Chapter VI · ORTHOGRAPHY.
Reading edition
Webster defines Orthography as “the art of writing words with the proper letters, according to common usage”; Worcester, as “the art or the mode of spelling words.” They agree in this: that there are some words—two or three thousand, perhaps—whose orthography common usage has not settled. Prefixed to either Dictionary is a list showing in double column the most prevalent methods of spelling words of doubtful orthography; thus:
Abettor Abetter
Escalade Scalade
Germane Germain, German
The first column in the Webster List “presents the orthography recognized in the body of [the] Dictionary as the preferable one, or that in general use.” But “when in this list the word in the first column is followed by or, as ‘Abatis, or Abattis,’ it is implied that the second form is nearly, often quite, in as good use as the first.” When the word in the first column differs in meaning from that in the second, the word in the first is followed by and, as ‘Lunet, and Lunette,’ both words being in use, but applied to different things. {p126}
The orthography in the first column of the Worcester List “is deemed to be well authorized, and in most cases preferable; but with respect to the authority of that in the right-hand column, there is a great diversity. Both orthographies of some of the words are right, the words being differently spelled when used in different senses”; as, “Draught, or Draft,” “Subtle, or Subtile,” etc. Sometimes and is used as the connective; as, “Canvas, and Canvass.” But these double arrangements are of almost no service to the proof-reader or compositor,—for the interchangeable words cannot both be inserted in his work. If he could use the various spellings, it would save the trouble of weighing authorities: we should then have such sentences as these:
The hostler or ostler inveigled or enveigled the horses into the stockade or stoccade. Meanwhile the infantry landed at the jettee or jetty or jetta or jutty, and at once constructed an abatis or abattis or abbatis, as it behooved or behoved them.
Of these various correct spellings, one must be selected to the exclusion of the rest. But there being no common usage, no academy to instruct, and the copy not being uniform, who or what is to guide the printers and proof-readers in making the selection? “For the last eighty years [or more], printers have exercised a general control over English orthography,”—and we, to carry the general control a little farther, propose to set forth for general use one list from Webster’s first column, exhibiting only one single correct spelling, to be used where the Webster style prevails; and a similar list from Worcester’s {p127} first column, to be used where the Worcester style has the precedence. Would there were a Smithsonian Bureau of the English Language, to render two lists unnecessary; and to give one style to Government work,—a style which should have the approval of Congress, and to which all printing done by or for the various Departments of the United States Government should be conformed.
THE WEBSTER LIST.
[From the column which, he says, “presents the orthography recognized in the body of this Dictionary (Wb. Unabridged) as the preferable one, or that in general use.” But since he places in his first column various spellings of the same words,—e. g. under A, Ædile; under E, Edile,—we have, in accordance with our plan, omitted that spelling which we have observed to be neglected by readers who profess to follow Webster. We have inserted in brackets some words from the second column which have a different signification from their congeners in the first; also in brackets, some words from the defining columns, and such remarks and explanations as may be of service to printers and others.]
A. Abatis Abettor [One who abets another to commit a crime.] Abreuvoir Abridgment [Accessary As used in law.] Accessory [“In its other senses” (than in law); as, “the accessories of a picture.”] Account, -ant, etc. Accouter, etc. Acetimeter Ache Achieve Acknowledgment Addible Adipocere Admittable Adopter (Chem.) Adulterer, -ess Adz Ægis Æolian Aghast Agriculturist Aid-de-camp Ajutage Alcaid Alchemy Alcoran Alkahest Allege Alleluia [If written Halleluiah or Hallelujah, follow copy.] Alloy Alum Almanac Ambassador Ambergris Ambs-ace Amend, -ment Amice Ammoniuret Amortize, -ment Amphitheater Anapest Ancient, -ly Andiron Angiotomy Ankle Annotto Antechamber Anterior Anti-emetic Antihypnotic Apostasy Aposteme [If written Imposthume, follow copy.] Apothegm Appall Appallment [Appanage] Appareled, -ing Appraise, -ed, etc. {p128} Apprise (to notify) Apricot Arbitrament Arbor Archæology Ardor Argol Armor, -er, etc. Arquebuse Arrack Artisan Asafœtida Asbestus Ascendant Ascendency Askance Askant Assuage Atheneum [If written Athenæum, follow copy.] Aught Author, etc. Autocracy Autoptical Awkward Awm Ax Ay [Expressing assent.] Aye [An affirmative vote.]
B. Backshish Bade (v.) Baldric Balister Balk Baluster Bandana Bandoleer Banderole Banyan (Bot.) Bans [Notice of proposed marriage.] Barbacan Barbecue Barberry Bark Barouche Barytone Basin Bass Bass-viol Bas-relief Bastinade Baton Bateau Battledoor Bauble Bazaar Befall Behavior Behoove Beldam Belligerent Benedict Benumb Bellfounder, [And similar compounds.] Bequeath Bergamot Berth (Nav.) [Bestrown p. p. of Bestrew.] Betel Beveled, -ing Bevile (Her.) Bezant Biasing, -ed, -es, etc. Bigoted Bilge Billiards Billingsgate Bin Binnacle Bister Blende (Min.) Blessed (a.) Blithesome, -ly, etc. Blomary Blouse Bodice Boil (n.) Bombazet Bombazine Bonnyclabber Bourgeois Bourse Bouse Bousy Boweled, -ing, etc. Bowlder Bowsprit Brahmin Brake (Railways) Brazen Brazier Brier Brooch Bryony Buccaneer Buddhism Buffet Buhrstone Bun Buncombe Bur [If written Burr, follow copy.] Burden, -some Burin Burned (imp.) Burganet But-end Butt Byzantine
C. Caboose Cacique Caddice {p129} Cæsura Cag [If written Keg follow copy.] Caique Caisson Calash Caldron Calendar Calends Caliber Calipash Calipee Calipers Caliph Calk Calligraphy Caloyer Caltrap Calyx Camlet Camomile [If written Chamomile, follow copy.] Camphene Camphor Candor Canceled, -ing, etc. Cannel-coal Cannoneer Canny Cañon (Sp.) Canyon [Eng.] [The Eng. form is the better if writing or printing English. Cañon in an English book seems pedantic.] Cantaloup Cantalever Carbine Carbineer Carapace Carat Caravansary Carcass [In the King James Bible, spelled carcase.] Carnelian Caroled, -ing, etc. Cartography Cask (a vessel) Casque (helmet) Cassava Cassimere [If written Kerseymere, follow copy.] Caster [One who casts; a cruet; a furniture-wheel.] Castor [A genus of animals; a hat; a drug; a heavy cloth.] Catchup Catechise, -er Cauliflower Causeway Caviare Caviler, -ed, etc. Cayman Ceil -ing, -ed Center Centered Centimeter Centiped Ceroon Cess-pool Chalcedony Chameleon Chamois Champaign [Flat, open country.] Champagne (wine) Champerty Channeled, -ing, etc. Chant, -er, -ed, etc. Chap [Both Wb. and Wor. place chăp in the first column, and chop in the second. This preference of chăp to chop harmonizes orthography and pronunciation in three instances: (1) when chăp is v. t., signifying “to cleave or open longitudinally, through the effect of heat, cold, dryness, etc.; as, ‘Heat chăps the russet plain’”; (2) when v. i., as “The hands chăp”; (3) when n., as a cleft in the earth’s surface, or in the hands or feet. Chăp (a youth) was never in doubt; while chaps (the jaws) must continue to be pronounced with the a as in what.] Chase Check (n.) Checker, -ed, etc. Chemist Chemistry Cherif Chestnut Chevron Chilioliter Chiliometer Chine Chintz Chiseled, -ing Chock-full Choir Chorister Choke Choose Chore Cigar Cimeter Cipher Clamor, -ous, etc. Clangor Clarionet Clew Clinch Clinique Clinometer Cloak Clodpoll {p130} Clothe, -ed, etc. Clough Clyster Cockswain Cœliac Cognizor, -zee Coif Coiffure Colander Comb [Unwatered part of valley, etc.] Comfrey Complete Complexion [Comptroller, -ship There is an officer of the U. S. Government whose official title is “Comptroller of the Currency.” The word appears in Wb. 2d column.] Confectionery Connection Contemporary Contra-dance Controller, -ship Control Cony Cooly Coomb (4 bushels) Copaiva Copier Copse Coquette (n.) Coranach Corbel Cosy Cot (a hut) Cot (a bed) Cotillon Councilor [A member of a council.] Counselor [One who gives counsel.] Count Courtesan Courtesy (Law) Cozen, -age Craunch Cray-fish Creak (v.) Creosote Critique Crosslet Cruet Croup [Behind the saddle.] Crupper Cruse (bottle) Cucurbit Cudgeled, -er, -ing Cue [Twist of back hair.] Cuerpo Cuneiform Curb (of a well) Cursed (imperf.) Curtal-ax Cutlass Cyclopedia Cymar Cyst Czar, -ina
