Chapter VI: Orthography

Text size

Webster defines Orthography as “the art of writing words with the proper letters, according to common usage”; Worcester, as “the art or the mode of spelling words.” They agree in this: that there are some words—two or three thousand, perhaps—whose orthography common usage has not settled. Prefixed to either Dictionary is a list showing in double column the most prevalent methods of spelling words of doubtful orthography; thus:

Abettor Abetter Escalade Scalade Germane Germain, German

The first column in the Webster List “presents the orthography recognized in the body of [the] Dictionary as the preferable one, or that in general use.” But “when in this list the word in the first column is followed by _or_, as ‘Abatis, _or_ Abattis,’ it is implied that the second form is nearly, often quite, in as good use as the first.” When the word in the first column differs in meaning from that in the second, the word in the first is followed by _and_, as ‘Lunet, _and Lunette_,’ both words being in use, but applied to different things. {p126}

The orthography in the first column of the Worcester List “is deemed to be well authorized, and in most cases preferable; but with respect to the authority of that in the right-hand column, there is a great diversity. Both orthographies of some of the words are right, the words being differently spelled when used in different senses”; as, “Draught, _or_ Draft,” “Subtle, _or_ Subtile,” etc. Sometimes _and_ is used as the connective; as, “Canvas, _and_ Canvass.” But these double arrangements are of almost no service to the proof-reader or compositor,—for the interchangeable words cannot _both_ be inserted in his work. If he could use the various spellings, it would save the trouble of weighing authorities: we should then have such sentences as these:

The hostler _or_ ostler inveigled _or_ enveigled the horses into the stockade _or_ stoccade. Meanwhile the infantry landed at the jettee _or_ jetty _or_ jetta _or_ jutty, and at once constructed an abatis _or_ abattis _or_ abbatis, as it behooved _or_ behoved them.

Of these various correct spellings, _one_ must be selected to the exclusion of the rest. But there being no common usage, no academy to instruct, and the copy not being uniform, who or what is to guide the printers and proof-readers in making the selection? “For the last eighty years [or more], printers have exercised a general control over English orthography,”—and we, to carry the general control a little farther, propose to set forth for general use one list from Webster’s first column, exhibiting only _one_ single correct spelling, to be used where the Webster style prevails; and a similar list from Worcester’s {p127} first column, to be used where the Worcester style has the precedence. Would there were a _Smithsonian Bureau of the English Language_, to render _two_ lists unnecessary; and to give _one_ style to Government work,—a style which should have the approval of Congress, and to which all printing done by or for the various Departments of the United States Government should be conformed.

THE WEBSTER LIST.

[From the column which, he says, “presents the orthography recognized in the body of this Dictionary (Wb. Unabridged) as the preferable one, or that in general use.” But since he places in his first column various spellings of the same words,—e. g. under _A_, _Ædile_; under _E_, _Edile_,—we have, in accordance with our plan, omitted that spelling which we have observed to be neglected by readers who profess to follow Webster. We have inserted in brackets some words from the second column which have a different signification from their congeners in the first; also in brackets, some words from the defining columns, and such remarks and explanations as may be of service to printers and others.]

Abatis Abettor [One who abets another to commit a crime.] Abreuvoir Abridgment [Accessary As used in law.] Accessory [“In its other senses” (than in law); as, “the accessories of a picture.”] Account, -ant, etc. Accouter, etc. Acetimeter Ache Achieve Acknowledgment Addible Adipocere Admittable Adopter (_Chem._) Adulterer, -ess Adz Ægis Æolian Aghast Agriculturist Aid-de-camp Ajutage Alcaid Alchemy Alcoran Alkahest Allege Alleluia [If written _Halleluiah_ or _Hallelujah_, follow copy.] Alloy Alum Almanac Ambassador Ambergris Ambs-ace Amend, -ment Amice Ammoniuret Amortize, -ment Amphitheater Anapest Ancient, -ly Andiron Angiotomy Ankle Annotto Antechamber Anterior Anti-emetic Antihypnotic Apostasy Aposteme [If written _Imposthume_, follow copy.] Apothegm Appall Appallment [Appanage] Appareled, -ing Appraise, -ed, etc. {p128} Apprise (_to notify_) Apricot Arbitrament Arbor Archæology Ardor Argol Armor, -er, etc. Arquebuse Arrack Artisan Asafœtida Asbestus Ascendant Ascendency Askance Askant Assuage Atheneum [If written _Athenæum_, follow copy.] Aught Author, etc. Autocracy Autoptical Awkward Awm Ax Ay [Expressing assent.] Aye [An affirmative vote.]

Backshish Bade (_v._) Baldric Balister Balk Baluster Bandana Bandoleer Banderole Banyan (_Bot._) Bans [Notice of proposed marriage.] Barbacan Barbecue Barberry Bark Barouche Barytone Basin Bass Bass-viol Bas-relief Bastinade Baton Bateau Battledoor Bauble Bazaar Befall Behavior Behoove Beldam Belligerent Benedict Benumb Bellfounder, [And similar compounds.] Bequeath Bergamot Berth (_Nav._) [Bestrown p. p. of Bestrew.] Betel Beveled, -ing Bevile (_Her._) Bezant Biasing, -ed, -es, etc. Bigoted Bilge Billiards Billingsgate Bin Binnacle Bister Blende (_Min._) Blessed (_a._) Blithesome, -ly, etc. Blomary Blouse Bodice Boil (_n._) Bombazet Bombazine Bonnyclabber Bourgeois Bourse Bouse Bousy Boweled, -ing, etc. Bowlder Bowsprit Brahmin Brake (_Railways_) Brazen Brazier Brier Brooch Bryony Buccaneer Buddhism Buffet Buhrstone Bun Buncombe Bur [If written _Burr_, follow copy.] Burden, -some Burin Burned (_imp._) Burganet But-end Butt Byzantine

Caboose Cacique Caddice {p129} Cæsura Cag [If written _Keg_ follow copy.] Caique Caisson Calash Caldron Calendar Calends Caliber Calipash Calipee Calipers Caliph Calk Calligraphy Caloyer Caltrap Calyx Camlet Camomile [If written _Chamomile_, follow copy.] Camphene Camphor Candor Canceled, -ing, etc. Cannel-coal Cannoneer Canny Cañon (_Sp._) Canyon [_Eng._] [The Eng. form is the better if writing or printing English. _Cañon_ in an English book seems pedantic.] Cantaloup Cantalever Carbine Carbineer Carapace Carat Caravansary Carcass [In the King James Bible, spelled _carcase_.] Carnelian Caroled, -ing, etc. Cartography Cask (_a vessel_) Casque (_helmet_) Cassava Cassimere [If written _Kerseymere_, follow copy.] Caster [One who casts; a cruet; a furniture-wheel.] Castor [A genus of animals; a hat; a drug; a heavy cloth.] Catchup Catechise, -er Cauliflower Causeway Caviare Caviler, -ed, etc. Cayman Ceil -ing, -ed Center Centered Centimeter Centiped Ceroon Cess-pool Chalcedony Chameleon Chamois Champaign [Flat, open country.] Champagne (_wine_) Champerty Channeled, -ing, etc. Chant, -er, -ed, etc. Chap [Both Wb. and Wor. place _chăp_ in the first column, and _chop_ in the second. This preference of _chăp_ to _chop_ harmonizes orthography and pronunciation in three instances: (1) when _chăp_ is _v. t._, signifying “to cleave or open longitudinally, through the effect of heat, cold, dryness, etc.; as, ‘Heat _chăps_ the russet plain’”; (2) when _v. i._, as “The hands chăp”; (3) when _n._, as a cleft in the earth’s surface, or in the hands or feet. _Chăp_ (a youth) was never in doubt; while _chaps_ (the jaws) must continue to be pronounced with the _a_ as in _what_.] Chase Check (_n._) Checker, -ed, etc. Chemist Chemistry Cherif Chestnut Chevron Chilioliter Chiliometer Chine Chintz Chiseled, -ing Chock-full Choir Chorister Choke Choose Chore Cigar Cimeter Cipher Clamor, -ous, etc. Clangor Clarionet Clew Clinch Clinique Clinometer Cloak Clodpoll {p130} Clothe, -ed, etc. Clough Clyster Cockswain Cœliac Cognizor, -zee Coif Coiffure Colander Comb [Unwatered part of valley, etc.] Comfrey Complete Complexion [Comptroller, -ship There is an officer of the U. S. Government whose official title is “Comptroller of the Currency.” The word appears in Wb. 2d column.] Confectionery Connection Contemporary Contra-dance Controller, -ship Control Cony Cooly Coomb (4 _bushels_) Copaiva Copier Copse Coquette (_n._) Coranach Corbel Cosy Cot (_a hut_) Cot (_a bed_) Cotillon Councilor [A member of a council.] Counselor [One who gives counsel.] Count Courtesan Courtesy (_Law_) Cozen, -age Craunch Cray-fish Creak (_v._) Creosote Critique Crosslet Cruet Croup [Behind the saddle.] Crupper Cruse (_bottle_) Cucurbit Cudgeled, -er, -ing Cue [Twist of back hair.] Cuerpo Cuneiform Curb (_of a well_) Cursed (_imperf._) Curtal-ax Cutlass Cyclopedia Cymar Cyst Czar, -ina

