A dictionary of the English language: in which the words are deduced from their originals, and illustrated in their different significations by examples from the best writers : to which are prefixed a history of the language, and an English grammar (Volume 1).
- Johnson, Samuel, 1709-1784.
- Date:
- 1819
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: A dictionary of the English language: in which the words are deduced from their originals, and illustrated in their different significations by examples from the best writers : to which are prefixed a history of the language, and an English grammar (Volume 1). Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)
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![Abo'rtmknt, a-bbrt'ment. n. s. [from abort.~] The thing brought forth out of time; an untimely birth. Concealed treasures, now lost to mankind, shall be brought into use by the industry of converted penitents, whose wretched carcases the impartial laws dedicate, as untimely feasts, to the worms of the earth, in whose womb those deserted mineral riches must ever lie buried as lost dbortments, unless those be made the active midlives to deliver them. Bacon's Physical Remains. ABO'VE, a-buv'.^ firefi. [from a, and bupan, Saxon; bovcn, Dutch.] 1. To a higher place; in a higher place. So when with crackling flames a cauldron fries, The bubbling waters from the bottom rise; Above the brims they force their fiery way, Black vapours climb aloft, and cloud the day. Dryden, JEneid, vii. I. 643. 2. More in quantity or number. Every one that passeth among them, that are num- bered from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the Lord. Exodus, xxx. 14. 3. In a superiour degree, or to a superiour degree of rank, power, or excellence. The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Psalm cxiii. 4. The public power of all societies is above every soul contained in the same societies. Hooker, b. 1. There is no riches above a sound body, and no joy above the joy of the heart. Ecclesiasticus, xxx. 16. To her Thou didst resign thy manhood, and the place Wherein God set thee above her, made of thee, And for thee: whose perfection farexcell'd Hers, in all real dignity. Milton's Par. Lost, b. x. Latona sees her shine above the rest, And feeds with secret joy her silent breast. Dryden's JEneid. 4. In a state of being superiour to; unat- tainable by. It is an old and true distinction, that things may be above our reason, without being contrary to it. Of this kind are the power, the nature, and the univer- sal presence of God, with innumerable other points. Swift. 5. Beyond; more than. We were pressed out of measure, above strength; insomuch that we despaired even of life. 2 Cor. i. 8. In having thoughts unconfused, and being able to distinguish one thing from another, where there is but the least difference, consists the exactness of judgment and clearness of reason, which is in one man above another. Locke. The inhabitants of Tirol have many privileges above those of the other hcreditaiy countries of the emperour. Addisoii. 6. Too proud for; too high for. A phrase chiefly used in familiar expression. Kings and princes, in the earlier ages of the world, laboured in arts and occupations, and were above nothing that tended to promote the conveniences of life. Pope's Odyssey; notes. Abo've, a-buv'. adv. 1. Over-head; in a higher place. To men standing below, men standing aloft seem much lessened; to those above, men standing below, seem not so much lessened. Bacon. When he established the clouds above; when he strengthened the fountains of the deep; when he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment; when he appointed the foundations of the earth; then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him. Proverbs, viii. 29. Every good gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, and cometh down from the father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James i. 17. The Trojans/mm above their foes beheld; And with arm'd legions all the rampires fill'd. Dryden, JEneid. 2. In the regions of heaven. Your praise the birds shall chant in every grove, And winds shall waft it to the pow'rs above. Pope's Pastorals. 3. Before. [See Above-cited.] I said above, that these two machines of the ba- lance, and the dira, were only ornamental, and that the success of the duel had been the same without them. Dryd. Dedicat. JEneid. Above a'll, a-buv-a'll. In the first place; chiefly. I studied Virgil's design, his disposition of it, his manners, his judicious management of the figures, the sober retrenchments of his sense, which always leaves something to gratify our imagination, on which it may enlarge at pleasure; but above all, the elegance of his expression, and the harmony of his numbers. Drydcn's Dedicat. JEneid. Above-bo'ard, a-btiv'bord. 1. In open sight; without artifice or trick. A figurative expression, borrowed from gamesters, who, when they put their hands under the table, are changing their cards. It is used only in familiar language. It is the part also of an honest man to deal above- board, and without tricks. L'Estrangc. 