D. Dactyl Damasken Damson Dandruff Danegelt Debarkation Debonair, -ly, -ness Decrepit Defense, -less, etc. Deflection Deflour Delf Delphin Deltoid Demeanor Demesne (Law) Dentiroster Dependent Dependence Deposit Desert (n.) Deshabille Dessert Detecter Detortion Deuce Develop, -ment Dexterous [But if written Dextrous follow copy, to avoid subsequent change.] Diæresis Diarrhea Diarrhetic Dike Diocese Disheveled, -ing, etc. Disk Dispatch, -ed, -ing Disseize, -in, -or Distention Distill Distrainor Diversely Divest, -ed, etc. [But in Law, Devest is commonly used; in law work, follow copy.] Docket Doctress Dolor, -ous Domicile Doomsday-book Dory Dormer-window Dote Dotage Doubloon Dowry Downfall {p131} Dram [A weight; a minute quantity; a potation.] [Drachm This word is in second column, connected to Dram by and. Its meaning seems to be properly limited, however, to an ancient Greek coin, and a Greek weight (Drachma).] Draff Draft [1. The act of drawing or pulling as by beasts of burden. 2. Drawing of men for a military corps. 3. An order for payment of money; a bill of exchange. 4. An allowance in weighing. 5. A drawing of lines for a plan; a figure described on paper; delineation; sketch; plan delineated; an outline to be filled in or completed for composition. In any other sense than these five, use the original spelling, Draught.] [Draught (See supra.)] Dragoman Dribblet Drier Driveler, -ing, etc. Drought Dryly Duchy Duchess Dueler, -ing, -ist Dullness Dungeon Dunghill Duress Dye, etc. (color)
E. Eavesdropper Eccentric, -al, etc. Economy Ecstasy Ecstatic Ecumenic, -al Edematous Edile, -ship Eloign, -ment Emarginate Embalm, -ed, etc. Embalmer, -ment Embank, -ed, etc. Embargo Embark, -ed, etc. Embarkation Embassy Embassage Embed, -ded, etc. Embezzle Emblaze Emblazon, -ed, etc. Embody, -ied, etc. Embolden, -ed, etc. Emborder, etc. Embosom [If written Imbosom, follow copy.] Emboss, -ed, etc. Embowel, -ed, -ing Emboweler, -ment Embower, -ed, etc. Embrace, -ed, etc. Embracer, -ment Embrasure Embrocation Embroil, -ed, etc. Emerods [The Biblical spelling; in ordinary work, Hemorrhoids.] Emir Empale, -ed, etc. Emperor Empoison Empower, -ed, etc. Emprise Empurple Emu Enameled, -ing, etc. Enamor, -ed, -ing Encage, -ed, etc. Encamp, -ed, etc. Enchant Enchiseled, -ing Encloister Encounter, etc. Encroach, etc. Encumber, -ed, etc. Encyclopedia Endear Endeavor, -ed, etc. Endow, etc. Endue Endure, -ance Enforce, -ed, etc. Engage, -ed, etc. Engender Engorge, -ed, etc. Engross Enhance Enigma Enjoin, etc. Enkindle, -ed, etc. Enlarge, etc. Enlist Enroll Enrollment Enshrine Enshroud Ensphere Enstamp Entail (Arch.) Entangle, etc. Enterprise Enthrone, -ed, etc. Entire, -ly, etc. Entitle, -ed, etc. Entrance, -ed, etc. Entrap, -ped, etc. Entreat, -ed, etc. {p132} Entreaty Entresol Entwine, -ed, etc. Envelop (v.) Envelope (n.) Envelopment Envenom Eolipile Epaulet Epauleted, -ing Equaled, -ing Equiangular Equivoque Era Error, etc. Escalade Escapement Escarp (Fort.) [But if written Scarp, follow copy.] Eschalot Escheat Escritoire Escutcheon Estafet Esthetics Estoppel Estrich Etiology Étui [A French word, anglicized as Etwee; follow copy.] Exactor Expense Exsiccate, -ed, -ing, etc. Exsiccation Exsuccous Exudation Exude, etc. Eyrie
F. Fæces Fagot, -ed, -ing Fairy Fakir Falchion Falcon, -er, -ry Fantasy Fantastic Farthingale Fattener Favor, -er, -ed, etc. Fecal Fecula Feldspar Felly Feoffor Fervor Fetal Feticide Fetor Fetus Feud, -al, -atory Feudalize, -ism Fie Filbert Filibuster Filigree Fillibeg [But if written Filibeg or Phillibeg, follow copy.] Finery (a forge) Firman Fishgig Fives [Veterinary] Flageolet Flavor, -ed, etc. Flier Floatage (Law) Flotsam Flour (of grain) Flower-de-luce [If French is wanted,—Fleur-de-lis.] Fluke (Naut.) Fluke (Zoöl.) Fogy Font (Typog.) Forbade Foray Fosse Foundery [Very few writers so spell: if written Foundry, follow copy.] Franc (coin) Frantic Frenzy Frieze (Arch.) Frouzy Frumenty Frustum Fueled, -ing Fulfill, -ment Fullness Further [Farther When space or time is indicated.] Furtherance Furthermore Furthest [Farthest When space or time is indicated.] Fuse (n.) [In U. S. Govt. work Fuze is the common usage, to distinguish it from the verb to Fuse. Follow copy.] Fusil (gun) Fusileer
G. Gabardine Galiot Garish Gallias [So spelled in the first column; but in the defining columns of the Dictionary, the s is doubled. Follow copy.] Gamboled, -ing Gamut {p133} Gang (Min.) [If written Gangue, follow copy.] Gantlet [A military punishment.] Gasteropod Gargoyle (Arch.) Gauge Gault Gauntlet [A large glove of mail.] Gayety Gayly Gazelle Genet Gerfalcon Germane Germ Ghibelline Gibe Gimbals Gimlet Girasole Girt (v.) [Girth (n.)] Glair Glamour Glave Gloze Gnarled Gore Good-by Good-humor Gormand Governor Graft, -ed Grandam Granddaughter Granite Graveled, -ing [The l in graveling should not be doubled.] Gray, -ish, etc. Grenade Grenadier Greyhound Grewsome Griffin Grisly [If written Grizzly, follow copy.] Groats Grogram Grommet Grotesque, -ly Groundsel Groveler, -ing Group (v.) Guaranty [If written Guarantee, follow copy.] Guelder-rose Guelf [If written Guelph, follow copy.] Guerrilla Guilder (coin) Guillotine Gulf Gunwale Gurnard Gypsy Gyrfalcon Gyves
H. Hackle Hagbut Haggard Haggess Ha-ha Haik Hake Halberd Halibut Hallelujah [But if written Alleluia, or Halleluiah, follow copy, to avoid “correcting.”] Halloo Halidom Halyard Handicraft Handiwork Handsome Handsel Handseled Harbor, -ed, etc. Harebell Harebrained Harem Haricot Harrier Harry Haslet Hasheesh Hatti-sherif Haulm Haul Haunch Hautboy Hawser Headache Hearse Hectoliter Hectometer Hegira Height, -en, etc. Heinous, -ly, -ness Hematite Hematology Hemistich Hemorrhoids Heretoch Hermit, -age Herpetology Hexahedron Hibernate Hiccough Hinderance [If written Hindrance, follow copy. See remark under Foundery, in loco.] Hindoo, -ism Hip (Pom.) Hipped-roof {p134} Hippogriff Hippocras Ho Hoarhound Hockey Hodge-podge Hoiden, -ish Holiday [If written Holyday, follow copy.] Hollo Holster Hominy Homeopathy Homonym Honeyed Honor, -ed, etc. Hoop (v.) Hoopoe Hornblende Horror Hostelry Hostler Hough Housewife Howdah Howlet Hummock Humor Hurra Hydrangea Hypæthral Hyperstene Hypotenuse Hyssop
I. Icicle Illness Imbibe Imbitter Imbrue Imbue, -ed, -ing Immarginate Impanel, -ed, -ing [Wb. has also Empaneled, -ing, etc., in his first column under E. One way is enough; but to avoid changes in author’s proof, compositor had better follow copy.] Imparlance Impassion Impeach Imperiled Implead Imposthume [See Aposteme.] Impoverish Imprint Incase Inclasp Inclose, -ure, etc. Increase Incrust Incumbrance [But Wb. prefers Encumber for the verb.] Indefeasible Indelible Indict (Law) Indictment Indite, -er Indocile Indoctrinate Indorse, -ed, -ing Indorser, -ment Induce, -ment Inferior Inferable Inflection Infold Infoliate Ingraft, -er, -ment Ingrain Ingulf Inkle Innuendo Inquire, -er, -y, etc. Inscribe Inscroll Insnare Install Installment Instate Instill Instructor Insure, -ed, -ing Insurer, -ance Intenable Intercessor Interior Inthrall Intrench Intrust Inure Inurement Inveigle Inventor Inwheel Inwrap Inwreathe Isocheimal Ixolite
J. Jacobin Jaconet Jail, -er, etc. Jalap Jam (Min.) Janizary Jasmine Jaunt, -y, -ily Jean Jenneting Jeremiad Jetsam Jetty Jeweled Jewelry Jointress Jonquil Jostle Jowl {p135} Judgment Jupon Just [A mock encounter on horseback.]