Dactyl Damasken Damson Dandruff Danegelt Debarkation Debonair, -ly, -ness Decrepit Defense, -less, etc. Deflection Deflour Delf Delphin Deltoid Demeanor Demesne (_Law_) Dentiroster Dependent Dependence Deposit Desert (_n._) Deshabille Dessert Detecter Detortion Deuce Develop, -ment Dexterous [But if written _Dextrous_ follow copy, to avoid subsequent change.] Diæresis Diarrhea Diarrhetic Dike Diocese Disheveled, -ing, etc. Disk Dispatch, -ed, -ing Disseize, -in, -or Distention Distill Distrainor Diversely Divest, -ed, etc. [But in _Law_, _Devest_ is commonly used; in law work, follow copy.] Docket Doctress Dolor, -ous Domicile Doomsday-book Dory Dormer-window Dote Dotage Doubloon Dowry Downfall {p131} Dram [A weight; a minute quantity; a potation.] [Drachm This word is in second column, connected to _Dram_ by _and_. Its meaning seems to be properly limited, however, to an ancient Greek coin, and a Greek weight (Drachma).] Draff Draft [1. The act of drawing or pulling as by beasts of burden. 2. Drawing of men for a military corps. 3. An order for payment of money; a bill of exchange. 4. An allowance in weighing. 5. A drawing of lines for a plan; a figure described on paper; delineation; sketch; plan delineated; an outline to be filled in or completed for composition. In any other sense than these five, use the original spelling, _Draught_.] [Draught (See _supra_.)] Dragoman Dribblet Drier Driveler, -ing, etc. Drought Dryly Duchy Duchess Dueler, -ing, -ist Dullness Dungeon Dunghill Duress Dye, etc. (_color_)

Eavesdropper Eccentric, -al, etc. Economy Ecstasy Ecstatic Ecumenic, -al Edematous Edile, -ship Eloign, -ment Emarginate Embalm, -ed, etc. Embalmer, -ment Embank, -ed, etc. Embargo Embark, -ed, etc. Embarkation Embassy Embassage Embed, -ded, etc. Embezzle Emblaze Emblazon, -ed, etc. Embody, -ied, etc. Embolden, -ed, etc. Emborder, etc. Embosom [If written _Imbosom_, follow copy.] Emboss, -ed, etc. Embowel, -ed, -ing Emboweler, -ment Embower, -ed, etc. Embrace, -ed, etc. Embracer, -ment Embrasure Embrocation Embroil, -ed, etc. Emerods [The Biblical spelling; in ordinary work, _Hemorrhoids_.] Emir Empale, -ed, etc. Emperor Empoison Empower, -ed, etc. Emprise Empurple Emu Enameled, -ing, etc. Enamor, -ed, -ing Encage, -ed, etc. Encamp, -ed, etc. Enchant Enchiseled, -ing Encloister Encounter, etc. Encroach, etc. Encumber, -ed, etc. Encyclopedia Endear Endeavor, -ed, etc. Endow, etc. Endue Endure, -ance Enforce, -ed, etc. Engage, -ed, etc. Engender Engorge, -ed, etc. Engross Enhance Enigma Enjoin, etc. Enkindle, -ed, etc. Enlarge, etc. Enlist Enroll Enrollment Enshrine Enshroud Ensphere Enstamp Entail (_Arch._) Entangle, etc. Enterprise Enthrone, -ed, etc. Entire, -ly, etc. Entitle, -ed, etc. Entrance, -ed, etc. Entrap, -ped, etc. Entreat, -ed, etc. {p132} Entreaty Entresol Entwine, -ed, etc. Envelop (_v._) Envelope (_n._) Envelopment Envenom Eolipile Epaulet Epauleted, -ing Equaled, -ing Equiangular Equivoque Era Error, etc. Escalade Escapement Escarp (_Fort._) [But if written _Scarp_, follow copy.] Eschalot Escheat Escritoire Escutcheon Estafet Esthetics Estoppel Estrich Etiology Étui [A French word, anglicized as _Etwee_; follow copy.] Exactor Expense Exsiccate, -ed, -ing, etc. Exsiccation Exsuccous Exudation Exude, etc. Eyrie

Fæces Fagot, -ed, -ing Fairy Fakir Falchion Falcon, -er, -ry Fantasy Fantastic Farthingale Fattener Favor, -er, -ed, etc. Fecal Fecula Feldspar Felly Feoffor Fervor Fetal Feticide Fetor Fetus Feud, -al, -atory Feudalize, -ism Fie Filbert Filibuster Filigree Fillibeg [But if written _Filibeg_ or _Phillibeg_, follow copy.] Finery (_a forge_) Firman Fishgig Fives [_Veterinary_] Flageolet Flavor, -ed, etc. Flier Floatage (_Law_) Flotsam Flour (_of grain_) Flower-de-luce [If French is wanted,—_Fleur-de-lis_.] Fluke (_Naut._) Fluke (_Zoöl._) Fogy Font (_Typog._) Forbade Foray Fosse Foundery [Very few writers so spell: if written _Foundry_, follow copy.] Franc (_coin_) Frantic Frenzy Frieze (_Arch._) Frouzy Frumenty Frustum Fueled, -ing Fulfill, -ment Fullness Further [Farther When space or time is indicated.] Furtherance Furthermore Furthest [Farthest When space or time is indicated.] Fuse (_n._) [In U. S. Govt. work _Fuze_ is the common usage, to distinguish it from the verb to _Fuse_. Follow copy.] Fusil (_gun_) Fusileer

Gabardine Galiot Garish Gallias [So spelled in the first column; but in the defining columns of the Dictionary, the _s_ is doubled. Follow copy.] Gamboled, -ing Gamut {p133} Gang (_Min._) [If written _Gangue_, follow copy.] Gantlet [A military punishment.] Gasteropod Gargoyle (_Arch._) Gauge Gault Gauntlet [A large glove of mail.] Gayety Gayly Gazelle Genet Gerfalcon Germane Germ Ghibelline Gibe Gimbals Gimlet Girasole Girt (_v._) [Girth (_n._)] Glair Glamour Glave Gloze Gnarled Gore Good-by Good-humor Gormand Governor Graft, -ed Grandam Granddaughter Granite Graveled, -ing [The _l_ in graveling should not be doubled.] Gray, -ish, etc. Grenade Grenadier Greyhound Grewsome Griffin Grisly [If written _Grizzly_, follow copy.] Groats Grogram Grommet Grotesque, -ly Groundsel Groveler, -ing Group (_v._) Guaranty [If written _Guarantee_, follow copy.] Guelder-rose Guelf [If written _Guelph_, follow copy.] Guerrilla Guilder (_coin_) Guillotine Gulf Gunwale Gurnard Gypsy Gyrfalcon Gyves

Hackle Hagbut Haggard Haggess Ha-ha Haik Hake Halberd Halibut Hallelujah [But if written _Alleluia_, or _Halleluiah_, follow copy, to avoid “correcting.”] Halloo Halidom Halyard Handicraft Handiwork Handsome Handsel Handseled Harbor, -ed, etc. Harebell Harebrained Harem Haricot Harrier Harry Haslet Hasheesh Hatti-sherif Haulm Haul Haunch Hautboy Hawser Headache Hearse Hectoliter Hectometer Hegira Height, -en, etc. Heinous, -ly, -ness Hematite Hematology Hemistich Hemorrhoids Heretoch Hermit, -age Herpetology Hexahedron Hibernate Hiccough Hinderance [If written _Hindrance_, follow copy. _See_ remark under _Foundery_, _in loco_.] Hindoo, -ism Hip (_Pom._) Hipped-roof {p134} Hippogriff Hippocras Ho Hoarhound Hockey Hodge-podge Hoiden, -ish Holiday [If written _Holyday_, follow copy.] Hollo Holster Hominy Homeopathy Homonym Honeyed Honor, -ed, etc. Hoop (_v._) Hoopoe Hornblende Horror Hostelry Hostler Hough Housewife Howdah Howlet Hummock Humor Hurra Hydrangea Hypæthral Hyperstene Hypotenuse Hyssop

Icicle Illness Imbibe Imbitter Imbrue Imbue, -ed, -ing Immarginate Impanel, -ed, -ing [Wb. has also _Empaneled_, _-ing_, etc., in his first column under _E_. One way is enough; but to avoid changes in author’s proof, compositor had better follow copy.] Imparlance Impassion Impeach Imperiled Implead Imposthume [See _Aposteme_.] Impoverish Imprint Incase Inclasp Inclose, -ure, etc. Increase Incrust Incumbrance [But Wb. prefers _Encumber_ for the verb.] Indefeasible Indelible Indict (_Law_) Indictment Indite, -er Indocile Indoctrinate Indorse, -ed, -ing Indorser, -ment Induce, -ment Inferior Inferable Inflection Infold Infoliate Ingraft, -er, -ment Ingrain Ingulf Inkle Innuendo Inquire, -er, -y, etc. Inscribe Inscroll Insnare Install Installment Instate Instill Instructor Insure, -ed, -ing Insurer, -ance Intenable Intercessor Interior Inthrall Intrench Intrust Inure Inurement Inveigle Inventor Inwheel Inwrap Inwreathe Isocheimal Ixolite

Jacobin Jaconet Jail, -er, etc. Jalap Jam (_Min._) Janizary Jasmine Jaunt, -y, -ily Jean Jenneting Jeremiad Jetsam Jetty Jeweled Jewelry Jointress Jonquil Jostle Jowl {p135} Judgment Jupon Just [A mock encounter on horseback.]

