An Etymological Manual of the English Language: Comprising the Prefixes, Affixes and Principal Latin, Greek, And Saxon Roots of the English Language by William Smeaton, first published in 1843, is a rare manuscript, the original residing in one of the great libraries of the world. This book is a reproduction of that original, which has been scanned and cleaned by state-of-the-art publishing tools for better readability and enhanced appreciation. Restoration Editors' mission is to bring long out of print manuscripts back to life. Some smudges, annotations or unclear text may still exist, due to permanent damage to the original work. We believe the literary significance of the text justifies offering this reproduction, allowing a new generation to appreciate it.

This practical introduction to word history investigates every aspect of where words come from and how they change. Philip Durkin, chief etymologist of the Oxford English Dictionary, shows how different types of evidence can shed light on the myriad ways in which words change in form and meaning. He considers how such changes can be part of wider linguistic processes, or be influenced by a complex mixture of social and cultural factors. He illustrates every point with a wide range of fascinating examples. Dr Durkin investigates folk etymology and other changes which words undergo in everyday use. He shows how language families are established, how words in different languages can have a common ancester, and the ways in which the latter can be distinguished from words introduced through language contact. He examines the etymologies of the names of people and places. His focus is on English but he draws many examples from languages such as French, German, and Latin which cast light on the pre-histories of English words. The Oxford Guide to Etymology is reliable, readable, instructive, and enjoyable. Everyone interested in the history of words will value this account of an endlessly fascinating subject.

Walter Skeat (1835-1912) was one of the greatest investigators of the roots of the English language, and his remarkable scholarship was instrumental in the revival of the great works of early English Literature. His astonishing detective work into the origins and development of the world's most widely used language provides an unsurpassed guide to its flexibility and richness.

Understanding English Homonyms: Their Origins and Usage explores the phenomenon of homonyms in English by analysing a selection of those with the most interesting histories. This book not only illustrates how homonyms are used in various contexts but also provides etymological explanations of how they came to be such a prominent feature of the language. The introduction offers the reader a brief summary of the social, historical, and linguistic influences that contributed to the evolution of this phenomenon in modern English. A glossary of the linguistic terms referred to in the text is also included. With very few books currently available on the historical origins of English homonyms, this volume should prove popular among students of the language and its history. It will also appeal to anyone who is fascinated by etymology in general. ‘A valuable resource for the student curious to learn why English has so many confusing words. The origin of homonyms is clearly explained with a detailed background as to how their current usage has arisen. Extremely enlightening, even for the most erudite student.’ —Steven Bukin, Principal, School of English Studies, Folkestone, UK