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“Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language” Written by Noah Webster, LL. D. Published in Springfield, Massachusetts, by George and Charles Merriam, in 1856.
This is a rare, 168-year-old volume is a complete and unabridged Webster’s Dictionary and is the First Edition of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, which now is a household name. It is also the First Edition of this complete work in one single Crown Quarto volume! This enormous leather-bound dictionary measures 10.5” tall x 8.75” wide x 3.75” thick! It contains an incredible 1,452 printed pages inside of educationally valuable content. It is a beautiful and highly sought-after volume that has earned an honored place in American History!
This volume’s educationally valuable content includes the following:
• Preface
• Introduction
• A Dissertation on the Origin, History, and Connection of the Languages of Western Asia and Europe
• An Explanation of the Principles on Which Languages are Formed
• Orthography of Dr. Webster
• Directions and Explanations
• A Table of Abbreviations
• A Key to Pronunciation
• An American Dictionary of the English Language
• Pronouncing Vocabulary of Scripture Proper Names
• Rules for Pronouncing the Vowels and Consonants of Greek and Latin Proper Names
• Pronouncing Vocabulary of Greek and Latin Proper Names
• Brief Rules for the Pronunciation of the Principal European Languages
• Pronouncing Vocabulary of Modern Geological Names
The General Subjects of the Work include:
1.) Etymologies of English Words, Deduced from an Examination and Comparison of Words and Corresponding Elements in Twenty Languages of Asia and Europe.
2.) The True Orthography of Words as Corrected by their Etymologies.
3.) Pronunciation Exhibited and Made Obvious by the Division of Words into Syllables, by Accentuation, by Marking the Sounds of the Accented Vowels, when Necessary, or by General Rules.
4.) Accurate and Discriminating Definitions, Illustrated when Doubtful or Obscure, by Examples of Their Use, Selected from Respectable Authors, or by Familiar Phrases of Undisputed Authority.
This Webster’s American Dictionary, in Crown Quarto, contains the results of the labors of its distinguished author, Noah Webster, who devoted himself, and much of his life, to the preparation of The Webster’s American Dictionary for over thirty-five years and expended much of the following twelve years revising and improving it. Noah Webster, who is strongly believed in developing the cultural independence of the United States, a chief component of which was to be a distinctive American language with its idiom, pronunciation, and style. This dictionary was specifically made for the American Language, with American Pronounciations, Vocabulary, etc., and was a critical component in the creation of an independent identity of our still newly developing nation. This historic Dictionary was greatly enlarged and improved by Chauncey A. Goodrich, a Professor at Yale University, and Noah Webster’s own son-in-law.
This volume contains three times the amount of matter found in any other English Dictionary compiled in this country. The exhibition of the Etymology of the language is superior to any other Dictionary. It exhibits the roots of the great body of English words, it is an invaluable and indispensable treasury of knowledge. It exceeds the norms by exhibiting kindred words in other languages, which is a valuable accompaniment. It has rules for proper pronounciation for speakers of various native languages, which proved to be very useful component in an American Dictionary, due to the melting pot nature of the United States.
The Definitions give a precise and full description, not a loose collection of terms or synonyms. The definitions give the history of the word, and any changes in its meaning or pronunciation throughout time. Painstakingly detailed research was performed to conclude the proper use and definition of every word entry, justified by ample quotations from the best English and American authors. In respect to words of technical and peculiar use, the definitions have not been hastily assumed from professed authorities, but have been carefully scrutinized, and, in very many instances, have been furnished directly by gentlemen of the highest authority in those particular departments of knowledge.
In Pronunciation, the scheme of notation is simple, and in cases that demand it, the words are respelled to give the actual pronunciation, as practiced by the truly educated English and American people, ascertained by actual observation, inquiries, and correspondence.
Tables of Scriptural Names, Classical Names, and Geographical Names are all included in this volume. The List of Geographical Names is the most extensive that we have seen in connection with any English Dictionary, comprising, as it does, 12,000 to 13,000 names. The pronunciation, as given by respelling the names with figured vowels, is easily indicated. Using the Pronunciation Key and The Brief Rules for the Pronunciation of the Principal European Languages makes it easy to properly pronounce previously unknown words and names.
This enormous antique volume is bound in a full-leather binding with a black leather-blocked title on the spine that features gold gilt text. The binding is strong, tight, and secure. It firmly holds all of the 1,375 printed pages inside in their proper places. This antique volume comes pre-loved but has been well preserved over the 168 years of its life. The full-leather binding shows some cosmetic wear, such as some rubbing around the edges and some scuffing to the leather. The black leather-blocked title has a small chip missing from the bottom right corner. The gold gilt text within this blocked title is still bright, vibrant, and easily legible. The binding is in shockingly good condition for a book of this age, size, and weight. It remains firmly secure and wholly intact. The outside joints show some minor discoloration from rubbing but are free of any cracking or severe wear. Same with the inside hinges of the front and back covers, both are securely bound with no cracking or separation. The spine has some minor rubbing and bumping to the head and foot of the spine, causing some lightening of color. The spine features five raised bands, which is a classic characteristic of antiquarian leather book bindings. The interior of this book remains in excellent condition. There do not seem to be any loose or missing pages throughout this complete, unabridged volume. The majority of the pages remain bright white in color, with sharp corners and clean edges. The interior seems to be completely clean and free of any markings, writing, highlighting, underlining, rips or tears. There is the occasional spotting throughout the pages, as well as an occasional dried leaves or flower that was pressed within this book’s pages many moons ago. This heavy book is a remarkable example of a mid-1800s Dictionary of the American English Language! An early edition of Noah Webster’s life work. This is a highly collectible and sought-after item, as this is a monumental piece of history and the first-ever Merriam-Webster’s American Dictionary!
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