this aid. We refer our readers to a very few words as examples. A-BANDONED. SYN. Forsaken; deserted; destitute; abject; forlorn; profligate; corrupt; vicious; depraved; reprobate; wick ed; heinous; criminal; vile; odious; detestable.

COMMON. SYN. General; public; popular; national; universal; frequent; ordinary; customary; usual; familiar; habitual; vulgar; mean; trite; stale; threadbare; common-place.

MÖVE. SYN. To stir; agitate; trouble; affect; persuade; influence; actuate; impel; rouse; prompt; instigate; incite; induce; incline; propose; offer.

RUDE. SYN. Rough; uneven; shapeless; unfashioned; rugged; artless; unpolished; uncouth; inelegant; rustic; coarse; vulgar; clownish; raw; unskillful; untaught; illiterate; ignorant; uncivil; impolite; impertinent; saucy; impudent; insolent; surly; currish; churlish; brutal; uncivilized; barbarous; savage; violent; fierce; tumultuous; turbulent; impetuous; boisterous; harsh inclement; severe.

SIMPLE. SYN. Single; uncompounded; unmingled; unmixed; mere; uncombined; elementary; plain; artless; sincere; harmless; undesigned; frank; open; unaffected; inartificial; unadorned; credulous; silly; foolish; shallow; unwise.

The richness of these several groups will be seen at once, and this is true of hundreds of others.

In the Definitions, which all acknowledge to be the most important part of a dictionary, numerous improvements have been made, in the present revision; as very great improvements certainly were made by Dr. Webster in his original work, over every one that preceded it. The editor has carried out the lexicographer's principles, and given no explanation of any important word (so far as we observe) by mere synonyms; but has enumerated the distinctive properties of the objects, and expressed them with great clearness and precision. There has evidently been an advance here, of the most desirable nature.

The ex

cellence of a definition lies chiefly in its distinctness and amplitude, separating, as it does, the term from every similar one, presenting its nicer shades of meaning, and exhausting the various senses in which it may be used. In this feature of the work, we have seen nothing superi

"No efforts have been spared to obtain the most recent and valuable works, not only in lexicography, but in the various departments of science and the arts embraced in the American Dictionary. As these subjects are in a state of continual progress, every important word, in its various applications, has been diligently examined and compared with the statements made on each topic, by the latest and most approved authorities."—Pref., p. 2.

In addition to the latest English dictionaries, the editor enumerates between twenty and thirty special dictionaries and scientific works which were collated or used throughout, in the business of correction. These, we are gratified to say, are all standard works, most of them of recent date, such as-the Oxford Glossary of Architecture; Dr. Ure's Dictionary of Manufactures, Arts and Mines, with its Supplement; Herbert's Engineer's and Mechanic's Cyclopedia; M'Culloch's Commercial Dictionary; Partington's British Cyclopedia of Natural History; Jardine's Naturalist's Library; Campbell's Military Dictionary, besides Brande, and the Penny Cyclopedia, &c. &c.

But the editor has not relied on himself alone in using these works. He has justly remarked—

"It is obviously impossible for any one mind to embrace with accuracy all the various departments of knowledge which are now brought within the compass of a dictionary. Hence arise most of the errors and inconsistencies which abound in works of this kind."-Pref, p. 3.

He has therefore obtained the assistance of different gentlemen, each distinguished in his own department, in revising and correcting the more difficult parts of the volume, espe

cially the scientific portions. Of these, we find enumerated in the Preface, the names of Dr. JAMES G. PERCIVAL, who carried the revision of most of the articles through two letters of the alphabet; of the Hon. ELIZUR GOODRICH, who took charge of the articles on law; of the Rev. JAMES MURDOCK, D. D., to whom were assigned the departments of ecclesiastical history and ancient philosophy; of Prof. SILLIMAN, to whom the terms in chemistry were submitted; of Dr. WILLIAM TULLY, whose revision was extended to numerous articles in the departments of anatomy, physiology, medicine, botany, and some other branches of natural history; of Prof. GIBBS, who afforded aid on topics connected with oriental literature; of Prof. OLMSTED, who revised the articles on astronomy, meteorology, and natural philosophy; of Prof. STANLEY, to whom the definitions in mathematics were submitted; of JAMES D. DANA, Esq., whose revision included the sciences of geology and mineralogy, and whose assistance was bestowed on various other subjects; of EDWARD C. HERRICK, Esq., who furnished aid on practical astronomy and the science of entomology; and of NATHANIEL JOCELYN, Esq., under whose inspection passed many of the articles on paint ing and the fine arts. The efficient services of these gentlemen, each in his own portion of the work, in .making the necessary additions, emendations, or corrections, are fully acknowledged.

