PREFACE

TO THE REVISED EDITION.

In laying before the public a revised edition of this work, the fruit of nearly three years of care and attention, the editor will be expected to give some brief account of the principles on which he has conducted the revision, and the results of his labors as exhibited in the present

volume.

The plan of this abridgment, as made under the author's direction in 1829, by JOSEPH E. WORCESTER, Esq., of Cambridge, Mass., is thus stated in the original preface: "The leading and most important etymologies, as given in the quarto edition, are here retained. The definitions remain unaltered, except by an occasional compression in their statement. All the significations of words as exhibited in the larger work are here retained, but the illustrations and authorities are generally omitted. In doubtful or contested cases, however, they are carefully retained." In accordance with this plan, Dr. Webster directed the additions and alterations of the larger work, in the edition of 1840, to be inserted in this abridgment. This was done at the time, as far as possible, by means of an appendix; and is now more perfectly accomplished by carrying all the improvements then made, into their proper places in the body of the work. The subsequent improvements of the larger work, down to the period of the author's death, have also been introduced, in substance, into this edition, under the heads to which they belong. The present revision has been extended equally to both the works, and the results have been embodied in each, on the principles stated above, in their due proportion. By these successive revisions a very great amount of valuable matter has been added to this abridgment. It is now made, in all important respects, consistent with the larger work, and is designed to present, on a reduced scale, a clear, accurate, and full exhibition of the AMERICAN DICTIONARY in all its parts.

One new feature is now added to this volume, by making it a SYNONYMOUS DICTIONARY. Every one engaged in literary composition has felt, at times, the want of such a work; a work not intended, like Crabb's, to discriminate nicely between the shades of meaning in similar terms, but to present, under each of the important words, an extended list of others having the same general import, out of which a selection may be made according to the exigencies of the case. Carpenter's Comprehensive Dictionary of English Synonyms was designed to supply this want, but is far too meager. The only extensive work of this kind is Perry's Synonymous Dictionary, which is now entirely out of print, and is, likewise, too exclusively synonymous, and too much behind the progress of our language, to answer the purposes of a defining dictionary. An attempt is here made to combine the advantages of Carpenter and Perry with that fullness and accuracy of definition which are essential, at the present day, in a complete dictionary of the English language. Under each of the important words, all others having the same general signification are arranged together, except in cases where they have been previously exhausted in framing the definitions. This arrangement, it is hoped, will be found of frequent use even to those who are practiced in composition; while it will afford important aid to young writers in attaining grace, variety, and copiousness of diction.

The chief value of a dictionary consists in its definitions, in giving a clear, full, and accurate exhibition of all the various shades of meaning which belong, by established usage, to the words of a language. It is in this respect especially, that Dr. Webster's Dictionary has been generally considered superior to every other, both of this country and of England. To this point, therefore, the labors of the editor have been mainly directed. No efforts have been spared to obtain the most recent and valuable works, not only in lexicography, but in the various departments of science and the arts embraced in the AMERICAN DICTIONARY. As these subjects are in a state of continual progress, every important word, in its various applications, has been diligently examined and compared with the statements made on each topic by the latest and most approved authorities. Smart's English Dictionary, in the edition of 1846, has been carefully collated with this work, and also the unfinished one in a course of publication by Gilbert, so far as the numbers have appeared. Reference has, likewise, constantly been made to Richardson's Dictionary, although this had been previously examined by Dr. Webster, and also to the Analytical Dictionary of Booth. Each Literature and Art, has been collated with the corresponding portions of this dictionary, as of the articles in Brande's Encyclopedia of Science, the starting point, when necessary, of investigation in larger treatises. The Penny Cyclope dia has been consulted at every step, especially in matters of science; and the Encyclopedia Americana (based on the German Conversations-Lexikon) has been relied upon, particularly on

