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Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary

February 9, 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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(15) Words.

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syntonic
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T › tonic

1828 Definition

TON'IC, a. [L. tonus. See Tone.]

1. Literally, increasing tension; hence, increasing strength, as tonic power.

2. In medicine, increasing strength, or the tone of the animal system; obviating the effects of debility, and restoring healthy functions.

3. Relating to tones or sounds.

4. Extended. [Not in use.]

Tonic spasm, in medicine, a rigid contraction of the muscles without relaxation, as in tetanus, &c.

TON'IC, n. A medicine that increases the tone of the muscular fiber, and gives vigor and action to the system.

A medicine which increases the tone or strength of the body.

1. In music, the key-note or principal sound which generates all the rest.

2. In music, a certain degree of tension, or the sound produced by a vocal string in a given degree of tension.

1913 Definition

Tonic (tonic)
a.	(?)
Ton"ic
[Cf. F. tonigue, Gr. (?). See Tone.]

Of or relating to tones or sounds; specifically (Phon.), applied to, or distingshing, a speech sound made with tone unmixed and undimmed by obstruction, such sounds, namely, the vowels and diphthongs, being so called by Dr. James Rush (1833) " from their forming the purest and most plastic material of intonation."

Of or pertaining to tension; increasing tension; hence, increasing strength; as, tonic power.

Increasing strength, or the tone of the animal system; obviating the effects of debility, and restoring healthy functions.

Tonic spasm. (Med.) See the Note under Spasm.

A tonic element or letter; a vowel or a diphthong.

The key tone, or first tone of any scale.

A medicine that increases the strength, and gives vigor of action to the system.

Tonic sol-fa (Mus.), the name of the most popular among letter systems of notation (at least in England), based on key relationship, and hence called "tonic." Instead of the five lines, clefs, signature, etc., of the usual notation, it employs letters and the syllables do, re, mi, etc., variously modified, with other simple signs of duration, of upper or lower octave, etc. See Sol- fa.

Characterized by continuous muscular contraction; as, tonic convulsions.

Noah Says...

[T]he religion which has introduced civil liberty, is the religion of Christ and his apostles.

History of the United States :: 1832

Jillian J. Quinn - Portfolio

See what I have accomplished and my background of education I have achieved or am currently pursuing.

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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 9, 2012