; knowing no burthen of heavy 
tedious penury : him time omllts withal. 

Sbakejfeare' 's jtfsjou like it. 

3. In a ludicrous fenfe, to move with fub- 
miffion, and by direction ; as a horfe 
that ambles ufes a gait not natural. 

A laughing, toying, wheedling, whimpering (he, 
Shall make him aabte on a goflip's meflage, 
And take the diftafr'with a hand as patient, 
As e'er d'd Hercules. Rciue's Jane Sbcre, 

4. To walk daintily and aScftedly. 

I am rudely ftampt, and want love's majefty, 
To ftrut before a wanton emelmg nymph. 

Shaktffearr. 

A'MBLE. n.f. [from fo amble. ,] A pace 
or movement in which the horfe re- 
moves both his legs on one fide ; as, on 
the far fide, he removes his fore and 
hinder leg of the (ame fide at one time, 
whilft the legs on the near fide (land 
ftill ; and, when the far legs are upon 
'the ground, the near fide removes the 
'/ere leg and hinder leg, and the legs 
on the far fide ftand ftill. An amble is 
the firft pace of young colts, but when 
they have ftrength to trot, they quit it. 
There is no amble in the manage ; 
riding-mafters allow only of walk, trot, 
and gallop. A horfe may be put from 
a trot to a gallop without flopping ; 
but he cannot be put from an amble to 
a gallop without a ftop, which inter- 
rupts the juftnefs of the manage. 

Farrier's Difi. 

A'viBLER.n.y; [from To amble.'} A horfe 
that has been taught to amble ; a 
pacer. 

A'M B L i N c LY.aJv. [from ambling.'} With 
an ambling movement. 

AMBRVSIA. n.f. [a^oo-Ia.] 

I . The imaginary food of the gods, from 
which every thing eminently pleafing 
to the fmell or tafte- is called am- 



A M B 

2. The name of a plant. 

It has male fl rfculous flowers, produced on fcpa- 
rate parts of the fume plant from the fruit, having 
no vifible petals ; the fruit which fucceeds the fe- 
male flowers, is fliaped like a club, and is prickly, 
containing one oblong feed in each. 

The fpecies are, I. The marine or fea sr-.brofa. 
I. Taller unfavoury fea ambrofa. j. The tilleft 
Canada embrofa. Ml! : cr. 

AMBRO'SIAL. adj. [from ambrofia."} Par- 
taking of the nature or qualities of am- 
brofia ; fragrant ; delicious ; deleft - 
able. 

Thus while God fpake, amkr'Jial fragrance fill'd 
All heaven, and in the blelTed Ipirits cleft 
Senfe of new joy ineffable diffus'd. MUt'-r.. 

The gifts of heaven my following fong purfuc., 
Aerial honey and ambrnfial dews. Drydcr,. 

To fartheft ihoies th' ambnjial fpirit Hies, 
Sweet to the world, and grateful to the flties. 

Pufe. 

A'MBRY. n. f. [a word corrupted from 
almcnry.~\ 

1. The place where the almoner lives, or 
where alms are diftributed. 

2. The place where plate, and utenfils for 
houfekeeping, are kept ; alfo a cup- 
board for keeping cold viftuals : a word 
ftill ufed in the northern counties, and 
in Scotland. 

AMBS ACE. n. f. [from ambo, Lat. and 
act.] A double ace ; fo called when 
two dice turn up the ace. 

I had rather be in this choice, than throw 
arr.bi ace for my life. 

StaliLff.'jre'i jtU't -will ttat tads well. 

This will be yet clearer, by confidering his own 
ir.ftance of cafting amtn ace, though it partake 
more of contingency than of" freedom. Suppofing 
the poliuire of the party's hand who did throw 
the dice, fuppofing the figure rf the table, and of 
the dice themfelvcs, fufpofirg the meafurc of 
foice applied, and fu[ pofing all other things which 
did concur to the production of that calt, to be 
the very fame thry were, there is no doubt but 
in this cafe the cart is necelijry. 

Bramb^m agairjl tiobbci. 

AMBUI. A'TION, n.f. [ambulatio, Lat.] 
The aft of walking. 

From the occult and invifible motion of the 
muitlc , in (ration, proceed more ofrenfivc laf- 
fitudes than from embulation. 

Bro'wn'i Vulgar Erroun. 

A'MBULATORY. adj. \an-.lulo, Lat.] 

1. That which has the power or faculty 
of walking. 

The gradient, or ambulatory, are fuch as re- 
quire fome bafis, or bottom, to uphold them in 
their motions : luch were thofe ("elf-moving fla- 
mes, which, unlefs violently detained, would or 
themfelves run away. jyilkinft Math. Mdg 

2. That which happens during a paflage 
or walk. 

He was fent to conduce hither the princcfs, of 
whom his majefty had an ambulatory view in his 
travels. Wotton. 

3. Moveable; as, an ambulatory court; a 
court which removes from place to place 
for the exercife of its jurifdiftion. 

A'MBURY. n.f. A bloody wart on any 

part of a horfe's body. 
AMBUSCA'DE. n.f. \embufcade, Fr. See 
AMBUSH.] A private ftation in which 
men lie to furprife others ; ambufli. 

Then waving high her torch, the fignal made, 
Which rous'd the Grecians from their ambufcade* 

Drydcn 

When I behold a faAionable table fet out, i 
fancy that gouU, fever:, and lethargies, with in- 



A M E 

numerable diftempers, lie in tmlufcade among th e 
difbes. MtUfiM. 

AMBUSCA'DO. n. f. \_embcfcada, Span.] 
A private poft, in order to furprife an 
enemy. 

Sometimes (he driveth o'er a foldicr's neck, 
And then he dreams of cutting foreign throats, 
Of breathes, ambufiadoit, Spanilh blades, 
Of" healths five fathom deep. 

Khakcff, Romeo and Juliit, 
A'MBUSH. n.f. [ambufche, Fr. from boh, 
a wood ; whence embufchtr, to hide in 
woods, ambumes being commonly laid 
under the concealment of thick forefts.] 

1. The poft where foldiers or aflaffins are 
placed, in order to fall unexpectedly 
upon an enemy. 

Th: vefidue retired deceitfully towards the place 
of their ambufn, whence ifi'ued more. Then the 
earl maintained the fight. But the enemy, in- 
tending to draw the Englifh further into their 
ambufi, turned away at an eafy pace* Hayicard* 
Charge", charge, their ground the faint Taxal- 

lans yield, 
Bold in clofe ambujb, bafe in open field. 

Dr^dcn'i Indian Emperor, 

2. The aft of furprifmg another, by ly- 
ing in wait, or lodging in a fecret port. 

Nor (hall we need, 

With dangerous expedition, to invade 
Heav'n, whofe high walls fear no afi'ault or fiegr, 
Or ambvjh from the Jeep. Milton's Paradifc Loft, 

3. The ftate of being ported privately, in 
order to furprife ; the ftate of lying in 
wait. 

4. Perhaps the perfons placed in private 
llations. 

For you, my noble lord of Lancaster, 
Once did I lay an ambujb for your life. 

Staktff. Richard II. 

A'MBUSHED. adj. [from ambujb.] Placed 
in ambufli ; lying in wait. 

Thick as the fliadrs, there ilTue fwarming bands 
Of ambujli'd men, whom, by their arms and drefs, 
To be Taxallan enemies I guefs. 

Diydenl Indian Empercr. 

A'MBUSHMENT. n.f. [from ambujb; which 
fee.] Ambufti ; furprife : a word now 
not ufcd. 

Like as a wily fox, that having fpied 
Where on a funny bank the lambs do play, 

Full clofcly creeping by the hinder fide, 
Lies in ambujhmcnt of his hoped prey. Spcrrfer* 

AMBU'ST. adj. \ambuftus, Lat.] Burnt; 
fcalded. Diti. 

