We have lost many exquisite and picturesque expressions through the dulness of our lexicographers, or by the deficiency in that profounder study of our writers which their labours require far more than they themselves know. The natural graces of our language have been impoverished. The genius that throws its prophetic eye over the language, and the taste that must come from Heaven, no lexicographer imagines are required to accompany him amidst a library of old books!
[19] Aulus Gellius, lib. i. c. 10.
[20] Instit. lib. i. c. 5.
[21] This verse was corrected by Bentley procudere nummum, instead of producere nomen, which the critics agree is one of his happy conjectures.
[22] Henry Cockeram’s curious little “English Dictionarie, or an Interpretation of hard English words”, 12mo, 1631, professes to give in its first book “the choicest words themselves now in use, wherewith our language is inriched and become so copious.” Many have not survived, such as the following:—
| Acyrologicall | An improper speech. |
| Adacted | Driven in by force. |
| Blandiloquy | Flattering speech. |
| Compaginate | To set together that which is broken. |
| Concessation | Loytering. |
| Delitigate | To scold, or chide vehemently. |
| Depalmate | To give one a box on the ear. |
| Esuriate | To hunger. |
| Strenuitie | Activity. |
Curiously enough, this author notes some words as those “now out of use, and onely used of some ancient writers,” but which we now commonly use. Such are the following:—
| Abandon | To forsake or cast off. |
| Abate | To make lesse, diminish, or take from. |
[23] A most striking instance of the change of meaning in a word is in the old law-term let—“without let or hindrance;” meaning void of all opposition. Hence, “I will let you,” meant “I will hinder you;” and not as we should now think, “I will give you free leave.”