An universal etymological English dictionary: comprehending the derivations of the generality of words in the English tongue, either antient or modern, from the antient British, Saxon, Danish, Norman and modern French, Teutonic, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages, each in their proper characters. London: J. and J. Knapton [et al.], 1731. [Together with:] The universal etymological English dictionary: containing an additional collection of words (not in the first volume). Vol. II. The second edition, with many additions. London: Thomas Cox, 1731

Bailey, N[athan]

Published by printed for J. & J. Knapton [and] Thomas Cox, London, 1731

About this Item

The fifth and second editions respectively, together in matching contemporary bindings and unusual thus; 2 volumes, 8vo, pp. 16 plus unpaginated lexicon in double column; [8] plus unpaginated lexicon in double column; full contemporary paneled calf; volume designation numbers in gilt (1 and 2) on spines; top of both spines chipped; good and sound. Engraved armorial bookplate of Edward Conder, Terry Bank, Westmoreland Co. The year 1731 was the first year both titles were published together, and thus the first year both volumes could be bound in matching bindings, as here. The so-called volume II, first published in 1727, and distinguishable by the definite article at the beginning of the title, enjoyed a separate publishing existence from Bailey's An Universal Etymological Dictionary. The work contains an abundance of interesting additions (many from correspondents and contributors - a now accepted practice in lexicography), accents (here first introduced in dictionaries), woodcuts in the text, and heraldic, sporting, military and navigational terms, plus a 36-p. section of canting terms and a 22-p. section of proper names, complete with etymologies. Commercially, the book paved the way for Bailey's next undertaking, the seminal Dictionarium Britannicum which Johnson used as a template for his great Dictionary of 1755. Alston V, 98 and 129.

Seller Inventory # 60003

Bibliographic Details

• Title: An universal etymological English dictionary: comprehending the derivations of the generality of words in the English tongue, either antient or modern, from the antient British, Saxon, Danish, Norman and modern French, Teutonic, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages, each in their proper characters. London: J. and J. Knapton [et al.], 1731. [Together with:] The universal etymological English dictionary: containing an additional collection of words (not in the first volume)...
• Publisher: printed for J. & J. Knapton [and] Thomas Cox, London
• Publication Date: 1731
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  • Dictionaries