K. Kaffer Kale Kayle Keelhaul Keelson Keg Kenneled, -ing Khan Kiln (n.) Kilogram Kiloliter Kilometer Knob Koran Kyanite
L. Labeled, -ing Labor, -ed, -ing, etc. Lachrymal Lac (coin) Lackey Lacquer (n.) Lacquer, -ed, -ing Lagoon Lambdoidal Landau Landscape Lantern Lanyard Lapsided Larum Launch Leaven Lecher, -y, -ous Lecturn Ledgement [Sic; the retention of e after g seems somewhat remarkable.] Ledger Leger-line Leggin Lemming Lettuce Leveled, -ing, -er Libeled, -ing, etc. License Lickerish Licorice Lief Lilac Linguiform Linnæan Linseed Linstock Liter Lithontriptic Llama (Zoöl.) Loadstar, -stone Loath (a.) Lode (Min.) Lodgment Logogriph Longiroster Louver Lower Luff Lunet [A little moon, or satellite. Obsolete.] Lunette [A detached bastion, etc.] Lunge Lustring Lye
M. Macaw Maccaboy Maggoty Maim [Mayhem, Law.] Mal (prefix) [Here, in Wb., first column, appears “Mall,” followed by “or Maul”; but, since Maul also appears in first column, both as noun and verb, we omit Mall, as not preferable to Maul.] Malkin Mamaluke Mamma Mandatary (n.) Manikin Maneuver Mantel (Arch.) Mantel-piece Marc (coin) Magaron Marquee Marque (letter of) Marquess [Till of late, marquis was the usual spelling, but it is now to a great extent superseded by marquess, except in the foreign title.—Smart.] Marshal Marshaled, -ing Martin (Ornith.) Martinet (Naut.) Martingale Marveled, -ing, etc. Mark Maslin Mastic Matrice [If written Matrix, follow copy.] Mattress Mauger Maul (n. and v.) Mayhem (Law) Meager, -ly, etc. Merchandise {p136} Meter Mileage Milleped Milligram Milliliter Millimeter Milrea Misbehavior Miscall Misdemeanor Misspell Misspend Misspent Misstate Mistletoe Miter, -ed Mizzen Mizzle Moccasin Mode (Gram.) Mocha-stone Modeled, -ing Modillion Mohammedan Mohawk Molasses Mold Molt Moneyed Mongrel Moresque Morris Mortgageor (Law) Mortgager Mosque Mosquito Mullein Multiped Mummery Murder, etc. Murky Murrhine Muscadel Muscle (a shell fish) [If written Mussel, follow copy.] Musket Mustache
N. Nankeen Narwal Naught Negotiate, -or, etc. Neighbor, -ing, etc. Net (a.) Neb (Orn.) Niter Nobless [If written Noblesse, follow copy.] Nomads Nombles Nonesuch Novitiate Nylghau
O. Oaf Ocher Octahedron Octostyle Odalisque Odor Offense Olio Omber Omer Oolong Opaque Opobalsam Orach Orang-outang Orchestra Oriel Oriflamb Orison Osier Osprey Otolite Ottar (of roses) Outrageous Oxide Oyes
P. Packet Painim Palanquin Palestra Palet Palmiped Panada Pander Pandore Pandour Panel (Law) Paneled, -ing Pantograph Papoose Paralyze Parceled, -ing Parcenary Parlor Parol (a.) Parquet Parsnip Parrakeet Partible Partisan Pasha Pashalic Pask Patrol (n.) Paver Pawl [Peaked We insert this word as of the first column, because Picked (in Wb. first col.) has definitions not applicable to Peaked.] Pean Peart {p137} Pedicel Peddler Pedobaptist Pemmican Penciled, -ing Pennant Pentahedral Peony Periled, -ing Peroxide Persimmon Persistence Pewit (Orn.) Phantasm Phantom Phenomenon Phenix Phial [But if written Vial, follow copy.] Philter, -ed Phthisic Piaster Picked Picket Pie Piebald Piepoudre Pimento Pimpernel Pinchers Pistoled, -ing Placard Plaice (Ichth.) Plain [Plane, in some senses.] Plane-sailing Plaster Plait (v.) Plat (n.) Plethron Pliers Plow Plumber Plumiped Pluviometer Point-device Poise Polacca Pole-ax Poltroon Polyhedron, -drous Polyglot (n.) Polyp Pommel Pommeled, -ing Ponton Pony Poniard Porgy (Ichth.) Porpoise Portray Porteress Possessor Postilion Potato Potsherd Powter (Orn.) Pozzolana Practice (v.) Præmunire Prænomen Predial Premise Pretense Pretermit Pretor Profane Protector Programme Protoxide Prunella Pumpkin Puppet Purblind Purr Purslane Putrefy Pygmy Pyx
Q. Quadroon Quarantine Quarrel (an arrow) Quarreled, -ing Quartet Quaterfoil Quay, -age Questor Quinsy Quintain Quintet Quoin
R. Rabbet (Carp.) Rabbi Raccoon Raddock (Orn.) Ramadan Rancor, -ous, -ly Ransom Rare (adj.) Rarefy Raspberry Rattan Raveled, -ing Raven (plunder) Raze, -ed, -ing Rasure Real (coin) Rearward Recall Recompense Reconnoiter Redoubt Referable Reflection Reglet Reindeer Re-enforce Re-install, -ment Relic Remiped {p138} Renard Rencounter Rennet Replier Reposit Resin Rosin [The resin left, after distilling off the volatile oils from the different species of turpentine.] Resistance, etc. Restive, -ly, -ness Retch (to vomit) Reveled, -ing, -er Reverie Ribbon Reversible Rigor, -ous, etc. Risk Rivaled, -ing Riveted, -ing Roc (Orn.) Rodomontade Rondeau Ronyon Roquelaure Rotunda Route Ruble (coin) Ruche Rummage Rumor, etc. Rye
S. Sabian Saber, -ed, etc. Sackbut Sainfoin Salam Salep Salic Saltpeter Samester Sandaled Sandarac Sandever Sanskrit Sapajo Sapodilla Sarcenet Sat Satchel Satinet Sauer-kraut Savanna Savior [Saviour We insert this as of first column, it being in universal use when referring to Christ.] Savor Scallop, -ed, -ing Scath Scepter, -ed Scherif [Preferring this form to Cherif, we insert it here. Both spellings appear in Wb. first column.] Schist Schorl Sciagraphy Scion Scirrhosity Scirrhus Scissors Sconce Scot-free Scow Scrawny Scythe Seamstress Sear Secretaryship Sedlitz Seethe Seignior Seigniorage, -ory. Seine Seizin Seleniuret Sellender Selvage Sentinel Sentry Sepawn Sepulcher Sequin Sergeant Set (n.) Sevennight Shad Shah Shawm Shampoo Shard Sheathe (v.) Sheik Sherbet Sherry Shill-I-shall-I [But if written Shilly-shally, follow copy.] Shore (n.) Shorl Shoveled, -er, -ing Show Shrillness Shriveled, -ing Shuttlecock Shyly, -ness Sibyl Sidewise Silicious Sillabub Simoom Siphon Siren Sirloin Sirup Sizar Skein Skeptic Skillful, -ly, -ness Skill-less Skull (cranium) {p139} Slabber Sleight Slyly, -ness Smallness Smolder Smooth (v. and a.) Snapped (imp.) Sniveler, -ing Socage Socle Solan-goose (n.) Solder, etc. Soliped Solvable Somber Somersault Sonneteer Soothe (v.) [Sorel] Sorrel Souchong Spa Spelt (n.) Specter Spew Spinach Spinel Spiritous [Spirituous is the more common form. Follow copy.] Spite Splendor Sponge Sprite Spirt Spunk Staddle Stanch Stationery (n.) Steadfast Steelyard Stillness Stockade Story (a floor) Strait (n.) Strengthener Strew Strop (n.) Stupefy Sty Style Styptic Subpœna Subtile (thin) Subtle (artful) Successor Succor Suite Suitor Sulphureted Sumac Superior Suretyship Surname Surprise, etc. Survivor, -ship Swainmote Swale (v.) Swap Swart (adj.) Swathe (bandage) Swiple Swob, -ber, etc. [But if written Swab, Swabber, etc., follow copy.] Swollen Syenite Symploce Synonym Syphilis
T. Tabard Tabbinet Tabor, etc. Taffeta [If written Taffety, follow copy.] Taffrail Tailage Talc Tallness Tambour Tambourine Tarantula Tarpaulin Tasseled, -ing Tasses Taut (Nav.) Tawny Tease Teasel Teetotal Tenable Tenor Tenuirosters Terror Tetrahedron Tetrastich Theater Thole Thorp Thralldom Thrash Threshold Throe (n.) Ticking (n.) Tidbit Tie (n. and v.) Tier Tierce Tiger Tincal Tithe Toll (v. t.) Tollbooth Ton (the weight) [Tun (the cask)] Tonnage Tormentor Tourmaline Toweling Trammeled, -ing Tranquilize Transferable Transference {p140} Transship, -ment Trapan (a snare) Traveler, -ed, -ing Traverse Travesty Treadle Trebuchet Treenail Trestle Trigger Trevet Tricolor Trihedral Trod Trousers Troweled Truckle-bed Tryst Tumbrel Tumor Tunneled, -ing Turquois Turnip Turnsole Tutenag Tweedle Twibil Tymbal Tyro
U. Umber Unbiased Unboweled [And others of the same class.] Unroll Until
V. Vaivode [If written Waiwode or Wayvode, follow copy.] Valise Valor, -ous, -ously Vantbrace Vapor Vat Veil Vedette Vender [But Vendor, as correlative of Vendee.] Venomous Veranda Verderer Verdigris Vermin Verst Vertebra Vervain Vicious, -ly, -ness Victualed, -er, -ing Vigor, -ous, etc. Villain [But in feudal law, often spelled Villein, follow copy.] Villainy, -ous Vise Visitor Visor Vitiate Vizier Volcano
W. Wadsett Wagon Waive Wale (n.) Walrus Warranter [In law, Warrantor.] Warrior Warwhoop Waucht Waul (as a cat) Wear (v. Naut.) Wear (n.) Weasand Welsh Whang Whelk (n.) Whippletree Whippoorwill Whisky Whoop Whooping-cough [If written Hooping-cough, be careful to follow copy. We have known some trouble to be caused by a change of the initial in alphabetical tabular work from hospitals, ships, etc.] Whortleberry Widgeon Willful, -ly, -ness Windlass Wintery [If written Wintry, follow copy.] Wiry Witch-elm Witch-hazel Withe Wivern Wizard Wizen Woe Woful Wondrous Woodbine Woolen, -ette. Worshiper, -ed, etc. Wrack (to rack) Wye [If written Y, follow copy.]
Y. Yataghan Yaup Yawl (n.) Yelk Yttria, -um
Z. Zaffer Zinc Zinciferous Zonnar Zymometer
THE WORCESTER LIST.
[The following vocabulary exhibits the orthography apparently deemed preferable by Worcester. It will, we believe, be found very convenient in offices where the Worcester style is in favor,—as the preceding list will prove to be where the Webster style is in vogue. Any remarks which we have inserted, and a few additional words, are in brackets.]
