A Dictionary Of the English Language

by Johnson, Samuel

Surprising, colorful, and long-forgotten entries from the most famous dictionary in the history of the English language Samuel Johnson's best-known work, A Dictionary of the English Language (1755), is the most influential and idiosyncratic lexicon ever written and was used by Jane Austen and Charles Dickens, the Brontës and the Brownings, Thomas Hardy and Oscar Wilde. This anthology includes 4,000 of the most representative, entertaining, and historically fascinating entries, covering subjects from fashion to food, science to sex, and given in full with original spelling and examples of usage from Shakespeare to Milton.

Reviews

Review this book!

Available Copies

A Dictionary of the English Language: In Which the Words are Deduced From Their Originals, and Illustrated in Their Different Significations By Examples From the Best Writers. To Which are Prefixed, a History of the Language, and an English Grammar
More Photos

A Dictionary of the English Language: In Which the Words are Deduced From Their Originals, and Illustrated in Their Different Significations By Examples From the Best Writers. To Which are Prefixed, a History of the Language, and an English Grammar

by Samuel Johnson

Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
First edition
Published
1775
Binding
Leather
Quantity Available
1
Seller
BATH, Somerset, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$5,318.75

Show Details

Description:
Dublin: Thomas Ewing, 1775. First edition. Leather. Very Good. 10.5" by 8.5". None. A striking and important edition of Samuel Johnson's dictionary of the English language, the first complete edition to be printed in Ireland. The first edition thus, being the first quarto edition and first complete edition printed in Ireland. This printing is based on the fourth… Read more about this item
Item Price
NZ$5,318.75
A Dictionary of the English Language: in Which the Words Are Deduced from  Their Originals ... Abstracted from the Folio Edition by the Author,  Samuel Johnson ... to Which Are Prefixed a Grammar of the English Language  ... and the Preface to the Folio Edition
More Photos

A Dictionary of the English Language: in Which the Words Are Deduced from Their Originals ... Abstracted from the Folio Edition by the Author, Samuel Johnson ... to Which Are Prefixed a Grammar of the English Language ... and the Preface to the Folio Edition

by Johnson, Samuel

Condition
Used - Very Good-
Edition
First American Edition
Published
1805
Binding
Leather
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$1,014.53

Show Details

Description:
Philadelphia: Jacob Johnson & Co.. Very Good-. 1805. First American Edition. Leather. 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 1805 Jacob Johnson & Co. Philadelphia. 1st American edition of Johnson's seminal dictionary, with the Preface to the Folio edition and Johnson's "Grammar" included. Xl; aprrox 900 pp. Full marbled calf with original green morocco label title lettered in… Read more about this item
Item Price
NZ$1,014.53
A Dictionary of the English Language.
More Photos

A Dictionary of the English Language.

by JOHNSON, Samuel.

Condition
Used
Published
1765
Quantity Available
1
Seller
London, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$10,637.50

Show Details

Description:
London: printed by W. Strahan, for A. Millar, T. Longman, J. Dodsley, W. Strahan, J. Rivington, [& 15 others in London],, 1765. The third edition, in contemporary reversed calf Third edition of the most famous of all dictionaries, following the first edition of 1755, in the same imposing double-folio format as its predecessor. The creation of the dictionary was… Read more about this item
Item Price
NZ$10,637.50
DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

by Johnson, Samuel

Condition
Used - Very good+
Jacket Condition
No dust jacket
Edition
Fifth edition
Published
1784
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Sarasota, Florida, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 1 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$8,525.50

Show Details

Description:
London: Strahan, Rivinton, Davis, et al., 1784. Fifth edition. Hardcover. Very good+/No dust jacket. London: Strahan, Rivinton, Davis, et al., 1784. 2 vols. Fifth edition. Unpaginated. Hardcover. Thick, large folio. Rebound in period, full calf, with contrasting red morocco title labels. A beautiful set, and the last edition printed during the… Read more about this item
Item Price
NZ$8,525.50
A Dictionary of the English Language: In Which the Words are deduced from their Originals, and Illustrated in their Different Significations By Examples from the best Writers. To Which are Prefixed, A History of the Language, and An English Grammar. In Two Volumes. The Fourth Edition, Revised by The Author [2 volumes]
More Photos

