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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![I do not see any other method left, for men of that function to take, in order to reform the world, than by using all honest arts, to make themselves accep- table to the laity. Swift. After he had made a peace so acceptable to the church, and so honourable to himself, he died with an extraordinary reputation of sanctity. Addison on Italy. Acce'ptableness, ak'sep-ta-bl-ness. n. s. [from acceptable.] The quality of being acceptable. It will thereby take away the acceptableness of that conjunction. Grew's Cosmologia Sacra, b. ii. c. 2. Acce'ptabiy, ak'sep-ta-ble, adv. [from accrfifubk:] In an acceptable manner; so as to please; with the particle to. For the accent, see Acceptable. Do not omit thy prayers, for want of a good ora- tory: for he, that prayethupon God's account, cares not what he suffers, so he be the friend of Christ; nor whsre nor when he prays, so he may do it fre- quently, fervently, and acceptably. Taylor. If you can teach them to love and respect other people, they will, as your age requires it, find ways to express it acceptably to every one. Locke on Education, § 145. Acceptance, ak-sep'tanse. n. s. [accep- tance, Fr.] 1. Reception with approbation. By that acceptance of his sovereignty, they also accepted of his laws; why then should any other laws now be used amongst them? Spenser's State of Ireland. If he tells us his noble deeds, we must also tell him our noble acceptance of them. Shakspeare's Coriolanus. Thus I embolden'd spake, and freedom us'd Permissive, and acceptance found. Paradise Lost, b. viii. I. 435. Some men cannot be fools with so good accep- tance as others. South's Sennons. 2. The meaning of a word, as it is receiv- ed or understood; acceptation is the word now commonly used. That pleasure is man's chiefestgood, because in- deed it is the perception of good that is properly pleasure, is an assertion most certainly true; though, under the common acceptance of it, not only false but odious: for, according to this, pleasure and sen- suality pass for terms equivalent; and therefore he, who takes it in this sense, alters the subject of the discourse. South. Acceptance, ak-sep'tanse. [in law.] The receiving of a rent, whereby the giver binds himself for ever, to allow a former act done by another, whether it be in itself good or not. Coivell. Acceptation, ak-sep-ta/sbun. n. s. [from accept.] 1. Reception, whether good or bad. This large sense seems now wholly out of use. Yet, poor soul! knows he no other, but that I do suspect,neglect, yea, and detest him ? For, every day, he finds one way or other, to set forth himself unto me; but all are rewarded with like coldness of ac- ceptation. Sidney, b ii. What is new, linds better acceptation than what is good or great. Denham's Sophy. 2. Good reception; acceptance. Cain, envious of the acceptation of his brother's prayer and sacrifice, slew him; making himself the first manslayer, and his brother the first martyr. Raleigh's History of the World, b. i. 3. The state of being acceptable; regard. Some things, although not so required of neces- sity; that, to leave them undone, excluded from salvation, are, notwithstanding, of so great dignity and acceptation with God, that most ample reward in heaven is laid up for them. Hooker, b. ii. They have those enjoyments, only as the conse- quences of the state of esteem and acceptation they are in with their parents and governours. Locke on Education, § 53. Acceptance in the juridical sense. This sense occurs rarely. As, in order to the passing away a thing by gift, there is required a surrender of all right, on his part that gives; so there is required also an accep- tation on his part, to whom it is given. South'1 s Sermons. 5. The meaning of a word, as it is com- monly received. Thereupon the earl of Lauderdale made a dis- course upon the several questions, and what accep- tation these words and expressions had. Clarendon, b. viii. All matter is either fluid or solid, in a large ac- ceptation of the words; that they may comprehend even all the middle degrees, between extreme fix- edness and coherency, and the most rapid intestine motion of the particles of bodies. Bentley's Serm. Acce'pter, ak-sep'tur. n, s. [from ac- cept.] The person that accepts. Acceptila'tton, ak-sep-te-la'shun. n s. [accr/uilatio, Lat.] A term of the civil law; importing the remission of a debt, by an acquittance from the creditor; tes- tifying the receipt of money, which has never been paid. Acce'ption, ak-sep'shun. n. s. [acce/i- tion, Fr. from accefitio, Lat.] The re- ceived sense of a word; the meaning. Not in use. That this hath been esteemed the due and proper acception of this word, I shall testify by one evi- dence, which gave me the first hint of this notion. Hammond on Fundamentals. ACCE'SS, ak-sess'. n. s. [In