A. Aam Abatis Abbey Abetter [In a good sense; nearly or quite obsolete.] Abettor [Law. One who abets an unlawful act.] Abnormal Abreuvoir Abridgment Accessary [When used in Law.] Accessory (Art.) Accountant Acetimeter Ache Achieve Acknowledgment Acronycal Addible Adipocere Adjudgment Admittible Adopter [One who adopts, or assumes as one’s own.] [Adapter Tube used in Chemistry.] Adscititious Adulteress Advertise Advoutry Advowee Advowson Adze Æolic Affector Affeer Affiliate Affiliation Afraid Aghast Agriculturist Aide-de-camp Aisle (church) Ajutage Alchemical Alchemist Alchemy Alcoran Alexipharmic Alkahest Alkali Allege Allocution Alloy Almacantar Almanac Almonry Alnager Alum Amassment Ambassador Ambergris Ambs-ace Amercement Amiability Amice Amortise Anademe Ananas Anapest Anapestic Anbury Ancestral Ancient Ancientry Andiron Anemone Angiography Angiology Angiotomy Ankle Annotto Antechamber Antelope Antiemetic Apanage Apostasy Aposteme [If written Imposthume, follow copy.] Apothegm Appall Appalment Appraise Appraisement Appraiser Apprise Appurtenance Apricot Arbitrament Archæological Archæology Archduchess Archil Argol Arquebuse Arrack Artisan Arvel {p142} Asbestos Ascendency Ascendent Askance Askant Askew Assafœtida Assize Assizer Assuage Athenæum Auger [Augur A soothsayer.] Aught Autocracy Avoirdupois Awkward Awn Axe
B. Baccalaureate Bachelor Bade, from bid Balance Baldrick Balk Ballister Baluster Bandanna Bandoleer Bandore Bandrol Banian Banns Barbacan Barbecue Barberry Bark Barouche Baryta Barytone Basin Bass (Mus.) Bass-viol Bastinado Bateau Battledoor Bawble Bazaar Beadle Beaver Befall Behoove Bellflower Belligerent Bellman Bellmetal Bellwether Benumb Bequeath Bergamot Bergander Berth (in ship) Bestrew [Bestrewn p. p. of Bestrew.] Betel Bevel Bezant Biassed Biestings Bigoted Bilge Billiards Billingsgate Binnacle Bistre Bivouac Bizantine Blanch Blende (Min.) Blithely Blitheness Blithesome Blomary Blouse Bodice Boil (a tumor) Bolt Bombard Bombast Bombazette Bombazine Borage Bourgeois Bourn Bourse Bouse Bousy Bowlder Bowsprit Brakeman Bramin Brawl Brazen Brazier Brazil Brier Brokerage Bronze Brooch Brunette Bryony Buccaneer Buffalo Buhrstone Bulimy Bumblebee Bunn Bunyon Burden Burdensome Burganet Burin Burlesque Burr Buzz By (n.)
C. Cabob Cacique Cæsura Calcareous Caldron {p143} Calendar Calends Caliber (Gun) [Calibre Generally so spelled when used in a figurative sense; as “a mind of inferior calibre”; and in this sense retains the French pron. Ka·le·bur.] Calipers Caliph Calk Calligraphy Calotte Caloyer Caltrop Calyx Cameo Camlet Camomile [If written Chamomile, follow copy.] Camphor Cannel (-coal) Cannoneer Canoe Cantilever Canvas [Canvass] Capriole Car Carabine Carabineer Carat Caravansary Caravel Caraway [Carcase Scripture.] Carcass Carle Carnelian Carolytic Cartel Cartridge Cassada Cassimere [If spelled Kerseymere, follow copy.] Cassowary [Cast] Caste, class Castellan Caster [One who casts; a cruet; a furniture-wheel.] [Castor A genus of animals; a hat; a drug.] Castlery Castrel Catchpoll Catchup Catechise Catherine Cauliflower Causeway Cavazion (Arch.) Caviare Caw Cayman Cedilla Ceiling Celt Celtic Centiped Cess Chalcedony Chaldron Chalice Chameleon Chamois Champaign [Flat, open country,—Deut. 11 : 30.] [Champagne, wine] Champerty Chant Chap [See remark on this word, in Wb. List, ante.] Chaps Char [A small job. So spelled in England, and in Departments at Washington, where “charwomen” are employed. But— Chore Is the common orthography in the United States,—and if so written, follow copy.] Chase Chastely Chasteness Check Checker Cheer Chemical Chemist Chemistry Chestnut Chiliahedron Chillness Chimb Chintz Chloride Choir Choke Choose Chorister Chyle Chylifactive Cider Cigar Cimeter Cipher Clam (v.) Clarinet Cleat Clew Clinch Cloak Clodpoll Cloff Clothe Clothes {p144} Cluck Clyster Cobbler Cocoa Coddle Cœliac Coif Coiffure Coke Colander Colic College Colliery Colter Comfrey Commandery Commissariat Compatible Complete Concordat Confectionery Confidant (n.) Congealable Connection Connective Consecrator Contemporary Contra-dance Contributory Control Controllable Controller [Comptroller 2d column. See Wb. list.] Conversable Cony Cony-burrow Coomb (4 bushels) Copier Coping Copse Coquette (n.) Coranach Corbel Cordovan Corpse Correlative Cosey Cot Cotillon Counsellor [One who gives advice.] [Councillor A member of a council.] Courant Courtesan Courtesy [Curtesy (Law)] Covin Covinous Cozen Cozenage Craunch Crawfish Creak (v.) Crier Croslet Crowd Crowfoot Cruet Crumb Crusade Cruse (cruet) Crystal Cucurbit Cue Cuerpo Cuish Cuneiform Cupel Curb Curb-stone Curtain Cutlass Cyclopædia Cyst Cysted Czar
D. Dactyl Daily Daisied Damaskeen (v.) Damson Dandruff Danegelt Daub Dawdle Dearn Debarkation Debonair Decoy Decrepit Defence Defier Deflection Deflour Delft Delphine Deltoid Demesne Demarcation Democrat Denizen Dependant (n.) Dependence Dependent (a.) Deposit Desert (n.) Desolater Despatch [Dispatch also appears in Wor. 1st column. Follow copy.] Dessert (n.) Detecter Detorsion Detractor Develop Development Devest Dexterous [If written Dextrous follow copy.] Diadron {p145} Diæresis Diarrhœa Dike Dime Diocese Disburden Discount Disfranchise Disfranchisement Dishabille Disinthrall Disk Disseize Disseizin Disseizor Dissolvable Distention Distil Distrainor Diversely Divest Docket Doctress Dodecahedron Doggerel Domicile Doomsday-book Dory Dote Doubloon Dowry Downfall Drachm [Properly limited to the Greek coin or weight.] Dram [A denomination in apothecaries’ and avoirdupois weight; a small quantity; a potation.] Dragoman Draught [This, the original and proper orthography, should be retained in all senses other than the five mentioned under Draft.] Draft [1. Act of drawing or pulling. 2. A body of men drawn for or from a military organization. 3. An order by which one person draws on another for money; also the money so drawn. 4. An allowance in weighing. 5. The drawing of lines for a plan; the plan so drawn.] Dreadnaught Driblet Drier Drought Dryly Dryness Duchess Duchy Dulness Dungeon Dunghill Duress Dye (color) Dyeing (coloring)
E. Eavesdropper Eccentric Echelon Economics Ecstasy Ecstatic Ecumenical Edile Eke Embalm Embank Embankment Embargo Embark Embarkation Embase Embassy Embed Embedded Embezzle Embezzlement Emblazon Embody Embolden Emborder Embosk Embosom Emboss Embowel Embower Embrasure Empale Empanel [This orthography is recommended. (Wb. has Empaneled in first column.) There are so many correct ways of spelling this word, that a man who would get it wrong should be very ingenious.] Empoison Empower Empress Encage Encenia Enchant Enchase Encircle Encroach Encumber Encumbrance Encyclopædia Endamage Endear Endow Endue Enfeeble Enfeoff Enfranchise Engender Engorge {p146} Enhance Enigma Enjoin Enlard Enlarge Enlighten Enlist Enlumine Enroll Enrolment Enshrine Entail Entangle Enterprise Enthrone Enthymeme Entice Entire Entirety Entitle Entomb Entrance (v.) Entrap Entreat Envelop (v.) Envelopment Eolipile Epaulet Epigraph Equerry Equiangular Equivoke Era Eremite Escalade Eschalot Escritoire Escutcheon Estafette [Esthetic] Esthetics Estoppel Etiology Exactor Expense Exsanguious Exsect Exsiccate Exsiccation Exsiccative Exsuccous Extrinsical Exudation Exude Eyry
F. Fæces Fagot Fairy Fakir Falchion Falcon Fantasy Farther Farthest [Present tendency is, to employ farther and farthest in indicating space or time; in other senses, further and furthest.] Farthingale Fattener Fearnaught Fecal Felly Felon Felspar Ferrule [Ferule This word is in second column; but as its signification is wholly distinct from ferrule, it should have place here.] Feud Feudal Feudality Feudatory Feuillemorte Fie Filanders Filbert Filigrane Filigree Fillibeg Filly Finery (a forge) Firman Fizgig Flageolet Fleam Flier Flotage Flotsam Flour (meal) Fleur-de-lis Flugelman Fluke Fluoride Fœtus Forestall Foretell Forray Forte (strong side) Fosse Foundery [But if written Foundry, follow copy.] Franc (coin) Frenetic Frenzy Frieze Frigate Frit Frizzle Frowzy Frumentaceous Frumenty Frustum Fuel Fulfil Fulfilment Fulness Furlough Further Furthest [See Farthest.] {p147} Fusee Fusileer Fuze (n.)