Kaffer Kale Kayle Keelhaul Keelson Keg Kenneled, -ing Khan Kiln (_n._) Kilogram Kiloliter Kilometer Knob Koran Kyanite

Labeled, -ing Labor, -ed, -ing, etc. Lachrymal Lac (_coin_) Lackey Lacquer (_n._) Lacquer, -ed, -ing Lagoon Lambdoidal Landau Landscape Lantern Lanyard Lapsided Larum Launch Leaven Lecher, -y, -ous Lecturn Ledgement [_Sic_; the retention of _e_ after _g_ seems somewhat remarkable.] Ledger Leger-line Leggin Lemming Lettuce Leveled, -ing, -er Libeled, -ing, etc. License Lickerish Licorice Lief Lilac Linguiform Linnæan Linseed Linstock Liter Lithontriptic Llama (_Zoöl._) Loadstar, -stone Loath (_a._) Lode (_Min._) Lodgment Logogriph Longiroster Louver Lower Luff Lunet [A little moon, or satellite. Obsolete.] Lunette [A detached bastion, etc.] Lunge Lustring Lye

Macaw Maccaboy Maggoty Maim [Mayhem, _Law_.] Mal (_prefix_) [Here, in Wb., first column, appears “Mall,” followed by “_or_ Maul”; but, since _Maul_ also appears in first column, both as noun and verb, we omit _Mall_, as not preferable to _Maul_.] Malkin Mamaluke Mamma Mandatary (_n._) Manikin Maneuver Mantel (_Arch._) Mantel-piece Marc (_coin_) Magaron Marquee Marque (_letter of_) Marquess [Till of late, _marquis_ was the usual spelling, but it is now to a great extent superseded by _marquess_, except in the foreign title.—_Smart._] Marshal Marshaled, -ing Martin (_Ornith._) Martinet (_Naut._) Martingale Marveled, -ing, etc. Mark Maslin Mastic Matrice [If written _Matrix_, follow copy.] Mattress Mauger Maul (_n._ and _v._) Mayhem (_Law_) Meager, -ly, etc. Merchandise {p136} Meter Mileage Milleped Milligram Milliliter Millimeter Milrea Misbehavior Miscall Misdemeanor Misspell Misspend Misspent Misstate Mistletoe Miter, -ed Mizzen Mizzle Moccasin Mode (_Gram._) Mocha-stone Modeled, -ing Modillion Mohammedan Mohawk Molasses Mold Molt Moneyed Mongrel Moresque Morris Mortgageor (_Law_) Mortgager Mosque Mosquito Mullein Multiped Mummery Murder, etc. Murky Murrhine Muscadel Muscle (_a shell fish_) [If written _Mussel_, follow copy.] Musket Mustache

Nankeen Narwal Naught Negotiate, -or, etc. Neighbor, -ing, etc. Net (_a._) Neb (_Orn._) Niter Nobless [If written _Noblesse_, follow copy.] Nomads Nombles Nonesuch Novitiate Nylghau

Oaf Ocher Octahedron Octostyle Odalisque Odor Offense Olio Omber Omer Oolong Opaque Opobalsam Orach Orang-outang Orchestra Oriel Oriflamb Orison Osier Osprey Otolite Ottar (_of roses_) Outrageous Oxide Oyes

Packet Painim Palanquin Palestra Palet Palmiped Panada Pander Pandore Pandour Panel (_Law_) Paneled, -ing Pantograph Papoose Paralyze Parceled, -ing Parcenary Parlor Parol (_a._) Parquet Parsnip Parrakeet Partible Partisan Pasha Pashalic Pask Patrol (_n._) Paver Pawl [Peaked We insert this word as of the first column, because _Picked_ (in Wb. first col.) has definitions not applicable to _Peaked_.] Pean Peart {p137} Pedicel Peddler Pedobaptist Pemmican Penciled, -ing Pennant Pentahedral Peony Periled, -ing Peroxide Persimmon Persistence Pewit (_Orn._) Phantasm Phantom Phenomenon Phenix Phial [But if written _Vial_, follow copy.] Philter, -ed Phthisic Piaster Picked Picket Pie Piebald Piepoudre Pimento Pimpernel Pinchers Pistoled, -ing Placard Plaice (_Ichth._) Plain [Plane, in some senses.] Plane-sailing Plaster Plait (_v._) Plat (_n._) Plethron Pliers Plow Plumber Plumiped Pluviometer Point-device Poise Polacca Pole-ax Poltroon Polyhedron, -drous Polyglot (_n._) Polyp Pommel Pommeled, -ing Ponton Pony Poniard Porgy (_Ichth._) Porpoise Portray Porteress Possessor Postilion Potato Potsherd Powter (_Orn._) Pozzolana Practice (_v._) Præmunire Prænomen Predial Premise Pretense Pretermit Pretor Profane Protector Programme Protoxide Prunella Pumpkin Puppet Purblind Purr Purslane Putrefy Pygmy Pyx

Quadroon Quarantine Quarrel (_an arrow_) Quarreled, -ing Quartet Quaterfoil Quay, -age Questor Quinsy Quintain Quintet Quoin

Rabbet (_Carp._) Rabbi Raccoon Raddock (_Orn._) Ramadan Rancor, -ous, -ly Ransom Rare (_adj._) Rarefy Raspberry Rattan Raveled, -ing Raven (_plunder_) Raze, -ed, -ing Rasure Real (_coin_) Rearward Recall Recompense Reconnoiter Redoubt Referable Reflection Reglet Reindeer Re-enforce Re-install, -ment Relic Remiped {p138} Renard Rencounter Rennet Replier Reposit Resin Rosin [The resin left, after distilling off the volatile oils from the different species of turpentine.] Resistance, etc. Restive, -ly, -ness Retch (_to vomit_) Reveled, -ing, -er Reverie Ribbon Reversible Rigor, -ous, etc. Risk Rivaled, -ing Riveted, -ing Roc (_Orn._) Rodomontade Rondeau Ronyon Roquelaure Rotunda Route Ruble (_coin_) Ruche Rummage Rumor, etc. Rye

Sabian Saber, -ed, etc. Sackbut Sainfoin Salam Salep Salic Saltpeter Samester Sandaled Sandarac Sandever Sanskrit Sapajo Sapodilla Sarcenet Sat Satchel Satinet Sauer-kraut Savanna Savior [Saviour We insert this as of first column, it being in universal use when referring to Christ.] Savor Scallop, -ed, -ing Scath Scepter, -ed Scherif [Preferring this form to _Cherif_, we insert it here. Both spellings appear in Wb. first column.] Schist Schorl Sciagraphy Scion Scirrhosity Scirrhus Scissors Sconce Scot-free Scow Scrawny Scythe Seamstress Sear Secretaryship Sedlitz Seethe Seignior Seigniorage, -ory. Seine Seizin Seleniuret Sellender Selvage Sentinel Sentry Sepawn Sepulcher Sequin Sergeant Set (_n._) Sevennight Shad Shah Shawm Shampoo Shard Sheathe (_v._) Sheik Sherbet Sherry Shill-I-shall-I [But if written _Shilly-shally_, follow copy.] Shore (_n._) Shorl Shoveled, -er, -ing Show Shrillness Shriveled, -ing Shuttlecock Shyly, -ness Sibyl Sidewise Silicious Sillabub Simoom Siphon Siren Sirloin Sirup Sizar Skein Skeptic Skillful, -ly, -ness Skill-less Skull (_cranium_) {p139} Slabber Sleight Slyly, -ness Smallness Smolder Smooth (_v._ and _a._) Snapped (_imp._) Sniveler, -ing Socage Socle Solan-goose (_n._) Solder, etc. Soliped Solvable Somber Somersault Sonneteer Soothe (_v._) [Sorel] Sorrel Souchong Spa Spelt (_n._) Specter Spew Spinach Spinel Spiritous [_Spirituous_ is the more common form. Follow copy.] Spite Splendor Sponge Sprite Spirt Spunk Staddle Stanch Stationery (_n._) Steadfast Steelyard Stillness Stockade Story (_a floor_) Strait (_n._) Strengthener Strew Strop (_n._) Stupefy Sty Style Styptic Subpœna Subtile (_thin_) Subtle (_artful_) Successor Succor Suite Suitor Sulphureted Sumac Superior Suretyship Surname Surprise, etc. Survivor, -ship Swainmote Swale (_v._) Swap Swart (_adj._) Swathe (_bandage_) Swiple Swob, -ber, etc. [But if written _Swab_, _Swabber_, etc., follow copy.] Swollen Syenite Symploce Synonym Syphilis

Tabard Tabbinet Tabor, etc. Taffeta [If written _Taffety_, follow copy.] Taffrail Tailage Talc Tallness Tambour Tambourine Tarantula Tarpaulin Tasseled, -ing Tasses Taut (_Nav._) Tawny Tease Teasel Teetotal Tenable Tenor Tenuirosters Terror Tetrahedron Tetrastich Theater Thole Thorp Thralldom Thrash Threshold Throe (_n._) Ticking (_n._) Tidbit Tie (_n._ and _v._) Tier Tierce Tiger Tincal Tithe Toll (_v. t._) Tollbooth Ton (_the weight_) [Tun (_the cask_)] Tonnage Tormentor Tourmaline Toweling Trammeled, -ing Tranquilize Transferable Transference {p140} Transship, -ment Trapan (_a snare_) Traveler, -ed, -ing Traverse Travesty Treadle Trebuchet Treenail Trestle Trigger Trevet Tricolor Trihedral Trod Trousers Troweled Truckle-bed Tryst Tumbrel Tumor Tunneled, -ing Turquois Turnip Turnsole Tutenag Tweedle Twibil Tymbal Tyro

Umber Unbiased Unboweled [And others of the same class.] Unroll Until

Vaivode [If written _Waiwode_ or _Wayvode_, follow copy.] Valise Valor, -ous, -ously Vantbrace Vapor Vat Veil Vedette Vender [But _Vendor_, as correlative of _Vendee_.] Venomous Veranda Verderer Verdigris Vermin Verst Vertebra Vervain Vicious, -ly, -ness Victualed, -er, -ing Vigor, -ous, etc. Villain [But in feudal law, often spelled _Villein_, follow copy.] Villainy, -ous Vise Visitor Visor Vitiate Vizier Volcano

Wadsett Wagon Waive Wale (_n._) Walrus Warranter [In law, _Warrantor_.] Warrior Warwhoop Waucht Waul (_as a cat_) Wear (_v. Naut._) Wear (_n._) Weasand Welsh Whang Whelk (_n._) Whippletree Whippoorwill Whisky Whoop Whooping-cough [If written _Hooping-cough_, be careful to follow copy. We have known some trouble to be caused by a change of the initial in alphabetical tabular work from hospitals, ships, etc.] Whortleberry Widgeon Willful, -ly, -ness Windlass Wintery [If written _Wintry_, follow copy.] Wiry Witch-elm Witch-hazel Withe Wivern Wizard Wizen Woe Woful Wondrous Woodbine Woolen, -ette. Worshiper, -ed, etc. Wrack (_to rack_) Wye [If written Y, follow copy.]