2. Without disguise or concealment. Though there have not been wanting such here- tofore, as have practised these unworthy arts, for as much as there have been villains in all places, and all ages, yet now-a-days they are owned above-board. South's Sermons. Abo've-ci'ted, a-bfiv'si-ted. Cited be- fore. A figurative expression, taken from the ancient manner of writing books on scrolls; where whatever is cited or mentioned before in the same page, must be above. It appears from the authority above-cited, that this is a fact confessed by heathens themselves. Addison on the Christian Religion. Abo've-grou'nd, a-buv'ground. An ex- pression used to signify alive; not in the grave. Abo've-me'ntioned, a-buv'men-shund. See Above-cited. I do not remember, that Homer any where falls into the faults above-mentioned, which were indeed the false refinements of latter ages. Addison. Spectator, No. 279. To ABOUND, a-bou'nd.^t;. n.[abundo, Lat. abonder, French.] 1. To have in great plenty; to be copiously stored. It is used sometimes with the particle in, and sometimes the particle with. The king-becoming graces, I have no relish of them, but abound In the division of each several crime, Acting it many ways. Shakspeare's Macbeth. Corn, wine, and oil, are wanting to this ground, In which our countries fruitfully abound. Drydcn's Indian Emperor. A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich, shall not be innocent. Proverbs, xxviii. 20. Now that languages are made, and abound icilh words standing for combinations, an usual way of getting complex ideas, is by the explication of those terms that stand for them. Locfce. 2. To be in great plenty. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Matthew, xxiv. 12. Words are like leaves, and where they most abound, Much fruit of sense beneath is rarely found. Pope's Essay on Criticism. ABO ABO'UT, a-b6u't.M3 fire/i. [abutan, or abucon, Sax. which seems to signify en- circling on the outside.] 1. Round, surrounding, encircling. Let not mercy and U-uth forsake thee. Bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thy heart. Proverbs, iii. 3. She cries, and tears her cheeks, Her hair, her vest; and, stooping to the sands, About his neck she cast her trembling hands. Dryden's Fables. 2. Near to. Speak unto the congregation, saying, get you up from uboul the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Exodus Thou dost nothing, Sergius, Thou canst endeavour nothing, nay, not think: But I both see and hear it; and am with thee, By and before, about and in thee too. Ben Jons. Catiline. 3. Concerning, with regard to, relating to. When Constantine had finished an house for the service of God at Jerusalem, the dedication he judg- ed a matter not unworthy, about the solemn perfor- mance whereof, the greatest part of the bishops in Christendom should meet together. Hooker. The painter is not to take so much pains about the drapery as about the face where the principal resemblance lies. D)-yd. They are most frequently used as words equiva- lent, and do both of them indifferently signify either a speculative knowledge of things, or a practical skill about them, according to the exigency of the matter or thing spoken of. Tillot. Sermon i. Theft is always a sin, although the particular species of it, and the denomination of particular acts, doth suppose positive laws about dominion and pro- perty. Stillingfleet. Children should always be heard, and fairly and kindly answered, when they ask after any thing they would know, and desire to be informed about. Cu- riosity should be as carefully cherished in children, as other appetites suppressed. Locke. It hath been practised as a method of making men's court, when they are asked about the rate of lands, the abilities of tenants, the state of trade, to answer, that all things are in a flourishing condition. Swift's Short View of Ireland. 4. In a state of being engaged in, or em- ployed upon. Our blessed Lord was pleased to command the representation of his death and sacrifice on the cross should be made by breaking of bread and effusion of wine; to signify to us the nature and sacredness of the liturgy we are about. Taylor. Labour, for labour's sake, is against nature. The understanding, as well as all the other faculties, chooses always the shortest way to its end, would presently obtain the knowledge it is about, and then set upon some new inquiry. But this, whether la- ziness or haste, often misleads it. Locke. Our armies ought to be provided with secretaries, to tell their story in plain English, and to let us know, in our mother tongue, what it is our brave countrymen are about. Addison. Sped. No. 309. 5. Appendant to the person; as clothes. If you have this about you, As I will give you when we go, you may Boldly assault the necromancer's hall. Milton's Comus. It is not strange to me, that persons of the fairer sex should like, in all things about them, that hand- someness for which they find themselves most liked. Boule on Colours. 6. Relating to the person, as a servant, or dependant. Liking very well the young gentleman, such I took him to be, admitted this Deiphantus about me, who well shewed, there is no service like his that serves because he loves. Sidney, b. ii. 7. Relating to person, as an act or office. Good corporal, for my old dame's sake, stand my friend: she hath no body to do any thin* about her](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21133803_0138.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
