Nuttall's Standard Dictionary of the English Language

Excerpt from Nuttall's Standard Dictionary of the English Language: Based on the Labours of the Most Eminent Lexicographers, Comprising Many Thousands of New Words Which Modern Literature, Science and Art Have Called Into Existence and Common Usage, With Pronunciations Etymologies, Definitions, Etc

The Standard Dictionary, the result of many years' unremitting industry and research, will be found to combine the united labours of the most eminent lexicographers of modern times among whom may be mentioned the names of Johnson, Webster, Worcester, Latham, Goodrich, Walker, Craig, Richardson, and Ogilvie. These authors have, both as philologers and ortho'epists, largely contributed towards the improvement and perfectibility of our noble language. It only remained, therefore, for the Editor of the present Dictionary to raise a superstructure on their joint labours that should be found every way worthy of their distinguished pre-eminence, and thus produce a standard work of reference, which, with its numerous emendations and additions, should fully accord with the present advanced state of English literature.

In every dictionary, intended for popular use, there are three essentials which require special attention - Orthography, Orthoepy, and Definition. The first comprehends the correct spelling and syllabication of words; the second, their just pronunciation; and the third, their exact signification and different meanings. To these essentials the Editor has directed especial attention. Dr. Webster and his American copyists attempted to introduce some orthographical novelties into the language but as they are entirely opposed to the recognised usage of our country, they have been altogether rejected, and the general system of our best writers adopted. In pronunciation, Worcester, Webster, and Goodrich have adopted a plan of orthoepical notation which often obscures the orthography; while Craig, on the contrary, follows the phonetic principle of simply re-spelling each word as it ought to be pronounced, and, at the same time, showing its true accentuation and proper syllabic divisions. This plan, which from its simplicity and intelligibility claims a preference over every other, has been adopted in the present edition.

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