Yataghan Yaup Yawl (_n._) Yelk Yttria, -um

Zaffer Zinc Zinciferous Zonnar Zymometer

{p141}

THE WORCESTER LIST.

[The following vocabulary exhibits the orthography apparently deemed preferable by Worcester. It will, we believe, be found very convenient in offices where the Worcester style is in favor,—as the preceding list will prove to be where the Webster style is in vogue. Any remarks which we have inserted, and a few additional words, are in brackets.]

Aam Abatis Abbey Abetter [In a good sense; nearly or quite obsolete.] Abettor [_Law._ One who abets an unlawful act.] Abnormal Abreuvoir Abridgment Accessary [When used in _Law_.] Accessory (_Art._) Accountant Acetimeter Ache Achieve Acknowledgment Acronycal Addible Adipocere Adjudgment Admittible Adopter [One who adopts, or assumes as one’s own.] [Adapter Tube used in Chemistry.] Adscititious Adulteress Advertise Advoutry Advowee Advowson Adze Æolic Affector Affeer Affiliate Affiliation Afraid Aghast Agriculturist Aide-de-camp Aisle (_church_) Ajutage Alchemical Alchemist Alchemy Alcoran Alexipharmic Alkahest Alkali Allege Allocution Alloy Almacantar Almanac Almonry Alnager Alum Amassment Ambassador Ambergris Ambs-ace Amercement Amiability Amice Amortise Anademe Ananas Anapest Anapestic Anbury Ancestral Ancient Ancientry Andiron Anemone Angiography Angiology Angiotomy Ankle Annotto Antechamber Antelope Antiemetic Apanage Apostasy Aposteme [If written _Imposthume_, follow copy.] Apothegm Appall Appalment Appraise Appraisement Appraiser Apprise Appurtenance Apricot Arbitrament Archæological Archæology Archduchess Archil Argol Arquebuse Arrack Artisan Arvel {p142} Asbestos Ascendency Ascendent Askance Askant Askew Assafœtida Assize Assizer Assuage Athenæum Auger [Augur A soothsayer.] Aught Autocracy Avoirdupois Awkward Awn Axe

Baccalaureate Bachelor Bade, _from_ bid Balance Baldrick Balk Ballister Baluster Bandanna Bandoleer Bandore Bandrol Banian Banns Barbacan Barbecue Barberry Bark Barouche Baryta Barytone Basin Bass (_Mus._) Bass-viol Bastinado Bateau Battledoor Bawble Bazaar Beadle Beaver Befall Behoove Bellflower Belligerent Bellman Bellmetal Bellwether Benumb Bequeath Bergamot Bergander Berth (_in ship_) Bestrew [Bestrewn p. p. of Bestrew.] Betel Bevel Bezant Biassed Biestings Bigoted Bilge Billiards Billingsgate Binnacle Bistre Bivouac Bizantine Blanch Blende (_Min._) Blithely Blitheness Blithesome Blomary Blouse Bodice Boil (_a tumor_) Bolt Bombard Bombast Bombazette Bombazine Borage Bourgeois Bourn Bourse Bouse Bousy Bowlder Bowsprit Brakeman Bramin Brawl Brazen Brazier Brazil Brier Brokerage Bronze Brooch Brunette Bryony Buccaneer Buffalo Buhrstone Bulimy Bumblebee Bunn Bunyon Burden Burdensome Burganet Burin Burlesque Burr Buzz By (_n._)

Cabob Cacique Cæsura Calcareous Caldron {p143} Calendar Calends Caliber (_Gun_) [Calibre Generally so spelled when used in a figurative sense; as “a mind of inferior calibre”; and in this sense retains the French pron. Ka·le·bur.] Calipers Caliph Calk Calligraphy Calotte Caloyer Caltrop Calyx Cameo Camlet Camomile [If written _Chamomile_, follow copy.] Camphor Cannel (_-coal_) Cannoneer Canoe Cantilever Canvas [Canvass] Capriole Car Carabine Carabineer Carat Caravansary Caravel Caraway [Carcase Scripture.] Carcass Carle Carnelian Carolytic Cartel Cartridge Cassada Cassimere [If spelled _Kerseymere_, follow copy.] Cassowary [Cast] Caste, _class_ Castellan Caster [One who casts; a cruet; a furniture-wheel.] [Castor A genus of animals; a hat; a drug.] Castlery Castrel Catchpoll Catchup Catechise Catherine Cauliflower Causeway Cavazion (_Arch._) Caviare Caw Cayman Cedilla Ceiling Celt Celtic Centiped Cess Chalcedony Chaldron Chalice Chameleon Chamois Champaign [Flat, open country,—Deut. 11 : 30.] [Champagne, _wine_] Champerty Chant Chap [See remark on this word, in Wb. List, _ante_.] Chaps Char [A small job. So spelled in England, and in Departments at Washington, where “charwomen” are employed. But— Chore Is the common orthography in the United States,—and if so written, follow copy.] Chase Chastely Chasteness Check Checker Cheer Chemical Chemist Chemistry Chestnut Chiliahedron Chillness Chimb Chintz Chloride Choir Choke Choose Chorister Chyle Chylifactive Cider Cigar Cimeter Cipher Clam (_v._) Clarinet Cleat Clew Clinch Cloak Clodpoll Cloff Clothe Clothes {p144} Cluck Clyster Cobbler Cocoa Coddle Cœliac Coif Coiffure Coke Colander Colic College Colliery Colter Comfrey Commandery Commissariat Compatible Complete Concordat Confectionery Confidant (_n._) Congealable Connection Connective Consecrator Contemporary Contra-dance Contributory Control Controllable Controller [Comptroller 2d column. _See_ Wb. list.] Conversable Cony Cony-burrow Coomb (4 _bushels_) Copier Coping Copse Coquette (_n._) Coranach Corbel Cordovan Corpse Correlative Cosey Cot Cotillon Counsellor [One who gives advice.] [Councillor A member of a council.] Courant Courtesan Courtesy [Curtesy (_Law_)] Covin Covinous Cozen Cozenage Craunch Crawfish Creak (_v._) Crier Croslet Crowd Crowfoot Cruet Crumb Crusade Cruse (_cruet_) Crystal Cucurbit Cue Cuerpo Cuish Cuneiform Cupel Curb Curb-stone Curtain Cutlass Cyclopædia Cyst Cysted Czar

Dactyl Daily Daisied Damaskeen (_v._) Damson Dandruff Danegelt Daub Dawdle Dearn Debarkation Debonair Decoy Decrepit Defence Defier Deflection Deflour Delft Delphine Deltoid Demesne Demarcation Democrat Denizen Dependant (_n._) Dependence Dependent (_a._) Deposit Desert (_n._) Desolater Despatch [_Dispatch_ also appears in Wor. 1st column. Follow copy.] Dessert (_n._) Detecter Detorsion Detractor Develop Development Devest Dexterous [If written _Dextrous_ follow copy.] Diadron {p145} Diæresis Diarrhœa Dike Dime Diocese Disburden Discount Disfranchise Disfranchisement Dishabille Disinthrall Disk Disseize Disseizin Disseizor Dissolvable Distention Distil Distrainor Diversely Divest Docket Doctress Dodecahedron Doggerel Domicile Doomsday-book Dory Dote Doubloon Dowry Downfall Drachm [Properly limited to the Greek coin or weight.] Dram [A denomination in apothecaries’ and avoirdupois weight; a small quantity; a potation.] Dragoman Draught [This, the original and proper orthography, should be retained in all senses other than the five mentioned under _Draft_.] Draft [1. Act of drawing or pulling. 2. A body of men drawn for or from a military organization. 3. An order by which one person draws on another for money; also the money so drawn. 4. An allowance in weighing. 5. The drawing of lines for a plan; the plan so drawn.] Dreadnaught Driblet Drier Drought Dryly Dryness Duchess Duchy Dulness Dungeon Dunghill Duress Dye (_color_) Dyeing (_coloring_)

Eavesdropper Eccentric Echelon Economics Ecstasy Ecstatic Ecumenical Edile Eke Embalm Embank Embankment Embargo Embark Embarkation Embase Embassy Embed Embedded Embezzle Embezzlement Emblazon Embody Embolden Emborder Embosk Embosom Emboss Embowel Embower Embrasure Empale Empanel [This orthography is recommended. (Wb. has _Empaneled_ in first column.) There are so many _correct_ ways of spelling this word, that a man who would get it wrong should be very ingenious.] Empoison Empower Empress Encage Encenia Enchant Enchase Encircle Encroach Encumber Encumbrance Encyclopædia Endamage Endear Endow Endue Enfeeble Enfeoff Enfranchise Engender Engorge {p146} Enhance Enigma Enjoin Enlard Enlarge Enlighten Enlist Enlumine Enroll Enrolment Enshrine Entail Entangle Enterprise Enthrone Enthymeme Entice Entire Entirety Entitle Entomb Entrance (_v._) Entrap Entreat Envelop (_v._) Envelopment Eolipile Epaulet Epigraph Equerry Equiangular Equivoke Era Eremite Escalade Eschalot Escritoire Escutcheon Estafette [Esthetic] Esthetics Estoppel Etiology Exactor Expense Exsanguious Exsect Exsiccate Exsiccation Exsiccative Exsuccous Extrinsical Exudation Exude Eyry

