This 1828 facsimile reprint of the first American Dictionary documents the quality of Biblical education which raised up American statesmen capable of forming our Constitutional Republic. Webster traced roots in twenty-six languages, and gives examples from classical literature and the Bible. Comprehensive introductions are presented for language and grammar. It has been described by one Christian scholar as "the greatest reprint of the twentieth century." The added biography by Rosalie Slater, "Noah Webster, Founding Father of American Scholarship and Education," describes his contribution to many fields and records his conversion to Christ.

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This book is a facsimile of the 1828 two-volume dictionary in one volume, which besides having its own great intrinsic interest, will also be of great interest to students of Emily Dickinson.

Noah Webster was a very learned and very devout man, and his ideas about language in his very long Introduction to this book make for interesting reading. The frontispiece gives us a marvelous portrait of Webster. He looks like a man of strong will and determination, qualities he would have needed to push his great project to a conclusion.

As for the actual entries, Christian readers will find it rewarding to compare his definitions of such words as "marriage", "education", "sin", "law", "faith", "prayer", etc., with those given in any modern dictionary. They will probably be surprised at the great differences, and may come away with a renewed respect for this great American.

Turning to Emily Dickinson, we know that she made frequent and extensive use of Noah Webster's 'Dictionary of the English Language' in writing her poems, paying attention not only to definitions but also to Webster's etymologies and his illustrative quotations.

The scholarly consensus is that she probably made use of an 1844 reprint of the 1841 edition, but since this is now rare, and since the 1828 edition was also in the Dickinson library, the present facsimile of the 1828 edition becomes an important resource for helping us to recover at least some of the senses in which she understood certain words.

The present book is a large heavy quarto volume (8.5 by 11 inches), stitched, bound in full strong cloth, well-printed on thin but good quality paper, and has clearly been designed for heavy use. Since it isn't paginated in the normal way, I'm not sure exactly how long it is, but at a guess I'd say it must be at least 1500 pages, if not 2000.

It's a great pleasure to handle such a well-produced book, and to read its definitions and ponder the great changes that have occurred in the meanings of words over the last 130 years. This is a book that should be in everyone's library, as providing a fund of wisdom, knowledge, and information that few modern books can even begin to approach.

105 of 108 found the following review helpful:

How Our Lanuguage Has Changed!Dec 18, 2000
By Aaron Glenn Artt
A "must-have" for those who would understand the American Constitution and the basis for our heritage and beliefs. This book is more than a dictionary, it concisely defines the words whose meanings have "evolved" in our language. Excellent reference for Bible studies, history papers, and general better basis of explanation and reasoning for our national documents. Though it is definitely a "dictionary," I find myself pouring over its contents for clarity and meaning to much more than the words themselves.

126 of 131 found the following review helpful:

Conservative, Comprehensive, CompleteJul 15, 1999

This dictionary stands head and shoulders above all others I have used. If language is the life blood of culture, this dictionary shows just how far American culture has strayed from it's roots. Far from being archaic, this dictionary gives the objective definition of words, their etymology, and background in history. I found this book a breath of fresh air in an era of political correctness and subjectivism.

126 of 137 found the following review helpful:

A Dictionary for the Common ManDec 23, 1999

In my years of studying the Word of God I have used many diferent study aids. When I first came into contact with this dictionary I was supprised that it was quite complete and that a very through job had been done. Noah Websters origional intent for this Dictionary was for it to be used by the comman people to help them understand the Word of God so that they could apply its principles to their lives. Each of the words has with it its entamoligical roots and to help understand its meaning it is used in a sentance and in many cases a verse from the Bible. Thus making it an excelent tool for the common everyday man and the schollar alike. If you are looking for a good dictionary for Bible study this is one tool you do not want to be without.

32 of 34 found the following review helpful:

A dream come trueDec 10, 2005
By Jeremy Walls
This dictionary is everything you could ever wish, and yes, it is the very first. These very many and every original, clear Old English definitions is not that of today's complex excess baggage terms defined, but it even contains the sources of the many instances used. As a bible reader, I found and understood almost everything I looked for in my KJV bible, however the size is a bit bulky, but I got what I paid. 'One Look Search Dictionary' (http://www.onelook.com) has it free online, but it seems less complete. This book did not disappoint me.

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