I » inability › 1828-dictionary.com :: Making the First American Dictionary of the English Language Accessible

Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary

May 27, 2012

Project::Noah

In my view, the Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children, under a free government ought to be instructed... No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.

Preface to 1828 Dictionary

SEARCH

(2) Words.

inability
ordinability

Webster

KJV

To be ...

These Bibles or ...

... Completed

... Maybe you pick two (KJV vs Young's Literal) if logged in

I › inability

1828 Definition

INABIL'ITY, n. [L. inhabilis; in and habilis.]

1. Want of sufficient physical power or strength; as the inability of a man to raise an arm or a leg.

2. Want of adequate means; as an inability to purchase a farm, or to fit out a ship.

3. Want of moral power. Moral inability is considered to be want of inclination, disposition or will, or a deep-rooted aversion to act,and therefore improperly so called.

Moral inability aggravates our guilt.

4. Want of intellectual strength or force; as an inability to comprehend a mathematical demonstration.

5. Want of knowledge or skill; as an inability to read or write.

1913 Definition

Inability (inability)
n.	(?)
In`abil"ity
[Pref. in- not + ability: cf. F. inhabileté. See Able, and cf. Unable.]

The quality or state of being unable; lack of ability; want of sufficient power, strength, resources, or capacity.

It is not from an inability to discover what they ought to do, that men err in practice. Blair.

Syn. -- Impotence; incapacity; incompetence; weakness; powerlessness; incapability. See Disability.

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.

The McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship offers the finest Entrepreneurship Program

Founded in 1984, The McGuire Center for Entrepreneruship is of the first university-based centers for entrepreneurship, the center is one of the few to consistently maintain top tier ranking status.

Browse
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

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

More info ...

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

More info ...

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

More info ...

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.

May 27, 2012