A dictionary of the English language, answering at once the purposes of rhyming, spelling, and pronouncing. In which, I. The whole language is arranged according to its terminations. II. Every word is explained and divided into syllables exactly as pronounced. III. Words liable to a double pronunciation are fixed in their true sound, by a rhyme. IV. Many words of established usage, not to be found in our best dictionaries, are inserted, and more technical terms than in any dictionary, except Chambers s

Walker, John

Published by printed for T. Beckett, corner of the Adelphi, Strand, London, 1775

About this Item

First edition of Walker's first dictionary, and the first English dictionary of rhyme;8vo, pp. xxiii, [1], xxiii, [698]; [P ]?,a-b?,B-4T?; lexicon in an unjustified single column; dedicated to David Garrick, for "early opportunities of observing [his] pronunciation on stage"; contemporary full calf, label wanting but the impress of letters still legible; small cracks at extremities of the joints, corners bumped; light foxing; good and sound. An actor (under the management of Garrick) and a lecturing elocutionist, Walker issued in 1775 A dictionary of the English language, answering at once the purposes of rhyming, spelling, and pronouncing, the first dictionary of its kind in English. His seminal Critical Pronouncing Dictionary was not published until 1791, but its roots are clearly traceable to this scarce rhyming dictionary -- "an attempt to facilitate the orthography and pronunciation of the English language." It was published as A rhyming dictionary in 1806. Alston VI, 570; Vancil, p. 248.

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: A dictionary of the English language, answering at once the purposes of rhyming, spelling, and pronouncing. In which, I. The whole language is arranged according to its terminations. II. Every word is explained and divided into syllables exactly as pronounced. III. Words liable to a double pronunciation are fixed in their true sound, by a rhyme. IV. Many words of established usage, not to be found in our best dictionaries, are inserted, and more technical terms than in any dictionary, except ...
• Publisher: printed for T. Beckett, corner of the Adelphi, Strand, London
• Publication Date: 1775
• Edition: 1st Edition
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