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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. |
SEDI''TION, n. [L. seditio. The sense of this word is the contrary of that which is naturally deducible from sedo, or sedeo, denoting a rising or raging, rather than an appeasing. But to set is really to throw down, to drive, and sedition may be a setting or rushing together.] A factious commotion of the people, a tumultuous assembly of men rising in opposition to law or the administration of justice, and in disturbance of the public peace. Sedition is a rising or commotion of less extent than an insurrection, and both are less than rebellion; but some kinds of sedition, in Great Britain, amount to high treason. In general, sedition is a local or limited insurrection in opposition to civil authority, as mutiny is to military.
The raising of commotion in a
state, not amounting to insurrection; conduct tending to treason, but
without an overt act; excitement of discontent against the government,
or of resistance to lawful authority.
In soothing them, we nourish 'gainst our senate Noisy demagogues who had been accused of sedition. Macaulay. Dissension; division; schism.
[Obs.]
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, . . . emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies. Gal. v. 19, 20. Syn. -- Insurrection; tumult; uproar; riot; rebellion; revolt. See Insurrection. | ||||||||