It may likewise be noticed, that the editor in furtherance of his object, carried on a correspondence with literary and scientific gentlemen in England, from whom information was solicited and received, on certain points, where published authorities were wanting, or could not be procured. In consequence of this measure, light has been thrown on the use of terms which, in England, have a peculiar sense.

Of these, some are of frequent occurrence at the universities, in the circles of trade, and in the familiar intercourse of life. The value of the minute knowledge thus gained will be felt by every reader among us, who has an interest in English history and customs.

This range of aid and inquiry gives the work, it will readily be seen, an advantage never before enjoyed by any English dictionary,— that of an encyclopedia, in which the labors of numerous individuals are combined to secure greater completeness and accuracy for the whole. Although we might rest with confidence on such evidence of the improvements made in this revision; yet according to our intimation above, we will give a few specimens of words, in different depart

ments.

We refer to the word Attraction, so frequently employed in physical philosophy. The importance of a full and correct definition is obvious.

AT-TRACTION, n. 1. In physics, the power or force which draws bodies or their particles toward each other, or which causes them to tend toward each other, or to resist a

counteracting tendency; or the law by which they tend toward each other, or resist a counteracting tendency.

Attraction is distinguished into that which is manifested between bodies or masses at

sensible distances, and that which is manibodies at insensible distances. The former includes the attraction of gravity, or gravita tion, or the mutual tendency of all bodies to each other, as the tendency of the planets toward the sun, or of a stone, when raised in

fested between the particles or molecules of

the air, to fall to the earth; and also, the attraction of magnetism, and that of electricity. The latter takes place either between particles of the same kind, or homogeneous parti

cles, and is then called the attraction of ag

gregation, or cohesion; or between dissimilar or heterogeneous particles, uniting them into compounds, and is then called chemical at first class, however, exist between particles traction, or affinity. The attractions of the

as well as masses; and the surfaces of masses in contact, or at inappreciable distances,

also attract each other, causing adhesion, in heterogeneous as well as homogeneous

bodies.

The attraction of gravity is supposed to be the great principle which confines the planets in their orbits. Its power or force is di rectly as the quantity of matter in a body, and inversely as the squares of the distances of the attracting bodies.

2. The act of attracting; the effect of the principle of attraction.

3. The power or act of alluring, drawing to, inviting, or engaging; as, the attraction of beauty or eloquence.

Elective attraction, or elective affinity, in chemistry, is the tendency of those substances in a mixture to combine, which have the strongest attraction.

This must be pronounced a clear and sufficient explanation of the term, in its various uses.

We turn to the word Transcendentalism, a word of comparatively modern origin, and essential to the right understanding of the profound speculations of a class of philosophers. The explanation of the term given by Dr. Murdock, is to us highly instructive, and may be noticed as an instance of that improvement in definition, by which this volume is so often characterized.

TRANS-CEND-ENT'AL-ISM, n. In the Kantian philosophy, the transcending or going beyond empiricism, and ascertaining a priori the fundamental principles of human knowledge. But, as Schelling and Hegel claimed to have discovered the absolute identity of the objective and subjective in human knowledge, or of things and human conceptions of them, the Kantian distinction between transcendent and transcendental ideas can have no place in their philosophy. And hence, with them, transcendentalism claims to have a true knowledge of all things material and immaterial, human and divine, so far as the mind is capable of knowing them. And in this sense the word transcendentalism is now most used.-Murdock. The word is also sometimes used for that which is vague and illusive in philosophy.

Of the word Orotund, the definition is succinct and beautiful, and given in language whose sound is

almost an echo of the sense.

Ō'RO-TUND, n. A mode of intonation directly from the larynx, which has a fullness, clearness, strength, smoothness, and ringing or musical quality, which forms the highest perfection of the human voice.-Rush.

We are glad to see the word Apodosis fully explained in this edition. It had previously been given from Johnson, as "the application or latter part of a similitude." The term is a grammatical one now

much used, and every pupil should know its precise meaning. This is given in the text.

A-POD'O-SIS, n. [Gr.] In grammar, the principal clause of a conditional sentence, expressing the result; as distinguished from the protasis or subordinate clause, which expresses a condition. Thus, in the sentence, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him,' the former clause is the protasis, and the latter the apodosis. By some respectable grammarians, this distinction is not confined to conditional sentences, but is extended to others similarly constructed.