AMBU'STJON. n.f. [ambuftio, Lat.] A 
burn ; a fcald. 

A'MEL. n.f. [email, Fr.] The matter 
with which the variegated works are 
overlaid, which we call enamelled. 

The materials of glafs melted with calcined 
tin, corr.pole an undiaphanous body. This white 
amel is the bafis of all thofe fine concretes that 
goldfmiths and artificers employ in the curious 
art of enamelling. Boyle on Colours, 

AM&N. adv. [a word of which the ori- 
ginal has given rife to many conjectures. 
Scaliger writes, that it is Arabick ; n-.d 
the Rabbies make it the compound of 
the initials of three words, fignifying 
the Lord is a faithful king ; but the word 
feems merely Hebrew, [D, which, with 
a long train of derivatives, fignifies firm- 
nefs, certainty, fidelity.] A term ufed 
in devotions, by which, at the end of a 
prayer, we mean, ft be it ; at the end 
of a creed, fa it is. 

8 One 



A M E 

On erieJ, God Mcfs us ! nd, Amer. ! th- 

other, 

As they had iit?n me with thefe hangman's hands. 
J.iftening th-ir rear, I could not fay Amen, 
When they did fay Cod blefs us. Siakefp. Mack. 
Bleffed be the Lord God of Ifrael, from evcr- 
lafting and to cverlafling, Amtn and amen. 

Pfalm xli. 13. 

AME'NABLB. adj. [amrfaahle, Fr. amencr 
gite/qu'un, in the French courts, figni- 
fies, to oblige one to appear to aufwer 
a charge exhibited againft him.] Re- 
fponfible ; fubject fo as to be 1 liable to 
enquiries or accounts. 

Again, becauic ir fort were loofe 

and poor, and not 0m^Ka< '-' tn ths law, he pro- 
vided, by anorher act, the bdt and 
eldeft perfons of every lept, (hwucd bring in ali l'ic 
idle pcrfons of their t'urname, to be ju Viied by ihc 
law. Sir John Dai:i t : in Ifelar.d. 

A'MEKAGE. 7 "/ [They feem to come 
VM E NANCE. J from amener, Fr.] Con- 
duft ; behaviour ; mien : words dif- 
ufed. 

For he is fit to ufe in all allays, 
Whether for arms and warlike airitnatice, 
Or el!e for wife and civil governance. Sfcrjtr, 

Well kend him fo far fpace, 
Th' enchanter, by hh arms and amenanee, 
When under him he faw his Lybian fteed to 
prance. Fairy >ueen. 

To AME'ND. -v. a. \amender, Fr. emendo, 

Lat.] 
I . To correft ; to change any thing that 

is wrong to fomething better, 
z. To reform the life, or leave wicked- 
nefs. In thefe two cafes we ufually 
write mend. See MEND. 

Amend <JO\IT ways and your doings, and I will 
<eufe you to dwell in this place. Jtrcm. vii. 3. 
3. To reflore paflages in writers, which 
the copiers are fuppofed to have de- 
praved ; to recover the true reading. 
TAME'ND. i>. n. To grow better. To 
amend differs from to improve ; to im- 
prove fuppofes or not denies that the 
thing is well already, but to amend im- 
plies fomething wrong. 

As my fortune either amends or impairs, I nv.; 
declare it unto you. SiJay. 

At his touch 

Such fanrtity hath Heaven given his hand, 
They prcOntly amend. Stake/ f. Machetb. 

AMFWDE.n.f. [French.] This word, in 
French, fignifics a fine, by which recom- 
pence is fuppofed to be made for the 
fault committed. We ufe, in a cognate 
fignification, the word amends. 
AME'NDMENT. n.f. [amende/item, Fr.] 

1. A change from bad for the better. 

Before it was prefcnted on the ftage, fome 
things in it have paiTed your approbation and 
amendment. Dryd, i:. 

Man is always msn ding and altering hh works; 
but nature obferves the fame tcnour, bccaufe hci 
works are fo per/eft, that there is no place for 
tmmimatt ; neching that can be reprehended. 

Rtiy fin the Creation. 

There arc many natural defects in the under- 
Aanding, capable of j:nifndn:cnt, which are" over- 
looked and wholly negltcled. Lttkt. 

2. Reformation of life. 

Our Lord and Saviour was of opinion, that 
they which would not be drawn to amendment of 
litv, by the tcftimony which Mofes and the pro- 
phets have given, concerning the miferies that 
follow ftnners after death, were not likely to be 
perfoaded by other means, although God from the 
deau'fljould'hare raifcd them up preachers. 

tinker. 



A M E 

Behold ! famine and plague, tribulation ind 
angMiiri, are funt a> fcourges for amendment. 

2 Efdras, xvi. 19. 

Though a fcrious purpofe of amirdir.ir.t, and 
true afts of contrition, before the habit, may be 
accept:;! by God ; yet there is no fure judgment 
whether this purpofe be fcrious, or thefc acts 
true aits of contrition. 

Hammond"! Prtfiical Cattcbifm. 

3. Recovery of health. 

Your honour's ;>1 -ycrs hearing your amendment, 
Are come to play a pleafant comfdy. .'> 

AME'NDMENT. n.f. [emenJatio, Lat.] It 
fignifies, in law, the correction of an 
errour committed in a procefs, and 
cfpied before or after judgment ; and 
fometiims after the party's feeidng ad- 
vantage by the errour. Blouxt. 

AME'N DER. n.f. [from amend.] The per- 
fon that amends any thing. 

AME'NDS. n.f. [amende, Fr. from which 
it feems to be accidentally corrupted.] 
Rccompence ; compensation ; atone- 
ment. 

If I have too aufterely punifii'd you, 
Your compenfation makes amends. Sbakffffare. 

Of the amends recovered, little or nothing re- 
turns to thofe that h:id fuff:red the wrong, but 
commonly all runs into the prince's cof!e;-s. 

Ralflgh's EJJays. 

Then I, a pris'ner chain'd, fcarce freely draw 
The air imprifon'd alfo, clofe and damp, 
Unwholefome draught ; but here 1 feel amends, 
The breath of heav'n freth blowing, pure and 

f\ve.;t, 

With day-fpring born ; here leave me to rcfpire. 

M,!KK. 

Some little hopes I have yet remaining, that I 
may znake the world fome part of amends for 
many ill plays, by an heroick poem. Di-ydw. 

It our fouls be immortal, this makes abundant 
amends and compenfation for the frailties of life, 
and furr'crings of this ftate. Tlihtfai. 

It ij a ftrong argument for retribution here- 
after, that virtuous perf.ms arc very often unfor- 
tunate, and vicious perfons profperous ; which 
is repugnant to the nature of a Being, who ap- 
pears infinitely wife an;l good in all his vvorki ; 
unlefs we may fuppofe th.it fuch a promilcuous 
diflribution, whicli was neccflary f^r carvynig on 
the defi^ns of providence in this lit';, wiil be rec- 
tiijed and made amends for in another. SpeRatir. 

AME'NITY. n.f. \amenite, Fr. antceititas, 
Lat.] Pleafantuefs ; agreeablenefs of 
fituation. 

lx the fituation of Babylon was fuch at firir as in 
the days of Herodotus, it was -a feat of a>r.smtj 
and pleafurc. 

AMENTA'CEOUS. adj. [nmental:n, Lat.] 
Hanging as by a thread. 

The pine tree hath jmer.tacc'jus flowers or kat- 
kins. Miller. 

To AME'RCE. -v. a. [amirder, Fr. o^Sa?.- 
(t*a> fj.lt cipifffi, feems to give the ori- 
ginal.] 

I. To punifh with a pecuniary penalty ; 
to exaft a fine ; to inflict a forfeiture. 
It is a word originally juridical, but 
adopted by other writers, and is ufed by 
Spenfer of puniihments in general. 

