Gazophylacium Anglicanum: 

CONTAINING THE

DERIVATION 

OF
English Words,

PROPER and COMMON;

Each in an Alphabet distinct:

Proving the Dutch and Saxon to be the prime
Fountains. And likewise giving the Similar 
Words in most European Languages, whereby
any of them may be indifferently well Learned,
and Understood.

Fitted to the Capacity of the English Reader, that may be
curious to know the Original of his Mother-tongue.

LONDON,

Printed by E. H. and W. H. and are to be
sold by Randall Taylor, near Stationers Hall,
and by most Booksellers in London and West­
minster, MDCLXXXIX.








THE 
PREFACE. 

'TIS not barely my Obligation to Cu­
stom, that has prevail'd with me to
present the courteous Reader with a 
Preface to the following Essay, but
rather the necessity and usefulness thereof in
a Work of this nature, that he might not be
surpriz'd, when, after having read the Title, he
should fall foul upon what is promised therein,
without any Instructions so to do.

In the first place therefore, I desire the Rea­
der to take notice of the
Method.
I. Of its Division into three Heads.
The first, Of Common Names.
The second, Of such Proper Names as are of a
German Original.
The third, Of Proper Names derived from
the Latin, Greek, or Hebrew, with their signi­
fication. All done by way of Alphabet; so that any Word
desired, may be quickly found.



II. Observe that all along, through the Book,
that Word is set next the English, from which
I have judged it most likely to be derived; and
the Synonymous Words of the other European
Languages follow: Which shews, I have left it to
the Opinion of the Reader, to draw it from which
he pleases. Moreover, by a curious reading here­
of, any of the European Languages may be indif­
ferently well learned.

III. Note, that very many of the Words being
of a British or Saxon Original, have their Ex­
plication set down.

The chief Reason why I busied my self here­
in, was, to save my Time from being worse em­
ployed: And, I did imagine (as, questionless,
these most indefatigable and ingenious Persons
did, viz.  Kilian, Vossius, Salmasius, Martinius,
Spelman, Bochart, Junius, Menagius and Skin­
ner, from whom I took my Pattern) I could
not spend it more commendably, or profitably,
than in searching into the Original of my Na­
tive Language; which is so strangely corrupted
through Time, that when I look'd an hundred,
or an hundred and fifty Years only behind me,
I could scarce imagine it ever to have been
the Language of my Ancestors, or even of the Coun­
try I was born in, 'tis so chang'd through Com­
merce,



Correspondence, Travellers, and such
like Accidents: Much more may you imagine
it to be alter'd in a thousand, or two thousand
Years, by Conquests, Invasions, Transmigra­
tions of Government, &c. which have been
very frequent over, and in this Isle, above
others: So that though this my native Country
might, at its first Settlement, have a Language
peculiar to it self; yet, as is said before, by
Conquest, Commerce, Travelling, Transmigra­
tions of the Government, &c. it is brought to
what we now find it, even a Composition of most,
if not all the Languages of Europe; especially
of the Belgick or Low-Dutch, Saxon, Teuto­
nick or High-Dutch, Cambro-British or Welsh,
French, Spanish, Italian, and Latin; and now
and then of the Old and Modern Danish, and
Ancient High-Dutch; also of the Greek, He­
brew, Arabick, Chaldee, Syriack and Turcick.

But I have forbore, as much as possible, the
setting down such as are purely of a Latin Ori­
ginal, lest the Book should exceed the quantity
of Sheets design'd, and so possibly the Price of
the Buyer; it having been the only Fault of those
that have hitherto writ upon this Subject, to
be both voluminous, high-pric'd, and in Latin;
so that many Well-wishers to their Mother-Tongue
could neither reach the Value nor Knowledge thereof:
All which I hope I have remedied, by



doing this in English, and in a small Volume,
fitted to a small Price.

I have (that the Reader might not be at
a loss in such Words as are purely from
the Latin) prefix'd a few easie Rules, whereby ma­
ny thousand English Words coming therefrom may
most easily be known, and made Latin again, usual­
ly, by the Addition, Cutting off, or Changing of
a Letter

The Confusion of Languages at Babel (for
before it, all the then World spoke one and
the same Dialect, supposed to be Hebrew) gave
Rise to all the several Languages in the Uni­
verse; of which, the primitive Language of
this Nation was one; and, had it not been
corrupted, perhaps as good and intelligible as the
best; but being so alter'd by the aforesaid
Accidents, it has quite lost its primitive Glo­
ry, as well as that of the French, and other
Nations.

It may be justly wonder'd at, why we have
no more Words than we have from the Old
British, now the Welsh (which, no doubt, was
the Primitive Language of this Nation:) But
if we again consider how imperiously the Saxons
enter'd and subdued this Land, our Wonder
will in a great measure abate; for they did not,



 as Conquerors usually do, mix the Britains with
themselves, after they had yielded to, or were
not any ways able to resist the Conqueror; but
put all to the Sword that they met withal; on­
ly some few, to shelter themselves from their
Rage, betook themselves to the Mountains of
Wales and Cornwall; which being inaccessable
to the Conquerors, for want of use, were suf­
ficient Security to the distressed Britains, against
them; which Quarter they do still live in, and
retain their own Language, for the most part,
within themselves, as if they were another Na­
tion; only by Commerce and Intercourse, there
has happen'd some Commutation of Language like­
wise. So that our Language, in the main, is
composed of the Old English-Saxon, Dutch and
Normandy-French; but of the first principally,
for that the last did only in part subdue, not
destroy this Nation, which the former did endea­
vour, and almost effect.

I might have added the Italian, because of
its Affinity to the French; as also because of
the great and frequent Communication there
was, in former Times, between England and
Italy, when this Nation was subject to the
Pope of Rome: For then all Ecclesiastical
Controversies, Confirmations of Priests, Abbots
and Bishops, in their several Benefices, were
to be solemnized and ratified by Rome's spiritual



Trader, the Pope: And, on the other
hand, the Pope sent hither many of his Crea­
tures, Italians, for the better collecting of his
Peter's Pence; as also for their Preferment to
Bishopricks, Vicarages, &c.

Though the Danes did, in some part sub­
due England, yet we are little beholding to
them for the Corruption we now labour under,
except it be in the North and West of England;
which they subdued almost two hundred Years
before the rest of the Nation came in to their
Obedience; and when they had it, they did not
possess it above forty Years before the Normans
disturb'd them in their Enjoyments.

In a Word, All Words almost (except such as
come from the French and Latin, with their Ad­­
herents) owe their Original to the English-Saxon
and Low-Dutch, Dialects of the ancient Ger­
man; for Spain did very little contribute there­
to, except that some few Words have crept in by
Commerce, which are only useful to such as
trade thither.

Now, lest any one, more ignorant, should
not be perswaded of the vast Alterations,
and sometimes total Changes that have been
made in our Language, since this Isle was
first discover'd, let him read some of our



Chronicles of England, and he will be con­
vinc'd of the necessity thereof; for the Saxons
did endeavour the total Destruction of the
Inhabitants, and did effect it, saving some
few that fled to the Mountains of Wales and
Cornwall, as is said before: And then is it
not reasonable to conjecture, that the Language,
the Ancient British (save what was preserv'd as
before, who, by a Law of the Conqueror, were
prohibited Intercourse with the Saxons) must
die with the People; and a new one, namely the
Saxon, be introduced in its stead?

I have many things to alledge in defence of
the Weakness and Inequality of this Perfor­
mance; as namely, its being collected at di­
vers times, and in haste, because of my other
more necessary Business; as also, its being prin­
ted from a foul Copy, and the like; which first
may have alter'd the Style, and the two last
let many things pass Muster, which, upon more
mature deliberation, would not: But I hope
the discreet Reader will pass by such Failures,
without carping at them (as considering that
no Man is infallible;) and as for the Igno­
rant and Envious, I value not their Censures;
but, with Martial, In invidum, count them un­
fit for Humane Society.



Qui ducis vultus, & non legis ista libenter,
Omnibus invideas, invide; nemo tibi.

I have nothing more to beg, but the kind
Reader's Charity for the Faults of the Press,
which, I hope, may consist chiefly in Literals,
and so may be the more easily mended with a
Pen; and that he would not be offended at the
unpleasantness of the Style, but rather consider
what the Subject will bear.



Rules whereby to know when a Word
is derived from the Latin, and
how it may be made Latin again;
composed to prevent the Book's
growing to too great a Bulk.

1. MOst Words in English, ending in nee, or
cy, are derived from the Latin,
ending in tia; as, Temperantia, Clementia; Tem­
perance, Clemency, &c.

2. Words ending in ion in English, are made Latin by­
casting away n; as, Question, Quaestio;
Religion, Religio, &c.

3. Words ending in ty, are made Latin, by
changing ty into tas; as, Liberty, Libertas;
Charity, Charitas, &c.

4. Words ending in ude, are derived from the
Latin, by changing o into e; as, Fortitude, For­
titudo; Gratitude, Gratitudo, &c.

5. Words ending in d, denoting the order
or manner of a thing, the said Words being Ad­
jectives, are made Latin, by adding us; as Ri­
gid, Putrid; Rigidus, Putridus, &c.



6. Words having t, n, or r, in the end, be­
tween two Vowels, are made Latin, by changing
the last Vowel into us, being Adjectives; as,
Mute, Obscene, Obscure; Mutus, Obscœnus, Ob­
scurus.

 7. Most Words ending in nt, are made Latin,
by changing nt into ns; as, Latent, Latens;
Vigilant, Vigilans, &c.

8. Many English Words ending in al, by ad­
ding is, are made Latin Adjectives; as, Liberal,
Liberalis; Substantial, Substantialis, &c.





 
 Letters or Syllables, used in this Book,
for a Language, understood thus;


A. or Arab. Signifies Arabick.

AS. or Anglo-Sax. Signifies Anglo-Saxonick, or English-Saxon 

B. or Belg. Signifies Belgick, or Low-Dutch. 

C. Br. or Cambro-Brit. Signifies Cambro-Britain, or Welsh. 

C. or Chald. Signifies Chaldaick. 

Dan. Rec. Signifies Modern Danish. 

Fr. G. Signifies Modern French. 

Fr. Th. Signifies Ancient High-Dutch. 

Germ. Signifies German, or High-Dutch. 

Gr. Signifies Greek. 

Heb. Signifies Hebrew. 

Hib. Signifies Hibernick, or Irish. 

Hisp. Signifies Spanish. 

I. or Ital. Signifies Italian. 

L. or Lat. Signifies Latin. 

Scoto-Hib. Signifies High-land Scotch. 

Syr. Signifies Syriack. 

T. or Teut. Signifies Teutonick, or High-Dutch. 

Turc. Signifies Turcick, or Turkish. 






The SAXON Alphabet.

A a in A a 

B b in B b 

C c in C c 

D d in D d 

E e in E e 

F f in F f 

G g in G g 

H h in H h 

I i in I i 

K k in K k 

L l in L l 

M m in M m 

N n in N n 

O o in O o 

P p in P p 

Q q in Q q 

R r in R r 

S s in S s 

T t in T t 

V u in V u 

W w in W w 

X x in X x 

Y y in Y y 

Z z in Z z 

Ð Th. 

ð, þ th 

& and. 

St st. 

Æ æ 

Ð Th. ð, þ th. & and St, st. &AElig, &aelig.






THE 
ETYMOLOGY 
OF THE 
English Tongue.

A
A, is a Vowel that is often
superfluous in the be­
ginning of words; as in
Arise, abide, abate, &c.

Abaisance; which we falsly write
Obeisance, as if it came from the French Obeisance, when
really it comes from Abbaisser,
which signifies, to depress, or make an humble inclination
of the body; as we do, when
we do Abaisance.

Abandon, from the
French Abandonner,
or the Ital. Abandonare;
if it may not better,
and likelier be drawn from the
Anglo-saxonick Abannan,
that is, publickly to dis-inhe­
rit: Or, which is most likely,
from our own word Bann,
or the Belgick Bannen, that
is, to lie under a Curse, the A
Otiosa, or superfluous, being
added.

Abase, from the Fr. Abbaisser,
the Ital. Abbassare, or the
Span. Abaxar; to lessen, to
keep under.

Abash, from the Fr. Esbahir, to
affrighten; which comes from
the Lat. Expaveo: If it
be not likelier from the Spanish
Abaxar, to keep under; be­
cause Inferiours are usually
abash'd, when suddainly ac­
costed by Superiors.

Abate, from the Fr. Abbattre, abatre,
the Ital. Abattere, or
the Spanish Abatir; which in
one sence, signifie, to beat down; in another, to sub­
stract, as in Arithmetick. The reverend Dr. Honywood de­
rives it from the Privative A,



and the Belgick Baete; which
signifies Profit, or Interest;
because by diminishing a thing,
it becomes less profitable. Let
the Curious judge, which is best to follow. 

Abbot, Anglo-saxonick Abbud,
abbod, and abbad, Belg. Abd,
abt, Teutonick Abt, Fr. Abbe,
Ital. Abbate, Spanish Abad,
Lat. Abbas. It may seem to
be deduced from the Heb. Ab,
or Syr. Abba, Father; which
an Abbot properly is: But, to be sure, we have it, by a small
corruption, from the English-­
Saxon Abbod, which signifies
the same.

Abbridge, from the Fr. Abbreger,
and that from the Lat.
Abbreviare, to curtail, or
make shorter.

Abet, which, I think,
may not incommodiously
come from the Lat. Præp. Ad to, and bet;
which, in composition, signi­
fies, to stand by one, or
bet on ones side; and therefore
should seem to be right spell'd
Abbet; If it may not be de­
duced from a priv. and the
Belg. Barten, to profit.

Abide, from the AS. Abidan,
Bidan, Belg. Beyden, Ital.
Badare, to subsist, stay, or
tarry; which may all of them,
perhaps, come from the AS.
Byan, to inhabit, or dwell.
The word metaphorically sig­
nifies, to endure or suffer any
hardship.

Above, from the AS. Bufan,
Belg. Boven, and the super­
fluous, particle a, and both
again from the AS. Ufan.

About, from the AS. Abutan,
which is compounded of ab,
from, and utan, without,
abroad, the last, or extremi­
ty; from whence comes the Belg. Buyten, which signifies
the same.

Abroad, from the superfluous Par­
ticle a, and broad: which see.

Abstain, from the
Teut. Abstehen, Belg. Af-stain; which
signifie; to stand off from: If
it may not more commodi­
ously be drawn from the Lat.
Abstineo; which I incline to.

Abuct, from the Fr. Aboutir;
which signifies, to oppose, or
confront.

Accompany, v. Company,

Accomplish, from the Fr. Accom­
plir, Ital. Accompire; if it
may not be better done from the Decomposit Lat. Adcom­
plere, thoroughly to finish.

Accompt, or Account, from the
Fr. Accompter, or the Lat.
Adcomputare. 

Accord, from the Fr. Accorder,
the Ital. and Spanish Noun
Accordo, the Lat. Accordare;
which all signifie, to agree, or
consent: But I think it is bet­
ter deduced from the Lat.
Praep. ad, and Chorda, the
string of a musical Instru­
ment, because they ought to
agree or accord in harmony:



And this is easily done, by ta­
king away h in chorda, and
changing ad into ac, as is fre­
quent in Composition. Hence
come our According, and Ac­
cordingly. 

Accost, from the Fr. Accoster,
Ital. Accostare, to draw near
one: It may not inelegantly be fetch'd from the Lat. præp.
Ad, and Costa a rib; which,
by a Synecdoche partis pro to­
to, may signifie the whole
side; as Wrestlers do accost
one another, by joining side
to side.

Account, from the obsolete Fr.
Acconter, the Ital. Accontare,
to tell, declare, or shew. See
Accompt, and Recount.

Accouter, from the Fr. Accou­
trer, to cloath, or apparel; q.
d. Lat. Adconsutare, to tack
on together.

Accrew, from the Fr. Noun Ac­
crue, an increase, or addition; 
if you cannot, by the help of
a figure or two, deduce it
from the Lat. Accrescere, to
abound, or increase.

Accurse, v. Curse.

Accustom, v. Custom.

Ace, from the Fr.
Az; if you cannot draw it from the barbarous Greek Ἀζὰς,
which signifies a
Dy.

Ach, Ake. 
from the AS. Ace,
Ece, grief, or pain; which
may be easily derived from
ἂχος, that signifies the same
thing. I think it may most
truly be drawn from the
Ache bone, that part being ve­
ry much subject to a distem­
per called Ischias, or Hip-­
Gout; which we corruptly
enough call Sciatica.

Acknowledge, from the præp.
Ad, the AS. Cnaw, a con­
tract of Cnawan, to know,
or Knowledge it self, and Le­
gan, to put; that is, to put into my knowledge or under­
standing.

Acorn, from the AS. Aac, an
Oak, and Cern, grane, or fruit; from whence flow the
Belg. Aker, Aecker, Eeckel;
and the Teut. Eychel, Ecker,
which all signifie
an Acorn.

Acquaint, from the Fr. Accoin­
ter, to acquire one's friend­
ship.

Acquest, profit, or gain; from
the Fr. Acquest, the Ital. Ac­
quisto, and all of them from the Lat. Acquisitum, ab Ac­
quiro. 

Acquit, to absolve, or free; from
the Fr. Acquitter, q.d.  Lat.
Adquietare, to make quiet:
So our Aquittance, from Ital.
Acquittanza, q.d.  Adquie­
tantia, or a quieting.

Adamant, from the Greek  Ἀδά­
μας, which comes from the
Privative α and δαμάω, to
tame, by reason of its insupe­
rable hardness.

Adder, from the AS. Aetter,
Belg. Adder, Teut. Matter, C.
Br. Meidr, Dan Eder; which
all signifie the same thing.



