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Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary

February 10, 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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sharpen

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1828 Definition

SHARPEN, v.t.

1. To make sharp; to give a keen edge or a fine point to a thing; to edge; to point; as, to sharpen a knife, an ax or the teeth of a saw; to sharpen a sword.

All of the Israelites went down to the Philistines to sharpen every man his share and his coulter, and his ax and his mattock. 1 Sam. 8.

2. To make more eager or active; as, to sharpen the edge of industry.

3. To make more pungent and painful. The abuse of wealth and greatness may hereafter sharpen the sting of conscience.

4. To make more quick, acute or ingenious. The wit or the intellect is sharpened by study.

5. To render perception more quick or acute.

Th' air sharpen'd his visual ray

To objects distant far. Milton.

6. To render more keen; to make more eager for food or for any gratification; as, to sharpen the appetite; to sharpen a desire.

7. To make biting, sarcastic or severe. Sharpen each word.

8. To render less flat, or more shrill or piercing.

Inclosures not only preserve sound, but increase and sharpen it. Bacon.

9. To make more tart or acid; to make sour; as, the rays of the sun sharpen vinegar.

10. To make more distressing; as, to sharpen grief or other evis.

11. In music, to raise a sound by means of a sharp.

1913 Definition

Sharpen (sharpen)
v. t.	(?)
Sharp"en
[imp. ** p. p.* Sarpened (?)] p. pr. ** vb. n.* Sharpening.] [See Sharp, a.]

To make sharp.

Specifically: (a)

To grow or become sharp.

Noah Says...

The Bible was America's basic textbook in all fields.

Happy Birthday Noah

October 16, 2009 represents the 251st. In honor of his birthday, we have decided to make this vision website and the new 1828 dictionary website live. Although both websites are a work in progress, we feel it is important to demonstrate the progress of Project::Noah and solicit feedback from the community. Please take a look around and offer suggestions to help us make this project successful.

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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 10, 2012