Where every one that mifieih tnen her make, 
Shall be by him amcrc'd with penance due. 

Spenftr. 

But I'll amerce you with fo ftrong a fine, 
That you (hall all repent the lofs of mine. 

Sbakefpcarc. 

All the fuitors were considerably amerced ; yet 
this proved but an incileclual remedy for thole 
mifchiefs. Hale. 

z. Sometimes with th particle in before 
the fine. 



A M I 

They mail amerce him in an hundred fliekcl. of 
filver, and give them unto the father of the dam- 
fel, becaufe he hath brought up an evil name upon 
a virgin of Ifrael. Deut. xxii. 19. 

3. Sometimes it is ufed, in imitation of 
the Greek conftrudion, with the par- 
ticle of. 

Millions of fpiriti, for his fault amerced 
0/"hrav'n, and from eternal fplendour; flung 
For^his revolt. Milton. 

AVIH'RCER. n.f. [from amerce.] He that 
fets a fine upon any mifdemeanour ; he 
th.it decrees or inflifts any pecuniary 
punifhment or forfeiture, 

A ME'R CEMENT. In./, [from UK, 

AME'RCI AMEKT. j The pecuniary pu- 
niHiment of an offender, who Hands at 
the mercy of the king, or other lord in 
his court. Ccv.-tll. 

All amercements and fines that fliall be irnpoftd 
upon them, (hall come unto themfelves. 

Spc*fer'i State of InlarJ. 

AMES ACE. n.f. [a corruption of the word 
ambs ace, which appears, from very old 
authorities, to have been early foftened 
by omitting the .] Two aces on two 
dice. 

But then my ftudy xvas to cog the dice, 
And dext'roufly to throw the lucky fice : 
To Ihun amis ace, that fwept my (take., away ; 
And watch the box, for I'ear they Inould convey 
Falle bones, and put upon me in the play. 

/Jry.-lVr. 

A MESS. n.f. [corrupted from amice.] A 
prieft's veftment. Difl. 

AMETHO'DICAI.. adj. [from a and me- 
thod.} Out of .method ; without method ; 
irregular. 

A'METHYST. n.f. [au/SiT', contrary 
to wine, or contrary to drunkennefs ; 
fo called, either becaufe it is not quite 
of the colour of wine, or becaafe it was 
imagined to prevent inebriation.] 

A precious (lone of a violet colour, bordering on 
purple. The oriental wtlyjl is the hardtrit, 
fcarcc-fl, anO moft rateable ; it is ge:i.-;aily of a 
dove colour, l c are purple, and others 

white like the diamond. The C ,i vio- 

let colour, and the Spanilh are of three forts ; the 
beft are the'blackf.i .-rjare 

almoft quite \ tared with 

i, but 

, raid. 

E fhines apprcach-d 'h t -nna;c coi- 
ion; and U-\eiMl nearly u-i. 

;u3rtf. 

A'METHYST [in heraldry] fignifies the 
fame colour i;i a nobleman's coat, that 
furfure does in a gentleman's. 

AME THV'STINE. adj. [from amctbyjl.} 
Refembling an amethyll in colour. 

A kind of ametbyjiine flint, not compofed of 
cryftals or grains, but one entire mad')' ftone. 

A'MIABLE. adj. [aimaMe, Fr.] 
I. Lovely; pleafing. 

That which is good in the actions of men, doth 
not only delight as profitable, but as amiable alfo 



She told her, while fne kept it, 
'Twould nrike her amiable, fubdue my father 
Entirely to her love ; but if /he loft it, 
Or made a gift of it, my istlicr's eye 
Should hold her loathed. Slakiff. Otldia. 

2. Pretending love ; mewing love. 

Lay amiatle fiege to the honelty of this Ford's 
wife ; ufe your art of wooing. Sbakeffeari. 

A'MI ABLENESS. n.f. [fna smiatle.] The 

quality 






A M I 

quality c r being amiable; lovelinefs ; 
pc-,'- -ng love. 

. uural gaiety nnd av.iablctufi of 
-^ars ofT, they have notl. 

to ". I them, but tie by among the lumber 

nnj f th' fpectei. Addij'.n. 

A'MIAG.Y. aai/. [from. -nmiatls .~\ In an 
amiat.'.e manner ; ia fuch a manner as 
to excite love. 

A'MICABLE. adj. [amicatilii, Lat.] 
Friendly ; kind. It is commonly ufed 
of more than one ; as, they live in an 
amicable manner ; but we feldom fay, 
an amicable aftion, or an amicable man, 
though it be fo ufed in this paffage. 

grace ferene I oh virtue heav'nly fair, 
Divine oblivion of low-thoughted care ! 
Freih blooming hope, gay daughter of the Sty ! 
And faith, our early immortality ! 

Enter each mild, each amicablt gueft ; 
Receive and wrap me in eternal icrt. Pcff. 

A'MICABLENESS. n.f. [from amicable.} 
The quality of being amicable; friend- 
linefs ; goodwill. 

A'MICABLY. ad=v. [from amicable.} In an 
amicable manner ; in a friendly way ; 
with goodwill and concord. 

They fee 

Through the dun mift, in blooming beauty frefli, 
Two lovely ;outhl, that amictbly waikt 
O'er verdant meads, and pleas'd, perhapr, revolv'd 
Anna's late conquelts. PfUift. 

1 found my fubjech amicall) join 

To lelfen their cefecls, by citing mine. Fr'-.r. 
In Holland itfelr", where it is pretended that 
the variety of fec^s live fo amically together, it is 
notorious how a tuibulent partv, joining v 
Arminiar.s, did attempt to de(t:oy the rep 

'Ts Church ?f England Man, 
A'MICE. n.f. [amiftus, Lat. amifl, Fr. 
Pnmum ex/ex indumentii efi/cofn & fref- 
byteriis communibus funt, amiftuv alia, 
cingulum,ftola,mampulut, IS fluneia. Du 
Cange. slimclus quo collum Jiringitur, 
^ pelius tegitur, cajiita'.em iutcricris bo- 
minis dtfignat : ttgit enim cor, ne <vani- 
talei cogiiet ; jtringit autem collum, nt inde 
ad linguam tranfeai m ,:dacium. Bruno.] 
The firft or underraoft part of a prieil's 
habit, over which he wears the alb. 

'Ihus pals'd the _: fair 

Came lor.h < amice grey. 

Milt, 

On fome a pried, fuccinft in amice white, 
Attends. Popt. 

AMI'D. 1 prep, [from a and mid, or 
AMI'DST. J mifij}.} 
i. In the mid ft ; equally diilant from 
either extremity. 

Of the fruit 
Of e:/n tr in the garden we may 

if thi fm r tice a- 
,rden, Gc-d hath la;,!, ye lhall not cat. 

Milton. 

The two p--'-, the bagnio, and Donatelii's 
. duke, ar.i.lji the four (laves, 
chained to his j/c-cllai, are very noble fights. 

. AtUifm. 

Z. Mingled with; furrounded by ; in the 
ambit of another thing. 

irh wo- my voice - I 

And, but bewitch'J, wha ^ hii flock would moan > 

Sidn:j 

i:d the air encountfr'd fi 

I , . n;id fro with jjcjlarinn dire. Milter.. 
v ave I dvn;-, to name that wealthy fwain, 
// n;y cryltal dreams I bring, 

; blaft my flow'ry fpiing. 

Drjin, 



A M ! 

Amsta's bread the fury thus invades, 
And fires with rage amid the fylvan (hades. 

Ofjin. 
3. Amongft ; conjoined with. 

What tho* no real voice nor found 
Amid their radiant orts be found ? 
In reafon's ear they all rejoice, 
And utter forth a glorious voice, 
For evti- (inging, as they (line, 
" The hand that made us is divine." y. 

