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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

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(2) Words.

knack
knacker

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Definitions

(2) Words.

knack
knacker

(3) Words.

faculty
knack
knacker

Webster

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1828 Definition

KNACK, n. nak. A little machine; a petty contrivance; a toy.

A knack, a toy, a trick, a baby's cap.

1. A readiness; habitual facility of performance; dexterity; adroitness.

My author has a great knack at remarks.

The Dean was famous in his time,

And had a kind of knack at rhyme.

2. A nice trick.

For how should equal colors do the knack?

Cameleons who can paint in white and black?

KNACK, v.i. nak. To crack; to make a sharp abrupt noise. [Little used.]

1913 Definition

Knack (knack)
v. i.	(nk)
Knack
[Prob. of imitative origin; cf. G. knacken to break, Dan. knage to crack, and E. knock.]

To crack; to make a sharp, abrupt noise to chink.

[Obs. or Prov. Eng.] Bp. Hall.

To speak affectedly.

[Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

A petty contrivance; a toy; a plaything; a knickknack.

A knack, a toy, a trick, a baby's cap. Shak.

A readiness in performance; aptness at doing something; skill; facility; dexterity.

The fellow . . . has not the knack with his shears. B. Jonson.

The dean was famous in his time,
And had a kind of knack at rhyme. Swift.

Something performed, or to be done, requiring aptness and dexterity; a trick; a device.

"The knacks of japers." Chaucer.

For how should equal colors do the knack ! Pope.

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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Isla Bastimentos, a short boat ride from Bocas Town is a nature lover's playground.

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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.

May 27, 2012