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
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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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    That good affection, which things of smaller ac- count have once set on work, is by so much the more easily raised higher. Hooker, b. v. § 35. I should make more account of their judgment, who are men of sense, and yet have never touched a pencil; than of the opinion, given by the greatest part of painters. Dryden's Dufresnoy. 4. Profit; advantage; to turn to account, is to produce advantage. We would establish our souls in such a solid and substantial virtue, as will turn to account in that great day, when it must stand the test of infinite wisdom and justice. Add. Sped. No. 399. 5. Distinction, dignity, rank. There is such a peculiarity in Homer's manner of apostrophizing Eumaeus: it is generally applied, by that poet, only to men of account and distinction. Pope's Odyssey; notes. 6. A reckoning verified, by finding the value of a thing, equal to what it was ac- counted. Considering the usual motives of human actions, which are pleasure, profit, and ambition; I cannot yet comprehend, how those persons find their account in any of the three. Swift. 7. A reckoning, referred to, or sum charg- ed upon any particular person; and thence, figuratively, regard; considera- tion; sake. If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee aught, put that on my account. Philemon, i. 8. This must be always remembered; that nothing can come into the account of recreation, that is not done with delight. Locke on Education, § 197. In matters, where his judgment led him to op- pose men on a public account, he would do it vigo- rously and heartily. Atterbury's Sermons. The assertion is our Saviour's, though uttered by him in the person of Abraham the father of the faithful; who, on the account of that character, is very fitly introduced. Atterbury. These tribunes kindled great dissentions between ihe nobles and the commons, on the account of Co- riolanus, a nobleman, whom the latter had im- peached. Swift's Contests in Athens and Rome. Nothing can recommend itself to our love, on any other account, but either as it promotes our present, or is a means to assure to us a future hap- piness. Rogers's Sermon v. Sempronius gives no thanks on this account. Addison's Cato. 8. A narrative, relation; in this use it may seem to be derived from conte, Fr. a tale, a narration. 9. The review or examination of an affair taken by authority; as, the magistrate took an account of the tumult. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants; and, when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. Matt. xix. 23, 24. 10. The relation and reasons of a transac- tion, given to a person in authority. What need we fear, who knows it, when none can call our power'to account. Shakspeare's Macbeth. The true ground of morality can only be the will and law of a God, who sees men in the dark, has in his hands rewards and punishments, and power enough to call to account the proudest offender. Locke. 11. Explanation; assignment of causes. It is easy to give account, how it comes to pass, that though all men desire happiness, yet their wills cany them so contrarily. Locke. It being in our author's account, a right acquired by begetting, to rule over those he had begotten, it was not a power possible to be inherited; because the right, being consequent to, and built on, an act perfectly personal, made that power so too, and im- possible to be inherited. Locke. 12. An opinion, previously established. These were designed to join with the forces at sea; there being prepared a number of flat-bottom- ed boats, to transport the land forces under the wing of the great navy: for they made no account, but that the navy should be absolutely master of the seas. Bacon's Considerations on War with Spain. A prodigal young fellow, that had sold his clothes; upon the sight of a swallow, made account, that summer was at hand, and away went his shirt too. L'Estrange, Fab. exxvii. 13. The reasons of any thing collected. Being convinced, upon all accounts, that they had the same reason to believe the history of our Saviour, as that of any other person, to which they them- selves were not actually eye-witnesses; they were bound, by all the rules of historical faith, and of right reason, to give credit to this history. Addison. 14. In law. Account is, in the common law, taken for a writ or action, brought against a man; that, by means of office or business undertaken, is to render an account unto another; as, a bailiff toward his master, a guar- dian to his ward. Cowell. To Acco'unt, ak-kount'. v. a. [See AC- COUNT.] 