Etymology

Nathan Bailey was a pioneering English lexicographer whose work laid the foundation for modern English dictionaries. His An Universal Etymological English Dictionary (1721) was a landmark text that greatly expanded the study of word origins and definitions. Bailey's approach emphasized the etymology of English words, making his dictionary a vital tool for scholars and readers in the 18th century. His contributions significantly influenced later lexicographers, including Samuel Johnson, and helped shape the development of English language reference works. This volume is a handy book containing "exercises in the orthography, derivation, and classification of English words with an introduction and copious notes."