Fæces Fagot Fairy Fakir Falchion Falcon Fantasy Farther Farthest [Present tendency is, to employ _farther_ and _farthest_ in indicating space or time; in other senses, _further_ and _furthest_.] Farthingale Fattener Fearnaught Fecal Felly Felon Felspar Ferrule [Ferule This word is in second column; but as its signification is wholly distinct from _ferrule_, it should have place here.] Feud Feudal Feudality Feudatory Feuillemorte Fie Filanders Filbert Filigrane Filigree Fillibeg Filly Finery (_a forge_) Firman Fizgig Flageolet Fleam Flier Flotage Flotsam Flour (_meal_) Fleur-de-lis Flugelman Fluke Fluoride Fœtus Forestall Foretell Forray Forte (_strong side_) Fosse Foundery [But if written _Foundry_, follow copy.] Franc (_coin_) Frenetic Frenzy Frieze Frigate Frit Frizzle Frowzy Frumentaceous Frumenty Frustum Fuel Fulfil Fulfilment Fulness Furlough Further Furthest [See _Farthest_.] {p147} Fusee Fusileer Fuze (_n._)

Gabardine Galiot Gallipot Galoche Gamut Gangue (_in ore_) Gantlet [A military punishment.] Garish Garreteer Gauge Gauger Gault Gauntlet (_glove_) Gayety Gayly Gazelle Gear Gelatine Genet Gerfalcon Germ Ghastly Ghibelline Ghyll (_ravine_) Gibberish Gibe Giglot Gimlet Gimmal Girasole Girth Glair Glave Glazier Glede Gloar Gloze Glue Gluey Gnarled Gneiss Good-by Gore Gourmand Gormandize Governante Graft Grandam Granddaughter Granite Grasshopper Gray Greeze (_a step_) Grenade Grenadier Greyhound Griffin Grizzled Grocer Grogram Grotesque Groundsill Group Guarantee Guild Guilder (_coin_) Guillotine Gulf Gunwale Gurnet Gypsy Gyre Gyve

Haggard Haggess Ha-ha Hake Halberd Hale (_healthy_) Halibut Halyards Halloo Hame Handicraftsman Handiwork Hards Harebell Harebrained Harem Harrier Harslet Hatchel Haul (_to drag_) Haum Haunch Haust (_cough_) Hautboy Havoc Hawser Hazel Headache Hearse Heartache Height Heighten Heinous Hemistich Hemorrhoids Heptamerede Herpetology Hexahedron Hibernate Hibernation Hiccough Hinderance [If written _Hindrance_, follow copy. In one of the largest printing-offices in the world, an effort was made a few years since to get the _e_ into Dext_e_rous, Found_e_ry, and Hind_e_rance (style of _Wb._ and _Wor._); but so much trouble ensued,—presumably from outside orthographers,—that compositors and proof-readers were erelong instructed to leave the _e_ out. Follow copy.] {p148} Hip (_v_). Hip (_n_). Hippocras Hodge-podge Hoiden Holiday Holster Hominy Homonyme Hone Honeyed Hoot Horde Horehound Hornblende Hostler Household Housewife Howlet Hub Hurrah Hydrangea Hypothenuse

Icicle Illness Imbitter Imbound Imbox Imbrue Impair Imparlance Impassion Implead Imposthume [“This seems . . . to have been written erroneously for _aposteme_.”—_Johnson._ Follow copy, whether spelled _aposteme_, _apostume_, _impostem_, _imposthume_, or _impostume_,—any other orthography might possibly be incorrect.] Impoverish Incase Inclasp Incloister Inclose Inclosure Incondensable Increase Incrust Indefeasible Indelible Indict Indictment Indite Inditer Indocile Indorsable Indorse Indorsement Indorser Inferrible Inflection Infold Infoliate Ingraft Ingraftment Ingrain Ingulf Innuendo Inquire Inquirer Inquiry Insnare Install Instalment Instil Instructor Insurance Insure Insurer Intenable Interlace Interplead Interpleader Inthrall Intrinsical Intrust Intwine Inure Inurement Invalid (_n._) Inveigle Inventor Inwheel Inwrap Inwreathe Isle

Jackal Jacobin Jag Jagghery Jail Jailer Jalap Jamb (_n._) Janizary Janty Jasmine Jaunt Jelly Jenneting Jetty Jewellery [Thus in 1st column, as “the more regularly formed word”; but _jewelry_ is the more common. Follow copy.] Jiffy Jingle Jointress Jole [If written _jowl_, follow copy.] Jonquille Judgment Julep Junket Just (_n._) Justle [If written _jostle_, compositor and proof-reader had better follow copy, to save the trouble and expense of _correcting_.] {p149}

Kale Kamsin Kayle Keelhaul Keelson Keg Khan Knapsack Knell

Lackey Lacquer Lair Lambdoidal Lance Landscape Landsman Lantern Lanyard Launch Laundress Laureate Lavender Lea (_a plain_) Leach Leaven Ledger Lettuce License Lickerish Licorice Lief Lilac Lily Linguiform Liniment [An embrocation.] [Linament (Lint, etc.)] Lintstock Litharge Llama (_animal_) Loadstar Loadstone Loath (_a._) Loathe (_v._) Lode (_a vein_) Lodgement Lower Luff Luke Lustring Lye (_from ashes_)

Maggoty Maim [Mayhem (_Law_)] Maize Maleadministration Malecontent Malefeasance Malepractice Maltreat Malkin Mall Malanders Mameluke Mandarin Mandatary Mandrel Manifestable Manikin Manœuvre Mantle Mark Marque (_license_) Marquee Marquis Marshal Marten Martingale Mask Maslin Mastic Matins Mattress Meagre Mediæval Meliorate [If written _ameliorate_, follow copy.] Menagerie Merchandise Mere (_a pool_) Metre Mew Mewl Mileage Milleped Millrea Miscall Misspell Misspend Misy (_Min._) Mistletoe Mitre Mizzen Moccason Mocha-stone Modillion Molasses Moneyed Mongrel Monodrame Mood Moresque Morion Mortgageor Mosque Mosquito Mould Moult Mulch Mullin Multiped Mummery Murder Murderous Murky Murrhine Muscle [Animal tissue.] {p150} [Mussel (A shell-fish.)] Musket Mustache Myth

Nankeen Naught Negotiate Net (_a._, _clear_) Nib Nobless Nombles Novitiate Nozle Nuisance

Oblique Octahedron Offence Offuscate Olio Omer Opaque Orach Orison Osier Osmazome Osprey Ottar [If written _Attar_, follow copy.] Outrageous Oxidate Oxidation Oxide Oxidize Oyes

Pacha Packet Painim Palanquin Palette Palmiped Pandore Panel Pansy Pantagraph Pappoose Parallelopiped Paralyze Parcenary Parol (_a._) Paroquet Parral Parsnip Partisan Patin Patrol Paver Pawl Pedler Pedlery Peep Penance Penniless Pentahedral Pentahedron Pentile Peony Perch Persimmon Persistence Pewit Phantasm Phantom Phenomenon Phial [If written _Vial_, follow copy.] Philter Phlegm Phœnix Phthisic [Piked Ending in a point.] Picked [Spruce; smartly or foppishly dressed.] Picket [Piquet A game at cards.] Picturesque Pie Piebald Pimento Pincers Placard Plain [A level, open field.] [Plane So written in science and the arts.] Plane-sailing Plaster Plat Plethora Pleurisy Pliers Plough Ploughman Ploughshare Plumber Plumiped Pluviameter Poise Poltroon Polyanthus Polyhedral Polyhedron Pomade Pommel Pontoon Pony Porpoise Portray Portress Postilion Potato Pottage Practise (_v._) {p151} Præmunire Premise Pretence Preterite Pretor Prison-base Probate Profane Protector Prothonotaryship Prunello Pumpkin [Puisne (_Law_) Thus written as a technical word.] Puny Pupillary Purblind Purlin Purr Purslain Pursy Putrefy Pygmean Pygmy Pyx

Quarantine Quartet Quatercousin Quay (_a mole_) Quinsy Quintain Quintal Quitter Quoit

Raccoon Raillery Ransom Rarefy Raspberry Ratafia Rattan Raven (_prey_) Raze Razure Real (_coin_) Rear Rearmouse Rearward Recall Recognizable Recognizance Recognize Recognizee Recognizor Recompense Reconnoitre Redoubt Redoubtable Reenforcement Referable Reflection Reflective Reglet Reindeer Reinstall Relic Renard [If written _Reynard_, follow copy.] Rennet Replier Reposit Resin [This is the scientific term for the “inspissated exudations of certain families of plants.”] Rosin [The name of the commonest resin in use, “when employed in a solid state for ordinary purposes.”] Resistance Respite Restiff [If written _restive_, follow copy.] Restiffness [If written _restiveness_, follow copy.] Retch (_to vomit_) Reverie [If written _revery_, follow copy.] Reversible Rhomb [Rhumb (_Nav._)] Ribbon Rider Rinse Risk Riveted Robbin [Robin (_Orn._)] Rodomontade Roquelaure Route (_course_) Rummage Runnet Rye