1. To esteem, to think, to hold in opinion. That also was accounted a land of giants. Deut. 2. To reckon, to compute. Neither the motion of the moon, whereby months are computed, nor the sun, whereby years are ac- counted, consisteth of whole numbers. Brown's Vulgar Errours. 3. To assign to, as a debt; with the par- ticle to. For some years really accrued the yearly sum of two hunched thousand pounds to the king's coffers; and it was, in truth, the only project, that was ac- counted to his own service. Clarendon. 4. To hold in esteem; with of. Silver was nothing accounted of, in the days of Solomon. Chron. To Acco'unt, ak-kount'. v. n. i. To reckon. The calendar months are likewise arbitrarily and unequally settled, by the same power; by which months we, to this day, account: and they measure and make up that, which we call the Julian year. Holder on Time. 2. To give an account, to assign the causes; in which sense it is followed by the particlejror. If any one should ask, why our general continued so easy to the last? I know no other way to account for it, but by that unmeasurable love of wealth, which his best friends allow to be his predominant passion. Sxcift. 3. To make up the reckoning; to answer; with/or. Then thou shalt see him plung'd when least he fears; At once accounting for his deep arrears. Di-yden's Juv. Sal. xiii. They have no uneasy presages of a future rec- koning, wherein the pleasures they now taste must be accounted for; and may perhaps be outweighed by the pains, which shall thee lay hold of them. Atterbury's Sennons. 4. To appear as the medium, by which any thing may be explained. Such, as have a faulty circulation through the lungs, ought to eat very little at a time; because the increase of the quantity of fresh chyle must make that circulation still more uneasy: which, indeed, is the case of consumptive and some asthmatic per- sons; and accounts for the symptoms, they are trou- bled with after eating. Arbuth, on Aliments. Acco'untable, ak-k6un'ta-bl. adj. [from account.'] Of whom an account may be required; who must answer for: follow- ed by the particle to, before the person; andybr, before the thing. Accountable to none, But to my conscience and my God alone. Oldham. Thinking themselves excused, from standing upon their own legs, or being accountable for their own conduct, they very seldom trouble themselves with enquiries. Locke on Education. The good magistrate will make no distinction: for the judgment is God's; and he will look upon him- self, as accountable at his bar/or the equity of it. Atterburxfs Sermons. Accou'ntant, ak-kovm'tant. adj. [from account.] Accountable to; responsible for Not in use. His offence is so, as it appears Accountant to the law upon that pain. Shakspeare's Meas.for Meas. I love her too; Not out of absolute lust (though peradventure 1 stand accountant for as great a sin) But partly led to diet my revenge. Shaksp. Othello. Acco'untant, ak-kotin'tant. n. s [See Accomptant.] A computer; a man, skilled or employed in accounts. The different compute of divers states; the short and irreconcileable years of some; the exceeding errour in the natural frame of others; and the false deductions of ordinary accountants in most. Brown's Vulgar Errours. Acco'unt-book, ak-kount'-book. n. s. A book containing accounts. I would endeavour, to comfort myself upon the loss of friends, as I do upon the loss of money; by turning to my account-book, and seeing whether I have enough left for my support. Swift. Acco'unting, ak-koun'ting. n s. [from account.] The act of reckoning, or ma- king up of accounts. This method, faithfully observed, must keep a man from breaking, or running behind-hand, in his spiritual estate; which, without frequent accountings-, he will hardly be able to prevent. South's Sermons. To Acco'uple, ak-kup'pl. v. a. [ac- coujiler, Fr.] To join, to link together. We now use couple. He sent a solemn embassage, to treat a peace and league with the king; accoupling it with an ar- ticle in the nature of a request. Bacon's Henry VII. To Acco'urage, ak-kur'ridje. v. a. [Ob- solete. See Courage.] To animate. That forward pair she ever would assuage, When they would strive due reason to exceed; But that same froward twain would accourage, And of her plenty add unto their need. Fairy Queen, 6. ii. c. 2. To Acco'urt, ak-kort'.318 v. a. [See To COURT.] To entertain with court- ship, or courtesy; a word now not in use. Who all this while were at their wanton rest, Accourting each her friend with lavish feast. Fairy Queen. To ACCO'UTRE, ak-kd6'tur. t>. a. [«c- coutrcr, Fr.] To dress, to equip. Is it for this they study? to grow pale, And miss the pleasures of a glorious meal ? For this, in rags accoutred arc they seen, And made the May-game of the public spleen? Dryden. Acoo'utrement, ak-k66'tur-ment. n. s. [accoutrement, Fr.] Dress, equipage; furniture, relatingto the person; trap- pings, ornaments.