The evolution of English lexicography by James Augustus Henry Murray
page 40 of 42 (95%)
page 40 of 42 (95%)
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[4] This is the primary reason why in Middle and Modern English, unlike what is found in German and Dutch, the terms of culture, art, science, and philosophy, are of French or, through French, of Latin origin. The corresponding Old English terms were forgotten during the age of illiteracy, and when, generations later, the speaker of English came again to deal with such subjects, he had to do like Layamon, when he knew no longer _tungol-croeft_, and could refer to it only as 'the craft ihote _astronomie_ in other kunnes speche.' [5] Also _Medulla Grammaticae_, or usually _Grammatice_. [6] At the end is an alphabetical list of adjectives; extending from lf. 79a, col. 2, to 83a, foot. [7] It must however be mentioned that the second dictionary of English and another modern tongue was appropriately 'A Dictionary in Englyshe and Welshe, moche necessary to all suche Welshemen as wil spedlye learne the englyshe tongue, thought vnto the kynges maiestie very mete to be sette forth to the vse of his graces subiectes in Wales, ... by Wyllyam Salesbury.' The colophon is 'Imprynted at London in Foster Lane, by me John Waley. 1547.' [8] In the Dedication he says, 'Which worke, long ago for the most part, was gathered by me, but lately augmented by my sonne Thomas, who now is Schoolemaister in London.' [9] 'To the right honourable, worshipfull, vertuous, & godlie Ladies, the Lady Hastings, the Lady Dudley, the Lady Mountague, the Ladie Wingfield, and the Lady Leigh, his Christian friends, R.C. wisheth |
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