subjects of continental literature, philosophy, history, arts, &c. In order to secure greater accuracy, numerous special dictionaries, or vocabularies confined to some single department, have also been collated with this work, and the ablest treatises on important branches of science and art, have been diligently examined. In architecture, the chief reliance has been placed on the Oxford Glossary of Architecture (1845), and the Encyclopedia of Architecture (1842), by Gwilt, author of the articles on this subject in Brande's Encyclopedia. In agriculture, Johnson's Farmer's Encyclopedia (1844), and Gardner's Farmer's Dictionary (1846), have been chiefly used. In general antiquities, the large treatise of Fosbroke has been frequently consulted, while in classical antiquities the principal reliance has been placed on the recent dictionary of Smith (1846), as a work of the highest authority. In respect to the antiquities of the Church, the elaborate work of Coleman (1841) has been often referred to; and Hook's Church Dictionary (1844) has been collated throughout, with reference to the rites, ceremonies, vestments, &c., of the Church of England, and also of the Roman Catholic and Greek Churches. In botany, use has principally been made of the writings of Lindley and Loudon. In natural history, Partington's British Cyclopedia of Natural History (1835-7) and Jardine's Naturalist's Library (1834-43) have been much consulted, in connection with the articles on this subject in the Penny Cyclopedia and similar works. In geology, mineralogy, and some associated branches of natural history, Humble's Dictionary of terms in these departments (1840), has been compared with this work throughout. In respect to mercantile subjects, banking, coins, weights, measures, &c., M'Culloch's Commercial Dictionary (1845) has been collated at every step, as the standard work on these subjects. In manufactures and the arts, Dr. Ure's Dictionary of Manufactures, Arts, and Mines, with its Supplement (1845), has been relied upon as of the highest authority. In engineering and mechanical philosophy, Hebert's Engineer's and Mechanic's Cyclopedia (1842) has been carefully collated, and constant reference has been made to the more popular and recent dictionaries of Francis, Grier, and Buchanan, in the editions of 1846. In seamanship, the Dictionary of Marine Terms, in Lieut. Totten's Naval Text-book (1841), has been taken as a guide. In military affairs, the dictionary of Campbell (1844) has been followed, in connection with the more extended articles contained in Brande and the Penny Cyclopedia, on the kindred topics. In the fine arts, much use has been made of the dictionary of Elmes. In domestic economy, the Encyclopedia of Webster and Parkes on this subject ect (1844), has furnished important statements on a great variety of topics, presented for the first time in a scientific form; and to this has been added Cooley's Cyclopedia of Practical Receipts (1846), as exhibiting much collateral information in respect to the arts, manufactures, and trades. Such, in general, are the authorities which have been relied on in this revision.

But it is obviously impossible for any one mind to embrace, with accuracy, all the various departments of knowledge which are now brought within the compass of a dictionary. Hence arise most of the errors and inconsistencies which abound in works of this kind. To avoid these as far as possible, especially in matters of science, the editor first made an arrangement with Dr. JAMES G. PERCIVAL, who rendered very important assistance to Dr. Webster in the edition of 1828, to take the entire charge of revising the scientific articles embraced in this work. This revision, however, owing to causes beyond the control of either party, was extended to but little more than two letters of the alphabet; and the editor then obtained the assistance of his associates in office, and of other gentlemen in various professional employments. To these he would now return his acknowledgments for the aid they have afforded. The articles on law have been collated with Blackstone and Bouvier's Law Dictionary, by the Hon. ELIZUR GOODRICH, formerly Professor of Law in Yale College, and the errors discovered, which were few in number, have been carefully corrected. The departments of ecclesiastical history and ancient philosophy have been thoroughly revised by the Rev. JAMES MURDOCK, D.D., late Professor in the Andover Theological Seminary, who has furnished, in many instances, new and valuable definitions. The terms in chemistry have been submitted to Prof. SILLIMAN, of Yale College, and whatever changes were requisite in the explanations, have been made under his direction. In the departments of anatomy, physiology, medicine, botany and some other branches of natural history, Dr. Webster received assistance, in the revision of 1840, from Dr. WILLIAM TULLY, late Professor in the Medical Institution of Yale College. Still further aid has been received from the same source in the present revision, and much of the accuracy of the work in these branches, will be found owing to the valuable assistance he has thus afforded. On topics connected with Oriental literature, aid has frequently been obtained from Prof. GIBBS, of Yale College. A part of the articles on astronomy, meteorology, and natural philosophy, in the edition of 1828, passed under the revision of Prof. OLMSTED, of Yale College. This revision has now been extended to all the articles on these subjects throughout the work, and new definitions have been furnished in numerous instances. The definitions in mathematics, after having been compared with those given in the dictionaries of Hutton or Barlow, have been submitted to Prof. STANLEY, of Yale College, and the alterations have in all cases been made under his direction. In the sciences of geology and mineralogy, a thorough revision of the whole volume has been made by JAMES D. DANA, Esq., Geologist and Mineralogist of the United States Exploring Expedition, and associate editor of the American Journal of Sciwhich has greatly enhanced the value of the work. In practical astronomy and the science of entomology, aid has been frequently received from EDWARD C. HERRICK, Esq., Librarian of Yale College. The articles on painting and the fine arts have, to a great extent, passed under the inspection of NATHANIEL JOCELYN, Esq., Painter, of New Haven, and new definitions have, in many cases, been furnished.