AMI'SS. aw. [from a, which, in this form 
of composition, often fignifies according 
to, and mife, the Englifh particle, which 
(hews any thing, like the Greek va.^., 
to be wrong, as, to mifcount, to count 
erroneoufly ; to mifiio, to commit a 
cr'iie: amij's therefore fignifies net right, 
or out of order.] 

1. Faulty ; criminal. 

For that which thou haft fworn to do amfi, 
Is yet arr.ifs, when it is truly done. 

Sbate'f. K'uigjcbr.. 

2. Faultily ; criminally. 

We hope therefore to reform ourftlves, if at 
any time we have done amift, is not to fever our- 
felves from the church we were of before. Heater, 

O ye powers that fearch 

The heart of man, and weigh his inmofr. thoughts, 
If' 1 have done amlfi, impute it not ! 

3. In an ill fenfe. 

She figh'd withal, they conftru'd all amifs, 
And thought (he wilh'd to kill who long'd M kit's. 

Fairfax. 

4. Wrong ; improper ; unfit. 

Examples have not generally the force of laws, 
which all men ought to keep, but of counfcls 
only ar.d pt'rluafions, not au:'iji to be followed by 
them, whnfe cafe is the like. Hooker. 

Methinks, though a man had all fciencc, and 
all principles, yet it mi^ht not be amifs '.o havj 
fome conscience. Tillatfon, 

5. Wrong; not according to the perfec- 
tion of the thing, whatever it be. 

Your kindred is nut much amifs, 'tis true ; 
Yet 1 am fumewhit better born than you. Dryd. 

\ buiit a wall, and when the malons played the 
kna.ei, nothing delighted me fn m ch n i 
by, while my fervants threw down what was ami/:. 

Swift. 

6. Reproachful ; irreverent. 

L, i, and language, which 

fprak any thing amijs a^ainft the God of Sha- 
drach, Mclhich, ar.J Abednego, lhall be cut in 
piece-, an'! lhall be made a dunghill; 

becaufe there is no other God that can 
afler this furt. Damd r iii. 29. 

7. Impaired in health; as, I was fome- 
what amifs yelterday, but am well to- 
day. 

8. Amifs is marked as an adverb, though 
it cannot always be adverbially render- 
ed ; becaufe it always follows the fub- 
ftantive to which it relates, contrary to 
the nature of adjcclives in Englilh ; 
and though we fay the afbion was amij's, 
we never fay an amij's aft ion. 

9. dmifs is ufed by Sbakcjpeare as a noun 
fubitantive. 

To my lick foul, as fin's true nature is, 
Each toy feems piologue to fome great amife. 

Hamlet. 

AMI'SSION. n.f. [amifia, Lat.] Lofs. 
To AMI'T. <v. a. \araitto, Lat.] To lofe : 
a word little in ufe. 

ke is water congealed by the frigidity of the 
air, whereby it acquirctli no new form, but rather 
a confidence or determination of its dirfiucncy, 
and amitutii not iu eflince, but condition of flui- 
dity, Brovjn'i Vulgar Errcurt, 



A M M 

A'MITY. ./. \amitie, Fr. amicitia, Lat.] 
Friendfhip, whether publick between 
nations, oppofed to 'v.-ar ; or among ths 
people, oppofed to difccrd; or between 
private perlbns. 

Tlio prophet David did think, that the very 
meeting of men together, ana their accompanying 
one another to the houfe of God, (hould iiiake 
the bund of their love insoluble, and tie them 
in a league of inviolable amity. Hooker. 

The monarchy of Great Britain was in league 
and amity with all the world. 

Sir Jtbn Damn on Ireland. 
You have a noble and a true conceit . 

Of godlike amity j which appears moft ftror.gly 
In bearing thus the abfence of your lord. Skakefp* 

And ye, oh Tyrians, wich immortal hate 
Purfue this racs, this fervice dedicate 
To my deplored afhes ; let there be 
'Twixt us and them no league nor an:ity, Dixbuvi. 

AMMO'NIAC. a, /. The name of a 
'drug. 

GUM AMMONIAC is brought from the Eafr, In- 
dies, and is furpofed to ooze from an umljcliifer- 
ous phut. Diol'corides lays, it is the juice nf a 
kind of ferula growing in Barbary, and the plant fs 
called agafyllis* I'liny calls the tree metofion t 
which, he lays, grows near the Temple of Jupiter 
Ammon, whence the gum takes its name. Ic 
ou^ht to be in dry drops, white within, yellowilh, 
without, eafily fufible, refmous, fomewhat bitter, 
and of a very (harp taflc and i'mell, fomewhat like 
garlick. This gum is faid to have fcrved the an- 
cients forincenle, in their facrifices. 

Sat/aiy, Trcvoux. 

SAL AMMONIAC is a volatile fait of two kinds, an- 
cient and modern. The ancient fort, defcribed 
by Pliny and Diofcorides, was a native fait, gene- 
rated in thofe large inns where the crowds of pil- 
grims, coming from the temple of Jupiter Ammoo, 
ul'ed to lodge ; who travelling upon camels, and 
thofe creatures in Cyrene, where that celebrated 
temple flood, mining in the (tables, or in the 
parched fands, out of this urine, which is remark- 
ably (trong, arofe a kind of fait, denominated fome- 
tinv/s from the temple, Ammoniac, and fometin.es 
from the country, Cyrtttiac. No m>TC of this falc 
is produced theiej and, from this deficiency, (bine 
fufpeft there never was any fuch thing : but tliis 
futpicion is removed, by the large quantities of jt 
fal', nearly of the fame nature, thrown out by 
mount /litna. 

The modern fal ammoniac is made in Egypt j 
wheie long-necked glals bottles, filled with loot, 
a little fea' fall, and the urine of cattle, and hav- 
ing their mouths luted with a piece of wet cotton, 
are placed over an oven or furnace, in a thick bed 
of alhcs, nothing but the necks appearing, and 
kept there two cays and a night, with a conti- 
nual flrong fire. The fleam fwells up die cotton, 
and forms a pafte at the vent-hole, hindering the 
faitj from evaporating ; which Hick to the top of 
the bottle, and aie tak.cn out in thofe large cakes, 
wh'idi chf-y fend to England. Only foot exhaled 
from dung, U the proper ingredient in this pre- 
paration ; and the dung of camels allbrds the 
ihongelt. 

Our chymifts imitate ihe Egyptian fal ammoniac, 
by adding one part of common fait to five of 
urine ; with which fome mix that quantity of 
foot, and putting the whole in a vellcl, they r.iifu 
from it, by fublimation, a white, friable, farina- 
ceous fubliance, which they call_/^/ amaicKuu, 

Chamber i, 

AMMONI'ACAL. adj. [from ammoniac.] 
Having the properties of ammoniac fait. 
Human blood calcined, yields no fixed fait ; 
nor is it a fal ammoniac ; for that remains im- 
mutable after repeated diftillations; and dilrilla- 
tion deltroys the ammvniafa/ quality of animal 
falti, and turns them alkaline : fo that it is a 
fait neither quite fixed, nor quite volatile, nor 
quite acid, nor quite alkaTnc, nor quite atnmom- 
acal ; but foft and benign, approaching neareft to 
the nature offal ammoniac, Arhuttm 

AMMU- 



A M O 

AMMUNI'TION. n.f. [fuppofed by fome 
to come from amonitio, which, in the 
barbarous ages, feems to have fignified 
fupply of provifion ; but it furely may 
be more reafonably derived from mu- 
tiitio, fortification ; chafes a munition, 
things for the fortrefles.] Military 
fores. 

They muft make themfelves defenfible againft 
ftringers ; and muft have the afiiftance of fome 
ble military man, and convenient arms and 
ammunition for their defence. Bacon. 