An Addle Egg AS. Adel, a
disease, Adlian, to be sick,
q.d.  a sick, or rotten Egg.

Address, Fr. Addresser, Ital. Ad­
drizzare, q.d.  Lat.
Addire­
ctare; because all our prayers and arguments are directed to
some particular thing or per­
son.

Adieu, Fr. Adieu, Ital. Adio,
Hisp. Adios, farewel: q.d.  
Ad Deum te commendo, I
commend you to God.

Adjourn, from the Præp. Ad, and
the Fr. Jour, the Ital. Giorno,
a day; which, not unlikely, comes from the Lat. Diur­
num, daily.

Adjoining, from the Fr. Adjoin­
dre, Lat. Adjungere, to join
to.

Adjudge, v. Iudge.

Adjust or Make even Accounts; 
from the Fr. Adjuster, to ac­
commodate, or fit to; q.d.  
Lat. Adjustare, to make even
Accounts.

Admiral, from the Arabick E­
mir, a Lord, or Commander,
and the Greek ἃλιος, belong­
ing to the Sea; q.d.  Prince
of the Sea: It may, not un­
likely, be drawn from the Teut. Ampt, meir, al; Office,
Sea, whole; q.d.  one that hath
the sole Command of the Sea. Minsevus takes it from Aen,
meer al; above, Sea, the whole;
q.d.  over the whole Sea.

Ado. with much ado; from the
Verb do. or act, and the ini­
tial Particle A. 

Advance, Fr. Avancer, Ital. A­
vanzare, to move profit, or
go forward; from ab and an­
te; i.e.  from what one was
before; q.d.  from an inferior
degree to an higher.

Advantage, from the Fr. Avan­
tage, profit, or help.

To adventure, q.d.  Lat. Adven­
turare; as Adventura, or E­
ventura, understand Fortuna, or
Hora. 

Advertise, from the Lat. Adver­
tere, to admonish, teach tho­
roughly, or make sure of.

Advice, or Advise, from the Fr.
Advis, or the Ital. Aviso,
Counsel, or Opinion.

Affair, from the Fr. Affaire, Ital.
Affare, a business, or employ;
q.d.  Lat. Adfacere, tied to do
a thing that lies upon me to
be done.

Affiance, from the Fr. Affiance,
faith, or trust.

Afford, from the Teut. Furdern,
Fordern: It may be also
brought from the Particle
A, or rather, the Præp. Ad,
and the AS. Bord, a table;
q.d.  to allow victuals for the
table.

Affraid, or Afraid, from the Fr.
Effrayer, Effroyer, to scare,
or terrifie. I could willingly
deduce it from the Lat. Præp.
Ad, and our English word
Fear, or Fear'd. 

Affranchise, v. Enfranchise.

Affright, from our initial Par­
ticle A, and Fright; which
see.



Affront, Fr. Affront, Ital. Af­
fronto, Hisp. Afrenta, all sig­
nifying the same thing; as if one
should say in Lat. Adfrontare,
i.e.  set front against front, or
oppose one to the face.

Afore, v. Before.

Afresh, from the initial A, and
Fresh; which see.

Aft, and Abaft, Sea-terms, from
the AS. Aeftan, behind, or
after; that is, the hinder part
of the Ship. Somnerus useth
the word Baeftan in the
same sence; a contract, as I
suppose, of Abaeftan, to
which, by taking of the two
last Letters, we owe the Ori­
ginal of our
Abaft.

After, from the AS. Eft,
Aefter, Aeftan, after;
Belg. Achter, after; Run and
Dan. Efter, the ancient Teut.
After. Dr. Mer. Cas. ingeni­
ously fetches it from the Greek
Ἀυτὰρ, Caeterùm. 

Again, from the AS. Agen,
again; and both ours and the AS. from the AS. Eac, or
Aec, again, and Ana, toge­
ther, q.d.  one after another immediately.

Against, from the AS. Agen,
Ogen, opposite to.

Agast, from the superfluous Par­
ticle A, and the AS. Gast,
a Spirit, Spectre, or Shadow;
q.d.  frighted with the sight of
some, Spectre, or Ghost. It may not unlikely be drawn
from the Gr. Ἀγάω, Ἀγάζ­
μαι, to wonder with horrour.

Agate-stone, from the Gr. Ἀχά­
τυς.

Agnail: Somnerus does ingeni­
ously derive it from the AS. Ange, vexed, and Naegle,
a Nail; q.d.  a pained Nail. It may very well be drawn from
Ad to, and our English Nail,
because it grows by the nails
of one's feet; q.d.  a nail to a
nail.

Ago, as we say, long ago, is ma­
nifestly derived from A, and
go; which see. There is an
AS. word, which signifies, By-past, viz.  Agan,, from
which it possibly may come.

Agony, from the Gr. Ἀγωνία,
whose root signifies, a stri­
ving, or conflict, as people in
an Agony have.

Agree, from the Fr. Aggreer;
but I think, more likely from the Lat. Ad and Gratum; q.
d. grateful, or acceptable to.

Aggrieve, v. Grieve.

Ague, from the Fr. Aigu, sharp;
because an Ague, at least, in
the Paroxism, is sharp.

Ah, from the Lat. Oh; or, as all
other Interjections, from the
sound that by natural instinct,
one in misery puts forth.

Aid, from the Fr.
Aider, Ital. Aiutare, and both of
them from the Lat. Adjutare, to help.

Aim, from the Fr. Esme,
a scope, or mark; though not unlike­
ly, from the Lat. Aestimare,


 
i.e.  diligently to take heed,
as those that shoot at a Mark do 

Air, from the Fr. Air, which
again comes from the Lat. Aer,
and the Gr. Ἀὴρ, the Air.

Ake, v. Ach.

Aker, from the AS.Acere,
Aecer, Aeccer, Belg. and
Teut. Acker, Fr. Norm. Acre,
a field, ground; also a mea­
sure of ground; commonly deduced from the Lat. Ager,
and that from the Gr. Ἀγρὸς.
Right spell'd, cre.

Alarm, from the Fr. G. Alarme,
or the Ital. Alarma, signify­
ing the same thing.

Alas, from the Lat Lassus wea­
ry, or the Ital. Lastare to relinquish, and the idle Particle
A; q.d.  Oh me lassum vel
derelictum! O me, weary or forsaken!

Alate, from the idle Particle A,
and Late; q.d.  Of late:
Which see.

Albeit, q.d.  be it all so.

Alburn-colour, from the Lat Al­
bus white, and the Ital. Bur­
no, by a Metathesis for Bruno,
brown; q.d.  a white Brown.
V. Brown.

Alchymy, from the Lat. Alch­
ymia, and that from the Arab.
Al, and the Gr.χέω, or χύω,
to pour.

Alcoran, from the Arab. Al, and
Koiran, he read, or collected;
q.d.  a Lecture, or Collection of Precepts.

Alderman, from the AS. Eal­
derman, and that from Ael­
dor, aldor, or Aldor,
older, and Man man.

Ale, from the AS.Eale Run.
Dan. and Dan. rec. Oll. It
may possibly be drawn from
the Gr. Ἀλέα, heat.

Alegar, a word in use in Lincoln­
shire, q.d.  Ale-eager, i.e.  
Sour Ale.

Alembick, from the Arab. Alam­
bic, by an easie transmuta­
tion.

Alight, v. Light.

Alike, v. Like.

Alive, v. Live.

All, from the AS.Ael, Eal,
Ealle, Alle, Run. Dan. Dan.
rec. & C Br.Oll, All, Belg.
Al, Teut. and Belg Alle,
the whole, all; all of them from
the Gr. Ὃλοσ.

Allay, to mitigate, or lenifie, ei­
ther from the Fr. G. Allier, to
bind, i.e.  to fasten, or re­
strain; or from Alleger, to
alleviate.

Allegiance, or the faith that we
owe to the King; no doubt,
from the Lat. Alligare to bind;
q.d.  a tying, or binding; i.e.  
the Bond of Faith due from
Subjects to Princes.

Alley, from the Fr. G. Allée a
narrow Street.

An Ally, from the Fr. G. Allie,
a Relation; q.d.  Lat. Adli­
gatus, bound to.

Alliance, from the Fr. G. Alli­
ance; which signifies, a con­
federacy, or compact. 


 
To Allot,from Ad and Lot;
which see.

Allow, from the Fr. G. Alloüer,
to approve.

Alloy, or Allay, from the Fr. G.
Aloy, a mixture of the coursest
of any thing with the best.

Allure, or intice, from the Lat.
Ad, and the Eng. Lure; which
see.

Almanack, from the Arab. Al,
and Manach, to number ori­
ginally; though possibly, we
may have it from the Fr. Al­
manach: Some derive it from the Belg. Al-maen-achte, i.e.  
the Observation of all the
Months.

Alms, from the AS.Ælmes,
Ælmesse, and that from
the Gr. Ἐλεμτίνης, pity, or
compassion; of which, Alms
are the effect.

Almighty, v. Mighty.

Almond, from the Fr. G. A­
mande, Ital. Amandola, Hisp.
Almendra; all of which come
from the Lat. and Gr. Amygda­
lium, Ἀμύγδαλον, which sig­
nifie the same.

Almoner, from the Fr. G. Au­
mosne, an Alms.

Almost, from the Belg Al-meest,
for the most part, chiefly,
especially: It may be drawn from
our own words, All and
Most; q.d.  most part of all.

Aloft, from the Belg.Al-heft, all
elevate, or sublime: But I think it may, without offence,
be taken from the Northern
word Loft, now in use, signi­
fying, a Room above Stairs, the
initial Particle A being added;
which they not unlikely retain from the
Danish words, Loff­
ter, Loffter-op, and Oploffter,
to elevate, or lift up.

Alone, from the Belg.Al-een,
Teut. Alloin, q.d.  only one.
See All, and One.

Along, from our initial A, and
Long; which see.

Alooff, q.d.  All-off. See All, and
Off. 

Aloud, v. Loud.

Already, from the Belg, Alreed,
Alghereed, quite ready. See
All, and Ready. 

Also, from the AS. Ælswa,
Belg. All-soo, altogether so.
See All, and So. 

Although; see All, and Though. 

Altogether, from the Belg. Alte­
gader, q.d.  all in one colle­
ctively. V. All, Together, and
Gather. 

Always from the AS. Ealle­
wæga, Teut. Allweg, q.d.  by
all ways.

Am, from the AS. Eom, which
may be derived from the Gr.
Ἐιμι, I am.

Amadetto Pear. Evelyn derives
it from one Amadæus, or A­
madettus, that first grafted it,
or, at least, was an extraordinary lover of that fruit.

"Amadetto" antedates first OED entry (1706).



Amain, from the idle Particle A
and the AS. Mægan power;
q.d.  with all his force.

Amass, from the Fr. G. Amasser
to heap together; q.d.  Lat.
Admassare,  idem. 



Amaze, q.d.  to put one in a
Maze or Labyrinth, from the
idle Particle A, and Maze;
which see.

Amber, from the Fr. G. Ambre,
the Ital. and barbarous Lat. Ambra; or if you please, from
the Arab. Ambar, which sig­
nifies the same.

Amber-griese, from the Fr. G.
Ambre gris, or the Ital. Am­
bra grigia. 

Amble, from the Fr. G. Ambler,
and this from the Lat. Ambu­
lare, which by contraction is
Amblare. 

Ambry, or as North-Country-­
men now speak it, Amnry, an old-fashion'd kind of Cup­
boards; possibly, from the
Fr. G. Aumoire, the same.

Ambury, a disease in Horses legs;
perhaps from the AS. Embe,
or Gr. Ἀμφὶ, about, and
Beorg, or Berg, metapho­
rically, a bump or swelling in
the body; but properly, a little rising in the ground, ar­
tificial or natural.

Ambush, from the Fr G. Em­
buschir, to lay in wait privily
to catch or intrap one.

Amell, or Ammel, from the Fr.
G. Email, idem.

Amends, from the Fr. G. A­
mende, which comes from the
Lat. Emendare, to mend, or
make amends.

Amerce, possibly from the an­
cient Fr. Norm. Amercier, or
from the Fr. G. & Ang. Merci,
Mercie. 

Amiable, from the Fr. G. Amia­
ble, of the same signification.

Amiss, from the Lat. Amissus,
lost; or more nearly, from
the English Verb, To Miss,
the idle initial Particle A being
added. V. Miss.

Amity, from the Fr. G. Amitie,
and both from the Lat. Ami­
citia. 

Ammunition, Ital. Monitione,
from the Fr. G. Munition,
and the præfix Am. 

Among, from the AS. Ge­
mang, between; this from
Gemengan, Belg. and Teut.
 Mengen, to mingle; q.d.  
mingledly. v. Mingle.

Amorous, from the Fr. G. Amo­
reux, given to love; q.d.  Lat.
Amorosus. 

Amort, All-amort, as we say of a
Man as it were in an ecstasie;
from the Fr. G. Amorti, part.
of the Verb Amortir, to mor­
tifie.

Amount, from the Fr. G. Mon­
ter, Ital. Montare, to amount,
(viz. ) to a price, the idle Ini­
tial Particle A being added.
v. Mount.

Amours, purely from the Fr. G.
Amour, which is manifestly
derived from the Lat. Amor. 

Amper, or Ampor a word much
used in Essex, denoting Swel­
ling or Inflammation; from
the Teut. Empor, upwards;
Empor heven, to lift up; q.
d. the lifting up of the skin.

Amm's-ace, v. Ace.

Amulet, from the Gr. Ἄμμα, a



double diminutive Termina­
tion being added. 

Amuse, from the Fr. G. Amuser,
to think upon. V. Muse.

Ancestors, from the Fr. G. Ance­
stres; both from the Lat. An­
tecessores. 

Anchorite, from the Gr. Ἀναχω­
ρητὴς, (viz. ) one that goeth a­
part from the Publick, an Hermit.

Anchoves, from the Fr. G. An­
chois, Ital. Anchiove, Ancio­
ve, a Loach, or small fish;
perhaps from the Ital. Ancino,
an hook.

Ancient, from the Fr. G. Ancien,
Hisp. Anciano, old, ancient.

Ancker'd, q.d.  Crux Anchore­
tarum; from whence the
word comes.

Ancle, from the AS. Ancleow,
Dan. Anckle; and it may not
unfitly be drawn from the Gr.
Ἀγκύλος, crooked.

And, from the AS. and, with­
out all doubt.

And-irons q.d.  Hand-irons, or
according to Dr. Th. H. End­
irons, because they are put at
the end of the fire. It may not unlikely be drawn from
the A S. Brandiren,
Br being taken away, partly for
shortness, partly for sound-­
sake.

Anent, a word still used in the
North of England for Against,
from the AS. Nean, near,
and the idle initial Particle
A. 

Angel of Gold, from the simili­
tude of an Angel formerly
stamp'd upon our Guinneas, al­
luding to that saying of Gre­
gorius, who seeing two young
English Noble-men at the
Court of Rome, asked who they
were, and of what Country:
to whom 'twas answer'd, they
were Angli or English-men:
Imo potius Angeli Yea rather
(says he) Angels. For this,
consult Bede, Verstegan, and
others. An Angel, or Saint
of the Lord, comes from the
Lat. Angelus, or the Gr. Ἄγ­
γελος, an Angel.

Angelot Cheese ; so called, as we
may suppose, from some Man,
whose name was Angeloto, or
Angelo; he making it, and
stamping his name on it.

Anger, perhaps from the AS.
Ange, vexed; Teut. Angst,
vexation; Dan. Angrer, it
grieveth me: They may all be deduced from the barba­
rous Lat. Angariare, to anger
or vex.

Angle, from the AS. Angel,
an hook. Mer. Cas. derives it
from Ἀγκύλη, crookedness;
because when the fish is hook­
ed, the rod bends like to a Se­
micircle.

Anguish, from the Fr. G. An­
goisse, both from the Lat. An­
gustia, anxiety: The Teut.
is Angst, the Belg. Angost,
which signifie the same
thing.


 
Annoy, from the Ital. Annoiare,
to molest; q.d.  Lat. Adno­
xare, to bring damage to.

Annulets, from the Diminutive
Annuli, little Rings, the di­
minutive Termination et be­
ing added.

Anoint, from the Fr. G. Oindre,
whence Enoindre; so that,
possibly, it should be Enoint,
to chafe in.

Anon, or presently; q.d.  On
on, i.e.  by succession present­
ly after the word spoke: Most likely from the Particle A, and
the AS. Nean, near; q.d.  I
come presently.

Answer, from the AS. And­
sware, and that from An for
On and Swar or Swær, se­
rious; q.d.  to affirm a thing
seriously, or in earnest.

Ant, or Emet corrupted
from the AS. Aemet, Em­
et, a Pismire. For a fur­
ther derivation of it, consult
Skinner in his learned Etymo­
logicon. 

Antelope, from the Gr. Ἀντὶ a­
gainst, and Λόφοσ, a neck;
q.d.  a Creature whose horns wreath back towards the neck,
and therefore is in Greek cal­
led Στρεφικέρος.

Anthem, from Ἀντφώνη, says
Menagius, because of its be­
ing sung or said alternately:
From Ἄνθημα, says Minse­
vus. I rather incline to think
it came from Ἄνθυμνοσ i. 
e. hymn against hymn, alter­
nately, of Priest and People;
from ἈντἘ against, and Ὓμ­
νος an hymn.

St. Anthony's fire, superstitiously
so called, because it was belie­
ved that St. Anthony of Pa­
tavia had a miraculous Art in
curing of it.

Anticks, certainly a corruption
of the Lat. Antiquus: Cut
with Anticks, Sculptum figu­
ris antiquis: To dance An­
ticks, Choreas ducere Anti­
quo more.