A correspondence has likewise been carried on with literary friends in England, and especially with one of the contributors to the Penny Cyclopedia, with a view to obtain information on certain points, in respect to which nothing definite could be learned from any books within the reach of the editor. Extended lists of words have been transmitted for examination, and returned with ample notes and explanations. Much obscurity has thus been removed in regard to the use of terms which have a peculiar sense in England, especially some of frequent occurrence at the universities, in the circles of trade, and in the familiar intercourse of life. To the friends who have given their assistance in these various departments, the editor would return his cordial thanks. Whatever improvement the work may have gained from this revision in respect to clearness, accuracy, and fullness of definition, is to be ascribed, in a great degree, to the aid which they have thus afforded.

With regard to the insertion of new words the editor has felt much hesitation and embarrassment. Some thousands have been added in the course of this revision, and the number might have been swelled to many thousands more without the slightest difficulty. There is at the present day, especially in England, a boldness of innovation on this subject, which amounts to absolute licentiousness. A hasty introduction into our dictionaries of new terms nder such circumstances, is greatly to be deprecated. Our vocabulary is already encumbered with a multitude of words which have never formed a permanent part of English literature, and it is a serious evil to add to their number. Nothing, on the contrary, is so much needed as a thorough expurgation of our dictionaries in this respect, -the rejection of many thousands of words which may properly find a place in the glossaries of antiquarians, as a curious exhibition of what has been proposed, but never adopted, as a part of our language, but which, for that reason, can have no claim to stand in a dictionary designed for general use. All words, indeed, which are necessary to an understanding of our great writers, such as Bacon, Spenser, Shakspeare, &c., ought, though now obsolete, to be carefully retained; and in the present revision a considerable number of this class have been introduced for the first time. Other words have likewise been admitted to a limited extent, namely, the familiar terms of common life in England, which have been much used of late by popular writers in Great Britain. Many of these need to be explained for the benefit of readers in this country; and if marked as "familiar," "colloquial," or "low," according to their true character, they may be safely inserted in our dictionaries, and are entitled to a place there, as forming a constituent part of our written and spoken language. One of the most difficult questions on this subject, relates to the introduction of technical and scientific terms. Most of our general dictionaries are at present without any plan, as to the extent and proportion in which such words should be inserted; nor can they ever be reduced to order until each department is revised by men of science, who are intimately acquainted with the subjects, and who are competent to decide what terms ought to be admitted into a general dictionary, and what terms should be reserved for special dictionaries devoted to distinct branches of science. Something of this kind, on a limited scale, has been attempted in the progress of this revision. Lists of words have been obtained from the gentlemen mentioned above, which might properly be inserted in this volume, and very few terms of this class have been admitted except under their direction. In accordance with their advice, a small number have been excluded, but in this respect the editor has not felt at liberty to carry out his views in their full extent.

With regard to Americanisms properly so called, it is known to those who are conversant with the subject, that they are less numerous than has generally been supposed. Most of those familiar words, especially of our older states, which have been considered as peculiar to our country, were brought by our ancestors from Great Britain, and are still in constant use there, as local terms. The recent investigations of Forby, Holloway, and Halliwell have thrown much light on this subject, and the names of these authors are, therefore, frequently placed under the words in question, to indicate their origin and their present use in England. Notes have also been added to a class of words which are peculiar to our country, but their number is comparatively small.