The colonel (laid to put in the ammunition he 
brought with him ; which was only twelve bar- 
rels of powder, and twelve hundred weight of 
match. Clarendon. 

All the rich mines of learning ranfackt are, 
To furnifli ammunition for this war. Dtnbatn. 

But now his (lores of ammunition fpent, 
His naked valour is his only guard : 

Rare thunders are from his dumb cannon fent, 
And folitary guns are fcarcely heard. Dryden. 

AMMUNITION BREAD, n.f. Bread for 
the fupply of the armies or garrifons. 

A'MNESTY. n.f [iumr'm.] An aft of 
oblivion ; an aft by which crimes a- 
gainft the government, to a certain 
time, are fo obliterated, that they can 
never be brought into charge. 

I never read of a law cnafted to take away the 
force of all laws, by which a man may fafely 
commit upon the lad of June, what he would 
infallibly be hanged for, if he committed it on 
the firft of July j by which the greateft criminals 
may efcape, provided they continue long enough 
5n power to anriquate their crimes, and, by 
ftifling them awhile, deceive the legiflature into 
an amrejly. Swift. 

AMNI'COLIST. n.f. [amnicola, Lat.] In- 
habiting near a river. Dicl. 

AMNI'CBNOUS. n.f. \amnigcnus, Lat.] 
Born of a river. Difl. 

jfMNION. 7 a. f. [Lat. perhaps from 

4'MNIOS. J ,.] 

The innermoft membrane with which the fcttus 
in the womb is mod immediately covered, anc 
with which the reft of the lecundines, the cho- 
rion, and ajantois, are ejefled after birth. It is 
whiter and thinner than the chorion. It alfo con- 
tains nutritious humour, feparate-i by glands for 
that purpofe, with which the fcctus is preserved. It 
U outwardly cloathed with the urinary membrane 
and the chori >n, which fometimes (lick fo clofc to 
one another, that they can fcarce be feparated. J 
has alfo its vefi'els from the fame origin as the cho- 

^MO-MUM, n.f. [Lat.] A fort of fru'n?' 

The commentators on Pliny and Diofcoiidcs fup- 
pofc it to be a fruit different from ours. The mo- 
dern anvmum appears to be theyf/cn of the ancients 
or bajlard flone-parjlcy. It refembles the mufca 
grape. This fruit is brought from the Ball In- 
dies, and makes part of treacle. It is of a hot 
fpicy tafte and fmcll. Trrvoux. Ctamitis 

AMO'NC. Ifref. [amans.jemanj, Sax- 

AMO'NGST. J on.] 

I. Mingled with; placed with other per- 

fons or things on every fide. 

Amon^p flrawberrics fow here and there fome 
borage-lecd ; and you (hall find the ftrawb^rric 
under thofe leaves far more large than their fel 
lows. Baton 

The voice of God they he 3rd, 
Now walking in the garden, by foft winds 
Brought to their ears, while day dcclin'd : they 

heard, 

And from his prefence hid themfelves, jnrrtr 
The thickeft trcis, both man and wifj. Mi/to* 

*. Conjoined with others, fo as to mak 
pan of the number. 



A M O 

I have then, as you fee, obferved the failings 
of many great wits amsitgfl the moderns, who 
have attempted to write an epic poem. Dryden. 

There were, among the olJ Roman (lutues, 
feveral of Venus in different pofturej and habits ; 
as there are many particular figures of her made 
after the fame defign. Addijon. 

A'MORIST. n.f. [from amour.] An ina- 
morato ; a gallant ; a man profeffing 
love. 

Female beauties are as fickle in their faces as 
their minds ; though cafuaitics ihould fparc them, 
age brings in a neceffity of decay ; leaving dotcr:- 
upon red and white perplexed by incertainty 
both of the continuance of their miftrefs's kind- 
nefs, and her beauty, both which are neceflary to 
the amorifl's joys and quiet. Boyle. 

JMORO'SO. n. f. [Ital.] A mart ena- 
moured. 



A'MOROUS. adj. [amorofo, Ital.] 
I . In love ; enamoured ; with the par- 
ticle of before the thing loved ; in 
Sbaktjpeart, on. 

Sure my brother is amcnus on Hero; and hath 
withdrawn her father to break with him about it. 

Sbakefptare. 

The am'rous mafter own'd her potent eyes, 
Sigh'd when he look'd, and trembled as he drew ; 
Each flowing line confinn'd his firft furprize, 
And as the piece advanc'd, the paflion grew. 

Prior. 

2. Naturally inclined to love ; difpofed to 
fondnefs ; fond. 

Apes, as foon as '.hey have brought forth their 
young, keep their ryes raftencd on them, and are 
never weary of admiring their beauty; fo amorous 
is nature o^whatfoever flie produces. 

DryJtn's Dufrefmy. 

3. Relating, or belonging to love. 

I that am not flnp'd for fportivc tricks, 
Nor made to court an amorous looking-giafr, 
I, that am rudely ftampt. Siateff. Rich. III. 

And into all things from her air infpir'd 
The fpirit of love, and amorous delight. Miltcn. 

In the amorous net 

Firft caught theylik'd; and each his liking chofe. 

Mdfjn. 

O ! how I long my carelefs limbs to lay 
Under the plantane's (hade, and all the day 
With anirous airs my fancy entertain, 
Invoke the mufes, and improve my vein ! Waller 

A'MOROUSLY.</<V. [from amorous.] Fond- 
ly ; lovingly. 

When thou wilt fwim in that live-bath, 
Each fim, which every channel hath, 
Will amortujly to thee fwim, 
Gladder to catch thee, than thou him. Donnr. 

A'MOROUSNESS. n. f. [from amorous.} 
The quality of being amo r ous ; fond- 
neis ; lovingnefs ; love. 

All Gynccis's aclions were interpreted by Bafi- 
lius, as proceeding from jealoufy of his amorouf- 
i;/i. Sidney 

Lindamor h.is wit, and amcrwfntfs enough tc 
make him find it more eafy to defend fair ladies, 
than to defend himlelf againll them. 

Boyle on Colours 

MfO'RT. adv. \a la mart, Fr.] In the 
Hate of the dead; dejefted ; deprefled ; 
fpiritlefs. 

How fares my Kate ? what, fweet'mg, all amort t 
Sbiik fp. 7 anting of the Shrew 

AMOR TI7. A'T ION. la./, [amort ijftment, 
AMO'RTIZEMENT.J amort ijjable, Fr. 

The right or aft of transferring lands 

to mortmain ; that is, to fome commu- 

nity, that never is to ceafe. 
Every one of the religious orders w.is confirmci 

by one pope or other; and thev made an elpecia 



AMP 

provlfion for them, ifter the lw 
were devlfed and put in ufe by princes. 

Ayliffe'i Parergon Jura Canonici. 

To AMO'RTIZE. -v. a. [amortir, Fr.] To 
alien lands or tenements to any corpo- 
ration, guild, or fraternity, and their 
fucccflbrs ; which cannot be done with- 
out licence of the king, and the lord of 
the manour. Blount, 

This did concern the kingdom, to have farms 
fufikient to maintain an able body out of penury, 
and to amortize part of the lands unto the yeo- 
manry, or middle part of the people. Zfarcff. 

To AMO'VE. <v. a. [amo-vec, Lat.] 
. To remove from a poll or Ration : a 
juridical fenfe. 

z. To remove ; to move ; to alter : a 
fenfe now out of ufe. 

Therewith, amoved trom his fober mood, 
And lives he yet, faid he, that wrought this afl ? 
And do the heavens afford him vital food ? 

Fairy <$uieit. 

At her fo piteous cry wai much amov'et 
Her champion ftout. Fairy S^uctn. 

