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

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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$Affirma'tiojj, af-fer-ma'slmn. n. a. [af- firmatio, Lat.] 1. The act of affirming or declaring: op- posed to negation or denial. This gentleman vouches, upon warrant of bloody affirmation, his to be more virtuous, and less at- temptable, than any of our ladies. Shakspeare. 2. The position affirmed. That he shall receive no benefit from Christ, is the affirmation, whereon his despair is founded; and oneway of removing this dismal apprehension is, to convince him, that Christ's death (if he perform the condition required) shall certainly belong to him. Hammond's Fundamentals. 3. Confirmation; opposed to repeal. The learned in the laws of our land observe, that our statutes sometimes are only the affirmation or ratification of that, which by common law was held before. Hooker. Affirmative,af-fer'ma-tiv.168 adj. [from affirm.] 1. That, which affirms; opposed to nega- tive: in which sense, we use the affir- mative absolutely; that is, the affirma- tive position. For the affirmative, we are now to answer such proofs of theirs, as have been before alleged. Hooker. Whether there are such beings or not, 'tis suffi- cient for my purpose, that many have believed the affirmative. Dryden. 2. That, which can or may be affirmed: a sense, used chiefly in science. As in algebra, where affirmative quantities vanish or cease, there negative ones begin; so in mecha- nicks, where attraction ceases, there a repulsive virtue ought to succeed. Neivt. Opt. 3. Applied to persons; he, who has the habit of affirming with vehemence; po- sitive; dogmatical. Be not confident and affirmative, in an uncertain matter; but report things modestly and temperately, according to the degree of that persuasion; which is, or ought to be, begotten by the efficacy of the au- thority, or the reason inducing thee. Taylor. Affirmatively, af-fer'ma-tiv-le. adv. [from affirmative.] In an affirmative manner; on the positive side; not nega- tively. The reason of man hath no such restraint: con- cluding not only affirmatively,but negatively; not only affirming, there is no magnitude beyond the last heavens; but also denying, there is any vacuity within them. Brown's Vulgar Errours. Affi'rmer, af-fer'mui .°8 n. s. [from af- firm.] The person, that affirms. If, by the word virtue, the affinner intends our whole duty to God and man; and the denier, by the word virtue, means only courage, or (at most) our duty toward our neighbour, without including (in the idea of it) the duty which we owe to God. Walls's Logick. To Affi'x, af-fiks'. v. a. [affigo, affixum, Lat] 1. To unite to the end, or d posteriori; to subjoin. He, that has settled in his mind determined ideas, with names affixed to them, will be able to discern their differences one from another. Locke. If men constantly affixed applause and disgrace, where they ought; the principle of shame would have a very good influence, on publick conduct; though, on secret villanies, it lays no restraint. Rogers's Sermons. 2. To connect consequentially. The doctrine of irresistibility of grace, in work- ing whatsoever it works; if it beacknowledged, there is nothing to be affixt to gratitude. Hammond. 3. Simply, to fasten or fix. Obsolete. Her modest eyes, abashed to behold So many gazers as on her do stare, Upon the lowly ground affixed are. Spenser. Affi'x, af'fiks.49* n. s. [affixum, Lat.] A term of grammar. Something, united to the end of a word. In the Hebrew language, the noun has its affixa, to denote the pronouns possessive or relative. Clarke's Latin Grammar. Affi'xion, af-fik'shun. n. s. [from affix.] 1. The act oi affixing. 2. The state of being affixed. Diet. Affla'tion, af-fla'shun. n. s. [afflo, affla- tum, Lat.] The act of breathing upon any thing. Diet. AFFLA'TUS, af fla'tus. n.s. [Lat.] Com- munication of the power of prophecy. The poet, writing against his genius, will be like a prophet without his afflatus. Spence on the Odys. To AFFLI'CT, af-flikt'. v. a. [afflicto, af- flict um, Lat.] 1. To put to pain; to grieve; to torment. It teacheth us, how God thought fit to plague and afflict them: it doth not appoint, in what form and manner we ought to punish the sin of idolatry in others. Hooker, b. v. § 17. O coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me! The lights burn biue.—Is it not dead midnight? Cold fearful drops stand on my trembling flesh. Shaksp. Rich. III. Gi\ e not over thy mind to heaviness, and afflict not thyself in thine own counsel. Ecclus. xxx. 21. A father, afflicted with untimely mourning, when he hath made an image of his child soon taken away, now honoured him as a God, which was then a dead man; and delivered, to those that were under him, ceremonies and sacrifices. Wisdom. A melancholy tear afflicts my eye; And my heart labours with a sudden sigh. Prior. 