Philosophic Etymology: Or Rational Grammar |
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... only ingenious fancies . Be- lieving that his opinions and reasonings rest on fixed and certain principles , he has proceeded in a firm and fearless manner ; but a clearer { Introduction .... CONTENTS . PART I. The Nature and Origin.
... only ingenious fancies . Be- lieving that his opinions and reasonings rest on fixed and certain principles , he has proceeded in a firm and fearless manner ; but a clearer { Introduction .... CONTENTS . PART I. The Nature and Origin.
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... Nature and Origin of Alphabetic Signs The Connexion between Alphabetic Signs and Intelli- gible Sounds considered . .. PART II . THE CANON OF ETYMOLOGY PART III . 23 30 35 The Component Parts of Speech unfolded ..... Connectives ... The ...
... Nature and Origin of Alphabetic Signs The Connexion between Alphabetic Signs and Intelli- gible Sounds considered . .. PART II . THE CANON OF ETYMOLOGY PART III . 23 30 35 The Component Parts of Speech unfolded ..... Connectives ... The ...
Page iii
... nature of true philology must lie on the very surface of obviousness . 4. That all the dialects must be essen- tially but one language . 5. That the whole wilder- ness of words must have arisen from a few expressive signs originally ...
... nature of true philology must lie on the very surface of obviousness . 4. That all the dialects must be essen- tially but one language . 5. That the whole wilder- ness of words must have arisen from a few expressive signs originally ...
Page vi
... nature and origin . It was not , however , till he analized the alphabet and resolved its diversities into their primary form , that he could experiment with certainty on etymology . It was now discovered and proved at every step , that ...
... nature and origin . It was not , however , till he analized the alphabet and resolved its diversities into their primary form , that he could experiment with certainty on etymology . It was now discovered and proved at every step , that ...
Page vii
... nature and importance of true philology , will lend their assistance in promoting its interests . There must be many in this country , though un- known to the author , who have juster notions of the subject than those which prevail ...
... nature and importance of true philology , will lend their assistance in promoting its interests . There must be many in this country , though un- known to the author , who have juster notions of the subject than those which prevail ...
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Philosophic Etymology, Or Rational Grammar (Classic Reprint) James Gilchrist No preview available - 2018 |
Common terms and phrases
absurdity adjective affix alphabet ancient arbitrary grammar Aristotle augmentive called the past classical composition conjunction connected connexion considered consonants contraction copula Crombie Curiologic denote despotism dialects Dictionary doctrines Dugald Stewart Dutch ellipsis employed English language enquire etymology evident finical give Gothic grammarians Greek gutturals hand Hebrew Hebrew alphabet hence Horne Tooke idea important insignificant instances intellectual labour Latin Latin language learned letters lexicographers Lindley Murray literary manner meaning merely metaphysical mination mistiness modes of expression mouth nature ness never nouns objects origin orthography participle philological philosophic plural present usage pretty primarily principles pronounced pronouns pronunciation put elliptically quotation racter reader will perceive reason remarks resolvable respecting rhetorical roting Saxon Scotch signifying softened sound speech spelling spelt style superfluous supposed taste termina termination ther thing thought tical tion tive truth understanding variety verb vowels vulgar words writing
Popular passages
Page 241 - Seeing then that truth consisteth in the right ordering of names in our affirmations, a man that seeketh precise truth had need to remember what every name he uses stands for, and to place it accordingly, or else he will find himself entangled in words, as a bird in lime twigs, the more he struggles the more belimed.
Page 237 - But when, having passed over the original and composition of our ideas, I began to examine the extent and certainty of our knowledge, I found it had so near a connexion with words, that, unless their force and manner of signification were first well observed, there could be very little said clearly and pertinently concerning knowledge...
Page 237 - But I am apt to imagine, that were the imperfections of language, as the instrument of knowledge, more thoroughly weighed, a great many of the controversies that make such a noise in the world, would of themselves cease ; and the way to knowledge, and perhaps peace, too, lie a great deal opener than it does.
Page 242 - ... tenets: which make those men that take their instruction from the authority of books and not from their own meditation to be as much below the condition of ignorant men as men endued with true science are above it. For between true science and erroneous doctrines ignorance is in the middle.
Page 243 - For words are wise men's counters — they do but reckon by them — but they are the money of fools...
Page 242 - For the errors of definitions multiply themselves according as the reckoning proceeds, and lead men into absurdities, which at last they see, but cannot avoid, without reckoning anew from the beginning, in which lies the foundation of their errors.
Page 242 - ... at last, finding the error visible and not mistrusting their first grounds, know not which way to clear themselves, but spend time in fluttering over their books, as birds that, entering by the chimney and finding themselves inclosed in a chamber, flutter at the false light of a glass window, for want of wit to consider which way they came in.
Page 242 - ... books, as birds that entering by the chimney, and finding themselves enclosed in a chamber, flutter at the false light of a glass window, for want of wit to consider which way they came in. So that in the right definition of names, lies the first use of speech, which is the acquisition of science, and in wrong or no definitions lies the first abuse, from which proceed all false and senseless tenets...
Page 242 - By this it appears how necessary it is for any man that aspires to true knowledge to examine the definitions of former authors ; and either to correct them where they are negligently set down, or to make them himself.
Page 266 - Is it the usage of the multitude of speakers, whether good or bad ? This has never been asserted by the most sanguine abettors of its authority. Is it the usage of the studious in schools and colleges, with those of the learned professions...