Anticor, a disease in Horses; for
which see Markham; derived
from the Gr. Ἀντὶ against,
and Cor, an heart; q.d.  a dis­
ease that only infests the heart,
called in Lat. Morbus Anti­
cardiacus. 

Antimony, a famous Mineral
amongst Chymists: In bar­
barous Lat. it is Antimonium,
but by the true Lat. called
Stibium; by the Gr. Στίμμι:
It certainly comes from the
Arab. Atimad, signifying the
same.

Antlers, q.d.  Brow-antlers, per­
haps from the Fr. G. Andouil­
lers; that is, the first knags
or branches in the horns of a
young Stag.

Anvil, from the AS. Aenfilt,
Anfilt, the same; which
may derive from An for On,
above, and the Verb Feallan
to fall, because the Hammer
very oft, as it were, falls upon
the Anvil.


 
Any, from the AS. Anig, E­
nig, and those from a Root of the same Language, An,
one.

Apace, from the initial A, and
Pace; which see.

Apart, from the Fr. G. A-part,
or the Ital. A-parte, the same.

Ape, from the AS. Apa, Dan.
Abe, Belg. Aep, Teut. Aff,
the Welsh Eppa; and all these
possibly from the Gr. Ἀφὴ, a
touch; because an Ape is
thought to be the quickest to
perceive the touch, of any
creature.

Apostume, v. Impostume.

Apothecary, from the Fr. G. A­
pothecaire; but most certain­
ly, from the Gr. Ἀποθήκη, a
Repository, because they put
up all their Medicines in Boxes,
Pots, Vials, &c. from the Verb
Ἀποτίθημι, to hide.

Appair, v. Impair.

Appal, i.e.  to affright; from the
Fr. G. Appalir, to grow pale,
as people in a fright. Chaucer
useth it for Decay.

Apparel, from the Fr. G. Appa­
reil, and this from the Lat. Ad
to, and Parilis fit; q.d.  made
fit to the body.

Appartment, from the Ital. Ap­
partamento, a particular place ­
in an house divided from the
rest.

Appay, from the Ital. Appagare,
to satisfie. I had rather deduce
it from the Lat. Ad to, and
Pacare, to appease.

Appeach, v. Impeach.

Appease; from the Fr. G. Appai­
ser; q.d.   Lat. Appacare, or
Adpacare. 

Appennage, from the Lat. Adpa­
nagium, and that of Ad, and 
Panis. Spelman derives it 
from the Fr. G. Appendage, 
an Appendix.

Appertain, from the Fr. G. Ap­
partenir, idem; q.d.  Lat.
Adpertinere, to belong unto.
Hence the word Appurtenan­
ces; which see.

Apple, from the AS. Apl,
Aepple, Aepl, Epl, Belg.
Appel, Teut. Ipffel, Dan Eb­
le. I would draw it from
Ἀπαλὸς, soft or tender.

Apply, from the obsolete Fr. G.
Applier, the same; or rather,
from the Lat. Prp. Ad to,
and Ply, from Plicare to bend
or incline which way one
would have it.

Appoint, from the Fr. G. Ap­
pointer,  idem. 

Appose, I suppose, for Oppose,
from the Lat. Opponere, i­
dem. 

Apprentice, from the Fr. G. Ap­
prenti, that from the Verb
Apprendre, and which is ma­
nifestly from the Lat. Appre­
hendere, to apprehend; i.e.  
be of judgment to learn ones
Trade.

Approach, from the Fr. G. Ap­
procher, this from the Lat.
Adproximare, or Adpropia­
re, to come near to, or make
to pertain to.

Appurtenance, from the Fr. G.


 
Appartenance; q.d.  Lat. Ad­
pertinentia, things belongi­
ng to any person or thing. 

Apricocks, from the Fr. G. A­
bricots, and ought rather to
be spell'd Apricots in English;
q.d.  Lat. Mala praecocia. 

Apron, from the AS. Aforan,
q.d.  English Afore one; from
whence, I suppose, proceeds
the Corruption.

Arbour, possibly from the Lat.
Arboretum; though the learn'd
and ingenious T.H. thinks it to
be so called, quasi Air-bower:
But because Chaucer useth the
word Herber in the same sence,
the industrious Dr. Skinner
thinks it rather comes from the
AS. Hereberga, Belg.
Herberghe, Teut. Herberg, a
Mansion; q.d.  a Lodge made
of Trees.

Arch, from the Gr. Ἄρχων, a
Prince or Governor; first u­
sed by the Romans; as a Præ­
fix, in the declining state of
the Empire; thus, Arch-duke,
Arch-knave, &c.

Arch or Vault, manifestly from
the Lat. Arcus, a Bow; from
the similitude.

Archer, from the Fr. G. Archer,
Ital. Archiero, a shooter of
Arrows.

Architrave, a term in Archite­
cture, from the Fr. G. and I­
tal. Architrave. 

Argent, a term in Heraldry for
White, from the Lat. Argen­
tum Silver, and that from the
Gr. Ἄργυρος; all of them
from Ἄργος; white.

Aright, from the initial Particle
A, and Right; which see.

Arise, from the same initial A,
and Rise; which see.

Arm, from the AS. Eorm,
Earm, Dan. Arm, and Arm-­
hul, whence our Arm-hole; Belg. Arm; Arm ter zee, an
Arm or Creek of the Sea; all
of them from the Lat. Armus,
and that from the Gr. Ἀρμὸς,
from Ἀρω, to fit, as the arm
is fitted to the body.

Armada, from the Lat. Arma­
ta, sup. Classis; i.e.  a Navy
arm'd or mann'd: A word
purely Spanish.

Arms, a word common to us,
with the French, from the
Lat. Arma; because formerly
the Ensigns of Honour were
graven upon their Shields.

Armorer, or maker of Arms;
from the Fr. G. Armorier. 

Armory, from the Fr. G. Armoi­
rie; q.d.  Lat. Armarium, a
place where Arms are preser­
ved.

Armour, from the Fr. G. Ar­
miere, Armure, Armeure;
q.d.  Lat. Armatura, from
Arma, Arms.

Arquebuss, v. Harquebuss.

Arrand, v. Errand.

Arrange, from the Fr. G. Ar­
ranger, to put in order; this
from the Præp Ad, and the
Noun Rang, or Rank, O­
rder. v. Rank.

Arrant, as we say, Arrant Rogue:


 
It may, 'tis possible, be deri­
ved from the Lat. Errant;
and so it signifies as much as
Vagabond-Rogue. 

Arras, Ital. Arrazzi, from the
Metropolis Artois, or Arras;
where the people, named in
Lat. Atrebates, are famous
for making of Arras: In Lat.
Atrebata. 

Array, from the Fr G. Arroy, or­
der; though Minshew draws
it from the Gr. Ἄρειν, to fit.

Arrears, from the Fr. G. Arrie­
rage, idem q.d.  Lat. Adre­
tro, i.e.  to behind.

Arrearages, v. Arrears.

Arrest, from the Fr. G. Arrester;
though I think it may well enough be drawn from the
Lat. Præp. Ad, and our Rest;
q.d.  the case being decided
before a Judge or Umpire,
both parties are at quiet.

Arrive, from the Fr. G. Arri­
ver; q.d.  Lat. Adripare, to
come to shoar.

Arrow, from the AS. Ærwe,
Arwe, the same; this from a
Root in the same Language,
viz.  Gearwian, to prepare,
or make ready.

Ars, from the AS. Ears,
Belg. Eers, Aers, Teut. Arsz,
It hath allusion to the Gr. Ἀρ­
χὸς, the Fundament, or Arse­
gut, because principal.

Arsenal, from the Ital. Arsenale;
but according to Minsevus,
Παρὰ 
τὸ Ἀρεῖν ταῖς ναυσὶ,
from helping and defending of the Navy.

Arse-versy, from the Fr. G. A-­
Revers. Ital. A Rinverso;
from the Lat. Ad inversum,
Topsy-turvy.

Art, from the AS. Eart, thou
art.

Artechoak, from the Fr. G. Ar­
tichault, Artichaud, Hisp.
Artichoca, Teut. Artischock,
Artsthock. Salmasius draws it
from a Greek Fountain; viz.  
Ἀρτικάκτος.

Artillery: Menagius draws it
from the Fr. G. Artiller, to
furnish with Arms.

Artisan, from the Fr. G. Arti­
san; which comes from the
Lat. Ars, Art.

Artist, v. Artisan.

As, from the Teut. Als,
l being taken out for sound-sake.

Ascertain, from the Fr. G. Acer­
tener, and that from the Lat.
Præp. Ad, and Certus, sure.

Ash, from the AS. Acse, Aese,
Dan. Ask, Aske, Belg. Esch:
It may be derived from Ἄνω,
to kindle; because it easily
takes fire, and is very hot
when kindled.

Ashamed, v. Shame.

Ashes, from the AS. Ashan,
the same; Belg. & Teut.
Asche. 

Ash-Wednesday, without doubt,
corrupted from the Belg. Asche-woens-dach; the French
call it Le jour des cendres,
the Day of Ashes; because of
sprinkling themselves there­
with, in token of Repen­
tance.


 
Aside, v. Side.

Ask, from the AS. Ascian,
Acscian, Aescian, Ahsi­
an, Axian, Geacsian, to
interrogate, or question: You
may derive it, if you please,
from the Gr. Ἄζιόω, to re­
quire, or expostulate.

A-skew, v. Skew.

A-sleep, v. Sleep.

A-slope, v. Slope.

Asp, or Aspen-tree, from the
AS. Æsp, Espe; it always
trembles: 
In Lat. Populus
Arbor, seu Populus tremula. 

A-squint, v. Squint.

Ass, from the
AS. Assa, the same.

Assail, from the Fr. G. Assailler;
q.d.  Adsalire, to leap upon.

Assassinate, from the Ital. Assas­
sinare, murtherously to assault.

Assault, from the Fr. G. Assault,
or Ital. Assalto, the same; q.
d. Lat. Adsaltare. 

Assay, from the Fr. G. Essay:
But I rather incline to think it
might come from the Lat.
Præp. Ad, and the old Verb
Sagire; q.d.  to aspire to be
wise.

Assemble, from the Fr. G. As­
sembler, and that from the
Lat. Ad, and Simul, together;
q.d.  Adsimulare, to gather
together in a body.

Assess, or Sess, from the Ital.
Assessare, if not from Asses­
sus, or Concessus, assent, or
consent; because the Men
on whom an Assessment is
made, give their assent to pay
it.

Assiege, v Besiege.

Assizes, or, Sizes, from the Fr.
G. Assise, and that from the
Lat. Assidere, from the Judges
sitting upon the Bench to hear
Trials.

Assoil, from the Fr. G. Assoul­
dre, and that from the Lat.
Absolvere, to free, or let go
at liberty.

Assort, v. Sort.

Assure, from the Fr. G. Asseurer,
Ital. Assicurare; q.d.  Lat.
Adsecurare, so to demonstrate
a thing, as to leave no room for doubt.

Asswage, from the Lat. Ad, and
Suadeo; that is, to appease or
pacifie by perswasion.

Astonish, from the Fr. G. Eston­
ner; but more likely from
the Lat. Attonitus. 

A-stradle, v. Stradle. 

Astray, v. Stray. 

Astride, v. Stride. 

Asunder, from the AS. Asun­
dran, Asundron, and that
from the Verb Aswyndrian
to separate, Belg. Sonderen,
Teut. Absondern, the same. v.
Sundry.

At, from the AS. Æt, and
both from the Lat. Ad. 

Atchieve, from the Fr. G. Atche­
ver, to perfect a thing under­
taken.

Attach, from the Fr. G. Atta­
cher, idem; both from the
barbarous Lat. Attaxare, or
Attactare. 



Attack, v. Tack, and Attach.

Attain, from the Fr. G. Attain­
dre, and that from the Lat.
Attenere. 

Attainted, from the Fr. G. At­
taindre, or from the Lat. At­
tingere; q.d.  stained or tain­
ted with a suspicion of Guilt,
says Minsevus.

Attempt, from the Fr. G. Atten­
ter; q.d.  Lat. Attentare, to
venture upon a thing.

Attend, from the Fr. G. Atten­
dre, both from the Lat. At­
tendere; from the same Root
comes our Attendance.

Attire, from the Fr. G. Attour,
dress for Women's heads: It
may not unlikely be drawn from the Praep. Ad, and our
word Tire. 

Attone, rather Atone; q.d.  at
one, i.e.  friends again: But
if you spell it with tt, it
must be drawn from Ad and
Tone, by a Metaphor; a con­
sort or Consonancy in Musick,
representing the agreement of
friends. I chuse the first.

Attorney, from the Fr. G. now
out of use, Attour; the word
Tour signifiing Turns, being
still in use; q.d.  to serve a­
nother's turn in his absence.

Avail, from the Fr. G. Valoir,
Ital. Avalere, idem; q.d.  Lat.
Advalere, to prevail with one
to do a thing.

Avant, in Lat. Apage; but it is
a proper French word un­
touch'd.

Avantmure, a term in War, from
the Fr. G. Avant, and Mur,
a wall, q.d.  one wall before
another.

Avast, a word most common to
Sea-men: Possibly it may
come from the Lat. Præp. Ab,
from, and the Belg. Haesten,
to make haste; q.d.  make
haste hence.

Audit, and Auditor, from the
Lat. Audio, to hear.

Avenues, from the Fr. G. Ave­
nue, an entrance: It is a mi­
litary word.

Avenge, v. Revenge. 

Avere , i.e.  to assert the truth;
from the Fr. G. Averer, Ital.
Averare, Lat. Adverare,
to affirm for truth. Vossius
says, that the Verb Verare was
formerly in use; whence Venus.

Avery, the King's Avery, the
place where Oats are put for
Horses. Minsevus drawe it from the Belg. Haver, (which
word is still in use in the North of England, where they call
Oats, Haver;) or Teut. Ha­
ber: But it comes undoubted­
ly, from the Barb. Lat. Ave­
ria, an Avery. Hence like­
wise Average.

Auff, from the Belg. Alf, or
Alve, an earthly Daemon, l
in pronunciation being often
sounded as u; as in Psalm,
quasi Psaum; Holborn, quasi
Houborn, &c. See Elf.

Augar, or Wimble, from the AS.
Nauegar, Belg. Eveger, A­
veger, Egger, Eggher, Ag­
gher, the same.


 
Aukward, from the AS. Aewerd,
untowardly; the contrary to
Toward.

Aumelet of Eggs, from the Fr. G.
Aumelette, Omelette, a Fri­
gacy of Eggs.

Aunt, Fr. G. Tante, Ital. Ame­
ta; both from the Lat. Ami­
ta, an Aunt, by Father or
Mother's side.

Avoid, from the Fr. G. Vuide,
void, and the initial Particle A. 

Avouch, from the Fr. G. Avoüer,
to affirm: Not unlikely from
the Lat. Advocare; i.e.   to
take ones part: Or if you
had rather, take it from Ad,
and Votum, a Vote; q.d.   Ad­
votare, to give ones Vote for.

Avow, from the Fr. G. Avoüer;
or rather, from Ad, and Vo­
tum, to vote for.

Aw, from the Belg. and Teut.
Acht, Achte, observance, or
respect.

Awake, v. Wake.

Award, from the idle Particle
A, and the AS. Weard,
towards, or against. Spel­
man derives it from the Anglo-Norm. Agard, Fr. G.
Garder; q.d.  that which is to
be observed or kept.

Aware, from the Teut. Gewahr,
Werden, to perceive, to ani­
madvert. v. Beware, Ward,
and Guard.

Away, from the AS. Aweg,
absent, abroad.

Awl, from the AS Aele, Ale, Bel.
Aelsene, Elsene, Els; Teut. Aa­
el, Alsen, Elsen; whence, without doubt, comes the North-­
Country word Elsen, or Hel­
sen, signifying an Awl.

Awry, v. Wry. 

Ax, from the AS. Acse, Aex,
Eax, Aease; Dan. Oxe,
Belg. Ackse, Axe, Aeckse;
Teut. Ar, Axt; all of them
from the Lat. Ascia, and that
immediately from the Gr. Ἀ­
ζίνη, the same.

Axle-tree, from the Ital. Assile,
and that from the Lat. Axile;
i.e.  the wood that passeth thrô
the Nave of each Wheel, to
keep them together, and sup­
port the Carriage. The Root
of all, is the Lat. Axis. 

Ay, from the AS. A, Awa, for
ever, always; Run. Dan. Ae, Belg.
Ewe, Euwe, an Age, Eternity:
All from the Lat. Aevum. 

Ay me, from the Fr. G. Ai, Ahi;
Ital. Ahime, Lat. Eheu, Heu;
Gr. Ὃιμοι Ἀὶ, Ἀὶ, all of
them from a natural tone.

Ayl, or Ail; as, What ails thee?
from the AS. Adel, Adl,
a disease; which they that un­
derstand Greek, may draw
from the Gr. Ἀθλέω, to la­
bour or strive, as Wrestlers do,
or as sick people do in some
distempers.

An Ayry Man , from the Fr. Aire,
comliness, or a good presence.

Azure, from the Fr. G. Azur, A­
sur; Ital. Azurro, Span. Azul,
Arab. and Pers. Lazurd, Gr.
Barb. Λαζomicron;ύριος; all of them
from the Lat. Lazulus, Lapis. 




B Babe, or Baby, from the Ital.
Babbolo, Bambo, Bambino, Gr. Πάππας, Heb. Ab.
Syr. Abba, a father. I think
it rather comes from those almost inarticulate words, chil­
dren are first heard to utter,
bab, dad, and mam; whence
the indulgent mother fawns
upon the child, and cries babe,
babbe, baby, daddy, mammy,
&c.