To AMO'UNT. <v. n. [monttr, Fr.] 
I. To rife to in the accumulative quan- 
tity ; to compofe in the whole ; with 
the particle to. It is ufed of feveral 
fums in quantities added together. 

Let us compute a little more particularly how 
much this will amount to, or how many oceans 
of water would be neceflary to compole this great 
ocean rowling in the air, without bounds or banks. 
BurneCs Theory. 

z. It is ufed, figuratively, of the confe- 
quence rifing from any thing taken al- 
together. 

The errours of young men are the ruin of bufi- 
nefs i but the errours of aged men amount but to 
this, that more might have been done, or fooner. 



, 

Judgments that are made on the wrong fide of 
the d.nger, cmount to no more than an afteftatica 
of (kill, withou; either credit or effect. 

L'Eftrange. 

AMO'UNT. n.f. [from To amount.] The 
fum total ; the refult of feveral fums or 
quantities accumulated. 

And n>w, ye lying vanities of life, 
Where are you now, and what is your amount f 
Vexation, di (appointment, and rcmorfe. Ttcmftm. 
AMO'UR. n.f. [amour? Fr. amor, Lat.] An 
affair of gallantry ; an intrigue : gene- 
rally ufed of vitious love. The ou 
founds like oo in poor. 

No man is of fo general and difFufive a lufr, as 
to profccute his amours all the world over; and 
let it burn never fo outragcoufly, yrt the impure 
flame will either die of itfelf, or confumc the body 
that harbours it. Sutti. 

The reltlcfs youth fe.irch'd all the world around} 
But how can Jove in his amours be found ? 

AAKJL*. 

A'MPER. n.f. [amppe, Sax.] A tumour, 
with inflammation ; bile : a word faid, 
by Skinner, to be much in ufe in EfTex ; 
but, perhaps, not found in books. 
AMPHI'BIOUS. adj. [in<p, and /Si..] 
l. That which partakes of two natures, fo 
as to live in two elements ; as, in air 
and water. 

A creature of antfhithui nature, 
Onhnd a bcift, a filh in water. Iludihrai. 

Thffe ate c.-illcd amfbitiait, which live ficely 
in the air, upon th- earth, and yet arc obferved to 
live ling u,]>orj water, as ir they were natur.il in- 
habitants of that clement; t.iough it be worth 
the examination to know, whether any of thofe 
creatures that live at cafe, and by choke, a good 

while. 



AMP 

wViiir, er j any time, upon the earth, ean live, a 

Ions time together, perfeftly under water. Locii. 

Fifiies contain much oil, and amfkilbu: animals 

partitipate fomewhat of the nature of fifties, md 

are oily. strbutknt. 

2. Of a mixt nature, in allufion to ani- 
jnals that live in air and water. 

Train > f amfbi&t ." breed, 
Mochv r uic or mungrel fceqif 
By i S S 0> run t> 

By the lire exhafd from dung. Sierft. 

AM PH I'BIOUSNESS. n.f. [from 

&C.YJ.] The quality of being able to 
live in different elements. 

AM P H I BO LO'G i c A I, . adj. [from amphibo- 
logy."^ Doubtful. 

AMPHIBOLO'GICALI.Y. adv. [from am- 
phibological.] Doubtfully ; with a doubt- 
ful meaning. 

AMPHIBG'LOGY. n. f. [l^&Xyi : ] 
Dii'courfe of uncertain meaning. It is 
di-.iinguilhed from equivocation, which 
means the double fignitkation of a fingle 
word; as, xtiirtftin occidere timere to- 
num eft, is amphibclogy ; captate leports, 
meaning, by lepares, either hares or jefts, 
is equivocation. 

.. the fallacies, whereby men deceive others, 
and arc deceived thcmfeives, the ancients have 
divided into verbal and real ; of the verbal, and 
j; conclude from miftakes of the word, there 
rc but two worthy our notation ; the fallacy of 
equivocation, and amfi: 

Brwrfi Vulgar J 

He that affirm'd, 'gainll feme, fnow black to be, 
M c .'it prove it by 
Tilings are not what they feem. 

Pirfti on Cltsveland. 

In defining obious appearances, we are to ufe 
what is molt plain and eafy ; that the mind be not 
mified by amtbihl'.fits into fallacious deductions. 



AMPHI'BOLOUS. adj. [*u.$' and *'> .v. 1 
Tofled from one to another ; linking 

each way. 

fuch an amptitoljus quarr-l- 
bolhpartie. -r,felves ;oi 

making ufe of his name in all their remon:' 
to juftify tii 

AMPHI'I.OGY. n. J. [^'*i and >wy-.] 
Equivocation ; ambiguity. Difi. 

jlMPHISBjE'Nji: n.f. [Lt.ii 

A fcrpent fuppofed to have two heads, 
and by confeqaence to move with ^ 
foremoft. 

nrr.pb'Jtirr.a, that is, a fmaller k'nd 
off- , h forward and ba . 

hat! ; v -'as af- 

firmed by Nicaadcr, and nth . 

Knvint Vulgar F.rrnri. 



nion, and afp, 



ft 



'. n.f. [Lat. i^x.o., of 

. 

.malts, wlit-rci'. 

dows, at different times of the year, 
; to the north 'pole, when 
the fun is in \\\-. lojthcrn fig.is ; and. to 
thj fouta pole, w) '.-n hx is in t!.. 

the, -arc the pcoi 

-, , * 

inhabit tnc torria zo 

A - ' r r 

AMPHITHEATRE. ./. [of *f3iOjT{'.>, 

of uutfi and Siao^.ai.] A building in a 

circular or oval form, having its area 

mpaffed wiih rows of feats one a- 

Love another ; where fpc'ftators' mifeht 

VOL. J. 



AMP 

behold fpectacles, as ftage-plays, or 
gladiators. The theatres of the an- 
cients were built in the form of a femi- 
circle, only exceeding a juft femicircie 
by one fourth part of the diameter ; 
and the amphitheatre is two theatres 
joined together ; fo that the longcii 
diameter of the amphitneatre was to the 
fhbrteft, as one and a half to one. 

Within, an amfbilixatrc appear' d 
Rais'd in degrees ; tj lixcy paces rear'd, 
That when a man \va^ p'ac'd in one degree, 
Height w.is allow'd for him above to fee. Dryden. 

Conjci\e u m.in pi-iced in the burning iron 
chair at Lyons, amid the h:!u]ts and mockeries of 
a crowded atjifii:' 'i:l keeping his feat; 

or ftretched upon a ^i att: of iron, over coah of.fire^ 
and breathing out ais foul aimng the exquifice 
fuffcrings of fuch a tedious execution, rather than 
renounce his religion, or blafphcme his Saviour. 

jfauijorti 
A'MPLE. adj. \amplus, Lat.] 

1. Large; wide; extended. 

Heav'n defcendj 

In univerfal bounty, iheddmg herbs, 
And fruits, and flowers, on Nature's ample lap. 

f lb6mfon. 

z. Great in b'llk. 

Did your letters pierce the tjueen to any dcmon- 
ftiation of grief ? 

She took *em, and read 'em in myprefence, 
And now and then an ample tear triH'd down 
Her delicate cheeks. Sbakeff. King Liar. 

3. Unlimited ; without reftridlion. 

HJVC what you alk, your prefents I receive; 
Land where and when you pk'afe, with ample leave.j 

Drydtn. 

4. Liberal ; large ; without parfimony. 

If we fpcak of Uriel juflice, God could no \va; 
have been bound to requite man's labours in fo 
large and ample manner as human felicity doth 
import ; in as much as the dignity of this exceed- 
eth fo far the other's value. liockfi. 

^. Magnificent ; fplendid. 

To difpofe the prince the more willingly to un- 
dertake his relief, the earl made <:r 

. 'A'i'.hin fo many daj=, .it; 11, mid be 

i, he would advance his highnelVi levies with 
two th.mfand men. Clarence*. 

