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Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary

February 8, 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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1828 Definition

IN'STANCE, n. [L. insto, to press; in and sto, to stand.]

Literally, a standing on. Hence,

1. Urgency; a pressing; solicitation; importunity; application. The request was granted at the instance of the defendant's advocate.

2. Example; a case occurring; a case offered. Howard furnished a remarkable instance of disinterested benevolence. The world may never witness a second instance of the success of daring enterprise and usurpation, equal to that of Buonaparte.

Suppose the earth should be removed nearer to the sun, and revolve, for instance,in the orbit of Mercury, the whole ocean would boil with heat.

The use of instances, is to illustrate and explain a difficulty.

3. Time; occasion; occurrence.

These seem as if, in the time of Edward I, they were drawn up into the form of a law, in the first instance.

4. Motive; influence.

5. Process of a suit.

Instance-court, a branch of the court of admiralty, in England, distinct from the prize-court.

IN'STANCE, v.i. To give or offer an example or case.

As to false citations--I shall instance in two or three.

IN'STANCE, v.t. To mention as an example or case. He instanced the event of Caesar's death.

1913 Definition

Instance (instance)

(?)

In"stance

[F. instance, L. instantia, fr. instans. See Instant.]

The act or quality of being instant or pressing; urgency; solicitation; application; suggestion; motion.

Undertook at her instance to restore them. Sir W. Scott.

That which is instant or urgent; motive.

[Obs.]

The instances that second marriage move
Are base respects of thrift, but none of love. Shak.

Occasion; order of occurrence.

These seem as if, in the time of Edward I., they were drawn up into the form of a law, in the first instance. Sir M. Hale.

That which offers itself or is offered as an illustrative case; something cited in proof or exemplification; a case occurring; an example.

Most remarkable instances of suffering. Atterbury.

A token; a sign; a symptom or indication.

Shak.

Causes of instance, those which proceed at the solicitation of some party. Hallifax. -- Court of first instance, the court by which a case is first tried. -- For instance, by way of example or illustration. -- Instance Court (Law), the Court of Admiralty acting within its ordinary jurisdiction, as distinguished from its action as a prize court.

Syn. -- Example; case. See Example.

To mention as a case or example] to refer to; to cite; as, to instance a fact.

H. Spenser.

I shall not instance an abstruse author. Milton.

To give an example.

[Obs.]

This story doth not only instance in kingdoms, but in families too. Jer. Taylor.

Noah Says...

When a citizen gives his suffrage to a man of known immorality he abuses his trust; he sacrifices not only his own interest, but that of his neighbor; he betrays the interest of his country.

What makes the U.S. great?

The Japanese commissioner in Washington DC in the 1900's studying the American patent system said, "We have looked about us to see what nations are the greatest, so that we can be like them... We said, 'What makes the United States such a great nation?' and we investigated and found that it was patents, and we will have patents."

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Project::Noah

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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 8, 2012