Dictionary of phrase and fable, giving the derivation, source or origin of common phrases, allusions, and words that have a tale to tell... . To which is added a concise bibliography of English literature / by Ebenezer Cobham Brewer.

  • E. Cobham Brewer
Date:
1910
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Dictionary of phrase and fable, giving the derivation, source or origin of common phrases, allusions, and words that have a tale to tell... . To which is added a concise bibliography of English literature / by Ebenezer Cobham Brewer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    In l7-'^o the old French inhabitants were driven into exile by order of George II. Tims dwelt togetlier in love tliose simple Acadian farmers.” Longfelloio : EvangeUne. Acadine. A fountain of Sicily which revealed if writings were authentic and genuine or not. The writings to he tested were thrown into the fountain, and if spurious they sank to the bottom. Oaths and promises were tried in the same way, after being written down.— Diodorus Siculus. Acan'thus. The leafy ornament used in the capitals of Corinthian and com- posite columns. It is said that Callim'- achos lost his daughter, and set a basket of flowers on her grave, with a tile to keep the wind from blowing it away. The next time he went to visit the grave an acanthus had sprung up around the basket, which so struck the fancy of the architect that he introduced the design in his buildings. Accep tance. A bill or note accepted. This is done by the drawee writing on it “ accepted,” and signing his name. The person who accepts it is called the ” acceptor.” Ac'cessory. ^iccessory before the fact is one who is aware that another intends to commit an offence, but is himself ab- sent when the offence is perpetrated. Accessory after the fact is one who screens a felon, aids him in eluding justice, or helps him in any way to profit by his crime. Thus, the receiver of stolen goods, knowing or even sus- pecting them to be stolen, is an accessory ex post facto. Ac'cident. A logical accident is some }>roperty or quality which a thing pos- sesses, but which does not essentially belong to it, as the tint of our skin, the height of our body, the redness of a brick, or the whiteness of ]3aper. If any of these were changed, the sub- stance would remain intact. Accidental or Subjective Colours. Those which depend on the state of our eye, and not those which the object really possesses. Thus, after looking at the bright sun, all objects appear dark : that dark colour is the accidental colour of the bright sun. When, again, we come from a dark room, all objects at first have a yellow tinge. This is es- pecially the case if we wear blue glasses, for a minute oi- two aftei' we have tahen I them off. j The accidental colour of red is bluish green, of orange dark blue, of violet yel- low, of black white ; and the converse. Accidentals in musie are those sharps and flats, etc., which do not properly belong to the key in which the music is set, but which the composer arbitrarily introduces. Accidente! (Isyl.) An Italian curse or oath : ” Ce qui veut dire en bon fran- (;ais, ‘Puisses-tu mourir d’accident, sans confession,’ damne.”—E. About: Tolla. Accidents, in theology. After con- secration, say the Catholics, the substance of the bread and wine is changed into that of the body and blood of Christ, but their accidoits (flavour, appearance, and so on) remain the same as before. Ac’cius Na'vius. A Roman augur in the reign of Tarquin the Elder. When he forbade the king to increase the num- ber of the tribes without consulting the a ugurs, Tarquin asked him if the thought tlien in his mind was feasible. “Un- doubtedly,” said Accius. “Then cut through this whetstone with the razor in your hand.” The priest gave a bold cut, and the block fell in two. This story (from Livy, Bk. i., chap. 36) is humorously retold in Bon Gaultier’s Ballads. Accolade (3 syl.). The touch of a sword on the shoulder in the ceremony i of conferring knighthood ; originally an 1 embrace or touch by the hand on the I neck. (Latin, ad collum, on the neck.) Accommoda'tion. A loan of money, which accommodates us, or tits a want. Accommodation Note or Bill. An acceptance given on a Bill of Exchange for which value has not been received by the acceptor from the drawer, and which, not representing a commercial transac- tion, is so far fictitious. Accommodation Ladder. The light ladder hung over the side of a shij) at the gangway. Accord' means “heart to heart.” (Latin, ad corda.) If two persons like and dislike the same things, they are heart to heart with each other. Similarly, “con-cord” means heart with heart; “dis-cord,” heart divided from heart; “ re-cord ” properly means to recollect—i.e., re-corddrc, to bring again to the mind or heart; then to set down in writing for the purpose of recol- lecting. Accost' means to “ come to the side ” of a person for the purpose of speaking to him. (Latin, ad eostam. to the side.)
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