A Dictionary of the English Language: In Which the Words are deduced from their Originals, and Illustrated in their Different Significations By Examples from the best Writers. To Which are Prefixed, A History of the Language, and An English Grammar. In Two Volumes. The Fourth Edition, Revised by The Author [2 volumes]

by Johnson, Samuel

Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
First Thus
Published
1773
Binding
Leather Binding
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$6,564.64

Show Details

Description:
W. Strahan, et al., 1773. First Thus. Leather Binding. Very Good. The Fourth edition, last to be revised by Samuel Johnson himself. A solid set. A very good copy of this huge folio set in 19th-century 3/4 brown calf over marbled boards, spine with raised bands and red morocco labels (some wear to leather, corners bumped; some dampstaining,… Read more about this item
Item Price
NZ$6,564.64
A Dictionary of the English Language : In Which the Words are Deduced from  their Originals, Explained in their Different Meanings, and Authorized by  the Names of the Writers in Whose Works they are Found. Two volumes in  one.
More Photos

A Dictionary of the English Language : In Which the Words are Deduced from their Originals, Explained in their Different Meanings, and Authorized by the Names of the Writers in Whose Works they are Found. Two volumes in one.

by Johnson, Samuel

Condition
Used - Near Fine
Edition
Fourth Edition
Published
1770
Binding
1/4 Calf
Quantity Available
1
Seller
London, Greater London, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$1,063.75

Show Details

Description:
London: Clarke, and Collins ; R. Horsfield; W. Johnston... R. Baldwin 1770. 8vo. Two volumes bound in one, Volume I: A - K. Volume II: L - Z. Unpaginated. The second edition, corrected. Rebound in tan, quarter calf and marbled boards, with raised bands to spines and title labels. New endpapers. Binding bright. Light scattered spotting to the leaves and… Read more about this item
Item Price
NZ$1,063.75
A Dictionary of the English Language
More Photos

A Dictionary of the English Language

by Johnson Samuel 

Condition
Used - Good
Published
1820
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
edinburgh, Midlothian, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$797.81

Show Details

Description:
London: . & J. Offor, W. Allason et al, London , 1820. Hardcover. Good. London: . & J. Offor, W. Allason et al, London , 1820. Good. 'In Which The Words are Deduced from Their Originals and Illustrated in Their Different Significations by Examples From the Best Writers. To Which are Prefixed A History of… Read more about this item
Item Price
NZ$797.81
A dictionary of the English language: in which the words are deduced from their originals ... abstracted from the folio edition by the author ... to which are prefixed a grammar of the English language, and the preface to the folio edition
More Photos

A dictionary of the English language: in which the words are deduced from their originals ... abstracted from the folio edition by the author ... to which are prefixed a grammar of the English language, and the preface to the folio edition

by Johnson, Samuel

Condition
Used
Published
1805
Quantity Available
1
Seller
St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$1,862.82

Show Details

Description:
Philadelphia: Jacob Johnson & Co, 1805. First American edition of Johnson's dictionary, here printed in abridged form, and based on the London octavos; thick 8vo, pp. xl, [2], unpaginated lexicon in double column; full contemporary calf, red morocco label on spine; spine vertically creased causing looseness to one or two internal leaves, otherwise very good and sound. Contains the… Read more about this item
Item Price
NZ$1,862.82
A Dictionary of the English Language: In Which the Words are Deduced From Their Originals, Explained in Their Different Meanings, and Authroized by the Names of the Writers in Whose Works They Are FOund
More Photos

A Dictionary of the English Language: In Which the Words are Deduced From Their Originals, Explained in Their Different Meanings, and Authroized by the Names of the Writers in Whose Works They Are FOund

by Samuel Johnson

Condition
Used - Good
Published
1768
Binding
Leather
Quantity Available
1
Seller
BATH, Somerset, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$1,382.88

Show Details

Description:
Dublin: W. G. Jones; Thomas Ewing, 1768. Leather. Good. 8" by 5.5". None. The third Dublin edition of Johnson's influential dictionary, his work complete here in one volume. The third Dublin edition, abstracted from the Folio Edition.Complete in one volume.ESTC citation number T147637. Collated, complete.'A Dictionary of the English Language' is one of the most influential dictionaries in the… Read more about this item
Item Price
NZ$1,382.88
Dictionary of the English Language, A.
More Photos

Dictionary of the English Language, A.

