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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.

stark
starkly

Words

Definitions

(2) Words.

stark
starkly

(4) Words.

stark
starkly
stern
sternum

Webster

KJV

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1828 Definition

STARK, a. [G., stark, stiff, strong; formed on the root of the G., stiff, rigid. See Starch and Steer.]

1. Stiff; strong; rugged.

Many a nobleman lies stark and stiff, under the hoofs of vaunting enemies.

The north is not so stark and cold.

2. Deep; full; profound; absolute.

He pronounces the citation stark nonsense.

STARK, adv. Wholly; entirely; absolutely; as stark mad; stark blind; stark naked. These are the principal applications of this word now in use. The word is in popular use, but not an elegant word in any of its applications.

1913 Definition

Stark (stark)
a.	(?)
Stark
[Compar. Starker (?); superl. Starkest.] [OE. stark stiff, strong, AS. stearc; akin to OS. starc strong, D. sterk, OHG. starc, starah, G. *** Sw. stark<

Stiff] rigid.

Chaucer.

Whose senses all were straight benumbed and stark. Spenser.

His heart gan wax as stark as marble stone. Spenser.

Many a nobleman lies stark and stiff
Under the hoofs of vaunting enemies. Shak.

The north is not so stark and cold. B. Jonson.

Complete; absolute; full; perfect; entire.

[Obs.]

Consider the stark security
The common wealth is in now. B. Jonson.

Strong; vigorous; powerful.

A stark, moss-trooping Scot. Sir W. Scott.

Stark beer, boy, stout and strong beer. Beau. *** Fl.

Severe] violent; fierce.

[Obs.] "In starke stours." [i. e., in fierce combats]. Chaucer.

Mere; sheer; gross; entire; downright.

He pronounces the citation stark nonsense. Collier.

Rhetoric is very good or stark naught; there's no medium in rhetoric. Selden.

Wholly; entirely; absolutely; quite; as, stark mind.

Shak.

Held him strangled in his arms till he was stark dead. Fuller.

Stark naked, wholly naked; quite bare.

Strip your sword stark naked. Shak.

* According to Professor Skeat, "stark-naked" is derived from steort-naked, or start-naked, literally tail-naked, and hence wholly naked. If this etymology be true the preferable form is stark-naked.

To stiffen.

[R.]

If horror have not starked your limbs. H. Taylor.

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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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