G. Gabardine Galiot Gallipot Galoche Gamut Gangue (in ore) Gantlet [A military punishment.] Garish Garreteer Gauge Gauger Gault Gauntlet (glove) Gayety Gayly Gazelle Gear Gelatine Genet Gerfalcon Germ Ghastly Ghibelline Ghyll (ravine) Gibberish Gibe Giglot Gimlet Gimmal Girasole Girth Glair Glave Glazier Glede Gloar Gloze Glue Gluey Gnarled Gneiss Good-by Gore Gourmand Gormandize Governante Graft Grandam Granddaughter Granite Grasshopper Gray Greeze (a step) Grenade Grenadier Greyhound Griffin Grizzled Grocer Grogram Grotesque Groundsill Group Guarantee Guild Guilder (coin) Guillotine Gulf Gunwale Gurnet Gypsy Gyre Gyve
H. Haggard Haggess Ha-ha Hake Halberd Hale (healthy) Halibut Halyards Halloo Hame Handicraftsman Handiwork Hards Harebell Harebrained Harem Harrier Harslet Hatchel Haul (to drag) Haum Haunch Haust (cough) Hautboy Havoc Hawser Hazel Headache Hearse Heartache Height Heighten Heinous Hemistich Hemorrhoids Heptamerede Herpetology Hexahedron Hibernate Hibernation Hiccough Hinderance [If written Hindrance, follow copy. In one of the largest printing-offices in the world, an effort was made a few years since to get the e into Dexterous, Foundery, and Hinderance (style of Wb. and Wor.); but so much trouble ensued,—presumably from outside orthographers,—that compositors and proof-readers were erelong instructed to leave the e out. Follow copy.] {p148} Hip (v). Hip (n). Hippocras Hodge-podge Hoiden Holiday Holster Hominy Homonyme Hone Honeyed Hoot Horde Horehound Hornblende Hostler Household Housewife Howlet Hub Hurrah Hydrangea Hypothenuse
I. Icicle Illness Imbitter Imbound Imbox Imbrue Impair Imparlance Impassion Implead Imposthume [“This seems . . . to have been written erroneously for aposteme.”—Johnson. Follow copy, whether spelled aposteme, apostume, impostem, imposthume, or impostume,—any other orthography might possibly be incorrect.] Impoverish Incase Inclasp Incloister Inclose Inclosure Incondensable Increase Incrust Indefeasible Indelible Indict Indictment Indite Inditer Indocile Indorsable Indorse Indorsement Indorser Inferrible Inflection Infold Infoliate Ingraft Ingraftment Ingrain Ingulf Innuendo Inquire Inquirer Inquiry Insnare Install Instalment Instil Instructor Insurance Insure Insurer Intenable Interlace Interplead Interpleader Inthrall Intrinsical Intrust Intwine Inure Inurement Invalid (n.) Inveigle Inventor Inwheel Inwrap Inwreathe Isle
J. Jackal Jacobin Jag Jagghery Jail Jailer Jalap Jamb (n.) Janizary Janty Jasmine Jaunt Jelly Jenneting Jetty Jewellery [Thus in 1st column, as “the more regularly formed word”; but jewelry is the more common. Follow copy.] Jiffy Jingle Jointress Jole [If written jowl, follow copy.] Jonquille Judgment Julep Junket Just (n.) Justle [If written jostle, compositor and proof-reader had better follow copy, to save the trouble and expense of correcting.] {p149}
K. Kale Kamsin Kayle Keelhaul Keelson Keg Khan Knapsack Knell
L. Lackey Lacquer Lair Lambdoidal Lance Landscape Landsman Lantern Lanyard Launch Laundress Laureate Lavender Lea (a plain) Leach Leaven Ledger Lettuce License Lickerish Licorice Lief Lilac Lily Linguiform Liniment [An embrocation.] [Linament (Lint, etc.)] Lintstock Litharge Llama (animal) Loadstar Loadstone Loath (a.) Loathe (v.) Lode (a vein) Lodgement Lower Luff Luke Lustring Lye (from ashes)
M. Maggoty Maim [Mayhem (Law)] Maize Maleadministration Malecontent Malefeasance Malepractice Maltreat Malkin Mall Malanders Mameluke Mandarin Mandatary Mandrel Manifestable Manikin Manœuvre Mantle Mark Marque (license) Marquee Marquis Marshal Marten Martingale Mask Maslin Mastic Matins Mattress Meagre Mediæval Meliorate [If written ameliorate, follow copy.] Menagerie Merchandise Mere (a pool) Metre Mew Mewl Mileage Milleped Millrea Miscall Misspell Misspend Misy (Min.) Mistletoe Mitre Mizzen Moccason Mocha-stone Modillion Molasses Moneyed Mongrel Monodrame Mood Moresque Morion Mortgageor Mosque Mosquito Mould Moult Mulch Mullin Multiped Mummery Murder Murderous Murky Murrhine Muscle [Animal tissue.] {p150} [Mussel (A shell-fish.)] Musket Mustache Myth
N. Nankeen Naught Negotiate Net (a., clear) Nib Nobless Nombles Novitiate Nozle Nuisance
O. Oblique Octahedron Offence Offuscate Olio Omer Opaque Orach Orison Osier Osmazome Osprey Ottar [If written Attar, follow copy.] Outrageous Oxidate Oxidation Oxide Oxidize Oyes
P. Pacha Packet Painim Palanquin Palette Palmiped Pandore Panel Pansy Pantagraph Pappoose Parallelopiped Paralyze Parcenary Parol (a.) Paroquet Parral Parsnip Partisan Patin Patrol Paver Pawl Pedler Pedlery Peep Penance Penniless Pentahedral Pentahedron Pentile Peony Perch Persimmon Persistence Pewit Phantasm Phantom Phenomenon Phial [If written Vial, follow copy.] Philter Phlegm Phœnix Phthisic [Piked Ending in a point.] Picked [Spruce; smartly or foppishly dressed.] Picket [Piquet A game at cards.] Picturesque Pie Piebald Pimento Pincers Placard Plain [A level, open field.] [Plane So written in science and the arts.] Plane-sailing Plaster Plat Plethora Pleurisy Pliers Plough Ploughman Ploughshare Plumber Plumiped Pluviameter Poise Poltroon Polyanthus Polyhedral Polyhedron Pomade Pommel Pontoon Pony Porpoise Portray Portress Postilion Potato Pottage Practise (v.) {p151} Præmunire Premise Pretence Preterite Pretor Prison-base Probate Profane Protector Prothonotaryship Prunello Pumpkin [Puisne (Law) Thus written as a technical word.] Puny Pupillary Purblind Purlin Purr Purslain Pursy Putrefy Pygmean Pygmy Pyx
Q. Quarantine Quartet Quatercousin Quay (a mole) Quinsy Quintain Quintal Quitter Quoit
R. Raccoon Raillery Ransom Rarefy Raspberry Ratafia Rattan Raven (prey) Raze Razure Real (coin) Rear Rearmouse Rearward Recall Recognizable Recognizance Recognize Recognizee Recognizor Recompense Reconnoitre Redoubt Redoubtable Reenforcement Referable Reflection Reflective Reglet Reindeer Reinstall Relic Renard [If written Reynard, follow copy.] Rennet Replier Reposit Resin [This is the scientific term for the “inspissated exudations of certain families of plants.”] Rosin [The name of the commonest resin in use, “when employed in a solid state for ordinary purposes.”] Resistance Respite Restiff [If written restive, follow copy.] Restiffness [If written restiveness, follow copy.] Retch (to vomit) Reverie [If written revery, follow copy.] Reversible Rhomb [Rhumb (Nav.)] Ribbon Rider Rinse Risk Riveted Robbin [Robin (Orn.)] Rodomontade Roquelaure Route (course) Rummage Runnet Rye
S. Sabianism Sag Saic Sainfoin Salic Saltcellar Sandarach Sandiver Sanitary Sarcenet Sat Satchel Satinet Savin Saviour [When the Redeemer is meant, the u should be retained. Worcester’s note under this word says that error, favor, and honor are derived directly from {p152} the Latin, whereas there is no classical Latin word corresponding to the Greek saviour = σωτήρ.] [Savior This orthography is proper when a sacred meaning is not attached to the word.] Scallop Scath Scenery Sceptic Sceptical Scepticism Schist Schistose Scholium Schorl Sciagraphy Sciomachy Scion Scirrhosity Scirrhous [a.] Scirrhus [n.] Scissors Sconce Scotfree Scow Screen Scrofula Scythe Seamstress Sear Searce Secretaryship Seethe Seignior Seine (a net) Seizin Sellenders Selvage Sentinel Sentry Sequin Sergeant Sergeantry Sesspool [If written cesspool, follow copy.] Sevennight Shad Shard Shark (v.) [But shirk is more common, follow copy.] Shawm Sheathe (v.) Sheer (pure) Sheik Shemitic Sherbet Sherry Shorling Show Showbread Shrillness Shroud Shuttlecock Shyly Shyness Sienite Silicious Sill Sillabub Simar Siphon Siren Sirloin Sirocco Sirup Sit (to incubate) Site Sizar Size (glue) Skate Skein Skilful Skulk Skull Slabber Slake (to quench) Sleight (n.) Sley (a reed) Sluice Slyly Slyness Smallness Smirk Smooth (v.) Soap Socage Socle Solan Solder Soldier Soliped Solitaire Solvable Somerset Sonneteer Soothe (v.) Sorrel Souse Spa Spicknel Spinach Spinel Splice Sponge Spongy Spright Sprightful Spunk Spurt Stable Staddle Stanch Stationery (n.) Steadfast Steelyard Sterile Stillness Stockade Strait (n.) Strap Strengthener Strew Stupefy {p153} Sty Style Subtile (thin) Subtle (sly) Subtract Subtraction Suit Suitor Sulky (n.) Sulphuretted Sumach Suretyship Surname Surprise Surreptitious Survivor Survivorship Swale Sward Swath (n.) Sweepstakes Swipple Swop [If written swap, follow copy.] Sycamore Sylvan Synonyme Syphilis Systematize
T. Tabard Taffety Taffrail Taillage Talc (a stone) Tallness Talmud Tambour Tambourine Tarpauling Tartan Tassel Tawny Tease Teazle Tenable Terrier Tether Tetrastich Theodolite Thraldom Thrash Threshold Throe (a pang) Thyine (wood) Thyme Ticking Tidbit Tie Tier (a row) Tierce Tiger Tincal Tint Tiny Tippler Tithe Toilet Toll (to allure) Tollbooth Ton [Tun (Tun is the usual orthography when a large cask or wine measure [252 gallons] is meant; Ton when a weight of 20 cwt., the space in a ship, or a measure of timber is meant.—Brande.)] Tonnage Tormentor Touchy Tourmaline Trance Tranquillity Tranquillize Transferable Transferrence Treadle Treenail Trellis Trentals Trestle Trevet Trousers Truckle-bed Tumbrel Turkey Turkois Turnip Turnsole Tutenag Tweedle Twibil Tymbal Tyro
U. Umbles Unbias Unbiassed Unbigoted Unroll Until
V. Vaivode Vales (money) Valise Vantbrace Vat (a vessel) Vaudevil Vavasor Veil (cover) Vender [Vendor (Law)] Veneer Venomous Verdigris Vermilion Vermin Verst Vertebre [If written Vertebra, follow copy.] {p154} Vervain Vice (a screw) Vicious Villain Villanous Villany Visitatorial Visitor Visor Vitiate Vizier Volcano
W. Wagon Waif Waive (to defer) Wale Walrus Warranter [Warrantor (Law)] War-whoop Waul Wear (v.) Wear (n.) Weasand Welsh Whang Whelk Whippletree Whippoorwill Whiskey Whitleather Whoop Whooping-cough Widgeon Wilful Windlass Wintry Wiry Witch-elm With (n.) Withal Wizard Woe Woful Wondrous Woodbine Woodchuck Woollen Wreathe (v.) Wreck Wriggle
Y. Yawl Yearn Yeast Yelk Yerk Yew
Z. Zaffre Zinc Zymology
There is a large class of words ending either in able or ible, amounting to more than sixteen hundred. For these we know of no general rule which can be given, that would readily indicate the proper termination. In practice, writers and printers, with rare exceptions, are obliged at times to depend on something besides memory to secure correctness; and if the dictionary is not at hand, the wrong termination may—as in fact it often does—get into print. So excellent a work as “The American First Class Book” prints an extract from Webster’s Plymouth oration thus:
If any practices exist, contrary to the principles of justice and humanity, within the reach of our laws or our influence, we are inexcusible if we do not exert ourselves to restrain and abolish them. {p155}
And in a periodical which is sent broadcast over the United States, occurs the following paragraph (April 24, 1888), copied from a report made by Henry Clay in 1838:
That authors and inventors have, according to the practice among civilized nations, a property in the respective productions of their genius is incontestible, etc.