6. Diffufive ; not contracted ; as, an am- 
ple narrative, that is, not an epitome. 
A'MPLE NESS. n.f. [from ample. ] The qua-, 
iirr of being ample ; largenefs ; fplcn- 
do'ur. 

rmpr.fntl" it ;s for a pcrfi-n of .my j 

y,iii bear. Sontb.^ 

ToA'MPLiATE. v. a. \_ainftlio, Lat.] To 

enlarge ; to make greater ; to extend. , 

He ftall icok vipon it, r-)t to traduce or esctc-f 

. lain and dil- 

h::. 

'. !0". n.f, [fpom finij /.,(/..] 
iL-a; ; c.-.-i'.fcgeratlori :' ext'en- 

i'it of an (imp*, t'jn, but 

to be rcSrained and intc: : :;.ildelf 

sl)!'iffe'i Parergvn. 

2. DifFbfenefs ; en]a>genient. " 

. 'Ujt.c't, anil ill" prr ' 

, ny pic?J ex-, 
ih.-t may be , 

1", niyleif p] 

To f^Mf\.ific\Ti..t>.a.\_amplifico, Lat.] 
To enlarge; tofpreadout; to amplify. 

DiSl. 

A M P 1. 1 1- i c A'T i o N . n. f. [amplification, 
Fr. 



AMP 

i. Enlargement; extenfion. 

z. It is ufually taken in a rhetorical fenfe, 
and implies exaggerated reprefentation, 
or diffufc narrative ; an image height- 
ened beyond reality ; a narrative en- 
larged with many circumftances. 

I ihall fummarily, without any amplifcalhn at 
all, {hew in what manner defects have been fup- 
rl cd. Dai-lei. 

'I hings unknown feem greater than they are, 
and are ufually received with ampIrfcat'Kmi above 
their nature. Bn-J}n'i Vulgar E: rur:. 

Is the poet juftifiable for relating fuch incredibltr 
amflificaticni f It may be anfwered, it he had put 
thcle extravagances into the mouth of Ulyffes, he 
had been unparuonable ; but they fuit well the 
characler of Alcinous. Fafc. 

A'MPLIFIER.?;./ [from To amplify.] One 
that enlarges any thing ; one that ex- 
aggerates ; one that reprefeuts any 
thing with a large difplay of the bell 
circumftances ; it being ufually taken 
in a good fenfe.. 

Dorillaus could need no amflifcr's mouth for 
the higheft .point of praife. . Sidney. 

TsA'viPLlFY. v. a. [amplifier, Fr.] 
I . To enlarge ; to increafe any material 
fubftance, or objeft of fenfe. 

So when a gtcat moneyed man hath divided his 
cbeits, and coins, and bags, he feemeth to hirn- 
felf richer than he was : and therefore a way to 
amplify any thing, is to break it, and to make 
anatomy of it in feveral parts, and to examine it 
according to the fcvcral circumrtances. JBacort* 

All concaves that proceed from more narrow to 
more 'broad, do amplify the found at the coming 
out. Bacon, 

z. To enlarge, or extend any thing in- 
corporeal . 

As the reputation of the Roman prelates grew 
up in thcfc blind ages, fo grew up in them withal 
a defire of amplifying their power, that they might 
be as great in temporal forces, as men's opinion! 
have fcrmcd them in fpiritual matters. Kaliigt. 

3. To exaggerate any thing; to enlarge 
it by the manner of reprefentation. 

'I l:y general is my lover; I have been ' 
The book of his yood ac"ls; whence men have read 
His fame unparailel'd, haply awflififrl. Sbatcfp. 

Since 1 have plainly laid open the negligence 

and errours of every age that is part, I would not 

m to (litter the prelent, by amplifying 

the diligence and true judgment of thole fervi- 

tours th.:t iiavc laboured in this vineyard. Daisies. 

4. To enlarge ; to improve by new addi- 
tions. 

In parnphrafe the author's words are not ftriflly 
followed, his fenfe too is amplified but not al- 
tered, as Waller's trand.ition of Virgil. Drydtn. 

I feel age advancing, and my health is infuffi- 

cient to increafe and amplify thele remarks, to 

conijnn and.improve thefe rules, and to illuminate 

s. Wattt. 

To A'MPLIFY. f. n. Frequently with the 
particle on. 

1 . To fpeak largely in many words ; to 
lay one's felf out in diffufion, 

When yiu ?ffeil t>> amplify on the former 

branskes of a difenuifc, you will uftxn lay a necrf- 

, on yuu.'tlf u," c')r.lracli;ig the latter, and 

.li'.-lf in the moll important part of 

|< : . If'aln'i Lvgiit, 

2. To form large or pompous reprefenw- 

tions. 

An excellent medicine for the (tone might be 
conceived, by amplifying apprehenfions ab'.c to 
break a diamond. i'rcwn'i 1'ulgar Errcun. 

1 ii.v.c fomctimes been furced to amplify en 
others: l.ut here, where the 1'ubjecl <> fo fruitful. 



AMP 

the harveft overcome! the reaper, I am 
&orr<ncd by my chVm. Dryrlin, 

Homer emf/ijiii, not invents ; and as there 
ally a people called Cyclopeans, fo they 
might be men of great Mature, or giants. 

A'M p L i T u D E. n.f. [amplitude, Fr. amfli- 
tudo, Lat.] 

1. Extent. 

Whatever I look upon, within the atr.flitudt of 
heaven and earth, is evidence of human ignorance. 

Clanvillc. 

2. Largenefs ; greatoefs. 

Men Ihould learn how lf\cre a thing the true 
inquifuion of nature is, and accuirom themfelvcs, 
by the light of particulars, to enlarge their minds 
to the cixplitudc of the world, and not reduce the 
world to the narrownefs of their minds. Rj^cr:. 

3. Capacity; extent of intellectual facul- 
ties. 

With more than human gifts from heav'n 

adorn'd, 

Pcrfeftiojib abfolute, graces divine, 
And amflimtle of mind to greawft deeds. Mi/Icn. 

4. Splendour ; grandeur ; dignity 

In the great frame of kingdoms and common-, 
wealths, it is in the power of princes, or eftates, 
to :od amftaudi and greatnefs to their kingdams. 

Succn's EJfiyt. 

5. Copioufnefs ; abundance. 

You flxould fay every thing which has a proper 
and direct tendency to this end ; always propor- 
tioning the ampHtuje of your matter, and the tul- 
nefs of your difcourfej to your great defign j the 
length of your time, to the convenience of your 
hear T . ff'\uts's Logick. 

6. Amplitude of the range of a pryeftile, 
denotes the horizontal line fubtending 
the path in which it moved. 

7. Amplitude, in ailronomy, an arch of 
the horizon, intercepted between the 
true eaft and weft point thereof, and 
the centre of the fun or ftar at its rifing 
or fetting. It is eaftern or ortive, when 
the Rar riles ; and weftern or occUuous 
when the ftar fets. The eaitern or wef 
tern amplitude are alfo called northern 
or fouthern, as they fall in the northern 
or foaihern quarters of the horizon. 

8. Miignetical amplitude is an arch of the 
horizon contained between the fun at his 
rifing, and the eaft or weft point of the 
compafs ; or, it is the difference of the 
riling or letting of the fun, from the 
eail or welt parts of the compafs. 

Chambers 

A'M PLY. ad<v. [ampli, Lat.] 

