that part of grammar which considers and explains the origin and derivation of words, in order to arrive at their first and primary signification, whence Quintilian calls it origination.—The word is formed of the Greek ἀναγερέσθαι, "to rise," and ἐνδοξος, "I speak;" whence λόγος discourse, &c., and thence Cicero calls the etymology notatio and veriloquium; though Quintilian chooses rather to call it origination.

A judicious inquiry into etymologies is thought by some of considerable use; because nations, who value themselves upon their antiquity, have always looked on the antiquity of their language as one of the best titles they could plead; and the etymologist, by seeking the true and original reason of the notions and ideas fixed to each word and expression, may often furnish an argument of antiquity, from the traces remaining thereof, compared with the ancient uses. Add, that etymologies are necessary for the thorough understanding of a language. For, to explain a term precisely, there seems a necessity for recurring to its first impulsion, in order to speak justly and satisfactorily thereof. The force and extent of a word is generally better conceived when a person knows its origin and etymology.

It is objected, however, that the art is arbitrary, and built altogether on conjectures and appearances; and the etymologists are charged with deriving their words from where they please. And indeed it is no easy matter to go back into the ancient British and Gaulish ages, and to follow, as it were, by the track, the various imperceptible alterations a language has undergone from age to age; and as those alterations have sometimes been merely owing to caprice, it is easy to take a mere imagination or conjecture for a regular analogy: so that it is no wonder the public should be prejudiced against a science which seems to stand on so precarious a footing. It must certainly be owned, that etymologies are frequently so far fetched, that one can scarce see any resemblance or correspondence therein. Quintilian has shown, that the ancient etymologists, notwithstanding all their learning, fell into very ridiculous derivations.

The etymologies of our English words have been derived from the Saxon, Welch, Walloon, Danish, Latin, Greek, &c.

In the present work the etymologies of terms are generally noted, where their obviousness does not render it unnecessary, or their dubiety or unimportance useless.