We append below, for convenient reference, a catalogue of the words referred to, including (1) those in present use; (2) those that are rare; and (3) the obsolete. The latter often occur in reprints, and are sometimes resuscitated or galvanized for a present purpose,—as, for instance, in a recent popular novel, of wide circulation, there occurs three or more times, the word “ineluctable,” denoted by Webster as obsolete. We may have omitted some words that should have been inserted, but believe we have accomplished our object within very negligible limits of error.
A word in parenthesis indicates a various mode of spelling the word immediately preceding.
WORDS ENDING IN ABLE.
Abatable
Abdicable
Abolishable
Abominable
Abrogable
Absolvable
Absorbable
Abusable
Accentuable
Acceptable
Acclimatable
Accomplishable
Accordable
Accostable
Accountable
Accusable
Achievable
Acidifiable
Acquirable
Actable
Actionable
Adaptable
Addable
(Addible)
Adjustable
Administrable
Admirable
Admittable
(Admittible)
Adoptable
Adorable
Advantageable
Advisable
Affable
Affilliable
Affirmable
Aggrandizable
Agitable
Agreeable
Alienable
Alkalifiable
Allegeable
Allowable
Alterable
Amassable
Ameliorable
Amenable
Amendable
Amiable
Amicable
Amusable
Analyzable
Anchorable
Annihilable
Answerable
Appealable
Appeasable
Appliable
Applicable
Appointable
Appreciable
Approachable
Appropriable
Approvable
Arable
Arbitrable
Arguable
Argumentable
Ascertainable
Ascribable
Aspectable
Assailable
Assaultable
Assessable
Assignable
Assimilable
Associable
Atonable
Attachable
Attackable
Attainable
Attemptable
Attractable
Attributable
Augmentable
Authorizable
Available
Avoidable
Avouchable
Avowable
Bailable
Bankable
Batable
Bearable
Beggable
Believable
Bendable
Bequeathable
Bewailable
Blamable
Boardable
Boatable
Bounceable
Breakable
Breathable
Calcinable
Calculable
Capable
Carriable
Causable
Censurable
Challengeable
Changeable
Chargeable
Charitable
Chastisable
Cheatable
Circulable
Circumnavigable
Circumscribable
Citable
Civilizable
Claimable
Classifiable
Cleansable
Cleavable
Clergyable
Climbable
Coagulable
Cogitable
Cognizable
Collatable
Colorable
Combatable
Comfortable
Commandable
Commeasurable
Commemorable
Commendable
Commensurable
Commonable
Communicable
Commutable
Companionable
Comparable
Compassable
Compellable
Compliable
Comportable
Compoundable
Computable
Concealable
Conceivable
Concordable
Condemnable
Condensable
Conferrable
Confinable
Confirmable
Confiscable
Conformable
Confusable
Confutable
Congeable
Congealable
Conjecturable
Conquerable
Conscionable
Conservable
Considerable
Consolable
Constrainable
Consumable
Containable
Contaminable
Conterminable
Contestable
Continuable
Contradictable
Contributable
Contrivable
Controllable
Conversable
Conveyable
Countable
Countermandable
Covetable
Creatable
Creditable
Criticisable
Crummable
Crystallizable
Culpable
Cultivable
Cultivatable
Culturable
Curable
Customable
Damageable
Debatable
Deceivable
Decidable
Decipherable
Declarable
Declinable
Decomposable
Decompoundable
Decreeable
Definable
Deflagrable
Delectable
Deliverable
Deludable
Demandable
Demisable
Demonstrable
Deniable
Denominable
Denotable
Deplorable
Deposable
Deprecable
Deprivable
Derivable
Describable
Designable
Desirable
Despicable
Detectable
Determinable
Detestable
Devisable
Diggable
Dilatable
Diminishable
Disagreeable
Disallowable
Disciplinable
Discommendable
Disconformable
Discountable
Discourageable
Discoverable
Discreditable
Disenable
Dishonorable
Disintegrable
Dispensable
Displaceable
Disposable
Disproportionable
Disprovable
Dispunishable
Disputable
Disreputable
Disserviceable
Dissociable
Dissolvable
Distillable
Distinguishable
Distrainable
Distributable
Diversifiable
Dividable
Divorceable
(Divorcible)
Doubtable
Dowable
Drainable
Dramatizable
Drawable
Drinkable
Dupable
Durable
Dutiable
Eatable
Effable
Effaceable
Electrifiable
Electrolyzable
Emendable
Employable
Endable
Endurable
Enforceable
(Enforcible)
Englishable
Enjoyable
Enticeable
Enunciable
Enviable
Equable
Equitable
Eradicable
Erasable
Erectable
Escapable
Escheatable
Estimable
Evaporable
Examinable
Exceptionable
Exchangeable
Excisable
Excitable
Excommunicable
Exculpable
Excusable
Execrable
Exemplifiable
Exercisable
(Exercisible)
Exhalable
Exorable
Expectable
Expellable
Expiable
Expirable
Explainable
Explicable
Exportable
Extinguishable
Extirpable
Extractable
(Extractible)
Extricable
Exuviable
Falsifiable
Farmable
Fashionable
Fathomable
Favorable
Fellable
Fermentable
Figurable
Finable
Fixable
Fordable
Foreknowable
Forfeitable
Forgivable
Formidable
Fortifiable
Framable
Friable
Fundable
Furbishable
Gainable
Gaugeable
Gelable
Generable
Generalizable
Governable
Grantable
Graspable
Guardable
Guerdonable
Guessable
Guidable
Habitable
Hammerable
Handleable
Hatable
Hazardable
Healable
Heriotable
Heritable
Homageable
Honorable
Hospitable
Husbandable
Hybridizable
Identifiable
Illapsable
Illaudable
Illimitable
Illuminable
Illustrable
Imaginable
Imitable
Immalleable
Immeasurable
Immedicable
Immemorable
Immensurable
Immersable
(Immersible)
Immitigable
Immovable
Immutable
Impalpable
Impassable
Impassionable
Impeachable
Impeccable
Impenetrable
Imperforable
Imperishable
Impermeable
Imperturbable
Imperviable
Implacable
Impliable
Imponderable
Importable
Imposable
Impracticable
Impregnable
Impressionable
Impreventable
Improbable
Improvable
Impugnable
Imputable
Inaffable
Inalienable
Inamovable
Inappealable
Inapplicable
Inappreciable
Inapproachable
Inarable
Incalculable
Incapable
Incensurable
Incinerable
Inclinable
Incoagulable
Incogitable
Incognizable
Incommensurable
Incommunicable
Incommutable
Incomparable
Incompensable
Incompliable
Incomputable
Inconcealable
Inconceivable
Incondensable
Incongealable
Inconsiderable
Inconsolable
Inconsumable
Incontestable
Incontrollable
Increasable
Incrystallizable
Inculpable
Incurable
Indecimable
Indecipherable
Indeclinable
Indecomposable
Indefatigable
Indefinable
Indelectable
Indemonstrable
Indeprecable
Indeprivable
Indescribable
Indesirable
Indeterminable
Indictable
Indiminishable
Indisciplinable
Indiscoverable
Indispensable
Indisputable
Indissolvable
Indistinguishable
Indomitable
Indorsable
Indubitable
Ineffable
Ineffaceable
Inequitable
Ineradicable
Inestimable
Inevitable
Inexcitable
Inexcusable
Inexecutable
Inexorable
Inexpiable
Inexplicable
Inexplorable
Inexpugnable
Inexsuperable
Inexterminable
Inextinguishable
Inextirpable
Inextricable
Inferable
(Inferrible)
Inflammable
Inflatable
Ingelable
Ingenerable
Inhabitable
Inheritable
Inhospitable
Inimaginable
Inimitable
Inirritable
Innavigable
Innumerable
Inobservable
Inoculable
Inoxidizable
Inquirable
Insanable
Insatiable
Insaturable
Inscribable
Inscrutable
Insecable
Inseparable
Inseverable
Insolvable
Inspirable
Instable
Insufferable
Insultable
Insuperable
Insupportable
Insupposable
Insurable
Insurmountable
Intastable
Intenable
Interchangeable
Intercommunicable
Interminable
Interpolable
Interpretable
Intestable
Intolerable
Intractable
Intransmutable
Invaluable
Invariable
Investigable
Inviolable
Invitrifiable
Invulnerable
Irrebuttable
Irreclaimable
Irrecognizable
Irreconcilable
Irrecordable
Irrecoverable
Irrecusable
Irredeemable
Irrefragable
Irrefutable
Irrejectable
Irrelievable
Irremeable
Irremediable
Irremovable
Irremunerable
Irreparable
Irrepealable
Irrepleviable
Irreplevisable
Irrepresentable
Irreproachable
Irreprovable
Irresolvable
Irrespirable
Irresuscitable
Irretraceable
Irretrievable
Irreturnable
Irrevealable
Irrevocable
Irrevokable
Irritable
Isolable
Issuable
Judicable
Justiciable
Justifiable
Knittable
Knowable
Lacerable
Lamentable
Laminable
Lapsable
Laudable
Laughable
Learnable
Leasable
Lendable
