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Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary

March 21, 2010

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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melancholy

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1828 Definition

MEL'ANCHOLY, n. [Gr. black, and bile; L. melancholia.]

1. A gloomy state of mind, often a gloomy state that is of some continuance, or habitual; depression of spirits induced by grief; dejection of spirits. This was formerly supposed to proceed from a redundance of black bile. Melancholy, when extreme and of long continuance, is a disease, sometimes accompanied with partial insanity. Cullen defines it, partial insanity without dyspepsy.

In nosology, mental-alienation restrained to a single object or train of ideas, in distinction from mania, in which the alienation is general.

Moon-struck madness, moping melancholy.

MEL'ANCHOLY, a. Gloomy; depressed in spirits; dejected; applied to persons. Overwhelming grief has made me melancholy.

1. Dismal; gloomy; habitually dejected; as a melancholy temper.

2. Calamitous; afflictive; that may or does produce great evil and grief; as a melancholy event. The melancholy fate of the Albion! The melancholy destruction of Scio and of Missolonghi!

1913 Definition

Melancholy (melancholy)

(?)

Mel"an*chol*y

[OE. melancolie, F. mélancolie, L. melancholia, fr. Gr. (?); me`las, -anos, black + (?) gall, bile. See Malice, and 1st Gall.]

Depression of spirits; a gloomy state continuing a considerable time; deep dejection; gloominess.

Shak.

Great and continued depression of spirits, amounting to mental unsoundness; melancholia.

Pensive maditation; serious thoughtfulness.

[Obs.] "Hail, divinest Melancholy !" Milton.

Ill nature.

[Obs.] Chaucer.

Depressed in spirits; dejected; gloomy dismal.

Shak.

Producing great evil and grief; causing dejection; calamitous; afflictive; as, a melancholy event.

Somewhat deranged in mind; having the jugment impaired.

[Obs.] Bp. Reynolds.

Favorable to meditation; somber.

A pretty, melancholy seat, well wooded and watered. Evelin.

Syn. -- Gloomy; sad; dispirited; low-spirited; downhearted; unhappy; hypochondriac; disconsolate; heavy, doleful; dismal; calamitous; afflictive.

Noah Says...

The Bible must be considered as the great source of all the truth by which men are to be guided in government as well as in all social transactions.

The Islands of Bocas del Toro

There are 3 main islands in the archepelago, Isla Colon, Isla Bastimentos, and Isla Cristobal.

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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.

March 21, 2010