Bable, from the Belg. Babel, Bebel,
insipid discourse; or from the Tower of Babel,
where all Languages were con­
founded: Or, as Menagius
hath it, from Bambo, Bambi­
no; from thence Bambinare,
q.d.  to stammer, as doth a
child.

Bables, from the Fr. G. Babio­
les, Ital. Babbole, trifles: Or
rather, from our own word,
Babe, Ital. Babbolo, an infant;
q.d.  children's toys. Right
Baubles.

Baboon, from the Fr. G. Ba­
bouin, Ital. Babbuino, a kind
of Ape; perhaps from Babe,
and the termination On, great,
q.d.  a great child; for they
most resemble Mankind.

Back, from the AS. Bac, Baec,
Baece, which denote the
same.

Back-bite, to slander one absent;
from our own word Back,
and Bite; q.d.  ashamed to
say it to the party's face.

Bacon: Menagius doubteth not
to derive it from our own
word Bake, because it is dried
with smoak. It may not ab­
surdly be drawn from the Ital.
Pacchia, nourishing food;
and this from the Lat. Pascere,
to feed or nourish.

Bad, from the Belg. Quaed, I­
dem.

Badge, from the Belg. Bagghe,
and this from the Lat. Bacca, a Jewel, or Pearl; because the
Arms of renowned men were
adorned with precious stones.

Badger, not unlikely from the
Teut. Back, a Jaw-bone; q.d.  
Backer; (i.e.) having strong
jaws.

Baffle, from the Fr. G. Befler,
to supplant or cheat; or Baf­
foüer, to cover the eyes with a
Veil; but this from the ini­
tial Particle, Teut. Be, and
the Fr. G. Fol, which is pro­
nounced Fou, a Fool; as we
say, to make a Fool of, or be­
fool one.

Bagg, from the AS. Belge,
both from the Lat. Bulga, sig.
the same.

Baggage, provision for an Army,
from our English Bagg; for
Soldiers Necessaries are often
carried in Bags or Snap-sacks:
From hence cometh that other Baggage, Fr. G Bagasse, Ital.
Bagascia, a Whore, a com­
mon Strumpet; in Soldiers
Camps, a Camp-whore.


 
Bail, a Surety, one that giveth
Security for another Man in an
Action of Trespass; from the
Fr. G. Bail, a Keeper. V. Bai­
liff.

Bailiff, from the Fr. G. Bailli,
Bailiff, formerly a Steward in
an house, Ital. Baglio, a Fo­
ster-father; which, by a Me­
taphor, manifestly flows from
the Lat. Bajulo, to carry on
ones shoulders.

Bain, or Bagnio, from the Fr.
G. Bain, Ital. Bagno, both
from the Lat. Balneum, an
Hot-house.

Bait, from the AS. Bagan,
Teut. Baissen; both these
may seem to come from the
Teut. Be, nigh, and the AS.
Aete, Teut. Esseu, meat.

To Bait, i.e.  make one crea­
ture fight with another; from
the AS. Batan, or from the
Fr. G. Battre, and this from
the Lat. Batuere, to beat, or
strike; or rather from the AS.
Bitan, Belg. Bitten. Teut.
Beissen, to bite. v. To Beat,
and Bite.

The Hawk Baiteth, a term in
Hunting; from the Fr. G. Bat­
tre, Ital. Battere, to strike;
for in raising his flight, the
Hawk clasheth his wings to­
gether.

To Bait at an Inn, may proba­
bly come from the Belg. Bae­
te, a commodity, or from
Baitze, Baisse, victuals.

Baize, from the Belg. Baey,
Teut. Bay, hairy cloth. Min­
shew draweth it from the
English word Base; q.d.  a
course sort of Cloth; ordina­
rily spell'd Bays.

Bake, from the AS. Bacian,
if not more fitly from the
Dan. Bager, idem.

Balad, or Ballet, from the Fr.
G. Balade, Ital. Ballata, a
Rhime, or Sonnet; and all of them from
the Fr. G. Baller,
Ital. Ballare, to dance.
V. Ball.

Balass, a kind of precious stone,
from the barbarous Lat. Ba­
lassius, idem. The famous
Th. H. supposeth it to be of a
barbarous Indian Original, for
that many of their Cities
names begin with Bal; which
indeed is likely enough.

Balconey, from the Germ. Balck
a rafter, or beam. V. Balck.
Scaliger derives it from the
Lat. Palus, a stake, or post.

Bald, from the C. Br. Bal, bald
before, this from the Gr. Φα­
λακρὸς, signifying the same.
I had rather draw it from the
Fr. G. Pelè, coming from the
Verb Peler, to pull off the
hair, and this most plainly
from the Lat. Pilus. 

Balderdash, from the AS. Bald,
and our Dash; q.d.  to mix
drink, or any thing without
discretion.

To Bale, a term in Sailing, to
cast water out of ships with
buckets. We may draw it
metaphorically from the Fr.
 

 
G. Bailler, to sweep, or make
clean. 

Bale, a carriage of Merchants
Goods; from the Fr. G. Balle,
Teut. Balle, i.e.   Pila, a
ball, from the similitude, as
to roundness.

Baleful, and Bale, sad or sor­
rowful; from the AS. Bæl,
a Funeral-pile; from the Belg.
Balghen, Belghen, to take a
thing ill; or Bale, Sarcina,
a burthen; for grief is really
the burthen of the mind.

A Balk, made in plowing, from
the Ital. Valicare, to leap
over, or miss: From hence
our Eng. word, to balk, or
disappoint one.

Balk, a piece of timber laid cross
the house; from the Belg. and
Teut Basck. Scaliger, as be­
fore, takes it from the Lat.
Palus. 

Ball, from the C. Br. Pèl, in Lat.
Pila: Minsevus and Junius
will have it to come from the
Gr. Βάλλω, jacio, to cast.

Ball, from the Fr. G. Bal, and
this from the Verb Baller, to
dance; perhaps it may flow
from the Gr. Βαλλίζω, and this
from the Primitive Βάλλω, to
move or wag the feet.

Ballance, from the Lat. Bis,
and Lanx; q.d.  Bilanx, ha­
ving two scales: From hence
comes the word Counter-bal­
lance. Right spell'd, Balance.

Ballast, Gravel or Sand, where­
with Ships are poised; from
the initial Particle Be, and the
Teut. Last, Onus, a burthen; or
more probably from the Dan.
Baglast, idem and this from
the Dan. Bag, and Last; q.d.  
a Wherry, or Scullar loaded.

Ballocks, from the AS. Beal­
lucas. Minsevus probably
enough deriveth it from our
English Ball, because of the
similitude. It may likewise be
drawn from the AS. Bælig,
a purse or satchel, from the ga­
thering the mouth when they
shut.

Balloon, from the Fr. G. Ballon,
Ital. Ballone; q.d.  a great
ball.

Ballot, from the Fr. G. Ballot­
tre, Ital. Ballottare, to cast
lots; or from the Noun Ball,
because a ball was used by
the ancient Italians in casting
lots.

Balm, from the Fr. G. Baume,
which comes from the Lat.
Balsamum, signifying the
same. By the figures Syncope
and Apocope, Balm.

Band, from the AS. Band,
Bend, Fr. G. Bande, Ital.
Benda, Belg. & Teut. Bandt,
idem; and all of them from
our word Bind; which see.

A Band, from the Fr. G. Bande,
Ital. Banda, a company of Sol­
diers; or from the barbarous
Gr. Βάνδον, a banner, or flag:
Yet I had rather derive them
all from the AS. Fana, Teut.
Fahn, Fahne, the same, by a
Metonymy of the Adjunct.


 
Bandroll, from the Fr. G. Bande­
rolle. See Band, and Roll.

Bandito, an Exile; from the I­
tal. Bando, a Command sent
forth by publick Authority.

Bandog, from Band, and Dog;
q.d.  a Dog chained, that he
may do no harm; if you had
not rather draw it from the
AS. Bana, a Man-slayer.

Bandoleers, cases for Gun-pow­
der, from the Fr. G. Bande,
fascia; q.d.  fastned to a Belt
with strings, or thongs of Lea­
ther.

Bandore, a musical instrument;
from the Gr. Πανδοῦρα, idem.

To Bandy, from the Fr. G. Ban­
der, and this from the Lat. Pandare,
to make crooked,
or to bend.

Bane, from the AS. Bana, a
slayer or killer of Men. 

Banes, from the Fr. G. Bans,
and both from the AS. Aban­
nar, to publish. V. Banish.

Bang, from the Belg. and Teut.
Bengel, a club; and this from
the Lat. Baculus, q.d.  to beat
one with a stick or staff.

Bangle-ear'd, (i.e.) a flap-ear'd
Dog; from the AS. Bendan,
q.d.  Bendle-ears, hanging
flat down.

Banisters, by some called Bal­
listers, a term in Archite­
cture; from the Fr. G. Balu­
stre,  idem; which, I suppose,
may come from the Noun
Ball, for they are round.

Bank, from the AS. Banc, and this from the C. Br. Ban,
high. Fr. Jun. derives it
from the Gr.Βουνὸς, an hill, or
heap of earth.

Bank, a table upon which an
Exchanger counteth money;
from the Fr. G. Banc, Ital.
Banco, Teut. Benck, AS.
Baence, a bench. V. Bench.

Banket; or rather, Banquet, 
from the Fr. G. Banquet, Ital.
Banchetto, a feast; from
Bank, or Bench; which
see.

Bankrout, from the Fr. G.
Banquerout, Ital. Bancerot­
to; i.e.  he hath cracked his
credit, and is marched off.

Bann, from the Belg. Bannen,
to curse; which comes from
the Root Ban, an Anathema,
or heavy curse.

A Banner, or Standard. V.
Band. 

Banneret, from the Noun Ban­
ner; q.d.  a Standard-bearer.

Bannish, from the AS. Aban­
nan, to punish with Exilement.

To Barb, from the Lat. Barba,
a beard.

Barb, an Horse so called, from
Barbary, a Country where he
is bred.

Barbed, a term in Heraldry,
from the Fr. G. Barbé, having
a beard.

Barbel, a fish so called, from the
Lat. Barba; q.d.  a kind of
Mullet, having, as it were, a
beard.

A Barber, from the Fr. G. Bar­
ber, Ital. Barbiere, a Shaver; all
of them from the Lat. Barba. 



A Bard, or Dunce, from the C.
Br. Bardd, an old pedling
Poet.

Bard, harness for Horses; from
the Fr G. Barder, Ital Barde;
which come from the Lat. Pa­
ratus; q.d.  put in readiness.

To Bard, or Beard-wool. V.
Beard.

Bardasho, from the Ital. Bardas­
cio, and this from Bardo, for
Bardato; q.d.  he that put­
teth his body in a lascivious
wanton posture.

Bare, perhaps from the Gr. Φαε­
ρὸς, clear, from Φάος, light;
but it doth more than allude
to the Lat. Pareo, for Appa­
reo, to be apparent, or vi­
sible.

To Bargain: Scaliger, writing
against Festus, draweth it from
an old Lat. word, Bargenna,
idem. I had rather derive it
from the Ital. Per, for Pro
and the Verb Gagnare, for Guadagnare, to gain, or pro­
fit.

Barge, from the word Bark;
which see hereafter.

Barge-couples, a term in Archi­
tecture; not unlikely from
the AS. Bur, and the Fr. G.
Couple; q.d.  a beam, or one
piece of wood mortised into
another, to strengthen the
building.

Bark, from the Dan. Barck,
Belg. Berck; and this from
the Teut. Bergen, to cover.

To Bark, from the AS. Beor­
can, the same.

A Bark, from the Ital. Barca,
Varca; q.d.  Varcare, to row
over a shallow place; perhaps
from the Gr. Βάρις, a kind of
boat.

Barken, a word very common
in the County of Wilts, a
Yard of an house; either
from the word Bar, or the
Germ. Bergen, to hide; q.d.  
a place shut up from the field.
The famous Th. H. is of opi­
nion, that it is depraved from
the word Barley. 

Barm, the head, or workings
out of Beer or Ale; from the
Lat. Fermen, for Fermentum;
q.d.  a fermentation, which is
necessary for preserving the
strength of the liquor.

Barn, from the AS. Bern, i­
dem; this from the AS. Bere,
and Erne; q.d.  a Reposi­
tory for any sort of Grain.

Barnacle, an instrument to set
on the nose of an unruly
Horse; from Bear, and Neck;
q.d.  to make the Horse hold
up his head. See Bear, and
Neck.

Baron, from the AS. Wer,
Hisp. Varon, a Man; undoubt­
edly, from that Germ. or
Goth. Wer, the same.

Baron, and Femme, a term in
Heraldry; (i.e.) a Man and
Woman. V. Baron.

"femme" not found in OED.



Barr, from the Fr. G. Barreau,
Ital. Barra, or the Lat. Vara;
which, in Vitruvius, signifies
a stake.


 
Barrel, from the Fr. G. and
Hisp. Barril, Ital. Barile, C.
Br. Baril, idem; if I may
not deduce it from our Engl.
Bear, or Beer; because of its
being carried upon the Brewers shoulders; or from its containing of Beer. V. Bear.

Barren, from the Belg. Dubre­
rende, Fr. Th. Unbarig, not
bringing forth. Mer. Cas. de­
rives it from the Gr. Βαρίνος,
a kind of fish that fructifieth
not.

Barrester, a Lawyer that pleads
at the Barr. V. Bair.

Barretour, a wrangling or con­
tentious person; from the Fr.
G. Baratter, to put a trick
upon one.

Barricado, from the Fr. G. Bar­
riquer, Ital. Baricare, to erect
a Bulwark with wood.

Barriers, a military sport, or
pass time; from the Fr. G.
Barrieres, Ital. Barriera; q.
d. an Exercise within certain
limits.

Barrow, or Wheel-barrow, from
the AS. Berewe, the Fr. G.
Berroette; and these from
the word Bear, or from the
Lat. Vehere, to carry.

Barrow-hog, A Barrow, from
the AS. Beargh, Belg. and
Teut. Barg; all of them per­
haps from the Lat. Porcus, a
Boar-pig, or Hog.

Barter, from the Fr. G. Barat­
ter, Ital. Barrattare; q.d.  
to exchange one Commodity
for another.

Base, from the Fr. G. Bas, Ital.
Basso, mean, ignoble; and
both these from the Gr. Βάσις,
or Βαιὸς, or Πεζὸς, low. Mer.
Cas. is pleased to take it from
the Gr. Βάσα, infamy, or
shame.

Bashaw, a Turkish Magistrate.
Martinius hath it from the
Turc. Basch; q.d.  a States-­
man.

Bashful, from the word A­
bash, or make ashamed;
which see.

To Bask, or Basker, from the
Belg. Backeren, this from the
word Bake; q.d.  to warm
a young Child at the fire.

"basker" not recorded in OED as a form of the verb "to bask."



Basket, from the C. Br. Bas­
gawd, and Basged, the same.

Bason, from the Fr. G. Bassin,
Ital. Bacino, Hisp. Bacin, a
wash-pot; which Covarruvias
derives from the Gr. Βάθειος,
hollow.

To Baste Meat, from the other
Baste. 

Baste, from the Lat. Batuere,
to beat; more likely from the
Fr. G. Baster; q.d.  to load
with blows. Salmasius judgeth, that it may be taken from
the Gr. Βαστὸς, a club, or cu­
dgel.

Bastard, from the Germ. Bosz,
and Aerd, or Art, ill-natur'd;
or on the contrary, from the
Germ. Best, and Aerd, for
such, for the most part, are
of a vertuous disposition: Or,


 
as Dr. Davis hath it, from the
C. Br. Bas, and Tardu; q.d.  
basely descended. 

Bastard-Wine, from the Belg.
Bastaerd-Wiine, or from the
Lat. Passum, and the Belg.
Aerd; q.d.  Wine made of
withered or dried Grapes.

Bastile, from the Hisp. Bastide,
this from the Verb Bastir, to
build, or erect, q.d.  a For­
tress, or strong Hold; such as
is our Tower of London.

Bastion, from the same Root.

Bastonado, a good cudgelling;
from the Fr. G. Baston, Ital.
Bastone; and these from the
Gr. Βαστάζω; q.d.  a staff sup­
porteth the body. v. Ba­
toon.

Bat, from the Arab. Baphas,
idem; or from the AS. Baet,
a Boat; because a Bat's wings,
spread out, do somewhat re­
semble a Boat with Oars.

Bat, from the AS. Batt, a
Staff, or Cane; which comes
from the Lat. Batuere. V Baste.

Brick-Bat: Th. H. imagineth,
that it comes from our Eng.
Brick, and the Fr. G. Bout,
the end of any thing; q.d.  
the end of a Brick.

Batchellor, an unmarried Man;
also a fresh-water Soldier, and
a Batchellor of Arts; from
the Fr. G. Bacheliers, Ital.
Baciglieri; q.d.  Bacillarii,
or Bacularii; because per­
haps they were initiated under
a gilded Wand, lifted up by
the Cryer. Or, as Menagius
hath it, from Bas Chavalier,
an Horse-man of an inferiour
Rank. There is found in Spel­
man, and Calvin, in his Le­
xicon Juridicum, Buccella­
rius, a Warrier of a more ho­
nourable Order; which com­
eth from Buccella, a portion
of provision allowed for such
a Soldier's maintenance; be­
ing, as it were, not married,
because he lives abroad from
his Wife.

Bate, as in Make-bate; certain­
ly of the same rise with De­
bate; which see.

To Bate, for Abate; which see.

Bath, from the AS. Bæth,
and this contracted from Bæ­
ðan, to wash; if I may
not derive it from the Belg.
and Teut. Bad; and this from
another Teut. word, Bahen;
(i.e.) to nourish the natural
heat.

Battel, from the Fr. G. Bat­
taille, Ital. Battaglia,  idem;
all of them from the Lat. Ba­
tuere, to beat, batter, or com­
bate.

