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Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary

February 10, 2012

Project::Noah

It is not only important, but, in a degree necessary, that the people of this country, should have an American Dictionary of the English language; for, although the body of the language is the same as in England, and it is desirable to perpetuate that sameness, yet some differences must exist. Language is the expression of ideas; and if the people of one country cannot preserve an identity of ideas, they cannot retain an identity of language.

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(4) Words.

babble
babblement
babbler
bibble-babble

Words

Definitions

(4) Words.

babble
babblement
babbler
bibble-babble

(4) Words.

bibble-babble
blab
clatterer
futile

Webster

KJV

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B › babble

1828 Definition

BAB'BLE, v.i.

1. To utter words imperfectly or indistinctly, as children.

2. To talk idly or irrationally; to talk thoughtlessly.

3. To talk much; to prate; hence to tell secrets.

4. To utter sounds frequently, incessantly, or indistinctly; as a babbling echo; a babbling stream.

BAB'BLE, v.t. To prate; to utter.

BAB'BLE, n. Idle talk; senseless prattle.

1913 Definition

Babble (babble)
v. i.	(bb"b'l)
Bab"ble
[imp. ** p. p.* Babbled (-b'ld)] p. pr. ** vb. n.* Babbling.] [Cf.LG. babbeln, D. babbelen, G. bappeln, bappern, F. babiller, It. babbolare] prob. orig

To utter words indistinctly or unintelligibly; to utter inarticulate sounds; as, a child babbles.

To talk incoherently; to utter unmeaning words.

To talk much; to chatter; to prate.

To make a continuous murmuring noise, as shallow water running over stones.

In every babbling brook he finds a friend.
Wordsworth.

* Hounds are said to babble, or to be babbling, when they are too noisy after having found a good scent.

Syn. -- To prate; prattle; chatter; gossip.

To utter in an indistinct or incoherent way; to repeat, as words, in a childish way without understanding.

These [words] he used to babble in all companies.
Arbuthnot.

To disclose by too free talk, as a secret.

Idle talk; senseless prattle; gabble; twaddle.

"This is mere moral babble." Milton.

Inarticulate speech; constant or confused murmur.

The babble of our young children.
Darwin.

The babble of the stream.
Tennyson.

Noah Says...

Language is not an abstract construction of the learned, or of dictionary makers, but is something arising out of the work, needs, ties, joys, affections, tastes, of long generations of humanity, and has its bases broad and low, close to the ground.

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Project::Noah

More info ...

The foundation for American Heritage Access [AHA] strives to capture the essence of American culture with an intent to make early American manuscripts accessible to modern society. We believe that the successful future of this country is dependent on honoring and respecting its past. In order to achieve this ideal, several projects will be introduced and executed. The first initiatives of Project::Noah will involve the accessibility of the 1828 American dictionary.

Vision::Reprint

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The first vision, Vision::Reprint, has an intent to make a modern printing of the first dictionary of the American language available to the public for under $25. The first task, Task::Access, involves the digitizing of the original 1828 dictionary. The dictionary is available in microfilm (American Culture Series, Reel 335.6-336.1, Michigan University Microfilms) at many universities. To digitize the microfilm as a batch process requires a special scanner.

Vision::Redesign

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The second vision, Vision::Redesign, has an intent to improve the current online accessibility to the 1828 dictionary. Beyond the Task::XML, other tasks related to this Vision::Redesign include identifying features and functionality for this new website. In addition, plugins will be discussed and created to make the dictionary accessible in other ways: iPhone, Google widget, Firefox Add-on, etc.

Vision::Recapture

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The third vision, Vision::Recapture, has an intent to evoke the importance of Noah Webster in our American Heritage. This vision will manifest itself in a commissioned painting of Noah Webster. The process involved will require the input from concerned Americans. The final commission painting will be derived from initial sketches and digital compositions. Feedback from the community is essential for this vision's success throughout the entire process.

February 10, 2012