An Etymological Dictionary of the Latin Language (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from An Etymological Dictionary of the Latin Language

But it will be said that there are numerous words which we cannot show to be taken from the Greeks. Doubtless it is so, although the number of such words is constantly decreasing. When Vossius published his Etymology, he was ignorant that Pruina was nothing but So it was with numerous Other words. And future generations will probably supply from the Greek sound derivations of words, which to this time have been investigated in vain.

Such words we have, as far as we have been able, traced on the one hand to the Northern, on the other to the Oriental languages. Not that these sources have been exhausted: much doubtless might have been added, but it is hoped that not a few valuable analogies have been here collected, and that on the whole the claims of the Northern and Eastern languages have received a patient and an attentive hearing.

One word in regard to the Hebrew. Mr. Horne Tooke thus expresses his objection to the derivation of Latin from that lan guage. It is a most erroneous practice, he says, of the Latin Etymologists to fly to the Hebrew for whatever they cannot find in the Greek -for the Romans were not a mixed colony of Greeks and Jews, but of Greeks and Goths, as the whole of the Latin language most plainly evinces. This seems a reasonable proposition yet I have not omitted to indulge the fancy of those who are not persuaded by it.

Mr. Tate is of opinion that the Latin language came in great measure from the Sanskrit. Dr. Jones too carries us to the Indians. The note on Latus, borne, supplies the Reader with an instance of this kind. Barrus and other words will be found traced toan Indian source. Mr. Tate cites the following passage from Sir William Jones: The first race of Persians and Indians, to whom we may add the Romans and Greeks, the Goths and the old Egyptians or Ethiops, originally spoke the same language.

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