by JOHNSON, Samuel

Condition
Used
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Calabasas, California, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$33,249.45

Show Details

Description:
London: Printed by W. Strahan, for J. and P. Knapton..., 1755. The Most Amazing, Enduring and Endearing One-Man Feat in the Field of Lexicography" JOHNSON, Samuel. A Dictionary of the English Language: In which the words are deduced from their originals, and illustrated in their different significations by examples from the best writers. To which are prefixed, a… Read more about this item
Item Price
NZ$33,249.45
A Dictionary of the English Language:
More Photos

A Dictionary of the English Language:

by JOHNSON, Samuel

Condition
Used
Edition
First edition thus
Published
1798
Binding
Contemporary calf
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Belfast, Belfast, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$2,021.12

Show Details

Description:
FIRST EDITION WITH PRONUNCIATION - HANDSOME COPY IN A VELLUM BINDING first edition thus, with pronunciation 2 vols. 4to. (27.6 x 22 cms.) [68 (title, subscribers, preface, etc)], [1029], [3 (blank)]; [2 (title)], [1080]pp., fine engraved portrait plate of Johnson (engraved by S. Clayton from the Joshua Reynolds painting),… Read more about this item
Item Price
NZ$2,021.12
A Dictionary of the English Language [Sixth Edition]
More Photos

A Dictionary of the English Language [Sixth Edition]

by Johnson, Samuel

Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
Sixth Edition
Published
1785
Binding
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$3,836.48

Show Details

Description:
London: J.F. And C. Rivington [et al.], 1785. Two volumes, complete. Half calf over marbled boards, raised bands, gilt titles and ruling. Sixth Edition. Full title:"A Dictionary of the English Language in which the words are deduced from their originals, and illustrated in their different significations by examples by the best writers. To which are prefixed, A… Read more about this item
Item Price
NZ$3,836.48
A DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE: IN WHICH THE WORDS ARE DEDUCED FROM THEIR ORIGINALS, AND ILLUSTRATED IN THEIR DIFFERENT SIGNIFICATIONS BY EXAMPLES FROM THE BEST WRITERS. To Which Are Prefixed, A History of the Language, and an English Grammar

A DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE: IN WHICH THE WORDS ARE DEDUCED FROM THEIR ORIGINALS, AND ILLUSTRATED IN THEIR DIFFERENT SIGNIFICATIONS BY EXAMPLES FROM THE BEST WRITERS. To Which Are Prefixed, A History of the Language, and an English Grammar

by JOHNSON, Samuel

Condition
Used - Armorial bookplate and stamped family coat of arms of Alexander Peckover Doyle Penrose on the front pastedown of each volume alo
Edition
Seventh Edition
Published
1785
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$5,328.44

Show Details

Description:
London: J. F. and C. Rivington, et al., 1785. Seventh Edition. Hardcover. Armorial bookplate and stamped family coat of arms of Alexander Peckover Doyle Penrose on the front pastedown of each volume along with the bookplate of defunct Upsala College which closed in 1995. The only other library marking is a small, unobtrusive ink stamp on the verso of… Read more about this item
Item Price
NZ$5,328.44
A Dictionary of the English Language; in which the Words Are Deduced from Their Originals, Explained in Their Different Meanings, and Authorized by the Names of the Writers in Whose Works They Are Found. Abstracted from the Folio Edition, by the Author... to which is Prefixed A Grammar of the English Language. The Twelfth Edition, Corrected and Revised; with Considerable Additions from the Eighth Edition of the Original
More Photos

Show Details

Description:
Montrose: D. Buchanan, 1802. Twelfth Edition. Full-Leather. Fair/No Jacket. Twelfth edition. Crudely rebacked, original boards preserved. Boards heavily rubbed with all edges exposed, large paint splotch on rear board, hinges loose with first gathering loose but included, ink name on front endpaper. A good candidate for restoration or rebinding, as the text is complete and the pages well… Read more about this item
Item Price
NZ$298.39
A dictionary of the English language : in which the words are deduced from their originals, explained in their different meanings, and Authorized by the Names of the Writers in whose Works they are found. Abstracted from the folio edition, by the author, Samuel Johnson, LL. D. To which is prefixed, A grammar of the English language
More Photos