Sabianism Sag Saic Sainfoin Salic Saltcellar Sandarach Sandiver Sanitary Sarcenet Sat Satchel Satinet Savin Saviour [When the Redeemer is meant, the _u_ should be retained. Worcester’s note under this word says that _error_, _favor_, and _honor_ are derived directly from {p152} the Latin, whereas there is no classical Latin word corresponding to the Greek _saviour_ = σωτήρ.] [Savior This orthography is proper when a sacred meaning is not attached to the word.] Scallop Scath Scenery Sceptic Sceptical Scepticism Schist Schistose Scholium Schorl Sciagraphy Sciomachy Scion Scirrhosity Scirrhous [_a._] Scirrhus [_n._] Scissors Sconce Scotfree Scow Screen Scrofula Scythe Seamstress Sear Searce Secretaryship Seethe Seignior Seine (_a net_) Seizin Sellenders Selvage Sentinel Sentry Sequin Sergeant Sergeantry Sesspool [If written _cesspool_, follow copy.] Sevennight Shad Shard Shark (_v._) [But _shirk_ is more common, follow copy.] Shawm Sheathe (_v._) Sheer (_pure_) Sheik Shemitic Sherbet Sherry Shorling Show Showbread Shrillness Shroud Shuttlecock Shyly Shyness Sienite Silicious Sill Sillabub Simar Siphon Siren Sirloin Sirocco Sirup Sit (_to incubate_) Site Sizar Size (_glue_) Skate Skein Skilful Skulk Skull Slabber Slake (_to quench_) Sleight (_n._) Sley (_a reed_) Sluice Slyly Slyness Smallness Smirk Smooth (_v._) Soap Socage Socle Solan Solder Soldier Soliped Solitaire Solvable Somerset Sonneteer Soothe (_v._) Sorrel Souse Spa Spicknel Spinach Spinel Splice Sponge Spongy Spright Sprightful Spunk Spurt Stable Staddle Stanch Stationery (_n._) Steadfast Steelyard Sterile Stillness Stockade Strait (_n._) Strap Strengthener Strew Stupefy {p153} Sty Style Subtile (_thin_) Subtle (_sly_) Subtract Subtraction Suit Suitor Sulky (_n._) Sulphuretted Sumach Suretyship Surname Surprise Surreptitious Survivor Survivorship Swale Sward Swath (_n._) Sweepstakes Swipple Swop [If written _swap_, follow copy.] Sycamore Sylvan Synonyme Syphilis Systematize

Tabard Taffety Taffrail Taillage Talc (_a stone_) Tallness Talmud Tambour Tambourine Tarpauling Tartan Tassel Tawny Tease Teazle Tenable Terrier Tether Tetrastich Theodolite Thraldom Thrash Threshold Throe (_a pang_) Thyine (_wood_) Thyme Ticking Tidbit Tie Tier (_a row_) Tierce Tiger Tincal Tint Tiny Tippler Tithe Toilet Toll (_to allure_) Tollbooth Ton [Tun (_Tun_ is the usual orthography when a large cask or wine measure [252 gallons] is meant; _Ton_ when a weight of 20 cwt., the space in a ship, or a measure of timber is meant.—_Brande._)] Tonnage Tormentor Touchy Tourmaline Trance Tranquillity Tranquillize Transferable Transferrence Treadle Treenail Trellis Trentals Trestle Trevet Trousers Truckle-bed Tumbrel Turkey Turkois Turnip Turnsole Tutenag Tweedle Twibil Tymbal Tyro

Umbles Unbias Unbiassed Unbigoted Unroll Until

Vaivode Vales (_money_) Valise Vantbrace Vat (_a vessel_) Vaudevil Vavasor Veil (_cover_) Vender [Vendor (_Law_)] Veneer Venomous Verdigris Vermilion Vermin Verst Vertebre [If written _Vertebra_, follow copy.] {p154} Vervain Vice (_a screw_) Vicious Villain Villanous Villany Visitatorial Visitor Visor Vitiate Vizier Volcano

Wagon Waif Waive (_to defer_) Wale Walrus Warranter [Warrantor (_Law_)] War-whoop Waul Wear (_v._) Wear (_n._) Weasand Welsh Whang Whelk Whippletree Whippoorwill Whiskey Whitleather Whoop Whooping-cough Widgeon Wilful Windlass Wintry Wiry Witch-elm With (_n._) Withal Wizard Woe Woful Wondrous Woodbine Woodchuck Woollen Wreathe (_v._) Wreck Wriggle

Yawl Yearn Yeast Yelk Yerk Yew

Zaffre Zinc Zymology

There is a large class of words ending either in _able_ or _ible_, amounting to more than sixteen hundred. For these we know of no general rule which can be given, that would readily indicate the proper termination. In practice, writers and printers, with rare exceptions, are obliged at times to depend on something besides memory to secure correctness; and if the dictionary is not at hand, the wrong termination may—as in fact it often does—get into print. So excellent a work as “The American First Class Book” prints an extract from Webster’s Plymouth oration thus:

If any practices exist, contrary to the principles of justice and humanity, within the reach of our laws or our influence, we are inexcus_i_ble if we do not exert ourselves to restrain and abolish them. {p155}

And in a periodical which is sent broadcast over the United States, occurs the following paragraph (April 24, 1888), copied from a report made by Henry Clay in 1838:

That authors and inventors have, according to the practice among civilized nations, a property in the respective productions of their genius is incontest_i_ble, etc.

We append below, for convenient reference, a catalogue of the words referred to, including (1) those in present use; (2) those that are rare; and (3) the obsolete. The latter often occur in reprints, and are sometimes resuscitated or galvanized for a present purpose,—as, for instance, in a recent popular novel, of wide circulation, there occurs three or more times, the word “ineluctable,” denoted by Webster as obsolete. We may have omitted some words that should have been inserted, but believe we have accomplished our object within very negligible limits of error.

A word in parenthesis indicates a various mode of spelling the word immediately preceding.

WORDS ENDING IN _ABLE_.

