An Etymological Dictionary of the English Language
by Walter W. Skeat
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A detailed reference to the definitions, history and etymology of frequently-used primary words.Tags
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This is a treasure trove of the English language that traces the history and multi-varied senses behind each word. Though it was overshadowed by the OED, it still stands as a monumental work of scholarship in its own right, one that highlights many surprising and wonderful connections between words (peculiar and pecuniary, e.g.). I can get blissfully lost in this volume.
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67+ Works 910 Members
Walter William Skeat, English philologist, was born in London on November 21,1835, and educated at King's College School (Wimbledon), Highgate School, and Christ's College, Cambridge, of which he became a fellow in July 1860. His grandsons include the noted palaeographer T. C. Skeat and the stained glass painter Francis Skeat. Skeat's principal show more achievement was his Etymological English Dictionary. While preparing the dictionary he wrote hundreds of short articles on word origins for the London-based journal: Notes and Queries. Skeat is responsibel for coining the meaning of a "ghost word" --- a meaningless word that came into existence or acceptance, not by being derived through long-standing usage, nor by being coined at need, but only as the result of an error. His other works include: A Concise Dictionary of Middle English (1888), in conjunction with A. L. Mayhew; A Student's Pastime (1896), a volume of essays; The Chaucer Canon (1900); and A Primer of Classical and English Philology (1905). Skeat died in 1912. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title*
- An etymological dictionary of the English language
- Original publication date
- 1881
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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- Members
- 131
- Popularity
- 249,503
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (4.64)
- Languages
- English, Finnish
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 7
- ASINs
- 8
