The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section T, U, V, and W

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

669

Title

The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section T, U, V, and W

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume presents the T, U, V, and W sections of Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913). It serves as a comprehensive reference for spelling, pronunciation, etymology, and definitions of English words, offering historical context and usage examples from classic literature.

Summary up to 500 words

This section of the dictionary, covering entries from 'T' through 'W', serves as a comprehensive repository for thousands of terms ranging from common nouns like 'table' and 'wrong' to specialized vocabulary in zoology, law, and anatomy. The text meticulously details definitions, pronunciations, and etymological origins, often tracing roots back to Latin, Greek, Phoenician, or Egyptian sources. It preserves a rich historical record by including obsolete forms, dialectal variations, and cross-references that illuminate the evolution of the English language. The volume maintains a formal, encyclopedic tone, prioritizing precision and breadth over narrative flow. Entries frequently cite classic authors such as Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton, and Dryden to illustrate usage, grounding modern definitions in literary history. For instance, the entry for 'tabernacle' explores its transition from a temporary tent to a metaphor for the human body, while 'table' is defined across twelve distinct applications, from furniture and food to astronomical data and anatomical structures. The section demonstrates the dictionary's function as an essential tool for understanding linguistic nuance. It captures the complexity of words like 'wrong,' which encompasses moral injustice, factual error, and physical distortion, and 'up,' which functions as a verb, adjective, preposition, and noun with meanings spanning elevation, completion, and state of being. Specialized entries, such as those for 'upland sandpiper' or 'wulfenite,' showcase the work's encyclopedic reach into natural history and mineralogy. By cataloging everything from the 'T' bandage in surgery to the 'W' of 'wroth' (angry), this section provides a precise, authoritative snapshot of the vocabulary and cultural knowledge available in the early 20th century, offering readers a deep dive into the structure and history of English expression.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/669.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg669.epub

Removed after upload

Downloaded at

2026-07-07 10:31 UTC

Categories

• Dictionaries