An Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language, Vol. 1 (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Jamieson, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1331896207 ISBN 13: 9781331896203

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2019

Synopsis

Excerpt from An Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language, Vol. 1

Some affect to despise all etymological researches, because of their uncertainty. But many other branches of science are equally liable to this objection. Was it a clear proof of the wisdom conferred on our common parent, that he gave names to all the inferior creatures, according to their peculiar natures 9 And may we not discern a considerable vestige of his primeval state, in the propriety of many of the names imposed on things, even in modern languages? An inquiry into the reasons of these is not, therefore, a matter of mere unprofitable curiosity. It is no contemptible mean of investigating the operations of our intellectual powers.

The structure of language is, indeed, one important branch of that philosophy which so nearly interests man, - the philosophy of his own mind - a branch which, although less attended to than many others, and often more obscured than elucidated by system, extends its influence through all nations; is, practically at least, as well known to the peasant as to the prince, to the savage as to the man of letters; in the most lively manner, in many instances, delineates the objects with which we are conversant, exhibiting to others a faithful copy of the im pressions which these make on our own minds forcibly illustrates, as far as the oblique signification of words are concerned, the singular associations of our ideas; appears, by its striking analogies, as a grand link among the various individuals of the same species, how remote soever from each other as to situation; frequently affords a proof of the near affinity of particular nations and, by the general diffusion of certain primitive terms, or by certain rules of formation universally adopted, assigns a common origin to mankind, although scattered on the face of the whole earth.

About the Publisher

Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com

This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

About this title

Product Description:

Excerpt from An Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language, Vol. 1 For convenient reference, and in order otherwise to increase the usefulness of this work, many important improvements have been introduced in the form of the book. It will be found, for example, that all the quotations, corrections, and additions of the Supplement, have been incorporated in the body of the work; and that the arrangement of words, which was in some instances faulty, has been made more consistent; that many corrections have been made throughout; and that not a few additional forms and meanings of words have been given. But, in almost every case, except where the alteration is merely verbal, the new matter has been enclosed within brackets, to distinguish it from the work of Dr. Jamieson. No pains have been spared to make this edition of the Scottish Dictionary as correct and complete as possible; but, even with the utmost care and attention, in a work of such magnitude and diversity, mistakes and omissions are unavoidable. In order to remedy these defects, the volumes will come under the eye of ripe and able scholars in all parts of the world, and lists of corrigenda and addenda will be collected as the work proceeds, which, when properly sifted and arranged, will form an interesting and valuable addition to the great work by Dr. Jamieson. To secure a result so important, every one who takes an interest in our Scottish literature, and in the success of the present undertaking, is respectfully invited to assist; for, only by combination of effort, can completeness be obtained. The Publisher will reckon himself peculiarly indebted to any readers who will take the trouble of pointing out errors of importance, or of transmitting to him such words as have been omitted, with the proper explanations. This edition contains Dr. Jamieson's original Prefaces, his Dissertation on the Origin of the Scottish Language, a List of the Books referred to, or quoted by the Author throughout his Dict

About this edition

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1331896207
• ISBN 13: 9781331896203
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 666