Abatable Abdicable Abolishable Abominable Abrogable Absolvable Absorbable Abusable Accentuable Acceptable Acclimatable Accomplishable Accordable Accostable Accountable Accusable Achievable Acidifiable Acquirable Actable Actionable Adaptable Addable (Addible) Adjustable Administrable Admirable Admittable (Admittible) Adoptable Adorable Advantageable Advisable Affable Affilliable Affirmable Aggrandizable Agitable Agreeable Alienable Alkalifiable Allegeable Allowable Alterable Amassable {p156} Ameliorable Amenable Amendable Amiable Amicable Amusable Analyzable Anchorable Annihilable Answerable Appealable Appeasable Appliable Applicable Appointable Appreciable Approachable Appropriable Approvable Arable Arbitrable Arguable Argumentable Ascertainable Ascribable Aspectable Assailable Assaultable Assessable Assignable Assimilable Associable Atonable Attachable Attackable Attainable Attemptable Attractable Attributable Augmentable Authorizable Available Avoidable Avouchable Avowable Bailable Bankable Batable Bearable Beggable Believable Bendable Bequeathable Bewailable Blamable Boardable Boatable Bounceable Breakable Breathable Calcinable Calculable Capable Carriable Causable Censurable Challengeable Changeable Chargeable Charitable Chastisable Cheatable Circulable Circumnavigable Circumscribable Citable Civilizable Claimable Classifiable Cleansable Cleavable Clergyable Climbable Coagulable Cogitable Cognizable Collatable Colorable Combatable Comfortable Commandable Commeasurable Commemorable Commendable Commensurable Commonable Communicable Commutable Companionable Comparable Compassable Compellable Compliable Comportable Compoundable Computable Concealable Conceivable Concordable Condemnable Condensable Conferrable Confinable Confirmable Confiscable Conformable Confusable Confutable Congeable Congealable Conjecturable Conquerable Conscionable Conservable Considerable Consolable Constrainable Consumable Containable Contaminable Conterminable Contestable Continuable Contradictable Contributable Contrivable Controllable Conversable {p157} Conveyable Countable Countermandable Covetable Creatable Creditable Criticisable Crummable Crystallizable Culpable Cultivable Cultivatable Culturable Curable Customable Damageable Debatable Deceivable Decidable Decipherable Declarable Declinable Decomposable Decompoundable Decreeable Definable Deflagrable Delectable Deliverable Deludable Demandable Demisable Demonstrable Deniable Denominable Denotable Deplorable Deposable Deprecable Deprivable Derivable Describable Designable Desirable Despicable Detectable Determinable Detestable Devisable Diggable Dilatable Diminishable Disagreeable Disallowable Disciplinable Discommendable Disconformable Discountable Discourageable Discoverable Discreditable Disenable Dishonorable Disintegrable Dispensable Displaceable Disposable Disproportionable Disprovable Dispunishable Disputable Disreputable Disserviceable Dissociable Dissolvable Distillable Distinguishable Distrainable Distributable Diversifiable Dividable Divorceable (Divorcible) Doubtable Dowable Drainable Dramatizable Drawable Drinkable Dupable Durable Dutiable Eatable Effable Effaceable Electrifiable Electrolyzable Emendable Employable Endable Endurable Enforceable (Enforcible) Englishable Enjoyable Enticeable Enunciable Enviable Equable Equitable Eradicable Erasable Erectable Escapable Escheatable Estimable Evaporable Examinable Exceptionable Exchangeable Excisable Excitable Excommunicable Exculpable Excusable Execrable Exemplifiable Exercisable (Exercisible) Exhalable Exorable Expectable Expellable Expiable Expirable Explainable Explicable Exportable {p158} Extinguishable Extirpable Extractable (Extractible) Extricable Exuviable Falsifiable Farmable Fashionable Fathomable Favorable Fellable Fermentable Figurable Finable Fixable Fordable Foreknowable Forfeitable Forgivable Formidable Fortifiable Framable Friable Fundable Furbishable Gainable Gaugeable Gelable Generable Generalizable Governable Grantable Graspable Guardable Guerdonable Guessable Guidable Habitable Hammerable Handleable Hatable Hazardable Healable Heriotable Heritable Homageable Honorable Hospitable Husbandable Hybridizable Identifiable Illapsable Illaudable Illimitable Illuminable Illustrable Imaginable Imitable Immalleable Immeasurable Immedicable Immemorable Immensurable Immersable (Immersible) Immitigable Immovable Immutable Impalpable Impassable Impassionable Impeachable Impeccable Impenetrable Imperforable Imperishable Impermeable Imperturbable Imperviable Implacable Impliable Imponderable Importable Imposable Impracticable Impregnable Impressionable Impreventable Improbable Improvable Impugnable Imputable Inaffable Inalienable Inamovable Inappealable Inapplicable Inappreciable Inapproachable Inarable Incalculable Incapable Incensurable Incinerable Inclinable Incoagulable Incogitable Incognizable Incommensurable Incommunicable Incommutable Incomparable Incompensable Incompliable Incomputable Inconcealable Inconceivable Incondensable Incongealable Inconsiderable Inconsolable Inconsumable Incontestable Incontrollable Increasable Incrystallizable Inculpable Incurable Indecimable Indecipherable Indeclinable Indecomposable Indefatigable Indefinable Indelectable Indemonstrable Indeprecable {p159} Indeprivable Indescribable Indesirable Indeterminable Indictable Indiminishable Indisciplinable Indiscoverable Indispensable Indisputable Indissolvable Indistinguishable Indomitable Indorsable Indubitable Ineffable Ineffaceable Inequitable Ineradicable Inestimable Inevitable Inexcitable Inexcusable Inexecutable Inexorable Inexpiable Inexplicable Inexplorable Inexpugnable Inexsuperable Inexterminable Inextinguishable Inextirpable Inextricable Inferable (Inferrible) Inflammable Inflatable Ingelable Ingenerable Inhabitable Inheritable Inhospitable Inimaginable Inimitable Inirritable Innavigable Innumerable Inobservable Inoculable Inoxidizable Inquirable Insanable Insatiable Insaturable Inscribable Inscrutable Insecable Inseparable Inseverable Insolvable Inspirable Instable Insufferable Insultable Insuperable Insupportable Insupposable Insurable Insurmountable Intastable Intenable Interchangeable Intercommunicable Interminable Interpolable Interpretable Intestable Intolerable Intractable Intransmutable Invaluable Invariable Investigable Inviolable Invitrifiable Invulnerable Irrebuttable Irreclaimable Irrecognizable Irreconcilable Irrecordable Irrecoverable Irrecusable Irredeemable Irrefragable Irrefutable Irrejectable Irrelievable Irremeable Irremediable Irremovable Irremunerable Irreparable Irrepealable Irrepleviable Irreplevisable Irrepresentable Irreproachable Irreprovable Irresolvable Irrespirable Irresuscitable Irretraceable Irretrievable Irreturnable Irrevealable Irrevocable Irrevokable Irritable Isolable Issuable Judicable Justiciable Justifiable Knittable Knowable Lacerable Lamentable Laminable Lapsable Laudable Laughable Learnable Leasable Lendable Leviable Levigable {p160} Liable Licensable Liftable Likable Limitable Liquable Liquefiable Litigable Loanable Lodgeable Losable Lovable Magnifiable Mailable Mainpernable Maintainable Malleable Manageable Manifestable (Manifestible) Marketable Marriageable Masticable Measurable Medicable Memorable Mendable Mensurable Mentionable Merchantable Miserable Misinterpretable Mistakable Mitigable Mixable Modifiable Moldable Mollifiable Mootable Mountable Movable Multipliable Multiplicable Mutable Namable Navigable Negotiable Nonexcommunicable Notable Noticeable Nourishable Numerable Objectionable Obligable Observable Obtainable Offerable Opposable Ordainable Orderable Organizable Originable Overcapable Oxidable Oxidizable Oxygenizable Palatable Palpable Pardonable Partable (Partible) Passable Pasturable Patentable Pawnable Payable Peaceable Peccable Penetrable Perceivable Perdurable Performable Perishable Permeable Permutable Perpetuable Personable Perspirable Persuadable Picturable Pierceable Pitiable Placable Plantable Pleadable Pleasurable Pliable Plowable Poisonable Polarizable Polishable Polysyllable Ponderable Portable Potable Powerable Practicable Precipitable Predeterminable Predicable Preferable Preparable Presentable Preservable Prestable Presumable Preventable Probable Procurable Profitable Prognosticable Prolongable Pronounceable Propagable Proportionable Proratable Prosecutable Protrudable Provable Provokable Publishable Pulverable Pulverizable Punishable Purchasable Pursuable Quadrable Qualifiable {p161} Quenchable Questionable Quotable Raisable Ratable (Rateable) Reachable Readable Realizable Reasonable Rebukable Recallable Receivable Reclaimable Recognizable Recommendable Reconcilable Recoverable Rectifiable Redeemable Redemandable Redoubtable Reexaminable Referable (Referrible) Refusable Refutable Regrettable Reissuable Rejectable Relaxable Releasable Reliable Relievable Relishable Remarkable Remediable Removable Remunerable Renderable Renewable Rentable Reobtainable Repairable Reparable Repayable Repealable Repleviable Representable Reproachable Reprovable Repudiable Reputable Rescindable Rescuable Resolvable Respectable Respirable Restorable Restrainable Resumable Resuscitable Retainable Retractable (Retractible) Retrievable Returnable Revealable Revengeable Reviewable Revivable Revocable Rewardable Rollable Ruinable Rulable Sailable Salable Salifiable Salvable Sanable Saponifiable Satisfiable Saturable Savable Scalable Searchable Seasonable Securable Seizable Separable Sequestrable Servable Serviceable Shapable Shiftable Sizable Sociable Solvable Sortable Soundable Spoilable Squeezable Statable Statutable Suable Subconformable Sublimable Subscribable Succorable Sufferable Suitable Superserviceable Supportable Supposable Surmountable Surpassable Sustainable Tamable Tannable Tastable Taxable Teachable Tellable Temperable Temptable Tenable Tenantable Terminable Testable Tillable Tithable Tolerable Tollable Torturable Touchable Traceable Tractable {p162} Trainable Transferable (Transferrible) Transformable Translatable Transmeatable Transmutable Transpirable Transportable Transposable Traversable Treasonable Treatable Triable Triturable Tunable Ulcerable Unacceptable Unaccountable Unadvisable Unagreeable Unaidable Unamiable Unanswerable Unappealable Unapproachable Unaskable Unavoidable Uncharitable Uncleanable Uncomeatable Uncomfortable Uncommunicable Unconformable Unconscionable Uncontrollable Uncustomable Undauntable Undeniable Undivinable Unexceptionable Unextinguishable Unfashionable Unfathomable Unfavorable Unforgetable Ungovernable Unimpeachable Unitable Unknowable Unmalleable Unmerchantable Unmeritable Unmistakable Unpassable Unpeaceable Unpeerable Unprofitable Unquestionable Unreasonable Unreconcilable Unreliable Unrebukable Unreckonable Unreprovable Unsalable Unsearchable Unseasonable Unsociable Unspeakable Unstable Unsuitable Unutterable Unwarrantable Unwedgeable Usable Utterable Valuable Vanquishable Vaporable Vaporizable Variable Veerable Vegetable Venerable Verifiable Veritable Viable Vindicable Violable Visitable Vitrifiable Voidable Volatilizable Voyageable Vulnerable Warrantable Washable Wearable Weighable Weldable Wieldable Workable

WORDS ENDING IN “ABLE”; RARE.

Accomptable (_or obs._) Accommodable Accustomable Baptizable Burnable Borable Carriageable Catchable Commiserable Complainable Defendable Despisable Destroyable Discontinuable Dissipable Donable Dubitable Educable Effluviable Emulable Entreatable Equiparable Errable Esteemable {p163} Executable Expugnable Frustrable Gatherable Gettable Hereditable Illaqueable Imageable Impalatable Imperceivable Impersuadable Incicurable Inequable Innominable Manducable Marriable Matchable Medicinable Meltable Mockable Pacificable Pregnable Quittable Razorable Recuperable Refragable Regardable Regulable Rememberable Replantable Replevisable Repugnable Scrutable Smokable Speakable Strangleable Subduable Superable Suspectable Tractable Thinkable Transpassable Unalienable Unculpable Understandable Unforeseeable Unhabitable Unlimitable Unmakable Unmeasurable Unmovable Unscrutable Untractable Unvoyageable Walkable Weariable Wishable Worshipable Woundable Yieldable

WORDS ENDING IN “ABLE”; OBSOLETE.

