A select glossary of English words used formerly in senses different from their present

Name: A select glossary of English words used formerly in senses different from their present
Author: Richard Chenevix Trench

By Richard Chenevix Trench

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About This Book

A scholarly glossary surveys English words whose meanings have shifted, offering concise etymologies, historical citations, and illustrative quotations that demonstrate former senses. Entries are selectively chosen to reveal patterns of semantic change, to aid readers in interpreting older texts, and to illuminate incidental cultural or historical details; special attention is paid to Middle English usage and to revising doubtful etymologies. Quotations are presented to stand independently as clear evidence rather than to exhaust a topic, and the work deliberately limits scope to provoke further curiosity and independent study. Overall it functions as a practical reference and pedagogical aid for tracing the development of English vocabulary.

About the Author

Richard Chenevix Trench

Richard Chenevix Trench was a 19th-century Irish theologian, poet, and philologist, known for his significant contributions to the study of language and literature. His works often explore the evolution of English words and their meanings, as exemplified in his notable book "On the Study of Words." Trench's scholarly approach combined with his poetic sensibility is evident in his collections, such as "Poems from Eastern Sources: The Steadfast Prince; and Other Poems." He also delivered lectures on proverbs, which were later compiled in "Proverbs and Their Lessons." His writings reflect a deep engagement with both the linguistic and spiritual dimensions of English literature.