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.)

Title Page

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$ALA ALA ALB have been complicated; and distinguishes it from questions, which may be akin, to it. Watts''s Improvement of the Mind. Al, Attle, Adle, aT, at'tl, ad'l, do all seem to be corruptions of the Saxon iEpel, noble,famous; as also Ailing and Adling are corruptions of iEpeling, no- ble, sfilendid, famous. Al, Aid, being initials, are derived from the Saxon Ealb, ancient; and so, (oftentimes) the initial all, being melted by the Normans from the Saxon ealb. Gibson's Camden. A'labaster, al'a-bas-tur.93 n. s. [»X»- £«<r?«v.] A kind of soft marble, easier to cut, and less durable, than the other kinds: some is white, which is most common; some of the colour of horn, and transparent; some yellow, like ho- ney, marked with veins. The ancients used it, to make boxes for perfumes. Savary. Yet I'll not shed her blood; Nor scar that whiter skin of hers, than snow; And smooth, as monumental alabaster. Shaksp. A'labaster, al'a-bas-tur.418 adj. Made of alabaster. I cannot forbear mentioning part of an alabaster column, found in the ruins of Livia's portico. It is of the colour of fire; and maybe seen, over the high altar of St. Maria in Campitello; for they have cut it into two pieces; and fixed it, in the shape of a Gross, in a hole of the wall; so that the light passing through it, makes it look (to those in the church) like a huge transparent cross of amber. Addison- Ala'ok, a-lak'. interject. [This word seems only the corruption of alas.] Alas; an expression of sorrow. Alack! when once our grace we have forgot, Nothing goes right; we would, and we would not. Shaksp. Measure for Measure. At thunder now no more I start, Than at the rumbling of a cart: Nay (what's incredible) alack! I hardly hear a woman's clack. Swift. Ala'ckaday, a-lak'&da. i?iterject. [This; like the former, is for alas the day.] A word, noting sorrow and melancholy. Ala'criously, a-iak're-us-le. adv. [from alacrious, supposed to be formed from alacris: but, of alacrious, I have found no example] Cheerfully; without dejec- tion. Epaminondas alacriously expired, in confidence that he left behind him a perpetual memory of the victories he had achieved for his country. Government of the Tongue. Ala'crity, a-lak'kre-te.s n. s. [alacritas, Lat.] Cheerfulness, expressed by some outward token; sprightliness; gayety; liveliness; cheerful willingness. These orders were, on all sides, yielded unto with no less alacrity of mind; than cities, unable to hold out any longer, are wont to shew; when they take conditions, such as it liketh him to offer them, which hath them in the narrow straits of advantage. Hooker. Give me a bowl of wine: I have not that alacrity of spirit; Nor cheer of mind, that I was wont to have. Shaksp. He, glad that now his sea should find a shore, With fresh alacrity and force renew'd. Springs upward. Milton's Par. Lost. Never did men more joyfully obey, Or sooner understood the sign to fly: With such alacrity they bore away, Ap.iG to praise them,,all the states stood by. Dryden. ALAMI'RE, a'la-mire. n. s. The lowest note but one, in Guido Aretine's scale of musick. Alamo'de, al-a-mode'. adv. [a la mode, Fr ] According to the fashion: a low word. It is used likewise by shopkeep- ers, for a kind of thin silken manufac- ture. Ala'nd, a-land'. adv. [from a for at, and land] At land; landed; on the dry ground. He only, with the prince his cousin, were cast aland; far off from the place, whither their desires would have guided them. Sidney. Three more, fierce Eurus, in his angry mood, Dash'd on the shallows of the moving sand; And, in mid ocean, left them moor'd aland. Dryden. ALA'RM, a-larm'. n. s. [from the French, d I'arme, to arms; as, crier a I'anne, to call to arms.] 1. A cry, by which men are summoned to their arms, as, at the approach of an enemy. When the congregation is to be gathered toge- ther, you shall blow; but you shall not sound an alarm. Numbers. God himself is with us, for our captain; and his priests with sounding trumpets, to cry alarms against you. Chron. xiii. 12. The trumpet's loud clangour Excites us to arms, With shrill notes of anger, And mortal alarms. Dryden. Taught by this stroke, renounce the war's alarms; And learn to tremble, at the name of aims. Pope. 2. A cry,or notice, of any danger approach- ing; as, an alarm of fire. J. Any tumult or disturbance. Crowds of rivals, for thy mother's charms, Thy palace fill with insults and alarms. Pope's Odys. To Ala'rm, a-larm'. v. a. [from alarm, the noun.] 1. To call to arms. 2. To disturb; as, with the approach of an enemy. The wasp the hive alarms With louder hums, and with unequal arms. Addison. 