Thesaurus of English words and phrases : classified and arranged so as to facilitate the expression of ideas and to assist in literary composition / enl. by John Lewis Roget.

  • Roget, Peter Mark, 1779-1869.
Date:
[1936]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Thesaurus of English words and phrases : classified and arranged so as to facilitate the expression of ideas and to assist in literary composition / enl. by John Lewis Roget. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    17/754
    INTRODUCTION [Notes within brackets are by the editors.] The present Work is intended to supply, with respect to the English language, a desideratum hitherto unsupplied in any language; namely, a collection of the words it contains and of the idiomatic combinations peculiar to it, arranged, not in alphabetical order as they are in a Dic¬ tionary, but according to the ideas which they express * The purpose of an ordinary dictionary is simply to explain the meaning of the words; and the problem of which it professes to furnish the solution may be stated thus:—^The word being given, to find its signification, or the idea it is intended to convey. The object aimed at in the present undertaking is exactly the converse of this: namely,—-The idea being given, to find the word, or words, by which that idea may be most fitly and aptly expressed. For this purpose, the words and phrases of the language are here classed, not according to their sound or their orthography, but strictly according to their signification. The communication of our thoughts by means of language, whether spoken or written, like every other object of mental exertion, constitutes a peculiar art, which, like other arts, cannot be acquired in any perfection but by long and continued practice. Some, indeed, there are more highly gifted than others with a facility of expression, and naturally endowed with the power of eloquence; but to none is it at all times an easy process to embody, in exact and appropriate language, the various trains of ideas that are passing through the mind, or to depict in their true colours and proportions, the diversified and nicer shades of feeling which accompany them. To those who are unpractised in the art of composition, or un¬ used to extempore speaking, these difficulties present themselves in their most formidable aspect. However distinct may be our views, however vivid our conceptions, or however fervent our emotions, we cannot but be often conscious that the phraseology we have at our command is inade¬ quate to do them justice. We seek in vain the words we need, and strive ineffectually to devise forms of expression which shall faithfully portray our thoughts and sentiments. The appropriate terms, notwithstanding our utmost efforts, cannot be conjured up at will. Like ^spirits from the vasty deep,^ they come not when we call; and we are driven to the employment of a set of words and phrases either too general or too • See note in p. xxi. Ixiiil