2. The passive (ro be afflicted,') has often at, before the causal noun; by is like- wise proper. The mother was so afflicted, at the loss of a fine boy, who was her only son; that she died for grief of it. Addison, Sped. Affli'ctedness, af-flik'ted-ness. n. s. [from afflicted^] The state of affliction, or of being afflicted; sorrowfulness; grief. Affli'cter, af-flik'tur.98 n. s. [from af- flict.] The person, that afflicts. Affliction, af-flik'shun. n. s. [afflictio, Lat.] 1. The cause of pain or sorrow; calamity. To the flesh (as the apostle himself granteth) all affliction is naturally grievous; therefore nature, which causeth fear, teacheth to pray against all ad- versity. Hooker, b. v. § 48. We'll bring you to one, that you have cozened of money: I think, to repay that money, will be a biting affliction. Shakspeare. 2. The state of sorrowfulness; misery: op- posed to joy or prosperity. Besides you know, Prosperity's the very bond of love; Whose fresh complexion, and whose heart together, Affliction alters. Shaksp. Winter's Tale. Where shall we find the man, that bears uffliction, Great and majestic in his griefs, like Cato? Addison. Some virtues are only seen in affliction, and some in prosperity. Addison, Spectator, No. 257. Affli'ctive, af-flik'tiv.168 adj. [from af- flict.] That, which causes affliction; painful; tormenting. They found martyrdom a duty; dressed-up indeed with all that was terrible and afflictive to human nature; yet, not at all the less a duty. South. Nor can they find, Where to retire themselves, or where appease f2 Th' afflictive keen desire of food: exposed To winds and storms, and jaws of savage death. Phihp- Restless Proserpine,— —On the spacious land and liquid main, Spreads slow disease, and darts afflictive pain. Prior. A'ffluence, af'flu-ense. n. s. [affluence, Fr. affluentia, Lat.] 1. The act of flowing to any place; con- course. It is almost always used figu- ratively. I shall not relate the affluence of young nobles, from hence into Spain; after the voice of our prince being there, had been noised. Wotton. 2. Exuberance of riches; stream of wealth; plenty. Those degrees of fortune, which give fulness and affluence to one station, may be want and penury in another. Rogers- Let joy or ease, let affluence or content, And the gay conscience of a life well spent, Calm ev'ry thought, inspirit ev'ry grace. Pope A'ffluency, af'flu-en-se. n. s. The same with affluence. A'FFLUENT, af'flu-ent. adj. [affluent, Fr. affluens, Lat.] 1. Flowing to any part. These parts are no more, than foundation-piles of the ensuing body; which are afterwards to be in- creased and raised to a greater bulk, by the affluent blood, that is transmitted out of the mother's body. Harvey on Consumptions 2. Abundant; exuberant; wealthy. I see thee, Lord and end of my desire, Loaded and blest with all the affluent store, Which human vows and smoking shrines implore. Prior. A'ffluentness, af'flu-ent-ness. ?z.s. [from affluent.] The quality of being afflu- ent. Diet. A'fflux, af'fluks. n. s. [affluxus, Lat.] 1. The act of flowing to some place; af- fluence. 2, That, which flows to another place. The cause hereof cannot be a supply by procrea- tions; ergo, it must be, by new affluxes to London out of the country. Graunt. The infant grows bigger out of the womb, by ag- glutinating one afflux of blood to another. Harvey. An animal, that must lie still, receives the afflux of colder or warmer, clean or foul water, as it hap- pens to come to it. Locke. Afflu'xion, af-fluk-shun. n. s [affluxio, Lat.] 1. The act of flowing to a particular place. 2. That which flows from one place to another. An inflammation; either simple, consisting of an hot and sanguineous affluxion; or else denominate from other humours, according unto the predomi- nancy of melancholy, phlegm, or choler. Brown. To Affo'rp, af-forcT. v. a [affourrer, af- fourragtr, Fr.] 1. To yield or produce; as, the soil affords grain; the trees afford fruits. This seems to be the primitive signification. 2. To grant, to confer any thing; generally in a good sense, and sometimes in a bad, but less properly. So soon, as Maurmon there arriv'd, the door To him did open, and afforded way. Fairy Quern, This is the consolation of all'good men, unto whom his ubiquity affordeth continual comfort and security; and this is the affliction of hell, to whom it affordcth despair and remediless calamity. L 3. To be able to sell. It is u^cd always,$