Batten, a Northern word, sig­
nifying, to grow big any way;
probably corrupted from the
word Fatten, or from the
Teut. Batten, to do good. See more of it in Ski­
nner.

Batter, from the Fr. G. Battre,
Ital. Battere, Lat. Batuere.
v. Beat.

Batter for Pancakes, from the


 
same Root. Also Battery, a
wall to receive the blows of
warlike Engines, comes from
the same Root. 

To Battle, a word frequently u­
sed in the University at Ox­
ford, signifying to set down
the Scholars Commons; from
the Belg. Betalen, which real­
ly comes from the AS. Tæl­
lan, Belg. Tælen, Tellen, to
pay, by adding the initial Be. 

Battle-door, from the Lat. Batil­
lum, and Fr. Th. Dera, Dre, 
q.d.  a shovel made of wood.
The famous Th. H. derives it
purely from the Fr. G. Bat­
toir, in Lat. Pavicula, a rammer,
or instrument to pave withal.

Battlements, a term in Archite­
cture, from Battle; which
see.

Battoon, from the Fr. G. Ba­
ston, Ital. Bastone; and both
from the Lat. Batuere: Or
rather, according to Salma­
sius, from the Gr. Βαστὸς, a
Porter's staff. It alludes to
the Gr. Βάκτρον, idem.

Batune, a term in Heraldry;
from the Fr. G. Baston; a
staff.

Baud, from the Fr. G. Baude,
impudent; q.d.  A Bold Wo­
man.

Baven, not unlikely so called
from the Fr. G. Feuine,
from Feu, a fire. A lear­
ned Man derives it from the
Belg. Bauwen, Teut Bawen,
q.d.  slender sprigs shooting
out of the roots of trees that
are hewen down for ti­
mber.

Bawl, from the Lat. Balare;
or which Minsevus very well
conjectureth, from Bau Bau,
a barking of Dogs. Mer. Cas.
draweth it from the Gr. Βοάω,
to cry aloud.

Bawse, Bawsze, to cry out in a
rage; from the Gr. Βαύζω,
Latro, and Βοάω, as before;
all of them, perhaps, not so
properly words, as sounds.

Bay, To keep at Bay, a term in
Hunting and Fowling; from
the Fr. G. Abbayer, Ital. Bai­
are; q.d.  a Dog, by instant­
ly barking, stayeth the Fowl,
till shot by the Fowler: Or
from the AS. Bidan, which
comes from the Præp. By; as
to this day we say, He stays
by it.

A Bay, from the AS. Byge,
Belg. Bæye, idem. Minshew
draweth it from the Gr. Βαιὸς
little; because little, in re­
spect of the Sea: Or lastly,
from the Ital. Badare, Belg.
Beyden, to stay; because the
Sea is calm within the Haven.

Bay, from the Gr. Φαιὸς, Ash-­
colour'd; or Βαιὸν, a branch
of the Palm-tree; because it
resembles it something in co­
lour.

A Bay-tree, from the Gr. Βαιὸν,
the same; which heretofore
was a token of Victory, as the
Lawrel is now.


 
To Bay, as Sheep do, from the
Lat. Balare, signifying the
same.

Bay-window: the learned Th.
H. supposeth it to be cal­
led as it were Bow-window;
q.d.  made in the form of a
Bow.

Bayes, or Bayze, to play or run
at Bayze, a Sport used by
some in Lincolnshire, not un­
likely from the Noun Bayes,
because the Victors were pre­
sented with a Garland of Law­
rel, as a token of Valour.

Be, is a Preposition common to all
Germ. Dialects, but espe­
cially so to the AS. Teut. and
Belg. often superfluous, yet
put before Verbs, Verbals and
Participles.

Beacon, a Watch-tower; from
the AS. Beacn, and this from the initial Part. Be, and Cen­
nan, Scire, because things are
therein discerned a-far off.

Beadle, from the AS. Bydel,
Belg. Bedelle, Teut. Beutel,
Hisp. Bedel, the same; all of
them from the AS. Biddan, or rather, Beodan, to bid,
as Beadles do: Hence To Bid.

Beadroll, from the AS. Beade,
and Roll; q.d.  a Catalogue
of Prayers, said by Beads.

Beads, from the AS. Beade,
a Prayer: Hence Beads-man,
and the Teut. Bitten to pray
to: I suppose they may all
come from the Lat. Petere, to
ask. v. Bid.

Beagle, from the Fr. G. Bigles,
Ital. Piccolo, and this from
the Lat. Pauculus; i.e.  a
little kind of Hound.

Beak, from the Belg. Beck, Ro­
strum, a snout, beak, or bill.

Beaker, from the Belg. Beker,
Teut. Becher, a cup; all of
them perhaps from the Gr.
Βίκιον, a pitcher, or pot ha­
ving handles.

Beam, from the AS. Beam,
Fr. Th. Boum, Teut. Bawm,
idem; but Fr. Jun. derives
it from the Gr. Βωμὸς, for
that the Ancients sacrificed in
Groves or Woods.

Beam, from the AS. Beam,
Radius, of the same derivation
with the other, because of the
similitude.

Bean, from the AS. Bean, Belg.
Boone, Teut. Bohne, the
same.

Bear, from the AS. and the Fr.
Th. Beran, Bearan, Por­
tare, to carry on ones shoul­
ders; or the Dan. Baerer; all
of them from the Lat. Fero,
and this from the Gr. Φέρω, to
carry.

To Bear, or bring forth, from the
AS. Beran, Belg. Bae­
ren, Teut. Gebohren, the
same.

Bear, for a dead body, from the
Belg. Baere, Teut. Baet, Fr.
G. Biere, Ital. Bara; all
from the word Bear, but
for distinction sake spell'd
Byer.


 
A Bear, from the AS. Bera,
Dan. Biorn, Teut. Bar, Belg.
Baere, and this may be drawn
from the Æol. Φὴρ for Θὴρ,
Fera, Κατ'ἀζοχήν.

Beard, from the AS. Beard,
Belg. Baerd, Teut. Bart, sig­
nifying the same: It may
seem to flow from the Gr. Βα­
ρύτης, gravity, of which it is
a Symptom.

Bearn, a down-right Northern
word; from the AS. Bearn,
Run. Dan. Bar, or Barn, a
son, or a child. Some derive
it from the Heb. and Syr. Bar,
Filius.

Beat, from the Lat. Batuere, to
strike or buffet: If I may not
as well draw it from the Gr.
Πατάσσω, idem.

Beautify, from the obsolete Fr. G.
Beautifier; q.d.  Bellificare, to
make fine.

Beauty, from the Fr. G. Beau­
tè, Ital. Beltà, Bellezza;
these from the Fr. G. Bel,
Beau, and all from the Lat.
Bellus, neat, or handsom.

Because, from the Præp. By,
and Cause; or rather, from
the AS. Be, and Causa; q.d.  
for this or that cause.

Beck, a word very much used in
our Northern Quarters, from
the Belg. Bece, Teut. Back,
Dan. Beck, Rivus, a little Ri­
ver, or Stream.

Beck, or Beak, from the Ital.
Beccare, To Peck; which
see.

Becken, from the AS. Becen­
nan; q.d.  to make signs.

Become, from By, or the AS.
Be, and Come. 

Become, or to be meet, from
the AS. Cweman, to please,
Teut. Bequam, neat, or fit­
ting.

Bed, from the AS. Bed, Belg.
Bedde, Teut. Bett, and from
these cometh Bedding. It al­
so signifies a plat, or quarter in
Gardens.

Bedlem, or Bedlam, by our
Ancestors called the House of
Bethlehem. Minsevus draweth
it from the Heb. Beth Le­
chem, the house of Bread. It
may also come from the Teut.
Bettelen, Betteler, q.d.  a
Lodge, or Mansion for Beg­
gars. V. Beggar, and Home.

Be, from the AS. Beon; and
this I might derive from the
old Lat. Feo, which may not
unlikely flow from the Gr.
Φὸω, Nascor, to be born.

A Bee, from the AS Beo, Dan.
Bi, Belg. Bie, Bye, Teut.
Bien, C. Br. Baedd, Apicula,
a little Bee. Mer. Cas. de­
rives it from the Lat. Apis;
from hence, An Eat-Bee, a
Bird so called, because it feed­
eth upon Bees.

Beech, from the AS. Bece,
Dan. Bog, which may not ab­
surdly be drawn from the Gr.
Φηγὸς, Dor.,Φαγὸς, idem.



Beef, from the Fr. G. Beauf,
both from the Lat. Bove, the
Ablat. of Bos, an Ox.

Beer, from the AS. Bere,
Hordeum, Barley, because
made of Barley. Some de­
rive it, but not so well, from
the Heb. Bar, Frumentum,
Bread-corn.

Beesen, Bisen, or Berzen, blind;
a word very frequent in Lin­
colnshire; from our Eng. By,
for Besides, and the Teut.
Sinn, sight; q.d.  deprived
of the most noble sense of all;
viz.  the Sight.

Beesom, from the AS. Besm,
Teut. and Belg. Besem; per­
haps better from the Lat. Ver­
sum, by striking out the r,
and turning v into b.

Beestings, from the AS. Beast,
Belg. Biest, the first milk af­
ter a calving; whether it may
not come of our Engl. Best,
is somewhat dubious. It al­
ludes to the Gr. Πήσσω, to
curd, or thicken. Ælfricus
uses the word Bysting.

A Beet of Flax, from the word
Beat. 

Beetle, or Pavior's Rammer,
from the AS. Bytl, Belg.
Beytel, idem; perhaps from
the word Beat. 

Beetle, from the AS. Bitel,
idem; probably from the
word Beat, because in the
evening, through blindness,
they hit against our faces.

Befall, from the AS. Befeolan,
Belg. Bevallen, to happen, to
fall out.

Befool, v. Fool.

Before, from the AS. Beforan,
Fr. Th. Vore, Belg, Voor,
Teut. Bevor; all of them per­
haps from the Lat. Porrò. 

Beg, and Beggar, or perhaps
better Bagger, because they
carry their provision about
with them in bags; or from
the Teut. Begeren, to ask:
Perhaps it may not unelegant­
ly be drawn from the Lat.
Vagari, to go from place to
place.

Beget, from the AS. Beget­
tan, to obtain, or procure.
v. Get.

Begin, from the AS. Aginnan,
Belg. and Teut. Beginnen;
and this we may suppose, from
the part. Be, and Go in; q.d.  
to enter upon a thing.

Beguile, from the part. Be, and
Guile; which see: unless you
would derive it from the AS.
Begalian, to bewitch, or in­
chant.

Behalf, from the AS. Be, and
Half; which see.

Behave, from the word Have,
and the præfix Be; but I ra­
ther think it may have come
from the Fr. Th. Behavan, to
contain ones self, or keep
within bounds; (i.e.) to be
mannerly.

Behead, v. Head.

Behest, v. Hest.

Behind, from the AS. Hindan,


 
Belg. and Teut. 
Hinden; all
from the AS. Hynan, back­
wards. 

Behold, from Be, and Hold; q.
d. to look stedfastly on an ob­
ject. V. Be, and Hold.

Belag, and Belagged, from the
Belg. Beleggen, or Beladen;
q.d.  loaded, or clogged with
dirt, or any other thing.

Belay, from the part. Be, and
the word Lay; q.d.  to en­
snare one. V. Lay, and Way-­
Lay.

Belch, from the AS. Balcet­
tan; a word feigned from
the sound.

Beleaguer, from the Belg. Bele­
geren, Beleggen, Teut. Be­
lagern, to make a Trench a­
bout. v. Leaguer.

Believe, from the AS. Gelea­
fan, which comes from the
part. Ge, and the word Ly­
fan, to assent, or yield to.

Bell, from the AS. Bellan, to
roar, or make a great noise.
v. Bellow.

Belfrey; either as Minsevus hath
it, from the Eng. and AS.
Bell, and the Lat. Fero, to
bear; or from the Fr. G.
Beuffroy, or Bauffroy, a Watch-­
Tower.

Bellow, from the AS. Bellan,
Belg Belken, Teut. Bolcken,
Fr. G. Bugler, to bellow or
low as an Ox; Teut. Bellen,
to howl; all of them from the
sound.

Bellows, from the AS. Bilig,
Teut. Balg, as Blast-Balg;
perhaps all from the Lat. Bul­
ga, a purse, or satchel.

Belly, from the Belg. Balch,
Balgh, Teut. Bauch; all from
the AS. Baelig, and that from
the Lat. Bulga, or AS. Buce,
a paunch: It may not unlike­
ly be drawn from the Ital.
Bellico, the navel. Cov. de­
rives it from the Hisp. Barri­
ga, and this from the Gr. Βά­
ρυς, heavy.

Belong, from the Teut. Belan­
gen, the same.

Beloved, perhaps from the Teut.
Belieben, to please. v. Love.

Below, v. Low.

Belt, from the AS. and Dan.
Belte, Belt; both from the
Lat. Baltheus, the same.

Bely, from the AS. Belecgan,
Belg. Belieghen, to accuse one
falsly; or from the part. Be,
and Ly; which see in its
place.

Bemoan, or deplore, from the
AS. Bæmænan. V. To Moan, or
Mone.

Bench, from the AS. Baence,
Belg. and Teut. Banck, Fr.
G. Banc, Ital. Banco, Panco,
the same; some derive all
these from the Lat. Abacus,
a cup-board.

Bend, from the AS. Bendan,
Fr. G. Bender, Dan. Bander,
to bow, or bend; all of them
from the Lat. Pandare, to
bow, or make crooked.



Bend, a term in Heraldry, from
the Fr. G. Bende, any thing
to tye round. V. Bind, or
Band.

Bend, frequently used by Mari­
ners, from the Fr. G. Bende,
Ital. Benda; q.d.  a band hol­
ding the sides of the ship to­
gether.

Bendlet, a diminutive from
Bend; that is, A small Bend;
a term in Heraldry.

Beneath, from the AS. Beneoþ,
Beneoþan, below, or un­
der.

Bent, or Bents, from the Teut.
Bintz, a bull-rush; this ei­
ther from our word Bend, or
Bind. 

Benumb, from the AS. Beny­
man, this from Niman, (i.
e.) the limbs of one stupified,
as being held fast with cold.

Bequeath, from the part. Be,
and the AS. Cweþan; q.d.  
to give one a legacy by word
of mouth.

Beray, to befoul: See the word
Array.

Bereave, from the AS. Berea­
fan, Belg. Berooven, Teut.
Berauven, to spoil; all of
them, if I be not mistaken,
from the Lat. Rapere, to
snatch away. V. Rob, and
Robe.

Bergomet-Pear, from Bergo­
mus, a famous City of Insu­
bria, from whence they were
first brought over: Or as Me­
nagius very well observeth,
from the Turc. Bergamout,
idem; this from Beg, a Prince,
and Armout, a Pear; q.d.  
the Prince of Pears.

Berry, Coney-Berry, from the
Teut. Bergen, to hide; or
from the AS. Bure, a Par­
lour; q.d.  a receptacle for
Coneys. It may be derived
from the AS. Byrgena, a
Sepulchre, for the similitude
of it.

Berries, from the AS. Verb Be­
ran, to bring forth; q.d.  
the product of trees or
shrubs.

Berth, a word amongst Mari­
ners, from our word Bear;
q.d.  a space, or distance, in
which the ship riding at an­
chor, is moved to and fro.

Besance, or Bezant, a term in
Heraldry; so called, from an
old golden Coin first used at
Byzantium.

Beseech; formerly, Beseek. v.
Seek.

Beseem; if I mistake not, from
our word See, this from the
AS. Seon, to see; because
comely things are pleasant to
look upon.

Beset, from the AS. Besittan,
Belg. Besetten, Teut. Beset­
zen; all from the part. Be,
and Settan, to set.

Beshit, from the Teut. Verb
Bescheissen; metaphorically
signifying to defraud, or cheat,
or leave in the lurch.

Beshrew, either from Shrew;



which see: or from the Teut.
Beschreyen, to fascinate, or be­
witch; and this from Be, and
Schreyen; as we say, to cry
down. 

Besides, from the AS. Be, and
Side; q.d.  at ones side.

Besiege, from Be Circum, about,
and Siege; which see.

Besmear, from Be, and Smear;
which see.

Besmut, v. Smut.

Besot, v. Sot.

Bespeak, from the part. Be, and
Specan; q.d.  to speak for a
thing before-hand.

Besprinkle, from the part. Be,
and Sprinkle; which see.

Best, from the AS. Betest,
by contraction Best; this,
I suppose, from the word Bid­
dan, Teut. Bitten, to pray
for; i.e.  a thing most desi­
rable, and therefore most wor­
thy to be asked of God in
prayer.

To Bestirr ones self, from the
part. Be, and Stire; so
as to sweat in doing any
thing.

Bestow; Minsevus supposeth it
to come from the Belg. Beste­
den, to spend upon some per­
son or thing: I had rather
draw it from the AS. Be, and
Stow, a place; q.d.  to place
one out.

To Bett, from the Teut. Wet­
ten, Belg. Wedden, to wager.
v. Abett.

Betake, from the part. Be, and
Take; q.d.   to fly to the Al­
tar, or Sanctuary: Or rather,
from the AS. part. Be, and
Taecan, to commit ones self
to a thing, or person.

Bethink, from the AS. Beþen­
can, Belg. and Teut. Beden­
cken, to ponder, or consider;
from the part. Be, and Think;
which see.

Betide, from the part. Be, and
the AS. Tid, time; q.d.  to
happen in time.

Betimes, from the AS. Be,
near, or hard by; q.d.  By
Time. v. Time.

Betoken, from the Belg. Beteec­
kenen, Teeckenen, to denote,
or signifie.