Ecbatic, a recent term in grammar, very properly has a place in this work, the definition of which is concisely given and illustrated. The illustration shows how it is distinguished from the word telic, also a

new term.

The word Boodhism, as explained in the present work, claims our attention.

BOODH'ISM, n. A system of religion in Eastern Asia, embraced by more than one third of the human race It teaches that, at distant intervals, a Boodh, or deity, appears, to restore the world from a state of ignorance and decay, and then sinks into a state of entire non-existence, or rather, perhaps, of bare existence without attributes, action, or consciousness. This state, called Nirvana, or Nicban, is regarded as the ultimate supreme good, and the highest reward of virtue among men. Four Boodhs have thus appeared in the world, and passed into Nirvana. the last of whom, Gandama, became incarnate about 600 years before Christ. From his death, in 543 B. C., many thousand years will elapse before the appearance of another; so that the system, in the mean time, is practically one of pure atheism. The objects of worship, until another Boodh appears, are the relics and images of Gaudama.

The information here presented is curious, and well deserves the notice of the reader.

The terms Subjective and Objective are explained with scientific precision, and nothing seems to be wanting to make their separate senses perfectly clear and obvious. We quote Subjective alone, as being the more fully explained.

SUB-JECTIVE, a. An epithet applied to those internal states of thought or feeling of which the mind is the subject; opposed to objective, which is applied to things considered as separate from the mind, and as objects of its attention. Thus, subjective truth or reality is that which is verified by consciousness; objective truth or reality is that which results

from the nature and relations of things. A subjective motive is an internal feeling or propensity; an objective motive is something external to the mind, which is suited to awaken desire. Subjective views are those which are produced or modified by internal feeling; objective views are those which are governed by external objects. That which is subjec tive in one relation may be objective in another. Thus, subjective states of mind, when recalled and dwelt on for the purpose of inspection or analysis, become objective.—Encyc. Amer.

The correlative terms subjective and objective, it is needless to say, are now much used in philosophy, as adopted from German writers, and should stand out each clearly identified in its meaning. This is one of the cases in which a marked improvement might be expected in respect to definitions. It is strikingly seen by comparing the above with the current definition of subjective, as given from Johnson in the former edition, where its meaning is simply stated to be," Relating to the subject, as opposed to the object."

The word Sensation is very happily defined in its several meanings.

2.

SEN-SATION, n. 1. In mental philosophy, an impression made upon the mind through the medium of the senses. It differs from perception, which is the knowledge of external objects consequent on sensation. Feeling awakened by external objects, or by some change in the internal state of the body; as, a sensation of heaviness, &c. 3. Feeling awakened by immaterial objects; as, sensations of awe in the divine presence. 4. A state of excited interest or feeling; as, "the sensation caused by the appearance of that work is still remembered by many."Brougham.

In the earlier editions of the dictionary, it was given from the Encyclopedia Britannica, as "the perception of external objects by means of the senses."

On the definition of the word Induction, we might comment, if necessary. It is an instance of so clear and philosophic an explanation, that no reflecting mind, as appears to us, but must dwell upon it with pleasure.

IN-DUCTION, n. 1. Literally, a bring ing in introduction: entrance. 2. The bringing forward of particulars, or individual cases, with a view to establish some general conclusion. 3. A kind of argument which infers respecting a whole class what has been

ascertained respecting one or more individuals of that class-Whateley. This is the inductive method of Bacon, and is the direct reverse of logical deduction. It ascends from the parts to the whole, and forms, from the general analogy of nature or special presumptions in the case, conclusions which have greater or less degrees of force, and which may be strengthened or weakened by subsequent experience. It relates to actual existences, as in physical science or the concerns of life. Deduction, on the contrary, descends from the whole to some included part; its inferences are necessary conclusions according to the laws of thought, being merely the mental recognition of some particulars, as included and contained in something general. 4. The inference of some general truth from all the particulars embraced under it, as legitimated by the laws of thought, and abstracted from the conditions of any particular matter. This may be called metaphysi cal induction, and should be carefully distinguished from the illations of physics spoken drawn from a process of induction. 6. The introduction of a person into an office by the usual forms and ceremonies 7. In electricity, an influence exerted by an electrified body through a non-conducting body without any apparent communication of a spark.— Olmsted. 8. In old plays, an introductory scene leading to the main action.

of above. 5. The conclusion or inference

Of the word Reformed, a full and satisfactory definition is given, which the student will recognize as being necessary, from the want of such definition in other vocabularies.

