Historical Dictionaries
Historical dictionaries trace the development of words from their original usage to the present day, presenting the word's original meaning and its present day equivalent. Historical dictionaries may also include lists of words that no longer exist or are no longer in common use.
Glossary of Ancient History
Find a meaning or etymology of ancient historical and mythological terms in this free online glossary from About Ancient / Classical History
Find a meaning or etymology of ancient historical and mythological terms in this free online glossary from About Ancient / Classical History
An American Dictionary of the English Language
Not the earliest version of Noah Webster's An American Dictionary of the English Language, but this free online scan includes the full text of the 1844 Noah Webster dictionary.
Not the earliest version of Noah Webster's An American Dictionary of the English Language, but this free online scan includes the full text of the 1844 Noah Webster dictionary.
The Britannia Lexicon
Learn the lingo of the Middle Ages with this free online dictionary of strange, legal, feudal, chivalric, monastic, military and architectural terms of the medieval period.
Learn the lingo of the Middle Ages with this free online dictionary of strange, legal, feudal, chivalric, monastic, military and architectural terms of the medieval period.
Colonial American English - A Glossary
Published in 1985, this unique glossary by Richard Lederer Jr. contains words and phrases used during the Colonial period in America which have either dropped out of use or had their meanings change drastically over the years. A great resource for anyone reading early American documents.
Published in 1985, this unique glossary by Richard Lederer Jr. contains words and phrases used during the Colonial period in America which have either dropped out of use or had their meanings change drastically over the years. A great resource for anyone reading early American documents.
A Dictionary of the English Language
Samuel Johnson prepared one of the most influential dictionaries in the history of the English language. Originally published in 1755, this 1828 2nd edition combines the pivotal works of Johnson and John Walker. Digitally scanned and placed online by Google Books.
Samuel Johnson prepared one of the most influential dictionaries in the history of the English language. Originally published in 1755, this 1828 2nd edition combines the pivotal works of Johnson and John Walker. Digitally scanned and placed online by Google Books.
Dictionary of the Scots Language
Free online dictionary of the Scots language is taken from two major historical dictionaries of the Scots language: the 12-volume Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (DOST) and the 10-volume Scottish National Dictionary (SND).
Free online dictionary of the Scots language is taken from two major historical dictionaries of the Scots language: the 12-volume Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (DOST) and the 10-volume Scottish National Dictionary (SND).
A Table Alphabetical (1604)
One of the earliest examples of a modern English dictionary, A Table Alphabeticall of Hard Unusual English Words was created in 1604 by lexicographer Robert Cawdrey. Reprinted online by the University of Toronto.
One of the earliest examples of a modern English dictionary, A Table Alphabeticall of Hard Unusual English Words was created in 1604 by lexicographer Robert Cawdrey. Reprinted online by the University of Toronto.