Abhominable Acetable Accompanable Accomptable (_or rare_.) Acquaintable Animable Aptable Battable Behoovable Bowable Chanceable Colliquable Circumstantiable Combinable Companable Companiable Compassionable Compensable Conciliable Consortable Conspectable Conusable Convenable Counselable Covenable Creable Defatigable Delightable Dependable Depredable Destinable Devitable Disable Disadvantageable Discomfortable Discordable Discriminable Disfavorable Dispraisable Disprofitable Doctrinable Domable Dreadable Earable Effrayable Endamageable Eterminable Exceedable Excoriable Excreable Excruciable Exoptable Exuperable Fatigable Fittable Flammable Foilable Frequentable Grievable Guildable Gustable Illacerable Illeviable Immatchable Immixable Impacable Impardonable Imperscrutable Impetrable {p164} Impierceable Improfitable Improportionable Inaidable Inalterable Inamiable Incessable Incharitable Incomformable Inconscionable Incremable Individable Indomable Indomptable Ineluctable Inenarrable Inerrable Inexhalable Inexplainable Inexuperable Infashionable Infatigable Informidable Ingustable Injudicable Inopinable Insociable Insuitable Intricable Inutterable Irrecuperable Irreputable Iterable Jaculable Justiceable Lachrymable Leisurable Makable Maniable Markable Mercable Merciable Meritable Mingleable Mirable Miscarriageable Moderable Modificable Moltable Narrable Oathable Objectable Occasionable Operable Opinable Optable Ordinable Overturnable Painable Parable Parallelable Perceable Perflable Perspicable Postable Praisable Replevisable Resemblable Rowable Sacrificable Screable Scribable Semblable Spirable Strainable Suspicable Trafficable Transmeable Troublable Unappliable Unapplicable Uncapable Unconceivable Uncontestable Uncounselable Uncovenable Uncreditable Uncurable Undefatigable Undepartable Undertakable Undestroyable Undeterminable Undisputable Undoubtable Undubitable Undwellable Unequalable Unevitable Unexcusable Unextricable Unfailable Unframable Unhospitable Unimitable Unmasterable Unnumerable Unpenetrable Unperishable Unplacable Unpracticable Unprizable Unquarrelable Unremovable Unreproachable Unreputable Unsatiable Unseparable Unshakable Unsightable Unsucceedable Unsufferable Unsupportable Unswayable Untellable Untriumphable Untrowable Unvaluable Unvariable Unvulnerable Vailable Vengeable Veniable Versable Vituperable Volitable Wainable Warhable

{p165}

WORDS ENDING IN _IBLE_.

Abhorrible Accendible Accessible Addible (Addable) Adducible Admissible Adustible Apprehensible Ascendible Audible Bipartible Circumscriptible Classible Coctible Coercible Cognoscible Cohesible Collectible Combustible Compactible Compatible Comprehensible Compressible Concrescible Conducible Conductible Confluxible Contemptible Contractible Controvertible Conversible Convertible Convincible Correctible Corrigible Corrodible Corrosible Corruptible Credible Decoctible Deducible Deductible Defeasible Defectible Defensible Descendible Destructible Diffusible Digestible Discernible Dissectible Distensible Distractible Divertible Divestible Divisible Divorcible (Divorceable) Docible Edible Educible Effectible Effervescible Eligible Eludible Enforcible (Enforceable) Evincible Exercisible (Exercisable) Exhaustible Expansible Expressible Extendible Extensible Extractible (Extractable) Fallible Feasible Fencible Fermentescible Flexible Fluxible Forcible Frangible Fungible Fusible Gullible Horrible Ignitible Illegible Immersible (Immersable) Immiscible Impartible Impassible Impedible Imperceptible Impersuasible Implausible Impossible Imprescriptible Impressible Imputrescible Inaccessible Inadmissible Inapprehensible Inaudible Incircumscriptible Incoercible Incombustible Incommiscible Incompatible Incomprehensible Incompressible Inconcussible Incontrovertible Inconvertible Inconvincible Incorrigible Incorrodible Incorruptible Incredible Indefeasible Indefectible Indefensible Indelible Indeprehensible {p166} Indestructible Indigestible Indiscernible Indiscerptible Indivisible Indocible Inducible Ineffervescible Ineligible Ineludible Inevasible Inexhaustible Inexpansible Inexpressible Infallible Infeasible Inferrible (Inferable) Inflexible Infrangible Infusible Inscriptible Insensible Instructible Insuppressible Insusceptible Intactible Intangible Intelligible Interconvertible Intervisible Invendible Inventible Invertible Invincible Invisible Irascible Irreducible Irrefrangible Irremissible Irreprehensible Irrepressible Irresistible Irresponsible Irreversible Legible Manifestible (Manifestable) Marcescible Miscible Negligible Nexible Omissible Ostensible Partible (Partable) Passible Perceptible Perfectible Permiscible Permissible Persuasible Pervertible Plausible Possible Prehensible Prescriptible Producible Productible Putrescible Quadrible Receptible Redemptible Redressible Reducible Re-eligible Referrible (Referable) Reflectible Reflexible Refrangible Remissible Renascible Rend-ible (from _rend_) Ren-dible (from _render_) Reprehensible Resistible Responsible Retractible (Retractable) Reversible Revertible Risible Seducible Sensible Sponsible Subdivisible Subvertible Supersensible Suppressible Susceptible Suspensible Tangible Terrible Transferrible (Tranferable) Transfusible Transmissible Transmittible Tripartible Vendible Vincible Visible Vitrescible

WORDS ENDING IN “IBLE”; RARE.

Affectible Cessible Committible Compossible Convictible Cullible Discerpible Discerptible Evadible Evasible Exigible Impatible {p167} Impermissible Incognoscible Infractible Insubmergible Suasible Tensible Traducible Transvertible Unadmissible Unadmittible Unexhaustible Unexpressible Unflexible Unfusible Unrepressible Unresponsible

WORDS ENDING IN “IBLE”; OBSOLETE.

Agible Appetible Alible Comestible Comminuible Competible Comptible Conceptible Conclusible Congestible Deceptible Decerptible Depectible Depertible Deprehensible Erigible Exemptible Expetible Fensible Fulcible Ignoscible Immarcescible Imperdible Impertransible Inamissible Incompossible Inconceptible Inconsumptible Indefeisible Indicible Indiscerpible Indistinctible Inextinguible Intransgressible Inquisible Intenible Irremittible Miscible Obedible Odible Offensible Patible Regible Sejungible Sepelible Suadible Suasible Subjicible Unaccessible Uncorrigible Uncorruptible Uncredible Undefeasible Uneligible Unfallible Unfrangible Unpossible Unresistible Unsensible Untangible Unvisible

NOUNS ENDING IN _O_.

Errors sometimes occur in forming the plural of nouns in _o_. We frequently see _frescoes_, _mottos_,—both wrong. The general rule is, If the final _o_ has a vowel before it, form the plural by adding _s_: as “cameo, cameos”; if a consonant precede the final _o_, add _es_; as “archipelago, archipelagoes.” Such exceptions to the general rule as are most frequently met with, and a few that are rare, we here subjoin: {p168}

Albino Albinos Armadillo Armadillos Busto Bustos Canto Cantos Catso Catsos Cento Centos Dido Didos Domino Dominos Duo Duos Duodecimo Duodecimos Embryo Embryos Exaltado Exaltados Folio Folios Fresco Frescos Gaucho Gauchos Grotto Grottos Halo Halos Inamorato Inamoratos Internuncio Internuncios Junto Juntos Lasso Lassos Limbo Limbos Memento Mementos Merino Merinos Mestizo Mestizos Nuncio Nuncios Octavo Octavos Octodecimo Octodecimos Piano Pianos Portico Porticoes, _Wb._ or Porticos, _Wor._ Portfolio Portfolios Proviso Provisos Punctilio Punctilios Quarto Quartos Rotundo Rotundos Salvo Salvos Sextodecimo Sextodecimos Sirocco Siroccos Solo Solos Trio Trios Two Twos Tyro Tyros Virtuoso Virtuosos Zero Zeros

But “albugo” has _pl._ “albugines”; and to “imago” we should probably have to write _pl._ “imagines.” There are many nouns ending in _o_, for whose plurals we have not found any authority beyond the general rule. With the exceptions given above, the rule may be safely followed. The plural of “portico” is a matter of style: and there is some authority for “quartoes.”

WORDS ENDING IN _ISE_.

Words ending with the sound of _ize_ are variously spelled _ise_ or _ize_. Of this class the correct spelling of the following words is _ise_; nearly if not quite all others take _ize_. {p169}

Advertise Advise Affranchise Apprise Catechise Chastise Circumcise Comprise Compromise Criticise Demise Despise Devise Disfranchise Disguise Divertise Emprise Enfranchise Enterprise Exercise Exorcise Franchise Merchandise Misprise Premise Reprise Revise Supervise Surmise Surprise

_EI_ AND _IE_.

Many persons find it difficult or impossible to recollect the relative position of _e_ and _i_, in such words as _receive_, _believe_, etc. If they will bear in mind the following rule, it may save them the trouble of referring to a dictionary for this point.

When the derivative noun ends in _tion_, the verb is spelled with _ei_: thus,—

Conception Conceive Deception Deceive Reception Receive

But when the noun does not end in _tion_, the verb is spelled with _ie_: as,—

Belief Believe

WORDS ENDING IN “CION.”

Disregarding the dissyllable _scion_, we think there are but three words in use having this termination, viz.: Coercion, Ostracion, Suspicion. Two obsolete words are Internecion and Pernicion. {p170}

ENSURE, INSURE, ETC.

The language has been sometimes enriched by retaining the several forms of a “doubtful” word, as in the case of _draft_ and _draught_, each form having limitations of meaning peculiar to itself. _Ensure_ and _Insure_ we propose to consider distinct words rather than various spellings of the same words. So, also, of _Enure_ and _Inure_.

Ensure.
[To make sure, certain, or safe; “How to ensure peace for any term of
years.” To _insure_ is to contract, for a consideration, to secure
against loss; as to insure houses, ships, lives.]

Insure.
[To underwrite; “to covenant, for a consideration, to indemnify for
loss of anything specified”; as, to insure houses against fire, etc.]

Enure.
[“To serve to the use or benefit of”; as, a gift of land enures to
the benefit of the grantee.

“The argument was made [a century ago] as now, that its [a protective
policy’s] benefits _enured_ to particular classes or sections.”—_B.
Harrison’s Inaugural Address._]

Inure
[To accustom; as, a man inures his body to heat and cold; a soldier
to blood inured.]

{p171}

Previous Next

Comments

Pens and typesChapter VI: Orthography

0%35 min left in chapter