Betray, from the Belg. Bedrie­
ghen, Dan. Betrager, to co­
zen. Somnerus derives it from
the AS. Dris, an Impostour,
or Cheat; this perhaps from
the Lat. Trica, a Witch; Tri­
care signifying, to intangle, or
bewitch.

Betroth, from Be, and Troth;
q.d.  to make sure to a Wife,
by giving her ones Troth.
V. Troth, and True.

Betrust, to commit a thing to
ones trust; from the part. Be,
and Trust; which see.

Better, from the AS. Better,
Belg. Beter, Teut. Besser,
Dan. Bedre; all the same;
however, it alludes to the Gr.
Βέλτερος, idem.

Between; Minshew derives it,
not improperly, from the


 
Belg. part. Be, and Tween,
two: See Twain, and Two. 

Bever, from the AS. Befor,
Ælfrick Befer, Dan. Beff­
ver, Teut. Biber, Fr. G. Bievre; all from the Lat. Fiber,
idem; a Hat so called.

Bever, from the Fr. G. Baviere,
Ital. Baviera, Hisp. Bavera,
the Bever of an Helmet.

Bever, Merenda, an After-noons
nunchion; from the Ital. Be­
vre, to drink.

Beverage, from the Fr. G. Breu­
vage, this from the Lat. B­
ibere, to drink; or rather,
from the Ital. Beveraggio, and
that from the Verb Bevre, to
drink; because the money
laid out upon the first wea­
ring of new cloths, &c. is
spent in drink.

The Pear Beurre, (i.e.) Pyrum
Butyraceum, Butter-pear, be­
cause as soft as Butter.

"pear beurre" not found as a headword in OED.



Bewail, from the prefix Be, and
Wail; which see.

Beware, from the Belg. Bewa­
ren, Teut. Bewahren, to
guard; and this from the Fr.
Th. Beuuaran, which Fr. Jun.
derives from the Gr. Ωρεῖν,
or Ουρεῖν, to take care.

Bewitch, v. Witch.

Bewray, from the AS. Wre­
gan, Belg. Wroeghen, to dis­
cover, and the prefix Be. 

Beyond, v. Yond, and Yonder.

Bezantler, the next knag in a
Stag's horn to the Browantler;
q.d.  Bisantler, another Ant­
ler. v. Antlers.

Bezeill of a ring, a word found
in Higginius; from the Fr. G.
Bassin; q.d.  the broadest
part of a ring, wherein the
stone or signet is set.

Bezoar, from the Persick Pazar,
or Pazan, a Goat, because it
is found in the Belly of a cer­
tain Goat.

Bezzle, q.d.  Bevel, from the
Ital. Bevere, this from the Lat.
Bibere; or q.d.  Beastle, as we
say, to be as drunk as a Beast.

Byass, from the Fr. G. Biais,
Ital. Sbiaggio, an inclination;
q.d.  the Byass of the Bowl
makes it incline to the Jack.

Bib, a napkin, or such like cloth,
put upon children's breasts, to
keep their Cloths clean; from
the Lat. Bibere, to drink.

To Bib, to drink a little and of­
ten, from the Lat. Bibere, as
before.

Bicker, or Bickering, from the
C. Br. Bicre, a Conflict; but
I had rather derive it from the
word Pickeer, or Pike; which
see.

Bid, from the AS. Beodan, Fr.
Th. Gibinden, the same.

To Bid Guests, from the Dan.
Beder, Biuder, Belg. Bidden;
all from the AS. Biddan, to
intreat, or earnestly invite.

To Bid for a Commodity, from
the AS. Biddan, Belg. Bie­
den, to offer; all perhaps from
the Lat. Petere, to ask.

Bigarreaur, a sort of Pear, red
and white, from the Fr. G.
Bigarrer, in Lat. Bivariare;


 
q.d.  a party-colour'd Pear,
partly white, partly red. 

Big, from the Dan. Bug, AS.
Buce; q.d.  one whose belly
struts out; or from the Lat.
Bucco; q.d.  one with thick,
fat cheeks. Bug may seem
to come of the Gr. Πυκνὸς,
thick.

Biggin, a child's coif, from the
Fr. G. Beguin, and this from
St. Begga, that first instituted
it, for a distinction of certain
religious women.

Bight, a term in Sailing; I sup­
pose, 'tis as much as to say,
The Bought, or bending of a
cable.

Bildge, a term in Sailing; from
the AS. Bilig, a belly; a ship
is said to be Bildged, when it
springs a Leak.

Bile, from the AS. Bile, Belg.
Buyle, Teut. Beul, an ulcer,
or sore; or from the Lat. Bul­
la, because it stands out like a
bubble in water.

Bilk, from the Teut. Bilck, an
huckle-bone, used in playing
at Cockall; also a Dy.

"bilk" not found in OED in this sense.



Bill of a bird, from the AS.
Bile, idem: It alludes to the
Gr. Πύλη, an entrance.

A Bill, from the AS. Bill, Belg.
Byl, Teut. Beil, a sort of
Ax.

Bill, from the Gr. rec. Βίλλος,
for Βίβλος, the Lat. Libellus,
by casting away the first syllable; or lastly, from the barb.
Lat. Bulla, a Bull, or Bill;
which, indeed, is most proba­
ble.

Billet, from the Fr. G. Billette;
perhaps from our Eng. Pile,
and this from the Lat. and Gr.
Pyra, an heap of wood for
burning the dead.

Billet, to quarter Soldiers upon
command by a schedule, or
paper; from the Fr. G. Billet,
Ital. Bolletta; all, I suppose,
from the words Bill, or Bull,
whereof they are only Dimi­
nutives.

Billiars, from the Fr. G. Billart,
a stick or staff that we put the
ball from us with; and this
from the Lat. Pila, because
they play with round things
like balls.

Billow, from the Teut. Bilg,
Dan. Bolge; both from Bul­
lio; or rather, the Teut. Bel­
len, to make a noise like a dog,
as waves do, rolling one on
the back of another.

Bilter, a word found in a book
called The Art of Fowling, a bird haunting fens (as saith the
Author) from the Teut. Beltz,
Belg. Pels; q.d.  having a kind
of wool instead of feathers.

"Bilter" not in OED except as "bilcock."



Bind, most probably from the
Lat. Binare, for Combinare,
by interposing d, for things
bound, are, as it were, united
in one body.

Binn, from the AS Binne, Belg.
Benne, a basket for bread. Voss.
derives it from the Lat. Ben­
na: I would rather draw it from
the AS. Pyndan, to inclose.



Birch, from the AS. Birc, Dan. Birck,
Belg. Berck, the same.

Bird; Minsevus derives it from
the Belg. Broeden, Vrueden,
to sit upon: Somewhat more
nearly it may be taken from
the AS. Bredan, to keep
warm. V. Breed, and Brood.

Birlet, from the Fr. G. Bourlet,
this from Bourre, a lock of
wool, by adding the termina­
tion Let; q.d.   stuffed with
wool or flocks.

Birth, from the AS. Beoryt,
Teut. Burt, idem. V. To
Bear.

Bishop, from the AS. Bisceow,
Biscop, Teut. Bischoff, Belg.
Bischop; all from the Lat. and
Gr. Episcopus, idem.

Bisket; q.d.  Lat. Biscoctus,
twice baked.

Bist, from the AS. Bist, cor­
rupted from Beest. See Be.

Bitch, from the AS. Bicce,
Bice, idem. Abr. Mill. af­
firmeth, that the Persian word
Bitse signifieth the same.

Bite, from the AS. Bitan, Belg.
Beyten, Teut. Betssen, the
same.

Bitt, from the AS. Bitole,
Teut. Gebisz, Belg. Ghebit;
so called, because chawed by
the horse.

Bittackle, from the Belg. Bitte,
a mouthful, the Lat. Acus, a
needle, or Tackle; which
see.

See OED "binnacle" but this sense not found.



Bitter, from the AS. Biter,
which comes from Bitan, to
bite; yet it seemeth to allude
to the Gr. Πικρ#x1F78;ς, idem.

Bittern, from the Belg. Butoor,
Fr. G. Butor, or quasi  Bos
Taurus, for thrusting its beak
into the ground, it bellows
like an Ox.

Bitts, proper to Mariners, from
our Eng. Pight, a part. of the
Verb To Pitch. 

Blab, or Blabber, from the Teut.
Blapperen, Belg. Labberen,
idem; from the Lat. Labia, Elabiare, to speak rashly, or
unadvisedly.

Blabber-lip'd, from the Lat. La­
bium, Labrum, a lip.

Black, from the AS. Blac, Ink,
or Blaecan, to make black like
Ink.

Black-berrits, from the AS.
Blæce-Berian, Blæce-­
Bergen, signifying the same.
See Black, and Berry.

Bladder, from the AS. Blaran,
to blow; because it is easily
filled with wind.

Blade of a Sword, from the AS.
Blæd, a leaf, because broad
as a Leaf. Mer. Cas. derives
it from the Gr. Ὄβελος, a
spit.

Blade of Corn, from the AS.
Blaed, Belg. Blad, Bladr,
Teut. Blatt, a leaf; all imme­
diately from the Lat. Latus,
and this from the Gr. Πλατὺς,
broad.

Blain, from the AS. Blaran,
or the Teut. Blaen, to blow;


 
q.d.  a blowing up in the Skin,
or a swelling. 

Blame, from the Fr. G. Blas­
mer, this from the Lat. Blas­
phemare, to reprove, or find
fault with.

Blanche, from the Fr. G. Blan­
chir, to make white; V.
Blank: From, hence, To
Blanch Almonds; (i.e.) take
off the rind and husk.

Blanch, or White-Coat, a name
of a bitch. V. Blank.

Blank page in a book, where no­
thing is writ, from the Fr G. Blanc, Hisp. Blanco, white.
I had rather derive it from the AS. Blitan, Teut. Blicken,
Blincken, to shine.

Blank, money newly coined or
stamped, from the Fr. G Blanc,
signifying white.

Blanket, from the Fr. G. Blan­
chet; both from the Ital. Bi­
anchetta, white cloth.

Blanquet-Pear, from the Fr. G.
Le Poir Blanquet; (i.e.)
somewhat white.

"blanquet pear" not found in OED. 



Blare, from the Belg. Blaren,
Teut. Blarren; all perhaps
from the Lat. Flare, Efflare,
to blow, or breath out.

Blast, from the AS. and Dan.
Blæst, a Blast; all from
the Lat. Flare, to blow; and
this perhaps from the Gr.
Φλύω, Φλύζω, to be hot, to
make a noise, as doth seething
water. V. To Blow.

Blast of my meat, a word com­
mon in the Bishoprick of
Durham; perhaps from the
AS. Blæse, a torch, or flame;
q.d.  one that blusheth often
at table.

"Blast of my meat" not found in OED.



Blasted, from our En. Blast, struk
with a deadly puff of wind.

Blay, v. Bleak.

Blaze, to divulge; from the AS.
Blæse, properly, a torch, or
lamp; improperly, a manifesta­
tion, or declaration; or from
the Teut. Blasen, to blow a­
broad. V. Blast, and Blow.

Blaze, a violent or scorching
flame; from the AS. Blæse,
or the Teut. Blasen, to blow;
because, taking the wind, it
makes a great noise.

Blazon, from the AS. Blæse,
metaphorically signifying, a
shew, or manifestation; or
the Fr. G. Blason, Ital. Bla­
sone, an Escutcheon, or Coat
of Arms for a great Family.

Bleach, from the AS. Æblece,
to set a sunning, or whiten linen
in the Sun; and this perhaps
from the negative Prefix Æ,
and Blece, black; q.d.  not
black.

Bleak, lean and weak; also a
Bleak, or chill wind. It al­
ludes to the Gr. Βληχρὸς, in­
firm, wanting strength.

Bleak, or Blay-fish; not unlike­
ly, from the Gr. Βλάζ; q.d.  
a fish worth little.

Bleak, or pale. v. Bleach.

Blear-eyed, from the Belg. Blaer,
a push, or wheal; q.d.  one
having a rheum, or humour
in the eyes: Or from the Fr.


 
G. Blaireau, a badger, much
obnoxious to this disease in
the eyes. 

Bleat, from the AS. Bletan,
Belg. Blæten; all perhaps from
the Lat. Balatus, a bleating of
lambs, or sheep.

Bleb; some take it from the Gr.
Φλὲψ, a vein: I had rather
draw it from the Teut. Blaen,
to swell.

To Bleed, from the AS. Bledan,
the same. v. Blood.

Blemish, from the Fr. G. Blesme,
Bleme; and these from the
Lat. Plumbeus; q.d.  to make
a thing look pale like lead. v.
Blane.

Blend, from the AS. Blendan,
to mingle; perhaps from the
word Blind; q.d.  by mix­
ing one thing with another, their former relish is so much
altered, that you cannot per­
ceive distinctly the taste of
each ingredient.

Bless, and Bliss, from the AS.
Blisse, gladness; this from
the Germ. Be-lassen, for Las­
sen, to dismiss; because, at
parting, we use to wish one
another happiness.

Blew, from the Teut. Blaw,
Belg. Blauw, C. Br. Blawr,
sky-colour'd; all from the Lat.
Flavus, Blue. Write Blue.

Blew as a Razour; (i.e.) Blew as
Azare, saith D. Th. H. Right
Blue.

Blight, the same that Mill-dew is;
perhaps from the Teut. Bleych.
pale, from the colour.

Blind, from the AS. and Dan.
Blind, Belg. Blinde, Teut.
Blind, idem.

A Blind, from Blind; such a
thing as hindreth the Enemy
from seeing the transactions in
a Camp.

Blink, either from the Dan.
Blincker, or from the Belg.
and Teut. Blincken, or the
Teut. Blintzen, to be half
blind: from hence cometh
our Eng Blinkard, one born
blear-eyed.

To Blink beer; a word frequent­
ly used in Lincolnshire; from
the AS. Blinnan; (i.e.) to keep
it unbroached, till it grow
sharp.

"blink beer" is not found in this sense in OED.



Bliss, an abstract of the Adject.
Blith; which see.

Blister, from the Belg. Bluyster:
they seem both to allude to
the Gr. Βλύζω, to bubble up.

Blith, from the AS. Bliðe,
Belg. Bliide; and all perhaps
from the Lat. Lætus, brisk, or
merry.

Bloach; it is, not unlikely, a
contract of the AS. Blodig,
i.e.  a bloody tumour, or swel­
ling.

Block, from the Belg. and Teut.
Block, Bloch, Fr. G. Bloc, a
log of wood.

To Block up, from the AS. Be­
luccan, to shut up; as saith
D. Th. H. v. Lock.

Blood, from the AS. Blod,
Belg. Bloed, Teut. Blut, id.
possibly, from the Gr. Βλύζω,


 
to spring out; yet I had ra­
ther draw it from Goth. ant.
Blod, soft, gentle; or from
the Teut. Blaen, to swell; or,
which is most likely, from the
Belg. Blosen, to grow red. 

Bloodings, the same with Black-­
Puddings. v. Blood.

Bloom, a contract from Blos­
som; or from the Teut. Blum,
Belg. Bloem, a flower. Fr.
Jun. derives it from the Gr.
Βλύειν, to bud, or shoot forth.

Blossom, from the AS. Blosm,
Belg. Bloessem, a flower; or,
which is better, from the Gr.
Βλαστάνω, to sprout forth.

Blot, from the Fr. G. Blotter;
which, for ought I know, may
come from the Lat. Ablutare,
a Frequentative of the Verb
Abluere, to wash away.

Blote, to set a-smoaking, or dry­
ing by the fire. Minsevus de­
rives it from the Belg. Bloedt,
blood: I would rather draw
it from the Belg. Blosen, to
be red. Whence we say, Blote-­
colour'd; (i.e.) one that hath
a ruddy countenance.

To Blow, from the AS. Blaran,
Teut. Blaen, the same. v.
Blast.

A Blow with a stick, &c. Min­
sevus derives it from the Belg.
Blouwe, and this from the Gr.
Βλῶ, for Φλῶ, to smite; but
Mer. Cas. from Βάλλω, to
cast; because, in fetching the
stroke, we, as it were, throw
our arm from us.

Blubber, from the Ital. Babbolo,
a child; because children are
most subject to it.

Blunder, from the Belg. Lunde­
ren, or the Teut. Boldern, to
make a noise.

Blunderduss, from the Belg.
Donder-buss; because it rat­
tles like thunder; or from the
Dan. Buldrer, and Buyse, for
the same reason.

Blunt, from the Fr. G. Plomb;
and this from the Lat. Plum­
bum; because, Lead being
sharpned, holds no edge.

Blurr; for ought I know, from
the Hisp. Borra, a blot; but
most probably, from the Lat.
Abluere, to wash out. Meta­
phorically.

To Blurt out, from the Teut.
Blatzen; and this perhaps from
the old Lat. Blatire, to prate,
or talk idly.

Blush, from the Belg. Bloose,
redness; or the Dan. Blusel,
fear: We may metaphorically
derive it from the Gr. Βλύζω,
to diffuse; because, upon fear
or shame, the blood spreads
its self all over the face.

Bluster, used instead of Blaster.
V. Blast, and Blow.

Bo, Boggle Bo, a saying in Lin­
colnshire, to affright children
withal. See Boggle Bo.

Board, from the Belg. Berd, a
plank. V. Bord.

Boast, from the AS. Boan, Belg.
and Teut. Pochen, C. Br. Bost,
to vaunt; and all of them
from the Lat. Boare, for Reboare;


 
q.d.  to make ones
own praises ring again. 

Boat, from the AS. Bate,
Bæt, Belg. and Teut. Boot,
the same: Notwithstanding,
it may come from the Teut.
Bott, i.e.  an Internuncio of
a fleet.