In reference to orthography some important alterations have been made, but in strict conformity, it is believed, with the author's principles on this subject. The changes in our orthography recommended by Dr. Webster, are of two distinct kinds, and rest on very different grounds. These it may be proper for a moment to consider. His main principle was, that the tendencies of our language to greater simplicity and broader analogies, ought to be watched and cherished with the utmost care. He felt, therefore, that whenever a movement toward wider analogies and more general rules, had advanced so far as to leave but few exceptions to impede its progress, those exceptions ought to be set aside at once, and the analogy rendered complete. On this ground he rejected the u from such words as favour, labour, &c. Of these we have Norman-French, but encumbered with a silent u, as in emperour, authour, editour, &c. From this entire class, except about twenty words, the u has been gradually dropped; and in respect to these scarcely any two persons can be found, however strenuous for retaining it, who are in practice consistent with each other or with themselves, as to the words in which this letter is used. In fact, we have reached a point where, unless we take Webster and the dictionaries which agree with him as our guide, we have no standard on the subject; for Johnson, Walker, and others retain the u in numerous words, into which no one would think of introducing it at the present day. Public convenience, therefore, demands that we do at once what must ultimately be done. No one can believe that the progress of our language will be arrested on this subject. The u will speedily be omitted in all words of this class, unless, from the sacredness of its associations, it be retained in Saviour, which may stand perhaps for a time as a solitary exception. Nor is it Dr. Webster who is the innovator in this case, but the English mind, which has for two centuries been throwing off a useless encumbrance, and moving steadily on toward greater simplicity in the structure of our language. Such, too, is the case with certain terminations in re pronounced like er, as centre, metre, &c. We have numerous words of this class derived from the French, all of which originally ended in re, as cider (cidre), chamber (chambre), &c. These have been gradually conformed to the English spelling and pronunciation, till the number in re is reduced to about fifteen or twenty words with their derivatives, and in respect to them, also, the process is still going on. Center is, to a considerable extent, the spelling of the best mathematical writers. Meter is the word given by Walker in his Rhyming Dictionary, from a sense of the gross inconsistency of attaching to this word and its derivative, diameter, a different termination. Others are gradually undergoing the same change. Dr. Webster proposes, therefore, to complete the analogy at once, and conform the spelling of the few that remain to the general principles of our language. Acre, lucre, massacre present the only difficulty, from their liability, if changed, to be mispronounced, and may, therefore, be suffered to stand as necessary excерtions. Another departure from the principles of English orthography, which Dr. Webster has endeavored to correct, is one that was pointed out by Walker in very emphatic terms nearly fifty years ago. The principle in question tion is thi this, that in adding to a word the formatives ing, ed, er, &c., a single consonant (if one precedes) is doubled when the accent falls on the last syllable, as in forgetting, beginning, &c., but is not doubled when the accent falls on any of the preceding syllables, as in benefiting, gardening, &c. Walker, in his fifth Aphorism, says, "Dr. Lowth justly remarks, that an error frequently takes place in the words worshipping, counselling, &c., which, having the accent on the first syllable, ought to be written worshiping, counseling. An ignorance of this rule has led many to write bigotted for bigoted, and from this spelling has frequently arisen a false pronunciation; but no letter seems to be more frequently doubled improperly than l. Why we should write libelling, levelling, revelling, and yet offering, suffering, reasoning, I am totally at a loss to determine; and unless I can give a better plea than any other letter of the alphabet for being doubled in this situation, I must, in the style of Lucian in his trial of the letter T, declare for an expulsion." These were the deliberate and latest opinions of Walker. If he had taken the trouble to carry them into his vocabulary, instead of relying on a mere remark of this kind for the correction of the error,-if he had simply stated under about forty verbs how the participles should be spelled (for he did not give participles in his dictionary), and had altered a few other words, as worshipper into worshiper, traveller into traveler, &c., the error would probably, by this time, have been wholly eradicated from our orthography; and Dr. Webster would have escaped much ignorant vituperation for following in the footsteps of Walker and Lowth. Walker also says, in his Aphorisms, "Why should we not write dullness, fullness, skillful, willful, as well as stiffness and gruffness?" The principles of our language plainly require us to do so, and Dr. Webster felt that the change might easily be made. The words which need to be reduced to this analogy are only about eight in number, including installment and inthrallment, which, if spelled with a single l, are liable to be mispronounced, instalment, &c. Again, the words expense, license, recompense, which formerly had a c in the last syllable, have now taken an s, because the latter consonant is the only one used in the derivatives, as expensive, &c. A similar change is needed in only three words more to complete the analogy, namely, defense, offense, and pretense, and these Dr. Webster has changed. It is sometimes asked, "Why not change fence also?" For the simple reason that its derivatives are spelled with a c, as fenced, fencing, and the word, therefore, stands regularly with others of its own class. Finally, Dr. Webster proposes to drop the u in mould and moult, because it has been dropped from gold and all other words of the same ending. Such are the changes under this head, as introduced by Dr. Webster into his dictionary. In the present edition, the words are spelled in both ways for the convenience of the public, except in cases where this seemed to be unnecessary or was found to be inconvenient. These changes, considering the difficulty that always belongs to such a subject, have met with far more favor from the public than was reasonably to be expected. Most of them have been extensively adopted in our country. They are gaining ground daily, as the reasons by which they are supported are

analogies, and intended merely to repress irregularities and remove petty exceptions, they

must ultimately prevail.

