Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1826-07-14
J WEBSTER'S
NEW DICTIONARY

- IL \ ~ - \ ~ -
S. CONVERSE proposes to publish BY sub.
of the English language. BrNoAH WEBSTER
L. L. d.
This Dictionary will contain such parts Of the
best English Dictionaries as are well executed
with the following improvements:
l. additional Words. The new words which
the great advances in the physical Sciences
within the last forty or fifty years. have enrich-
ed the language, and which are not inserted
in Johnson's Dictionary, nor the late improved
edition by Todd, amount to FIVE or six thou
, sand. These, with the participles and other
words added, will augment the vocabulary
with nearly twenty thousand words.
2. Precise and Technical Definitions. The
Dictionaries hitherto published are almost ex-
clusyely translating dictionaries, in which one
word is defined by another that is synony-
nous, or nearly SO. of this kind Of dictiona-
ries and lexicons, we have many of great ex-
| cellence. But if there is any dictionary of
the English language, Of a price which places
| it within the means of purchase which teach.
ers in general possess, in which definitions are
sufficiently accurate, discriminating and TECH
| meal, that work has not come to the knowl-
edge of the author OF the proposed Dictiona-
| y. The precision of definitions in this work
| will, it is believed, supercede the necessity of
| book Of synyms
8. Additional &g1lfcations. The signifca-
| tons and distinct applications Of English
words, which are omitted by all the English
photographers, and are inserted in tins work,
amount to between thirty and fifty thousand.
| Many of these are among the most important
senses in which the words are used.
| A. .We1u genealogical Deductions and qtfni-
mites. The obscurity which has rested on this
subject, and which has brought it into discre.
dit, will be, in good degree, dissipated by the
| authors researches, and etymology will be
made subservient to the illustration not only
OF words, but of history. This part of the
work is the result of ten years. examination,
and comparison OF the principal radical words
in the following languages the Chaidee, Sy-
| riac, He6rezv, arabic, Samaritan. Ethiobic, and
Persic, in Asia and Africa, and in Europe, the
Gaelic or H6era,o- Celtic, Anglo Saxon, English.
German Dutch, Szpedish, Danish, Greek, Latin.
Anhan, Spanish, French, Russ, Gothic. Welsh,
| and .4,morc. 1t is found that all these Ian.
guages serve to illustrate each other and are
| useful in calculating the English. A synopsis
| of the principal words in the languages has
been compiled, and will be published, if sutk-
clent patronage can hereafter be obtained.
In the mean time, the results of this labor,
which will appear in the Dictionary, will pre-.
sent, on this subject, interesting views OF the
history and afiinities of these languages, which
have escaped the observation of European
photographers.
S. The peculiar scriptural uses of words,
most of which are omitted by English authors
of dictionaries are explained and exemplified.
g. The words beginning with are sepsrat-
ed from those which begin with J, as are those
which begin with U from those which begin
with Y.
o~I &C.
are noted as such, and the different appiica.
tons of words in England and in the United
States, are specified as far as they are known.
The obsolete words include all that have been
found in books from the age Of Cover, and
| the law terms from the Norman French.
8. The different Specifications or applca-
| tons of words, when not obvious and we'll
known, are illustrated by some short passage
| from an author of reputation, or by brief ia.
milar sentence. Exemplifications, however.
are not multiplied under each definition, as
the most judicious scholars consider one ex.
ample as sufficient, and numerous extracts
from books serve only to swell the size and
price OF q dictionary. American writer's Of
reputation are placed on footing with Eng
lish writer's, and cited as authorities.
9. Many errors, which have escaped the NO.
tice of all English photographers, are correct.
ed
10. Words of irregular photography are
given, not only in the customary spelling, but
in letters which express the true pronuncs.
| ton. This will be sufficient guide to the
pronunciation, without the use ola key.
| The publisher undertakes this work, with
full confidence that his efforts will be literally
encouraged by the literary and wealthy classes
| of the community. 1t work adapted to
the wants and capacity of the man Of business
as well as of the scholar 1t is a work of mag.
ritude, and cannot be published without great
expense, and therefore it cannot be undertak.
en- without liberal patronage. To its pages
MIR. Webster has devoted from twenty to thir-
ty years of almost exclusive and laborious ap.
phcation. Of the result of this application,
the publisher submits the following opinions.
as expressed in letters addressed to HIMSELF
from gentlemen whose names have long been
conspicuous to the American public. The
work is .2a,crico',, and is to confer honor on
the nation, as well as on the learned and indie,
fatigahle author. The communications are
inserted in the order of the dates.
[Then follow recommendations from some
Of the most distinguished literary characters
in the United States.1
PRTCE-Prnted on linen paper-5onud in
boards, TWENTY DOLLARS.