A Grammar of the English Tongue by Samuel Johnson
page 17 of 83 (20%)
page 17 of 83 (20%)
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N is sometimes mute after m, as damn, condemn, hymn.
P. P has always the same sound which the Welsh and Germans confound with b. P is sometimes mute, as in psalm, and between m and t, as tempt. Ph is used for f in words derived from the Greek, as philosopher, philanthropy, Philip. Q. Q, as in other languages, is always followed by u, and has a sound which our Saxon ancestors well expressed by cw, as quadrant, queen, equestrian, quilt, inquiry, quire, quotidian. Qu is never followed by u. Qu is sometimes sounded, in words derived from the French, like k, as conquer, liquor, risque, chequer. R. R has the same rough snarling sound as in the other tongues. The Saxons used often to put h before it, as before l at the beginning of words. Rh is used in words derived from the Greek, as myrrh, myrrhine, catarrhous, rheum, rheumatick, rhyme. |
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