The other class of cha These will be estimated very differently, according to the acquaintance of different persons changes mentioned above rests on a with the languages from which the words are derived. When Dr. Webster substituted different basis, that of etymology. bridegoom for bridegroom, fether for feather, &c., the German critics highly applauded the change. They predicted its speedy and universal reception, because similar improvements on a much broader scale, had been easily made in their language. But Dr. Webster found the case to be widely different among us. old orthography to a considerable number of such words. In the present edition it is restored After an experiment of twelve years, he restored the to nearly all that remain, from the full conviction that, however desirable these changes may be in themselves considered, as they do not relate to the general analogies of the language, and can not be duly appreciated by the body of the people, they will never be generally received.*

On the subject of pronunciation much labor has been bestowed in the progress of this revision. A careful comparison has been made with the latest authorities, and wherever changes seemed desirable, and could be made in consistency with the author's principles, they have been here introduced. The key to pronunciation has been somewhat enlarged, and the pointed letters have been used to a still greater extent. Many thousand words have been re-spelled, and no efforts have been spared to render the work, in all respects, a complete pronouncing dictionary. In the progress of these labors, the editor has been frequently struck with the wisdom of Dr. Webster in not attempting too much, as to marking the pronunciation. Most of the later orthoëpists, as Knowles, Smart, &c., have made their system of notation so extensive and complicated, and have aimed to exhibit so many nice shades of distinction, as in many cases to perplex rather than aid the inquirer.

The "Synopsis of Words differently pronounced by different Orthoëpists," which was prepared by Mr. Worcester for the edition of 1829, has been completely remodeled. Three of the authorities there used have been rejected, namely, Fulton and Knight, whose work was never one of much consideration, being a mere school dictionary in Scotland, and Sheridan and Jones, whose dictionaries are wholly out of use. stituted, viz., Knowles, who founded his work on that of Sheridan; Smart, who may justly For these, three others have been subbe considered the best exponent of Walker's principles, as modified by the most correct usage of the present day in England; and to these has been added Mr. Worcester, whose long-continued labors on this subject entitle his decisions to high consideration.

"Walker's Key to the Pronunciation of Classical and Scripture Names," which was connected with this dictionary as an appendix, in the edition of 1829, has now been enlarged and improved. More than three thousand words have been added from a revised edition of the work by the Rev. W. Trollope, M.A., late of Pembroke College, Cambridge, and the "Classical Pronunciation of Proper Names," by Thomas S. Carr, of King's College School, London. A careful revision of the work has also been made throughout, in reference to the division of the words into syllables, &c., in which the editor has derived great assistance from Prof. THACHER, of Yale College. More than three hundred errors of various kinds have been discovered and corrected.

The publishers of this work have been desirous to add to the volume a Vocabulary of Modern Geographical Words, with their proper pronunciation. They have, accordingly, had one prepared by an associate editor of Baldwin's Universal Pronouncing Gazetteer, an account of which will be found in the preface which accompanies the Vocabulary.

In conclusion, the editor would acknowledge his obligations to the gentlemen who have aided him, for more than two years, in these labors, Mr. Samuel W. Barnum, M.A., of Yale College, and William G. Webster, Esq., of New Haven. The intimate acquaintance of the latter with his father's views, has made his counsel and co-operation of great value in the progress of this revision.

The editor would also make his acknowledgments to Mr. Peter B. Mead, of New York, who has superintended the mechanical execution of the work, for many valuable suggestions which he has made during the progress of the printing, and for the watchful care and assidu ity with which he has performed the difficult task of securing the accuracy of this volume.

Yale College, August, 1847.

* For a more full and detailed statement of Dr. Webster's orthography as exhibited in this volume, see page xxiii.

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