Leviable
Levigable
Liable
Licensable
Liftable
Likable
Limitable
Liquable
Liquefiable
Litigable
Loanable
Lodgeable
Losable
Lovable
Magnifiable
Mailable
Mainpernable
Maintainable
Malleable
Manageable
Manifestable
(Manifestible)
Marketable
Marriageable
Masticable
Measurable
Medicable
Memorable
Mendable
Mensurable
Mentionable
Merchantable
Miserable
Misinterpretable
Mistakable
Mitigable
Mixable
Modifiable
Moldable
Mollifiable
Mootable
Mountable
Movable
Multipliable
Multiplicable
Mutable
Namable
Navigable
Negotiable
Nonexcommunicable
Notable
Noticeable
Nourishable
Numerable
Objectionable
Obligable
Observable
Obtainable
Offerable
Opposable
Ordainable
Orderable
Organizable
Originable
Overcapable
Oxidable
Oxidizable
Oxygenizable
Palatable
Palpable
Pardonable
Partable
(Partible)
Passable
Pasturable
Patentable
Pawnable
Payable
Peaceable
Peccable
Penetrable
Perceivable
Perdurable
Performable
Perishable
Permeable
Permutable
Perpetuable
Personable
Perspirable
Persuadable
Picturable
Pierceable
Pitiable
Placable
Plantable
Pleadable
Pleasurable
Pliable
Plowable
Poisonable
Polarizable
Polishable
Polysyllable
Ponderable
Portable
Potable
Powerable
Practicable
Precipitable
Predeterminable
Predicable
Preferable
Preparable
Presentable
Preservable
Prestable
Presumable
Preventable
Probable
Procurable
Profitable
Prognosticable
Prolongable
Pronounceable
Propagable
Proportionable
Proratable
Prosecutable
Protrudable
Provable
Provokable
Publishable
Pulverable
Pulverizable
Punishable
Purchasable
Pursuable
Quadrable
Qualifiable
Quenchable
Questionable
Quotable
Raisable
Ratable
(Rateable)
Reachable
Readable
Realizable
Reasonable
Rebukable
Recallable
Receivable
Reclaimable
Recognizable
Recommendable
Reconcilable
Recoverable
Rectifiable
Redeemable
Redemandable
Redoubtable
Reexaminable
Referable
(Referrible)
Refusable
Refutable
Regrettable
Reissuable
Rejectable
Relaxable
Releasable
Reliable
Relievable
Relishable
Remarkable
Remediable
Removable
Remunerable
Renderable
Renewable
Rentable
Reobtainable
Repairable
Reparable
Repayable
Repealable
Repleviable
Representable
Reproachable
Reprovable
Repudiable
Reputable
Rescindable
Rescuable
Resolvable
Respectable
Respirable
Restorable
Restrainable
Resumable
Resuscitable
Retainable
Retractable
(Retractible)
Retrievable
Returnable
Revealable
Revengeable
Reviewable
Revivable
Revocable
Rewardable
Rollable
Ruinable
Rulable
Sailable
Salable
Salifiable
Salvable
Sanable
Saponifiable
Satisfiable
Saturable
Savable
Scalable
Searchable
Seasonable
Securable
Seizable
Separable
Sequestrable
Servable
Serviceable
Shapable
Shiftable
Sizable
Sociable
Solvable
Sortable
Soundable
Spoilable
Squeezable
Statable
Statutable
Suable
Subconformable
Sublimable
Subscribable
Succorable
Sufferable
Suitable
Superserviceable
Supportable
Supposable
Surmountable
Surpassable
Sustainable
Tamable
Tannable
Tastable
Taxable
Teachable
Tellable
Temperable
Temptable
Tenable
Tenantable
Terminable
Testable
Tillable
Tithable
Tolerable
Tollable
Torturable
Touchable
Traceable
Tractable
Trainable
Transferable
(Transferrible)
Transformable
Translatable
Transmeatable
Transmutable
Transpirable
Transportable
Transposable
Traversable
Treasonable
Treatable
Triable
Triturable
Tunable
Ulcerable
Unacceptable
Unaccountable
Unadvisable
Unagreeable
Unaidable
Unamiable
Unanswerable
Unappealable
Unapproachable
Unaskable
Unavoidable
Uncharitable
Uncleanable
Uncomeatable
Uncomfortable
Uncommunicable
Unconformable
Unconscionable
Uncontrollable
Uncustomable
Undauntable
Undeniable
Undivinable
Unexceptionable
Unextinguishable
Unfashionable
Unfathomable
Unfavorable
Unforgetable
Ungovernable
Unimpeachable
Unitable
Unknowable
Unmalleable
Unmerchantable
Unmeritable
Unmistakable
Unpassable
Unpeaceable
Unpeerable
Unprofitable
Unquestionable
Unreasonable
Unreconcilable
Unreliable
Unrebukable
Unreckonable
Unreprovable
Unsalable
Unsearchable
Unseasonable
Unsociable
Unspeakable
Unstable
Unsuitable
Unutterable
Unwarrantable
Unwedgeable
Usable
Utterable
Valuable
Vanquishable
Vaporable
Vaporizable
Variable
Veerable
Vegetable
Venerable
Verifiable
Veritable
Viable
Vindicable
Violable
Visitable
Vitrifiable
Voidable
Volatilizable
Voyageable
Vulnerable
Warrantable
Washable
Wearable
Weighable
Weldable
Wieldable
Workable
WORDS ENDING IN “ABLE”; RARE.
Accomptable (or obs.)
Accommodable
Accustomable
Baptizable
Burnable
Borable
Carriageable
Catchable
Commiserable
Complainable
Defendable
Despisable
Destroyable
Discontinuable
Dissipable
Donable
Dubitable
Educable
Effluviable
Emulable
Entreatable
Equiparable
Errable
Esteemable
Executable
Expugnable
Frustrable
Gatherable
Gettable
Hereditable
Illaqueable
Imageable
Impalatable
Imperceivable
Impersuadable
Incicurable
Inequable
Innominable
Manducable
Marriable
Matchable
Medicinable
Meltable
Mockable
Pacificable
Pregnable
Quittable
Razorable
Recuperable
Refragable
Regardable
Regulable
Rememberable
Replantable
Replevisable
Repugnable
Scrutable
Smokable
Speakable
Strangleable
Subduable
Superable
Suspectable
Tractable
Thinkable
Transpassable
Unalienable
Unculpable
Understandable
Unforeseeable
Unhabitable
Unlimitable
Unmakable
Unmeasurable
Unmovable
Unscrutable
Untractable
Unvoyageable
Walkable
Weariable
Wishable
Worshipable
Woundable
Yieldable
WORDS ENDING IN “ABLE”; OBSOLETE.
Abhominable
Acetable
Accompanable
Accomptable (or rare.)
Acquaintable
Animable
Aptable
Battable
Behoovable
Bowable
Chanceable
Colliquable
Circumstantiable
Combinable
Companable
Companiable
Compassionable
Compensable
Conciliable
Consortable
Conspectable
Conusable
Convenable
Counselable
Covenable
Creable
Defatigable
Delightable
Dependable
Depredable
Destinable
Devitable
Disable
Disadvantageable
Discomfortable
Discordable
Discriminable
Disfavorable
Dispraisable
Disprofitable
Doctrinable
Domable
Dreadable
Earable
Effrayable
Endamageable
Eterminable
Exceedable
Excoriable
Excreable
Excruciable
Exoptable
Exuperable
Fatigable
Fittable
Flammable
Foilable
Frequentable
Grievable
Guildable
Gustable
Illacerable
Illeviable
Immatchable
Immixable
Impacable
Impardonable
Imperscrutable
Impetrable
Impierceable
Improfitable
Improportionable
Inaidable
Inalterable
Inamiable
Incessable
Incharitable
Incomformable
Inconscionable
Incremable
Individable
Indomable
Indomptable
Ineluctable
Inenarrable
Inerrable
Inexhalable
Inexplainable
Inexuperable
Infashionable
Infatigable
Informidable
Ingustable
Injudicable
Inopinable
Insociable
Insuitable
Intricable
Inutterable
Irrecuperable
Irreputable
Iterable
Jaculable
Justiceable
Lachrymable
Leisurable
Makable
Maniable
Markable
Mercable
Merciable
Meritable
Mingleable
Mirable
Miscarriageable
Moderable
Modificable
Moltable
Narrable
Oathable
Objectable
Occasionable
Operable
Opinable
Optable
Ordinable
Overturnable
Painable
Parable
Parallelable
Perceable
Perflable
Perspicable
Postable
Praisable
Replevisable
Resemblable
Rowable
Sacrificable
Screable
Scribable
Semblable
Spirable
Strainable
Suspicable
Trafficable
Transmeable
Troublable
Unappliable
Unapplicable
Uncapable
Unconceivable
Uncontestable
Uncounselable
Uncovenable
Uncreditable
Uncurable
Undefatigable
Undepartable
Undertakable
Undestroyable
Undeterminable
Undisputable
Undoubtable
Undubitable
Undwellable
Unequalable
Unevitable
Unexcusable
Unextricable
Unfailable
Unframable
Unhospitable
Unimitable
Unmasterable
Unnumerable
Unpenetrable
Unperishable
Unplacable
Unpracticable
Unprizable
Unquarrelable
Unremovable
Unreproachable
Unreputable
Unsatiable
Unseparable
Unshakable
Unsightable
Unsucceedable
Unsufferable
Unsupportable
Unswayable
Untellable
Untriumphable
Untrowable
Unvaluable
Unvariable
Unvulnerable
Vailable
Vengeable
Veniable
Versable
Vituperable
Volitable
Wainable
Warhable
WORDS ENDING IN IBLE.