3. To surprise with the apprehension of any danger. When rage misguides me, or when fear alarms, When pain distresses, or when pleasure charms. Tickell. 4. To disturb in general. His son, Cupavo, brush'd the briny flood: Upon his stern, a brawny Centaur stood; Who heav'd a rock; and, threat'ning still to throw, With lifted hands, alarmed the seas below. Diyden. Ala'rmbell, a-Iirm'bell. n. s. [from alarm and bell.] The bell, that is rung at the approach of an enemy. Th' alarm-bell rings, from our Alhambra walls; And, from the streets, sound drums and ataballes. Dryden. Ala'rming, a-lar'ming. fiarticifi. adj. [from alarm.'] Terrifying; awakening; surprising; as, an alarming message; an alarming pain. Ala'rmpost, a-larm'post. n. s. [from alarm and Jwst.] The post or place ap- pointed to each body of men to appear at, when an alarm shall happen. Ala'rum, a-lar'um. n. s. [corrupted, as it seems, from alarm. See Alarm.] Now are our l>rows bound with victorious wreaths, Our. bruised arms hung-up, for monuments; Our stern alarums chang'd, to merry meetings. Shakspeare. That Almatro might better hear, She sets a drum at either ear; And loud or gentle, harsh or sweet, Are but the alarums, which they beat. Prior. To Ala'rum, a-lar'um. v. a. [corrupted from To alarm.] See Alarm. Withered murder (Alarum'd by his sentinel the wolf, Whose howl's his watch) thus, with his stealthy pace, Moves like a ghost. Shakspeare. Ala's, a-lass'. interject, [helas, Fr.eylaes, Dutch.] 1. A word expressing lamentation, when we use it of ourselves. But yet, alas! 0 but yet, alas! our haps be but hard haps. Sidney. Alas, how little from the grave we claim! Thou but preserv'st a form, and I a name. Pope. 2. A word of pity, when used of other persons. Alas, poor Protheus! thou hast entertain'd A fox, to be the shepherd of thy lambs. Shaksp. 3. A word of sorrow and concern, when used of things. Thus saith the Lord God;' Smite with thine hand, and stamp with thy foot, and say Alas! for all the evil abominations of the house of Israel.' Ezekiel. Alas! both for the deed, and for the cause! Milton. Alas! for pity of this bloody field: Piteous indeed must be; when I, a spirit, Can have so soft a sense of human woes. Dryden. ALAS-A-DAY,a-las'a-da. > interject. /\las-the-day, a-las'the-da. 3 Ah! unhap- py day! Alas-the-day! I never gave him cause. Shaksp. Alas-a-day! you have ruined my poor mistress: you have made a gap, in her reputation; and can you blame her, if she make it up with her husband? Congreve. Alas-the-while, a-las'-the-while. inter- ject Ah! unhappy time! All as the sheep, such was the shepherd's look; For pale and wan he was, alas-the-while! May seem, he lov'd, or else some care he took. Spenser, Ala'te, a-late'. adv. [from a and late.] Lately; no long time ago. Alb, alb. n. s. [album, Lat.] A surplice; a white linen vestment, worn by priests. Alee, alb. ~) adv. [a coalition of the ALBE'rr,al-b6'it.845 words all be it so.— Skinner.] Although; notwithstanding; though it should be. Ne wou'd he suffer sleep once thitherward Approach, albe his drowsy den was next. Spenser. This very thing is cause sufficient; why duties, be- longing to each kind of virtue (albeit the law of reason teach them) should, notwithstanding, be prescribed, even by human law. Hooker. One, whose eyes (Albeit, unused to the melting mood) Drop tears as fast, as the Arabian trees Their medicinal gum. Shaksp. He, who has a probable belief, that he shall meet with thieves in such a road, thinks himself to have reason enough to decline it; albeit he is sure to sus- tain some less (though yet considerable) inconve- nience, by his so doing. South's Sermons. Albugi'neous, al-bu-jin'e-us. adj. [al- bugo, Lat.] Resembling the white of an egg- Eggs will freeze in the albugineous part thereof. Brown's Vulgar Errours. I opened it by incision, giving vent, first to an albugineous, then to white concocted matter: upon which the tumour sunk. Fftsemon'j Surgery ALB VGO, al-bu'go.s* n. s. [Lat.] A dis.$