some of its senses, it seems derived from accessus; in others, from accessio, Lat. acces, Fr.] 1. The way by which any thing may be ap- proached. The access of the town was only by a neck of land. Bacon. There remained very advantageous accesses, for temptations to enter and invade men; the fortifica- tions being very slender, little knowledge of immor- tality, or any thing beyond this life; and no assur- ance, that repentance would be admitted for sin. Hammond on Fundamentals. And here th' access, a gloomy grove defends; And here th' unnavigable lake extends; O'er whose unhappy waters, void of light, No bird presumes to steer his airy flight. Dryden's JEneid, vi. 2. The means, or liberty, of approaching either to things or men. When we are wronged, and would unfold our griefs; We are deny'd access unto his person, Ev'n by those men that most have done us wrong. Shakspeare. They go, commission'd to require a peace; And cany presents to procure access. Dryden's JEneid, vii. I. 209. He grants what they besought; Instructed, that to God is no access, Without Mediator; whose high office now Moses in figure bears. Milton's Par. Lost, b. xii. I. 239. 3. Encrease, enlargement, addition. The gold was accumulated, and store treasures, for the most part; but the silver is still growinr! Besides, infinite is the access of territory and em- pire, by the same enlerprize. Bacon. Nor think superfluous their aid: I, from the influence of thy looks, receive Access in every virtue; in thy sight More wise, more watchful, stronger. Paradise Lost, b. «, Although to opinion, there be many gods, may seem an access in religion, and such as cannot at all consist with atheism; yet doth it deductively and upon inference, include the same: for unity j8 the inseparable and essential attribute of Deity. Broivns Vulgar Errours, b. i. c. 10. The reputation Of virtuous actions past, if not kept up With an access and fresh supply of new ones, Is lost and soon forgotton. Denham's Sophy. 4. It is sometimes used, after the French, to signify,the returns or fits of a distem- per; but this sense seems yet scarcely received into our language. For as relapses make diseases More desperate than their first accesses. Hudibras. A'ccessariness, ak'ses-sa're-ness. n. «. [from accessary.'] The state of being accessary. Perhaps mis will draw us into a negative atces- sariness to the mischiefs. Decay of Piety. A'csessary, ak'ses-sa-re. adj. [A cor- ruption, as it seems of the word accesso- ry, which see; but now more common- ly used than the proper word.] That which, without being the chief consti- tuent of a crime, contributes to it. But it had formerly a good and general sense. As for those things that are accessary hereunto; those things, that so belong to the way of salvation, &c. Hooker, b. iii. § 3. He hath taken upon him the government of Hull, without any apprehension or imagination, that it would ever make him accessary to rebellion. Clarendon, b. viii. Accessible, ak-ses'se-bl. adj. [accessi- bilis, Lat. accessible, Fr.] That, which may be approached; that which we may reach or arrive at. It is applied both to persons and things, with the particle to. Some lie more open to our senses and daily ob- servation; others are more occult and hidden: and though accessible (in some measure) to our senses, yet not without great search and scrutiny, or some happy accident. Hale's Origin of Mankind. Those things which were indeed inexplicable, have been rackt and tortured to discover them- selves; while the plainer and more accessible truths, as if despicable while easy, are clouded and ob- scured. Decay of Piety- As an island we are accessible on every side, and exposed to perpetual invasions; against which it is impossible to fortify ourselves sufficiently, without a power at sea. Addison's Freeholder. In conversation, the tempers of men arc open and accessible, their attention is awake, and their minds disposed to receive the strongest impressions, and, what is spoken, is generally more affecting, and more apposite to particular occasions. Rogers. Accession, ak-sesh'un. n. s. [accessio, Lat. accession, Fr.] 1. Increase, by something added; enlarge- ment, augmentation. Nor could all the king's bounties, nor his own large accessions, raise a fortune to his heir; but,af- ter vast sums of money, and great wealth gotten, he died unlamcnted. Clarendon- There would not have been found the difference (here set down) betwixt the force of the air, when expanded, and what that force should have been according to the theory; but that the included inch of air received some little accession, during the trial. Beyle's Sping of the Mr. The wisest among the nobles began to apprehend the giowing power of the people; and therefore,](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21133803_0146.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