Abhorrible
Accendible
Accessible
Addible
(Addable)
Adducible
Admissible
Adustible
Apprehensible
Ascendible
Audible
Bipartible
Circumscriptible
Classible
Coctible
Coercible
Cognoscible
Cohesible
Collectible
Combustible
Compactible
Compatible
Comprehensible
Compressible
Concrescible
Conducible
Conductible
Confluxible
Contemptible
Contractible
Controvertible
Conversible
Convertible
Convincible
Correctible
Corrigible
Corrodible
Corrosible
Corruptible
Credible
Decoctible
Deducible
Deductible
Defeasible
Defectible
Defensible
Descendible
Destructible
Diffusible
Digestible
Discernible
Dissectible
Distensible
Distractible
Divertible
Divestible
Divisible
Divorcible
(Divorceable)
Docible
Edible
Educible
Effectible
Effervescible
Eligible
Eludible
Enforcible
(Enforceable)
Evincible
Exercisible
(Exercisable)
Exhaustible
Expansible
Expressible
Extendible
Extensible
Extractible
(Extractable)
Fallible
Feasible
Fencible
Fermentescible
Flexible
Fluxible
Forcible
Frangible
Fungible
Fusible
Gullible
Horrible
Ignitible
Illegible
Immersible
(Immersable)
Immiscible
Impartible
Impassible
Impedible
Imperceptible
Impersuasible
Implausible
Impossible
Imprescriptible
Impressible
Imputrescible
Inaccessible
Inadmissible
Inapprehensible
Inaudible
Incircumscriptible
Incoercible
Incombustible
Incommiscible
Incompatible
Incomprehensible
Incompressible
Inconcussible
Incontrovertible
Inconvertible
Inconvincible
Incorrigible
Incorrodible
Incorruptible
Incredible
Indefeasible
Indefectible
Indefensible
Indelible
Indeprehensible
Indestructible
Indigestible
Indiscernible
Indiscerptible
Indivisible
Indocible
Inducible
Ineffervescible
Ineligible
Ineludible
Inevasible
Inexhaustible
Inexpansible
Inexpressible
Infallible
Infeasible
Inferrible
(Inferable)
Inflexible
Infrangible
Infusible
Inscriptible
Insensible
Instructible
Insuppressible
Insusceptible
Intactible
Intangible
Intelligible
Interconvertible
Intervisible
Invendible
Inventible
Invertible
Invincible
Invisible
Irascible
Irreducible
Irrefrangible
Irremissible
Irreprehensible
Irrepressible
Irresistible
Irresponsible
Irreversible
Legible
Manifestible
(Manifestable)
Marcescible
Miscible
Negligible
Nexible
Omissible
Ostensible
Partible
(Partable)
Passible
Perceptible
Perfectible
Permiscible
Permissible
Persuasible
Pervertible
Plausible
Possible
Prehensible
Prescriptible
Producible
Productible
Putrescible
Quadrible
Receptible
Redemptible
Redressible
Reducible
Re-eligible
Referrible
(Referable)
Reflectible
Reflexible
Refrangible
Remissible
Renascible
Rend-ible (from rend)
Ren-dible (from render)
Reprehensible
Resistible
Responsible
Retractible
(Retractable)
Reversible
Revertible
Risible
Seducible
Sensible
Sponsible
Subdivisible
Subvertible
Supersensible
Suppressible
Susceptible
Suspensible
Tangible
Terrible
Transferrible
(Tranferable)
Transfusible
Transmissible
Transmittible
Tripartible
Vendible
Vincible
Visible
Vitrescible
WORDS ENDING IN “IBLE”; RARE.
Affectible
Cessible
Committible
Compossible
Convictible
Cullible
Discerpible
Discerptible
Evadible
Evasible
Exigible
Impatible
Impermissible
Incognoscible
Infractible
Insubmergible
Suasible
Tensible
Traducible
Transvertible
Unadmissible
Unadmittible
Unexhaustible
Unexpressible
Unflexible
Unfusible
Unrepressible
Unresponsible
WORDS ENDING IN “IBLE”; OBSOLETE.
Agible
Appetible
Alible
Comestible
Comminuible
Competible
Comptible
Conceptible
Conclusible
Congestible
Deceptible
Decerptible
Depectible
Depertible
Deprehensible
Erigible
Exemptible
Expetible
Fensible
Fulcible
Ignoscible
Immarcescible
Imperdible
Impertransible
Inamissible
Incompossible
Inconceptible
Inconsumptible
Indefeisible
Indicible
Indiscerpible
Indistinctible
Inextinguible
Intransgressible
Inquisible
Intenible
Irremittible
Miscible
Obedible
Odible
Offensible
Patible
Regible
Sejungible
Sepelible
Suadible
Suasible
Subjicible
Unaccessible
Uncorrigible
Uncorruptible
Uncredible
Undefeasible
Uneligible
Unfallible
Unfrangible
Unpossible
Unresistible
Unsensible
Untangible
Unvisible
NOUNS ENDING IN O.
Errors sometimes occur in forming the plural of nouns in o. We frequently see frescoes, mottos,—both wrong. The general rule is, If the final o has a vowel before it, form the plural by adding s: as “cameo, cameos”; if a consonant precede the final o, add es; as “archipelago, archipelagoes.” Such exceptions to the general rule as are most frequently met with, and a few that are rare, we here subjoin: {p168}
Albino Albinos
Armadillo Armadillos
Busto Bustos
Canto Cantos
Catso Catsos
Cento Centos
Dido Didos
Domino Dominos
Duo Duos
Duodecimo Duodecimos
Embryo Embryos
Exaltado Exaltados
Folio Folios
Fresco Frescos
Gaucho Gauchos
Grotto Grottos
Halo Halos
Inamorato Inamoratos
Internuncio Internuncios
Junto Juntos
Lasso Lassos
Limbo Limbos
Memento Mementos
Merino Merinos
Mestizo Mestizos
Nuncio Nuncios
Octavo Octavos
Octodecimo Octodecimos
Piano Pianos
Portico Porticoes, Wb. or Porticos, Wor.
Portfolio Portfolios
Proviso Provisos
Punctilio Punctilios
Quarto Quartos
Rotundo Rotundos
Salvo Salvos
Sextodecimo Sextodecimos
Sirocco Siroccos
Solo Solos
Trio Trios
Two Twos
Tyro Tyros
Virtuoso Virtuosos
Zero Zeros
But “albugo” has pl. “albugines”; and to “imago” we should probably have to write pl. “imagines.” There are many nouns ending in o, for whose plurals we have not found any authority beyond the general rule. With the exceptions given above, the rule may be safely followed. The plural of “portico” is a matter of style: and there is some authority for “quartoes.”
WORDS ENDING IN ISE.
Words ending with the sound of ize are variously spelled ise or ize. Of this class the correct spelling of the following words is ise; nearly if not quite all others take ize. {p169}
Advertise
Advise
Affranchise
Apprise
Catechise
Chastise
Circumcise
Comprise
Compromise
Criticise
Demise
Despise
Devise
Disfranchise
Disguise
Divertise
Emprise
Enfranchise
Enterprise
Exercise
Exorcise
Franchise
Merchandise
Misprise
Premise
Reprise
Revise
Supervise
Surmise
Surprise
EI AND IE.
Many persons find it difficult or impossible to recollect the relative position of e and i, in such words as receive, believe, etc. If they will bear in mind the following rule, it may save them the trouble of referring to a dictionary for this point.
When the derivative noun ends in tion, the verb is spelled with ei: thus,—
Conception Conceive
Deception Deceive
Reception Receive
But when the noun does not end in tion, the verb is spelled with ie: as,—
Belief Believe
WORDS ENDING IN “CION.”
Disregarding the dissyllable scion, we think there are but three words in use having this termination, viz.: Coercion, Ostracion, Suspicion. Two obsolete words are Internecion and Pernicion. {p170}
ENSURE, INSURE, ETC.
The language has been sometimes enriched by retaining the several forms of a “doubtful” word, as in the case of draft and draught, each form having limitations of meaning peculiar to itself. Ensure and Insure we propose to consider distinct words rather than various spellings of the same words. So, also, of Enure and Inure.
Ensure. [To make sure, certain, or safe; “How to ensure peace for any term of years.” To insure is to contract, for a consideration, to secure against loss; as to insure houses, ships, lives.]
Insure. [To underwrite; “to covenant, for a consideration, to indemnify for loss of anything specified”; as, to insure houses against fire, etc.]
Enure. [“To serve to the use or benefit of”; as, a gift of land enures to the benefit of the grantee. “The argument was made [a century ago] as now, that its [a protective policy’s] benefits enured to particular classes or sections.”—B. Harrison’s Inaugural Address.]
Inure [To accustom; as, a man inures his body to heat and cold; a soldier to blood inured.]