I. Largely ; liberally. 

For whcfe well-being, 
Sn ififlj, and with hands fo liberal, 
Then ha!> ?r,r.'dcd all things. Afi/tcn 

The evidence they had before was enough 
firfly enough, to convince them ; but they wt.; 
ed not to be convinced : and to thofe, wh 
re refolved not to be convinced, all motives, a 
arguments, ar equal. Atttrbury 

Z. At large ; without referve. 

At return 

Of him fo lately prom's'd to thy aid, 
The woman's feed, obfcurely then foreroM, 
>u w an f far known, thy Saviour, and thy Lord, 

Mtk 

3. At large; copioufly ; with JL diffufiv 
detail. 

Some parts of a poem require to be amply writ 
ten, 3T:J wi'li all the force and elegance ot words 
others muft be eaft- into fliadows; that is, pafl'c 
over in fileece, or but faintly touched. 

' 



AMU 

To A'MPUTATE. <v. a. [amfute, Lat.] 
To cut off a limb : a word. ufed only in 

chirurgery. 

; mgft. the crullers, it wa .', that 

I'.irgeons were too aliivc i frac- 

tartA member?. "rjrrv. 

MPUTA'TION. /. f. [amfuta'ic, Lat.] 
The operation of cutting oil" A limb, or other 
part of the body. The ufual method or' perform- 
ing it, in the inftnce qf a leg, is ;s follows. The 
proper part for the operation being four or five 
inches below the knee, the fkin and flefli are ri:fl 
to be drawn very tight upwards, and fecured irom 
returning by a ligature two or three fingers broad : 
above' this ligature another Joofe one is pafied, for 
thi ijripe; which being twifted by me.ins of a (lick, 
may be ftraitened to any degree at plc.ifurc. Then 
the patient being conveniently fitu.-.tcd, anu the 
operator placed to the infuie of the limb, which is 
to be held by one afliftant above, and another be- 
low the part defigned fur the operation, and the 
gripe fufficiently twifted to prevent too large an 
haemorrhage, the flcfh is, with a ftroke or two, to 
be fcparatcd from the bone with the difmembering 
knife. Then the perioftium being alfo divided 
from the bone with the back of the knife, law 
the bone a/under, with as few ftrokes as portible. 
.When two parallel bones are concerned, the ll.-ih 
that grows between them muft likewife be fepa- 
rated before the ufe of the faw. This being done, 
:ipe maj be flackened, to give an opportunity 
of fearching for the large blood veflels, and lecuring 
the haemorrhage at their mouths. After making 
proper applications to the Itump, loofen the firlr 
ligature, and pull both the Ikin and the tlefh, as far 
as conveniently may be, over the (lump, to cover 
it; and fecure them with the crofs ftitch made at 
the depth of half or three quarters of an inch in 
'the flcin. Then apply pledgets, aftringents, plaif- 
ters, and other neceffaries. Cta*il,tn. 

The Amazons, by the aafutat'an of their right 
breaii, had the freer ufe of their bow. 

Brown's Vulgar F.rrours. 

A'MULET. n.f. \_amuhtte, Fr. amuletum, 
or amoletum, quod malum araolttur, Lat.] 
An appended remedy, or prefervative ; a 
thing hung about the neck, or any other 
part of the body, for preventing or cur- 
ing of fome particular difeafes. 

That fpirits are cjrporeal, feeroi at firfV. view 
a conceit derogative unto himfclf ; yet herein he 
eftabiifneth the doftrine of hirtrations, amulets, 
and charms. Brtnun's Vulgar Ernurs. 

They do not certainly know the fatfity of what 
they report ; and their ignorance muft ferve you 
as an amulet againft the guilt both of deceit and 
malice. Government af the Tctguf 

AMURCO'SITY. n.f. [amurca, Lat.] _The 
quality of lees or mother of any thing. 



To AMU'SE. v. a. [amufer.FT.] 

1. To entertain with tranquillity ; to fil 
with thoughts that engage the mind 
without dillrafting it. To divert im- 
plies fomething more lively, and t( 
pleafe, fomething more important. I 
is therefore frequently taken in a fenfe 
bordering on contempt. 

They think they fee vilions, and are arrived t 
fome extraordinary revelation*, j when, indeed 
they do but dream dreams, and emuje themfclve 
with the fantallick ideas of a bufy imagination. 

Decay of Piety 

I cannot think it natural for a man, who i 
much in love, to amuft himl'elf with trifle'. Waljh 

2. To draw on from time to time ; t( 
keep in expectation, ; as, he amufed hi 
followers with idle promifes. 

AMU'SEMENT. n.f. [amufement,'Pi.'] Tha 
which amufes ; entertainment. 
Every intereft or plcafwrt of life, even the JIJO.1 



ANA 

trifling anufement, is fuffered to portpone the one 

thing ncceii- Rogtrt. 

During k'.s confinement, his atKuf.-mcr.t was t 

give p j:loi> to dogs and cats, and Ice them cxrire 

b) flower or quicker torments. P ft. 

1 was If ft to ( : and the battle, while othrrs, wLo 

nadbrf '.h. . tight k no un- 

pleafan? timufemer.t to look on with ( <fety, whilft 

another was giving thun divcifion at the h.i* id uf 

Svftft. 

AMU'SER. . / \amufeur, Fr.] He that 
amufes, as with falfe promifes. The 
French word is always taken in an ill 
fenfe. 

L.MU'SIVE. adj. [fromamufe.] That which 
has the power of amufmg, I know not 
that this is a current word. 

But amaz'd, 

Beholds th' emtifve arch before him fly, 
Then vaniih quite away. Tlsmfcx. 

AMY'GDALATE. adj. [amygdala, Lau} 
Made of almonds. 

A.MY'GDALINE. adj. [amygdala, Lat.] 
Relating to almonds ; relembling al- 
monds. 

AN. articls. [ane, Saxon ; un, Dutch; tint, 
German.] The article indefinite, ufed 
before a vowel, or b mute. See A. 
. One, bnt with lefs emphafis ; as, there 
Hands a houfe. 

Since he cannot be always employed in /ludy, 
reading, and converfation, there will be many en 
hour, beiideswhat hisexercifes will take up. Lccke. 

1. Any, or fome ; as, an elephant might 
fwim in this water. 

He was no way at an uncertainty, nor ever in the 
Icaft at a lofs concerning any branch of it. Ltckc. 

A wit 's a feather, and a chief a rod, 
An honcft man 's the nobleft workof God. Pope. 

;. Sometimes it fignifies, like a, fome par- 
ticular ftate ; but this is now difufed. 

It is certain that odours do, in i mull degree, 
nourifli ; efpccially the odour of wine j and we 
fee men en hungred e!o love to fmvll hot bread. 

[.. An is fometimes, in old authors, a con- 
traftion of and if. 

He can't flatter, he ! 

An honeft mind and plain ; he mnft fpeak truth, 
An they will take it, fo ; if not, he's plain. Shateff. 

5. Sometimes a contraction of and before 

Well I know 

The clerk will ne'er wear hair on 's face that had it. 
He w'll an [/"he live to be a man. Soatejf. 

6. Sometimes it is a contraction of as if. 

My next pretty correfpondent, like Shake- 
fpearc's lion in Pyramus and Thiibe, roars an' it 
were any nightingale, Addifcn, 

A'NA. adv. [<.] A word ufed in the 
prefcriptions of phyfick, importing the 
like quantity ; as, wine and honey, a 
or ana 3 ii ; that is, of wine and honey 
each two ounces. 

In the fame weight innocence and prudence 

take, 
jtna of each does the juft mixture make. Co-ieley. 

He'll bring an apothecary with a chargeable long 
bill of anat. Drydcn. 

A'NA. n.f. Books fo called from the laft 
fyllablea of their titles ; as, Scaligerana, 
'Thuaniana ; they are loofe thoughts, or 
cafual hints, dropped by eminent men, 
and collefted by their friends. 

ANACA'MPTICK. adj. [*>ait<x/x7rV.] Re- 
flefting, or reflefted : an anacamptick 

found, 



ANA 



found, an echo ; an anacamptkk hill, a 
hill that produces an echo. 

ANACA'MPTICKS.