Dictionary of Obsolete and Provincial English 2 Volume Set: Containing Words from the English Writers Previous to the Nineteenth Century Which Are No Contributor(s): Wright, Thomas (Author) |
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ISBN: 1108075215 ISBN-13: 9781108075213 Publisher: Cambridge University Press OUR PRICE: $118.75 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: August 2014 |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - History - Language Arts & Disciplines | Linguistics - General |
Dewey: 423.1 |
Series: Cambridge Library Collection - Linguistics |
Physical Information: 2.6" H x 5.6" W x 8.7" (2.70 lbs) 1060 pages |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: Thomas Wright (1810-77), a respected folklorist and medievalist, wrote prolifically on a wide range of subjects. His work is, however, considered broad rather than deep, and his extensive output, while impressive, sometimes came at the expense of quality. Wright was involved in many academic societies, and co-founded the British Archaeological Association in 1843. Much of his work promoted the use of vernacular literature for research into the Middle Ages, and this dictionary, first published in 1857, was compiled to help readers of historical literature navigate unfamiliar vocabulary. It lists obsolete words and phrases, with particular emphasis on those of Old English and Anglo-Norman origin, and obscure or dialectal words. Many of the definitions include illustrative examples or quotes as well as etymologies. Examples include belly-timber, meaning 'food', and dweezle, a Northamptonshire word that means 'to dwindle away'. Volume 1 covers A-F, while Volume 2 covers G-Z. |