Title:  A Grammar of the English Tongue

Author:  Samuel Johnson

Release Date:  February 18, 2005 [EBook #15097]

Language:  English

Character set encoding:  ASCII

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A

DICTIONARY

OF THE

English language: 

IN WHICH

The words are deduced from their originals,
explained in their different meanings,

AND

Authorized by the names of the writers in whose works
they are found.

Abstracted from the Folio edition,

By the author,

Samuel Johnson, ll.D.

* * * * *

To which is prefixed,

Dr. JOHNSON’S preface to the original Folio edition,

AND

His grammar of the English language.

1812.

* * * * *

A grammar of the English tongue.

Grammar, which is the art of using words properly, comprises four parts: 
Orthography, Etymology, Syntax, and Prosody.

In this division and order of the parts of grammar I follow the common grammarians, without inquiring whether a fitter distribution might not be found.  Experience has long shown this method to be so distinct as to obviate confusion, and so comprehensive as to prevent any inconvenient omissions.  I likewise use the terms already received, and already understood, though perhaps others more proper might sometimes be invented.  Sylburgius, and other innovators, whose new terms have sunk their learning into neglect, have left sufficient warning against the trifling ambition of teaching arts in a new language.

Orthography is the art of combining letters into syllables, and syllables into words.  It therefore teaches previously the form and sound of letters.

The letters of the English language are,

Roman.  Italick.  Name.

A a A a a