Boat-swain, from the AS. Bate,
a boat, and Swan, a young
man, or servant. V. Swain.

To Bob, v. Fob off.

Bob, or Bob-tail, from the Hisp.
Bobo, a fool; spoken in deri­
sion of those that tuck up
their coats behind, as short as
an horses dock.

Bobbin, from the Fr. G. Bobine,
a little round thing to work
Bone-lace withal; both from
the Lat. Bombyx, a Silk­
worm.

Bode, Fore-Bode, from the AS.
Bodian, to fore-tell, Teut.
Vorbott, a prediction, or pro­
phecy; both from the AS.
Bode, Teut. Bott, a messen­
ger.

Bodkin: Minsevus derives it
from the C. Br. Bodkin, sig­
nifying the same. It may ve­
ry likely have been called Bo­
dikin, a little body, for its
smalness.

Body, from the AS. Bodige,
stature. Minshew derives it
from the Belg. Boode, a co­
ver; q.d.  the mansion of the
mind.

Bog, from the Fr. G. Bouche,
an entrance; or rather, from
the Ital. Buca, an hole. A
learned man derives it from
the Belg. Boogen, to bend;
because it gives way to one
treading upon it.

Boggle-Bo, a saying very usual
in Lincolnshire; quasi Bos,
Boans, a lowing Ox; in the
Belg. Bulleman, from Bulle,
a Bull, and Man; q.d.  a
monster, half a Bull, and half
a Man.

To Boggle, to stammer through
immoderate anger; from Bog,
a Quag-mire; and metapho­
rically, one at a stand in speech,
as if he stuck in a Bog, or in
the clay.

Bo-peep, a play among children;
from Bo, and Peep; which
see.

Boil, from the Fr. G. Builler;
this from the barb. Lat. Bulli­
re, idem.

Boisterous: Minsevus derives it
from the AS. Bister, Belg.
Biise, a tempest. The learned
Th. H. by an easie Metaphor,
derives it from the Fr. G. Bois­
teux, rough. Mer. Cas. from
the Gr. Βωσρέω i.e.  to seek
one by clapping the hands, and
crying aloud.

Boke, a common word in Lin­
colnshire. It may be drawn
from the Lat. Evocare, to re­
voke; or better from the Belg. Boocken, to thrust;
for vomiting is, as it were,
a thrusting out of things swal­
lowed.



Bold, from the AS. Bald, Belg.
Boude, Fr. G. Baud, Ital.
Baldo, the fame; and all of
them from the Teut. Bald,
hastily; q.d.  one that run­
neth head-long into dangers.

The main Boling, a term in sail­
ing; from the Fr. G. Boline,
Bouline, a certain rope in a ship.

Boister, from the AS. Bolster,
Belg. Bolster, Teut. Pulster,
idem; and all of them from
the Belg. Pulwe, and Ster;
which is manifestly corrupted
from the Lat. Pulvinus, or
Pulvinar, the same.

Bolt, from the Belg. Buydelen,
Teut. Beutelen, Fr. G. Blu­
ter, to sift.

Bolt, a round ball to be thrown
with slings; from the AS.
Bolt, Belg. Bout, Teut.
Boltz, C. Br. Bolt, the same.
Dr. Davis draws it from the
Gr. Βόλτος, and Βάλλω, to
cast, or throw.

To Bolt out, from the Fr. G.
Voulte; q.d.  to bend out as
an arch: But more likely from
the Fr. G. Bouter, to thrust
out; because it does, as it
were, force it self out.

Boltel, a term in Architecture;
from the preceding word
Bolt. 

Bombard, from the barb. Lat.
Bombarda, a gun; both feig­
ned from the sound.

Bond, from the AS. Bond, q.d.  
an obligation, or binding.

Bone, from the AS. Ban, Belg.
and Dan. Been, Teut. Bein,
the same.

Bone-fire; q.d.  Bonus ignis;
i.e.  portending good luck.

Bone-lace, from the Fr. G. Bon,
good, and Lace; which see.
D. Th. H. derives it purely
from Bone, and Lace; affir­
ming, that in old times, bones served for
spindles.

Bongrace, from the Fr. G. Bonne-­
Grace, an handsom mein; be­
cause it becomes children well.

Bonhommes, a third Order of a
Franciscan Fraternity; from
the Fr. G. Bons Hommes;  i.e.  
devout, good men.

Bonita, a fish so named; either
quasi, Bonus natator, a good
Swimmer; or from the Hisp.
Bonito, Bonico, it being in­
different good to eat.

Bonnet, from the Fr. G. Bonnet,
Ital. Bonnetto, the same. You
may likewise derive it from
the Fr. G. Bon a la nuit; q.d.  
good to wear in cold nights.

Booby; I suppose, from the Fr.
G. Bouvier, an Herds-man;
for such, most an end, are ve­
ry ignorant. We may fur­
ther derive it from the Hisp.
Bobo, or Bovo, signifying a
fool. After all, it were not
absurd if we should draw it
from the Teut. Bube, Belg.
Boeve, a child; q.d.  one that
will be a child still.

Book, from the AS. Boc, Fr.
Th. Buoch, Dan. Bog, Teut.
Buch, idem; all, not unlikely,


 
from the AS. Bocce, a
Beech-tree; because the an­
cient Germans writ upon the
barks of Beech-trees, instead
of paper. 

Boom, a long pole; from the
AS. Beam, Belg. Boom, Teut.
Baum, a tree; it being made
of a whole young tree.

To Boon, a word used in Lin­
colnshire, signifying, to mend
the high-ways; from the Fr.
G. Abonner, which formerly
signified, to make better. But
I think it may better be
brought from the Belg. Bane,
Teut. Bahn, a publick path.

"To Boon" antedates earlier OED citation (1783).



Boon, from the AS. Bene, a re­
quest, or petition.

Boon, A Boon Blade, or Com­
panion; from the Fr. G. Bon
Compagnon, a good fellow.

Boor, from the Belg. Boer, Teut.
Bawer; all from the Dan.
Boer; or, which is all one,
from the AS. Byan, to inha­
bit. Right Bower.

Boot, from the AS. Bot, a com­
pensation, or reward. And
Whelocus draws it from the
AS. Betan, to make amends.

Boot, What Boot's it you? from
the Belg. Baeten, Teut. Bat­
ten, to profit, or avail. It
seems to allude to the Gr. Βοη­
θέω, to help, or assist.

Boots: Minsh. draws it from
the Belg. Voot, a foot: I had
rather draw it from the Fr. G.
Boteau, fascis; because, in
those ruder times, straw wrea­
thed about their legs, was in­
stead of boots.

Booths, from the Belg. Boede, a
small cottage; Dan Bood, a
shop.

Booty, from the Teut. Beutel, a
a purse; or, which is far more
probable, from the Belg.
Baete, gain, or profit.

Bord, from the AS. and C. Br.
Bord, Bord, a table. See
Board.

To Bord, from the Run. Dan.
Bord, a side; Fr. G. Belg.
Teut. Bord, a brim; or from
the Fr. G. Abborder, to ap­
proach, or come near, as ships
do when they grapple. V. To
Border.

Border, from the Teut. Borten;
or rather, from the Fr. G.
Bordure, a fringe; all, I sup­
pose, from the Dan. Bort,
Teut. Fort, on the out-side,
in sight.

Bore, from the AS. Borian, to
make an hole through; both
from the Lat. Forare, and
that from the Gr. Πόρος, an
hole through any thing.

Bore; or rather, Boar, from the
AS. Bar, Teut. Eber, an
hog; all, not unlikely, from
the Lat. Aper, signifying the
same.

Borough, from the AS. Burg,
a city; or the Teut. Burg, a
defence, or fortification; these
from the Gr. Πύργος, a tower.
We likewise use the word, A
Burgess, coming from the Fr.
G. Bourg, a city.



Borrow, from the AS. Borgian,
Belg. Borghen, Teut. Borgen,
to lend, or take upon loan.

Bosom, from the AS. Borm,
Belg. Bosem, Teut. Busem,
idem; and all, very probably,
from the Fr. G. Poser, for
Reposer, to rest.

Boss, from the Fr. G. Bosse, the
same; and this from the Lat.
Pusula, a blister; because it
somewhat represents a blister,
or any swelling.

Boss, by Gardiners, a kind of
Cole-wort, full of bunches or
knobs; from the Fr. G. Bosse, id.

Botargo, an Italian word , but
now in use with us; from the
Fr G. Botargues, the roan of
a Barbel pickled.

Botch, from the Fr. G. Bosse, Ital.
Bozza; all of them from the
Lat. Pusula, a blister, or blain.

Botch, from the Belg. Boetsen,
to mend; or from our Eng.
Patch; which see. From
hence, A Botcher.

Both, from the AS. Butu, and
this from Be, according, and
Tu, two.

Bottle, the termination of ma­
ny names of Towns and Vil­
lages; from the AS. Bode,
or our Abode; these from the
AS. Bidan, to bide, or stay.

Bottle, from the Fr. G Bouteille,
Ital. Bottiglia, Lat. barb. Bu­
ticula, AS. Bitte; all the
same: Or perhaps it may be a
diminutive from Butt, as of
Beer; which see.

Bottle of hay, from the Fr. G.
Boteau; or, for ought I know,
corrupted from the Belg. Bon­
del, Teut. Bundtel; with us,
A Bundle; which see.

Bottom, from the Belg. Bodem,
Teut. Boden: King Ælfric
calls it Botm; (i.e.) ground.
Minsevus draws it from the
Gr. Βύθος, idem.

A Bottom of thread, from the
Fr. G. Boteau, the same.

Botts, worms in horses; from
the Fr. G. Bote, a knot, or
heap; because they are often
drawn away in clusters: Or
perhaps from the AS. Bitan,
to gnaw, or bite.

To Bouge out, from the Fr. G.
Bouge; this from Bulga, a
bag; q.d.  sticking out like a
blown bladder.

Bough, from the AS. Bog, id.
or from Bow; which see.

Bound, from the Belg. Bondt,
idem. V. Bind, and Bond.

Bound: Whither are you
Bound? I am Bound for
London: Either from the AS. Abunden, ready; and this
from Bindan, to bind, by a
Metaphor taken from Sol­
diers; who, when they are
in readiness to march, do truss
up bag and baggage: Or
from the other Bound, by a
Metaphor taken from Sailers;
who bind themselves, not to de­
sert one another in any danger.

Bounds, corrupted, 'tis like,


 
from the Fr. G. Bornes, id.
this perhaps from the AS. Fo­
ran, before; and therefore
are called Frontiers, or fore­
parts of a country, or field. 

Bounty, from the Fr. G. Bonté,
goodness; of which it is an
effect.

Bourn, from the AS. Burn,
Belg. Borne, Teut. Brunn, a
well, or spring; which Fr.
Jun. derives from the Gr.
Βρύω, to spring forth.

Bouts, many Bouts, from the
AS. Beaten, to beat, Ital.
Botta, Fr. G. Coup, a box on
the ear; this from the Lat. Colaphus,  idem; and all of
them from the Gr. Κολάπτω,
to hurt.

Bow, from the AS. Bugan,
Belg. Buygen, Teut. Beugen,
to bend.

A Bow, from the AS. Boga,
Belg. Boge, Teut. Bogen,
Dan. Bue, the same; all from
our word Bow. Mer. Cas. de­
rives it from the Gr. Βιὸς, a
bow, or arch.

Bowel, from the Fr. G. Bouyau,
idem; perhaps from the Lat.
Bottulus; as we say, Pud­
dings.

Bower, an anchor amongst Ma­
riners, which a ship carrieth
often times to the Bow of the
ship, and from thence takes
its name.

Bower, from the AS. Bur, a
parlour. Minsevus derives it
from the Norm. Bough. I had
rather draw it from our word
Bow, because it is built with
crooked wood. Fr. Jun.
draws it from the Gr. Βύριος,
an house, or mansion.

A Bowge of Court, a quantity of
provision allowed by the King
to his servants, beyond their
ordinary pay; from the Fr.
G. Bouge; this from the Lat.
Bulga, a Portmanteau. The
learned Th. H. draws it from
Bouche, a mouth; as they call
one maintained at the King's
cost, Il a Bouche en Cour;
(i.e.) he hath his mouth in
the Court.

Bowl, as Menagius writes, from
the Lat. Bulla, or Bolus, Gr.
Βῶλοσ, a round clod.

A Bowl to drink in, from the
AS. Bolla, idem. I had
rather draw it from the
Lat. Bulla, a round boss, or
knob in harness for horses;
because Bowls, especially,
those of any bigness, do gra­
dually, from their basis, branch
into a round figure.

To Bowlt a Coney, a term in
hunting; from the Fr. G.
Bouter, and this from the Lat.
frequentative Pultare, to beat
hard; q.d.  to knock her out
of her hole.

Bowse; Vossius draws it from
the Gr. Βύζω, to fill. If
I were Grecian enough, I
should think it came from
Φυσάω, to blow short; be­
cause he that drinks greedily,
puts himself out of breath.



A Bourser of a College, from
the Fr. G. Boursier, this from
Bourse, a Purse; q.d.  Pur­
ser, or Treasurer.

Bow-sprit, or Bolt-sprit, from
our word, Bolt, and the
Belg. Spriet, the Sail-yard.
v. Spritt-sail.

The Bowt of the knee, from the
Teut. Bug, the hamm; and
this again from Beugen, to
bow, or bend.

Bowyer, from the Dan. Boyert,
a swift Bark; perhaps so cal­
led, from its being easily vee­
red about, which way the
Boat-swain or Pilate pleases.

Box on the ear: Minshew in­
geniously derives it from the
Gr. Adverb Πὺζ or, it being
very probably of a German
original, from the Teut. Po­
chen, to strike, or smite.

Box, from the AS. Boxe, Teut.
Buchs; all from the Lat. Bu­
xus, a Box-tree; by the Sa­
xons, Boxtreow.

Boy, possibly from the Gr. Βαι­
ύς, little; though Minsevus
his derivation hereof from the
Teut. Bub, or Bube, is most
probable: Yet Minsevus, upon
second thoughts, appositely e­
nough, derives it from the Heb.
Bob, a babe, or young child.

The Boy of an Anchor: Dr. Th.
H. does ingeniously draw it
from the Fr. G. Bois, wood;
q.d.  a piece of wood fastned
to the Anchor, and floating above water.

Brabble, from the Belg. Brabbe­
len, to scold: But it may be
more safely drawn from the
Lat. rec. Parabolare, to con­
tend in words.

Brace, a term in Architecture;
from the Fr. G. Embrasser;
or, which is all one, from
Bras, Lat. Brachium, a
cramp-iron to hook square
stones together withal.

Brace, two, or a couple; from
the Fr. G. Embrasser, to em­
brace: Hence, To Brace, or
couple two dogs in one collar.

Bracelet, from the Lat. Bra­
chium; sometimes, though
seldom, read Brachiale, an arm,
upon which a bracelet is put.

A Brache, a word found in Flo­
rius; perhaps from the Gr. v.
Βράχω, to sound or resound;
a kind of Hound of a strong cry, so called.

Brackan, or Fern, from our
own word Break; because, be­
ing brittle, it is easily broken.

Bracket, or Braget, a term in
Architecture; if I be not mis­
taken, from the Ital. Braciet­
to, signifying, a little crotchet,
or cramping-iron.

Brackets, a word used by Mari­
ners; from the same root.

Brackish, or salted; from the
Teut. Brechen, to vomit; for
salt water provoketh vomiting

Bragg, from the Fr. G. Braguer,
to go stately, or proudly;
and this manifestly from the
Lat. Paratus, ready, or fit;
for Braggadocio's consider
what they are to speak, or act


 
before-hand, lest they should be
trepann'd. 

Bragget, a sort of Hydromel;
from the C. Br. Brag, Malt,
and Goes, an honey-comb.

To Braid, or Bread hair, from
the Belg. Breyden, to weave
together.

Brain, from the AS. Braegen,
Belg. Breyne, Breghe;
both from the Gr. Βρέγμα, which
signifies, the fore part of the
head, where the brains lie.

Brake, from our word Break,
or the Belg. Braeck, a wooden
instrument to break Flax
withal.

Bramble, from the AS. Bre­
mel, Bræmbel, Brem­
bel, Bremble, vexing;
because, tearing the hands,
&c. with its sharp prickles, it
causes pain, or vexation.

Brambline, a kind of bird, so
called, from Bramble, in
which it builds its nest.

Brancher, a term in Hawking;
from the Fr. G. Branchier, a
young hawk, a creature much
frequenting the boughs of
trees.

Branch, from the Fr. G. Branche,
this from the Lat. Branca;
which, before the declining
state of the Empire, signified
the same.

Brand, or Fire-Brand, from the
AS. Brand, Belg. Branden,
to burn; from hence, Brand,
a mark set upon cattel by the
owner. But our word Brand-­
new, seemeth, by an elegant
Trope, to be taken from the
Smith's craft, being derived
from Brand, and New; q.d.  
just new out of the fire.

Brande-wine, from the Belg.
Brande-wiin, burnt wine. V.
Brand, and Wine.

Brandish, from the Fr. G. Bran­
dir, to glister as a Sword does
in wielding; and so may, not
unlikely, be drawn from our
word Brand. 

Brandling, a small worm to fish
with; from the Fr. G. Bran­
diller, to wag, or move this
way and that way.

Brangle, from the Teut. Balgen,
to fight; and this from the Lat.
Bellum, war: Or from Bran­
gen, to be insolent, Bravo-like,
such people not easily suffer­
ing an affront.

Brann, from the Fr. G. Bran,
Ital. Brenna, C. Br. Brann,
the same. Mer. Cas. derives
it from the Gr. Βράσμια, i­
dem.

Brant-geese, from the Belg.
Brand-Gans; q.d.  Geese of
a grayish colour.