RE-FORMED' (re-formd'), pp. 1. Restored to a good state; amended; corrected.-2. a. In ecclesiastical history, a term denoting, in its widest sense, all who separated from the Roman Catholic Church at the era of the Reformation. In a more specific sense, it denotes those who separated from Luther on the doctrine of consubstantiation, &c., and carried the reformation, as they claimed, to a higher point. The Protestant churches founded by them in Switzerland, France, Holland, and part of Germany, were called the Reformed churches.—Encyc. Am.

which we have taken the pains to In the large number of words collate and examine, we have not remarked an instance of a loose, careless, or illogical definition, remaining. Of the philosophic, as well as poetic character of our language, of its capacity for logical precision, as well as for passionate painting, of its adaptation to exsoning, equally with the finer play press sound sense and severe reaof the imagination,-of its fitness as the dialect both of the mind and the heart, at one time sounding the

depths of science, and at another stirring up the intense emotions of the bosom, we have seen the most convincing proof, in examining these graphic definitions. There is about many of them the delicate touch, the clear delineation, the perfect expression of a daguerreotype like

ness.

We find numerous terms in this volume explained with clearness, for the first time, particularly a consid. erable number used in the English universities, and therefore interest ing to scholars. Prof. Goodrich, from his connection with a college, seems to have taken a peculiar interest in ascertaining the exact sense of the terms most used at these seats of learning. Among those terms are the Senate, Syndic, Proctor, Mod. erator, Taxor, Responsion, Sizar, Servitor, Pensioner, Gentleman pen sioner, Commoner, Fellow commoner, Public Orator, Regent, Nonregent, Tripos-paper, Sophister, or Soph. The latter contains an interesting statement. The word Sophomore has generally been considered as an Americanism, being at present unknown at the English universities. The editor has given the result of an investigation of the subject, which shows, that the word must have been derived from the university of Cambridge in England, having been there employed as a cant term, un der the spelling of Soph-Mor, though it has almost ceased to be known, even as such a term, at the place of its origin.* We should like to quote the account in his own language, as given in the dictionary, but our limits will not permit the insertion. In connection with this we would observe, that the information which is given us respecting the term sophister, is what we do not find in other dictionaries.

Some thousands of words have been added in the course of this revision. As a specimen of these adIts generally supposed etymology would

therefore seem to be a mistake.

ditions the following may be mentioned, viz. to abduct, v. t., air-plant, alarm-clock, armature (of a magnet), anastatic-printing, argand, astral, and carcel lamp, baptism (hypothet ical), beeswax, black-walnut, blackvomit, bench-warrant, blue-stocking, bobbinet, bengal-light, brass-band, boulevard, brassels-sprouts, budelight, bulbal, caveat (in patents), chaparral, to chair a person, charivari, chiltern-hundreds, club-house, clearing-house, contrast, v. i., coupé (part of a French diligence), combination-room (at Cambridge), coupon, drummond-light, eminentdomain (in law), eulogistic, flyingbuttress, fancy-ball, faro-bank, fissiparism, free-port, ground-form (in grammar), gradient, gun-colton, herds grass, hedge (in betting), hospice, to ignore (in law), lay-figure, left-handed or morganic marriage, lilliputian, lombard-house, leverage, letter of credit, lunch, v. i., to limber and unlimber guns, middle-man (in Ireland), messianic, maiden-assize, malestrom, ormolu, orotund, papier-mache, prairie-dog, philopena, poudrette, propeller, polka, paleozoic, pre-pay, pre-payment, Puseyism, pass-book, punka, port-fire, quantita tive and qualitative (in chemistry), quippa, quizzical, rancho, ranchero, red-letter day, rouge et noir, rocking-stone, refrigerator, to rack (for amble), rosette, safety-valve, shake down, serial, soofeism, stampede, stand-point, Swedenborgian, spittoon, shako, silicin, sessional, sewerage, steeple-chase, sanitary, sea-letter, supervisory, spatch-cock [Eng.], steam-whistle, tram-road, true-blue, trappean, ticket-porter, turn-table, teocalli, upheaval, union (of a flag), vegetable-ivory, ware-housing system, &c. &c. This list might be enlarged to any extent, showing that the words added are not local, or unimportant, but most of them such as demand an explanation. The editor, in his Preface, has judiciously laid down the principles on which he has admitted new words into this