An Universal Etymological English Dictionary...

£250 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

An early edition of this important precursor to Johnson's dictionary of the English language. Nathan Bailey's (d.1742) 'English dictionaries gave a new prominence to etymology and to lexical comprehensiveness, including dialect terms, scientific terms, common words, and even vulgar ones... Samuel Johnson used the second edition of Bailey's folio as a basis for developing his own dictionary, which competed with Bailey's for decades. Though Johnson's dictionary achieved the prestige of literary authority, Bailey's long remained popular, especially among autodidacts' (ODNB). Fifteenth edition; 8vo (21 x 13.5 cm); ads to verso of final f., ownership inscription in pen to front free endpaper, occasional spotting; contemporary sprinkled calf, covers ruled in gilt, upper joint starting, abraded with slight loss to spine and corners. ESTC T87505.

• Binding: Hardcover

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