Table Of Content

' LIBRARY UNIV5ftr:+TY OF ^ALIFC«NIA^ THE ENGLISH "KING'S " DICTIONARY ETYMOLOGICAL EXPLANATORY PRONOUNCING With special supplements containing the most recent additions to the language ; broadcasting terms; notable proper names, literary, scientific, and historical; foreign words and phrases; abbreviations, etc., and a complete atlas of the world General Editors A. M. WILLIAMS, M.A., and FREDERICK T. SMITH, M.A. Special Editorial Contributors GEORGE SAINTSBURY, M.A., LL.D., D.Litt. EmeritusProfessorofRhetoricand English Literature, University ofEdinburgh ALLEN MAWER, M.A. ProfessorofEnglish Language,UniversityofLiverpool G. W. O. HOWE, D.Sc, A.I.E.E. JamesWatt ProfessorofElectricalEngineering, UniversityofGlasgow BRITISH BOOKS LIMITED LONDON PREFACE The " King's English " Dictionary has been—prepared for the con- venience of the general reader of current hterature ^newspaper, magazine, or book. In these there occur words whose pronunciation, meaning, and derivation are not famihar; English phrases whose import and origin are not obvious ; current foreign expressions that are not easily understood ; allusions to places, persons, and classical passages in literature which are not comprehended, and are difficult to trace. The "King's English" Dictionary aims at suppljdng the help necessary in all such cases, and gives in handy form much information that otherwise would have to be sought for in many books, some of which are not easily accessible. The —mainportionofthebookconsistsofwhatiscommontoallgood dictionaries the pronunciation, derivation, and meaning of the general vocabulary of the English language, and a careful explanation of all phrases requiring elucidation. Recent words due to war, science, travel, and hterature have been included. The second part of the book is a long Ust of names occurring in history, geography, poetry, and mythology. The pronimcia- tion of these is given, along with a concise accoimt. Th|s list, it is believed, will be acceptable and useful. There are also various appendices, including a Scots glossary, common abbreviations, foreign phrases, and formsofaddress. Theclear, boldtype, thesimpleschemeofpronunciation, and the numerous illustrations, while they increase the attractiveness of the volume,tend to lessen the troubleof consultinga workof reference. Finally, the geographical supplement, unique in a work of this character, provides the reader with a complete up-to-date atlas of the World ; it also includes a reference list of the various coimtries of the world, with useful statistics compiled from the latest official returns. 621 CONTENTS — 9*em Prefatory Articles A Bird's-Eye View ofEnglish Literature ix The Correct Use of English in Speaking and Writing xxi Wireless Telegraphy and Telephony xxviii The Dictionary 1 Supplement of the Most Recent Words i Glossary of Commercial Terms xii Glossary of Aviation and Motoring Terms xvi Glossary of Wireless Terms xviii Tables of Weights and Measures xxi Pseudonyms xxv A Dictionary of Notable Proper Names 1080 A Glossary of Scottish Words and Phrases 1168 Pronouncing Vocabulary of Greek and Latin Proper Names 1168 Proper Names in the Old and New Testaments, with Meanings 1184 Foreign Phrases 1192 Prefixes and Affixes 1206 Etymological Vocabulary of Modern Geographical Names 1209 Abbreviations used in Writing and Printing 1219 Formal Modes of Addressing Persons of Title 1225 — Geographical Supplement 1227 (a) List of Countries of the World 1229 (b) Population of Towns, etc. 1288 (c) Complete Atlas of the World 1286