Show Details

Description:
London : Printed for T. Longman, B. Law and Son, J. Dodsley, J. Robson, C. Dilly, G.G. and J. Robinson, T. Cadel, W. Richardson, R. Baldwin, W. Goldsmith, W. Lowndes, S. Hayes, Scatcherd and Whitaker, W. Bent, G. and T. Wilkie, F. Wingrave, and H. Murray, MDCCXCIV, 1794. Hardcover. Good. 10th ed. Contemporary full calf binding. Hinges… Read more about this item
Item Price
NZ$626.62
A Dictionary of the English Language
More Photos

A Dictionary of the English Language

by JOHNSON, Samuel

Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
Sixth
Published
1785
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Pine Plains, New York, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$4,092.24

Show Details

Description:
The last edition to be edited by Johnson himself, presented is Sixth Edition of Samuel Johnson's "most amazing, enduring and endearing one-man feat in the field of lexicography… The preface ranks among Johnson's finest writings… It is the dictionary itself which justifies Noah Webster's statement that 'Johnson's writings had, in philology, the effect which Newton's discoveries had in mathematics" (PMM… Read more about this item
Item Price
NZ$4,092.24
No image available

Dictionary of the English Language

by JOHNSON, Samuel

Condition
Used
Published
1818
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Bryn Mawr,, Pennsylvania, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$1,705.10

Show Details

Description:
1818. JOHNSON, Samuel. A Dictionary of the English Language: In Which the Words Are Deduced from Their Originals, Illustrated in Their Different Significations by Examples from the Best Writers. To Which Are Prefixed a History of the Language, and an English Grammar. Phila.: Moses Thomas, 1818. 4to. 2 Vols. 1st American ed. Portrait frontis. Rebound in period style full… Read more about this item
Item Price
NZ$1,705.10
A dictionary of the English language: in which the words are deduced from their originals ... abstracted from the folio edition ... to which is prefixed a grammar of the English language
More Photos

A dictionary of the English language: in which the words are deduced from their originals ... abstracted from the folio edition ... to which is prefixed a grammar of the English language

by Johnson, Samuel

Condition
Used
Published
1756
Quantity Available
1
Seller
St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$4,902.16

Show Details

Description:
London: J. Knapton [et al.], 1756. First octavo and first abridged edition, the title pages in this set exhibiting the two variants: in vol. I "by the author" is omitted; and in vol. II "by the author" is present (see Fleeman, p. 487, Notes); 2 vols., pp. [574]; [546]; text in double column; later full mottled calf, gilt-lettered direct… Read more about this item
Item Price
NZ$4,902.16
A Dictionary of the English Language: In Which the Words are Deduced from Their Originals, and Illustrated in Their Different Significations By Examples from the Best Writers. To Which is Prefixed, a History of the Language, and an English Grammar
More Photos

A Dictionary of the English Language: In Which the Words are Deduced from Their Originals, and Illustrated in Their Different Significations By Examples from the Best Writers. To Which is Prefixed, a History of the Language, and an English Grammar

by Johnson, Samuel

Condition
Used - Good
Edition
Fourth Edition
Published
1773
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Oxford, Oxfordshire, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$5,850.62

Show Details

Description:
London: W. Strahan et al, 1773. Two volumes complete - Volume One, [A]2, B-C2, [c], D-K2, a-c2, d1, B-6D2, 6E1, 6F-10T2, *10T2, 10U-12Z2, 13A-14Z1; [580]p and Volume Two, pi1, 15A-17Z2, 18A-18Z1, 19A-22G2, 22H-22Z1, 23A-27F2, 27G-28Z1, 29A-31D2, 31E1; [592]p. Modern half calf and boards, raised bands with spines in six panels, leather title label to second panel, volume numbers lettered direct… Read more about this item
Item Price
NZ$5,850.62
A Dictionary of the English Language
More Photos

A Dictionary of the English Language

by JOHNSON, Samuel.

Condition
Used
Published
1784
Quantity Available
1
Seller
London, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$8,190.88

Show Details

Description:
London: for W. Strahan, J. F. & C. Rivington, L. Davis, T. Payne & Son, W. Owen, T. Longman, B. Law [& 19 others],, 1784. The final lifetime edition First published in 1755, this is the last lifetime edition (Johnson died later that year) of one of the most famous books in the English language, the last of the… Read more about this item
Item Price
NZ$8,190.88