What, then, is the net result of our investigation?  Simply this, that tension means stretching, and that the stretching may be conceived either literally or figuratively.  With these two facts in mind, we need not (unless we are experts in mechanics, physics, statical electricity, or the sewing-machine) go to the trouble of committing the special senses of tension; for should occasion bid, we can—­from our position at the heart of the word—­easily grasp their rough purport.  And from other persons than specialists no more would be required.

EXERCISE — Dictionary

For each of the following words find (a) the original meaning, (b) the central meaning today. (Other words are given in the exercises at the end of this chapter.)

Bias Supersede Sly
Aversion Capital Meerschaum
Extravagant Travel Alley
Concur Travail Fee
Attention Apprehend Superb
Magnanimity Lewd Adroit
Altruism Instigation Quite
Benevolence Complexion Urchin
Charity Bishop Thoroughfare
Unction Starve Naughty
Speed Cunning Moral
Success Decent Antic
Crafty Handsome Savage
Usury Solemn Uncouth
Costume Parlor Window
Presumption Bombastic Colleague
Petty Vixen Alderman
Queen Doctor Engage

Prying Into a Word’s Past

To thread with minute fidelity the mazes of a word’s former history is the task of the linguistic scholar; our province is the practical and the present-day.  But words, like men, are largely what they are because of what they have been; and to turn a gossip’s eye upon their past is to procure for ourselves, often, not only enlightenment but also entertainment.  This fact, though brought out in some part already, deserves separate and fuller discussion.

In the first place, curiosity as to words’ past experience enables us to read with keener understanding the literature of preceding ages.  Of course we should not, even so, go farther back than about three centuries.  To read anything earlier than Shakespeare would require us to delve too deeply into linguistic bygones.  And to read Shakespeare himself requires effort—­but rewards it.  Let us see how an insight into words will help us to interpret the Seven Ages of Man (Appendix 4).

In line 2 of this passage appears the word merely.  In Shakespeare’s time it frequently meant “altogether” or “that and nothing else.”  As here used, it may be taken to mean this, or to have its modern meaning, or to stand in meaning midway between the two and to be suggestive of both; there is no way of determining precisely.  In line 12 the word pard means leopard.  In line 18 saws means “sayings” (compare the phrase “an