The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1885-03-01
s,.rmon,A.. Eae,,.A Dictionary.

The Dictionary Of the English language
compiled BY tho Rcv. JAMES SToRMoNTH. ana
reprinted in this country by the Harpers. does
not profess to vie rs an authority on etymology
with tho work OF Mr.. Skeat, for which Ameri-
cans have also been indebted to the same pub
lishors. But 1t proposes to determine the
correct pronunciation Of overy word included
in its very comprehensive vocabulary. and the
compiler was assisted. we are told, BY tho Rev.
p. II. Phelp OF Cambridge In the endeavor to
indicate the best current English usage. We
shall show hereafter by few examples that.
II this claim Ia we'll founded. some OF VA Will
have to modify our Impressions regarding
the accepted pronunciation OF some familiar
words. In the case. on the other hand.
Of almost every word examined In the
course OF n necessarily cursory review. We have
found the definitions exact and clear. and the
list OF synonymes. which is almost always ap-
pended. unusually full. The utility. however. Of
exhibiting synonymcs on so large q scale In a
lexicon, whose prime business Is to nx atten-
ton on the precise chronological meaning Of
each word. may be open to some doubt. On
the whole. however. the new dictionary is
well-planned and carefully executed work.
which has decided merits Of it's own. and for
which there Is a place not filed by any OF its
rivals.
In turning; over tho pages OF Mr. Stor-
months work an American will naturally carry
in his mind words which have one meaning
and pronunciation in England and another in
the United States. We find. as we expected. that
the photographer prefers to pronounce trait"
tray. though he recognizes as permissible the
American pronunciation. traW. knowledge"
he would sound as nol-edge. and TO our surprise
does not admit the alternative no-lei0e. which
Is often heard in England among educated
persons. We were also not prepared tn see him
give the preference to ee-her over i-the. or
course he makes route" root. and depot"
depot. not dav-Dot as persons whose French
Is limited to ono or two such importations
are In the habit OF miscaling 1t. He is
quite right. too. in denying any English
authority for the meaning railway
station" which the word depot bears in
the United States. He insists upon defining
1t as o place where goods are stored or troops
are stationed. Those amusing people who
imagine themselves great pursts. because they
enormously sound ate" the preterite OF
eat" precisely as 1t Is spelled. will get little
comfort from this dictionary. We scarcely
need to say that "ate" should be pronounced
ct OF the two words lunch" and lunch.
con-" Mr.. Stormonth prefers the former.
be sanctioned by the better English use. We
are sorry to see him give s show Of warrant to
tSnss Thi. nancy do ss DhSIss'
Words n. arrnnre" and adjust" What
OF the word baggage" "a a synonyme for lug
gage" ia. we Observe, accented by Mr.. Stor-
use Of m n in The sense e OF enrassd" lie
,ustEes. too the American use OF the word
store" for one OF his definitions Is: ANY shop
sold" On the other hand. he does not sanction
tho usmrpntion Of the term merchant" by re-
m UGH a,nazes us us the recognition Of wont"
as a contraction tor nW not. and OF "ain't" no:
wont" ia only allowable as u contraction for
rouH not, and the use OF amt" for is not
utterly intolerable. All that Mr. Stormonth
says upon the point is this: Amt. vulgar
contraction for am not or Is not" as IL the one
Specification were rs justifable as the other.