Brased, a term in Heraldry,
Three Chevronels Brased; (i.­
e.) three kids passing one ano­
ther cross-wise; from the Fr.
G. Emhrasser, to embrace.

Brass, from the AS. Braes, Fr.
G. Bronze, Ital. Bronzo, id.

Brassets, armour for the arms;
from the old Fr. G. Brasset;
which is a dim. of Bras, an
arm.

"Brassets" antedates earliest OED citation of "brasset" (1728).





A Brat, one come of an ob­
scure parentage, a bastard;
from the Belg. Fradde, a boy;
both, without any offence, from the AS. Bredan, to
bring up. V. Breed, and
Brood.

Bratt, a rag put before one;
from the AS. Bratt, course
cloth; this from Brittan,
to break; because it is a ro­
ten remnant of cloth. V.
Brittle.

Brave, from the Fr. G. Brave,
Ital. Bravo, stout, magnani­
mous. It may also seem to be
derived from the Gr. Βραβεὺς,
a Victor.

Brawl, from the Belg. Brullen,
to low as an Ox; but rather
from our Eng. Bawl, by an
interposition of the letter r.

Brawn: the learned G. Rogers,
M. D. G. M. L. S. derives it
from the Lat. Aprugna, sig­
nifying the same; yet I had
rather derive it from the AS.
Bar, a
Boar, and Run, a
contract for Runnen, hard­
ned.

Brawny, so called, from Brawn;
q.d.  one that hath hard and
brawny sinews, or nerves.

Bray, from the AS. Bracan,
Fr. G. Brayer, signifying the
same.

To Bray as an Ass, from the Fr.
G. Braire; and this from the
Lat. Barrire, the same.

A Bray, or false Bray, a mili­
tary word; from the Fr. G.
Braye, Fause Braye, a false
trench, made to hide the real
one.

Bread, from the AS. Breod,
Belg. Broodt, Teut. Brodt;
all, I suppose, from the AS.
Bredan, to nourish. V.
Breed. Fr. Jun. derives it
from the Gr. Βρωτὸς, a mor­
sel, and Βρώσκω, to feed up­
on.

Break, from the AS. Brecan,
Fr. Th. Brechan, Teut. Bre­
chen, Belg. Breken, the same.
It may, not unlikely, be deri­
ved from the Gr. Βράκω, to
make a noise, or give a crack.

Breath, from the AS. Braðe,
the same. It may likewise be
drawn from the Gr. Ροθος,
Æol. Βρόθος, force, or noise;
for the breath, being stopped,
breaketh out by force.

Breeches, from the AS. Brec­
ce, Belg. Broecke, the same:
From hence perhaps the word
Breech, if not more commo­
diously from the AS. Bryce,
a rupture, or parting asun­
der.

Breed, from the AS. Bredan,
Belg. Broeden, Teut. Bruten,
to nourish.

Breeze, from the AS. Brio­
sa, Teut. Dan. and Belg.
Bremse, Brems, a gad-fly, or
hornet.

Brest, from the AS. Breost,
Dan. Bryst, Belg. Borst, the
same.



Bret, from the Fr. Nor. Berto­
neau, a kind of Turbot: Or,
from the Teut. Brett, or
Breit, a broad plank, or side,
because it is a broad sort of
fish.

Brew, from the Belg. Browen,
Teut. Brawen, the same.

Brewess, bread dipped in pot­
tage, from the Fr. G. Abbreu­
ver, to soften, make tender.
Fr. Jun. draws it from the C.
Br. Briwbara, crusts, or mor­
sels of bread.

Bribe, from the Fr. G. Briber;
this from Bribe, a piece of
bread; because such as give
bribes, like importunate beg­
gars, crave of the Judge to
avert the stroke of justice.

Brick, from the Belg. Bricke,
Briicke, Fr. G. Brique, the
same. Menagius draws it
from the Lat. Imbrex, a roof-­
tyle.

Bride, from the AS. Brid,
Belg. Bruyd, Teut. Braut,
idem; and all of them from
the AS. Bredan, Teut. Bru­
ten, Belg. Broeden, to keep
warm, or cherish.

Bridegroom, most manifestly
from Bride, and Groom; be­
cause the man is, as it were,
groom, or servant to his bride
on the day of marriage.

Bridge, from the AS. Brigge,
and this from the AS. Ober,
above, and Rige, a back:
Or rather, q.d.  Ober-ig;
that is, over the water.

Bridle, from the AS. Bridel,
Belg. Breydel, Ital. Briglia,
the same; all, not unlikely,
from the Belg. Breyden, to
Ride; which see.

Brief, from the Teut. and Fr. G.
Brief; (i.e.) a short, concise
writing.

Brier, from the AS. Brær,
Hisp. Abrojo,  idem. Brær,
I suppose, comes from the
Verb Breacan, to break;
because it teareth the skin, or
cloths.

Brieze, from the Ital. Brezza,
Fr. G. Brize, Hisp. Brise, a
chill wind. It also alludes to
the Gr. Φρίκη, a trembling, or
shivering.

Brigade, from the Fr. G. Bri­
gade, Ital. Brigata, a socie­
ty; or from the Fr. G. Brigue,
Ital. Briga, a conflict, or
fight; i.e.  a band of war-like
men.

Brigandine, from the Fr. G. Bri­
gantin, Ital. Brigantino, id.
perhaps from the Fr. G. Bri­
gand, a robber; because Pi­
rates were wont to make use
of these ships, for their conve­
niency. But you will say,
Whence cometh Brigand?
Faucherus draws it from the
Germ. Brig, a bridge, or
Brug; because robbers sieze
travellers upon bridges. Ni­
cot. thinks it so called from the
Teut. Berg, a mountain, and
Gehen, to go; q.d.  one that
goes among mountains to hide
himself.


 
Bright, from the AS. Beorht,
idem. Fr. Jun. supposeth it to
come from the C. Br. Brith,
painted; or rather, party-co­
loured.

To Brim as a Sow, possibly from
the AS. Brine, heat; because
those creatures are very hot in
time of ingendring.

Brimm, from the AS. Brime,
Teut. Bram, Dan. Bremme,
idem.

Brimstone; q.d.  Brenne-stone; or, which comes all to a thing,
from the AS. Brine, fire,
and Stone; q.d.  a burning-­
stone.

Brine, from the AS. Bryne,
Belg. Bryn, the same; and
both of them from the AS.
Brym, the salt sea.

Bring, from the AS. Bringan,
Belg. Brengen, Teut. Brin­
gen, idem.

Brink, v. Brim.

Brisk, from the Teut. Frisch,
chearful; or from the Hisp.
Brio; q.d.  one that is coura­
geous and lively. V. Fresh.

Brisket, q.d.  Bresket, by ad­
ding the diminutive termina­
tion ket. v. Brest.

Bristle, from the AS. Bristl,
Teut. Burstel, Belg. Borstel,
idem; yet not unlikely from
our word Burst, because a
bristle bursteth or breaketh
through the skin.

Brittle, from the AS. Brytan,
Fr. Th. Brettan, Brittan, Dan.
Bryder, to break asunder. Fr.
Jun. derives them all from the
Gr. Βρτὸς, frail, or mortal.
Minsevus writeth it Brickle,
from the word Break; which
I cannot so well approve of.

Broach, from the Fr. G. Broche,
Ital. Broccia, a spit; hence
we say, Broach a vessel, meta­
phorically.

Broad, from the AS. Brad,
Belg. Breyd, Teut. Breit, the
same.

Broccado; or rather, Brocado; 
a word purely Spanish, but
frequently read in the English
Translation of Mandeslous;
from the Ital. Brocca, a stud,
or boss; q.d.  cloth of gold
and silver.

Brock, from the AS. Broc,
Ital. Burcho, Buchio, the
same; or rather, from the
word Break; because this
creature crusheth in pieces
whatsoever it fasteneth its
teeth upon; and hence comes
our saying, He bites like a
Badger.

Brocket, from the Fr. G. Bro­
cart, and both of them from
the Fr. G. Broche, in our lin­
gua, A Broach, q.d.  a stag of
two years old, having horns
without knags, like the end of
a spit, or broach.

To Broggle for Eels, a saying
among Fisher-men; from the
Fr. G. Brouiller, to trouble
the water; because by so do­
ing, they are more easily ta­
ken.



Broil, from the same root; if
not more properly from the
Ital. Broglio, for Imbroglio;
(i.e.) to canvass.

Broker, from the word Break;
because Bankrupts only were,
in former ages, permitted to
be of this trade. It may as
well be a contraction only of
the word Procurer. 

Brood, from the AS. Bredan,
Teut. Bruten, Belg. Broeden,
Brueden, to sit upon eggs:
It alludes to the Gr. Βρύω, to
grow big with young.

To Brook, to bear a thing pa­
tiently, by inverting the sence
a little, from the AS. Bru­
can, to digest; or from the
Dan. Brugen, Teut. Brauchen,
to have the use of a thing.
Mer. Cas. draws it from the
Gr. Βρύκω, Βρυκάω, Βρώσκω,
to eat.

Brook, from the AS. Broca,
Belg. Broeck; and this Fr.
Jun. derives from the Gr.
Βραγὸσ, a Marsh, or Fenn. But
Brook, when it signifies a ri­
ver, is derived from Βροchi;ὴ, a
shower. Mer. Cas. derives it
from the Æol. Βρὺαζ, for
Ῥύαζ, a river. Dr. Th. H.
draws the AS. Broca, a ri­
ver, from Breacan, to break;
because, upon rain, they break
over their banks.

A Brook, for an Impostume,
or sore; from the word
Break. 

Broom, from the AS. Brom,
Belg. Brem, Teut. Pfriem, the same.

Broth, from the AS. Broð,
Belg. Broye, Brue, Teut.
Bruhe, Fr. G. Brode, Ital.
Brodio, the same. Mer. Cas.
draws it from the Gr. Βρωτὸν,
meat, or food.

Brothel, by a Metathesis, from
the Fr. G. Bordel, Bordeau,
Ital. Bordello,  idem; or from
the Fr. G. Bord, the brink,
and Eau, water; because, a­
mongst the Romans, Stews
and Bawdy-houses were erect­
ed upon the banks of rivers.

Brother, from the AS. Bro­
ðer, Broðor, Fr. Th.
Bruother, Belg. Broeder, Teut.
Bruder, C. Br. Brawd, the
same; and all of them from
the word Breed; q.d.  of the
same Brood.

Brow, from the AS. Browa,
Belg. Brauwe, Brouwe, the
eye-brow.

Brow, the Brow of a thing;
from the Belg. Brauwe, the
brim of any thing.

Brown, from the AS. Brun,
Belg. Bruyn, Teut. Braun,
Ital. Bruno, idem.

Browse, from the Fr. G. Brou­
ser, Ital. Bruscare, to crop off
leaves and twigs. V. Brush.

Bruise, from the AS, Brysed,
bruised; Fr. G. Froisser, to
bruise; or from Briser, which
comes from the Fr. Th. Bruz­
zen; both not unlikely, from
the Lat. Pressare, to press, or
crush together.


 
Bruit, from the Fr. G. Bruit,
a report; this perhaps from
the Lat. Furere, to be in a
rage, or fury.

Brunt, to bear the Brunt of the
day; from the Teut. and Belg.
Brunst; (i.e.) the Heat of the
day V. Burn.

Brush, from the Fr. G. Bresse,
Broisse, the same: Or, as
Minsevus saith, from the
Teut. Burste, a bristle; be­
cause made of bristles: From
hence Brush wood, from Brush
and Wood q.d.  young small
sprigs, in comparison, like to
Swines bristles.

To Brustle, from the AS. Brust­
lian, to rustle as Armour:
Or as Dr. Th. H. sagaciously
divineth, q.d.  To Bristle, as
an enraged boar.

Bubble, from the Belg. Bobble,
Dan. Boble, the same; per­
haps corrupted from the Lat.
Bulla, idem.

Buck, from the Teut. Baucle,
Ital. Bucata, Fr. G. Buée, ley
made of ashes; all perhaps
from the Lat. Focus, a fire.

A Buck, from the AS. Bucca,
Fr. G. Bouc, idem. Gr. Βήκη,
a Roe, or Hind. Martinius
derives it from the Teut. Boc­
ken, Fr. G. Buquer, to re­
pulse.

Bucket, from the Fr. G. Bac­
quet; and both perhaps from
the AS. Buc, a flaggon. Som­
nerus draws it from the Lat. and
Gr. Baucalium, a kind of
water-pot.

To Buckle, from the Teut. Buc­
ken, and this from the AS.
Bugan, signifying, to stoop
down, to Bow; which see.

Buckle, from the Belg. Bokel,
Fr. G. Boucle, Teut. Buckel,
and all, I suppose, from the
AS. Bugan, to bend.

Buckler, from the Fr. G. Bou­
cler, Ital. Boccoliero, Fr. Th.
Bukelere, a target like an half
moon; which Fr. Jun. de­
rives from the Belg. Bocken-­
Leer, a Goat's skin. I suppose
rather that it comes from the
word Buckle. 

Buckram, from the Fr. G. Bourgram,
Ital. Bucherame, the
same: Once it signified a very
thin sort of Linen and wool­
len cloth; in which sence we
may draw it from the Fr. G.
Bourre, a lock of wool, and
Grain. v. Grogram.

Bud, from the Fr. G. Bouter,
to put forth; and this Mena­
gius draws from the Lat. fre­
quentative Pultare, to beat
out often.

Budge, from the Fr. G. Bouger,
both from the Ital. Volgere,
and this from the Lat. Volve­
re; q.d.  to move out of his
former place.

Budge-barrel, a vessel used by
Mariners, containing about an
hundred pounds of gun-powder; from the Fr. G. Bouge,
a bag, and Barrel. 

Budget, from the Fr. G. Bou­
gette, Ital. Bolgia; and all
from the Lat. Bulga, the same.



Buff, from the similitude it has
to the skin of an Ox, which the French call Buffle, and the
Italians, Buffale, much wore
by officers in an army.

Buffet, from the Fr. G. Buffe,
Ital. Buffetto, Hisp. Bofeton,
the same.

Buffet-stool; I suppose it may
come from the Fr. G. Buffet,
a table; because it might serve
for a little table, it being made
after the fashion of a table.

To Buffle, or Muffle, from the
AS. Abyffan, to mumble;
Belg. Baffen, to bark; per­
haps all of them feigned from
the sound.

Buffle, from the Dan. Byffel,
Fr. G. Beuffle, Ital. Buffalo;
they all signifie a kind of wild
Ox: From hence, A Buffle-­
head; q.d.  Ox-head, as we
may call one, that hath a great
head and little wit.

Buffoon, from the Fr. G. Buf­
fon, Ital. Buffone, a talkative,
prating fellow. Salmasius
draws it from the Lat. Bufo, a
Toad; because such a person
swells like a Toad, when irri­
tated.

Bugg or Bugbear, v. Big. Dr.
Th. H. derives it from Pug,
or Pucke, a Devil V. Pug.

Bugg, for Big; as when 'tis said,
He looks very Bug of it. V.
Big.

Bugger, to lay with a male;
from the Ital. Bugerare, the
same. Menagius derives it
from the Lat. Bulgari, a peo­
ple infamous for unnatural
lust; or from the Ital. Bugio,
signifying an hole.

A Bugle-horn, from the Lat. Bu­
cula; q.d.  the horn of an heifer.

Build, from the AS. Bythan,
and this from Bilið, Teut.
Bild, Belg. Beeld, a statue,
or image.

Bulfinch: Dr. Th. H. supposeth it
to be so call'd, quasi Bloodfinch.
(i.e.) crimson-colour'd; it
being in the Teut. primarily
called Blutfinck. 

Bulk, from the AS. Buce, Dan.
Bug, Teut. Bauch; (i.e.) big
in the body. It may likewise
be drawn from the Hisp. Bul­
to, which denotes the stature
of the body.

Bulkar, a word frequently used
in Lincolnshire; from the
Dan. Bielke, signifying, a
beam, or rafter.

Bull, from the Belg. Bolle, Bul,
the same; or from the noise
he makes.

Bull, a Denunciation, or Edict
from the Pope; from the Gr.
Βουλὴ, counsel; because, in
former ages, they were com­
posed by the mutual consent
of a Council, or Senate.

Bullace, or Bullis, perhaps from
Bowl, or Bullet, because they
are round; but I had rather
side with Dr. Th. H who
thinks it so called, quasi Bull-­
eyes, from the similitude.

Bull-beggar: Dr. Th. H. thinks
it ingeniously so called, quasi
Bold Beggar, one that will



not be denied. V. Bull, and
Beggar. 

Bullet, from the Fr. G. Boulet,
a little globe; perhaps from
the Gr. Βῶλος, a round clod
of earth. It alludes to the Gr.
Πολέω, to turn often.

Bullion, from the Gr. Βῶλος,
a lump of earth; q.d.  money
having no stamp or signature
upon it. I could almost ad­
venture to derive it from the
Gr. Βοῦλα, a signature; be­
cause it is to receive the Prince
his signet, or effigies, before it
be currant coin. Minsevus
draws it from the Hisp. Billon,
or Vellon; which he interpre­
teth, Bullion, or Copper to
make money of.

Bullock, from the AS. Bulluce;
a diminutive of Bull; which
see.

A Bully fellow; either q.d.  
Bulky; or q.d.  Bull-eyed.
V. Balk, Burly, and Bull.

Bull-rush, (i.e.) a greater and
stronger kind of rush.

Bulwark, from the Belg. Bol-­
werck, Teut. Boll-werck, from
Boll, round, and Werck,
work; q.d.  a spherical fa­
brick. Salmasius draws it
from the Gr. Βῶλος; q.d.  a
work made of turf, or earth.

Bum, from the Belg. Bomme,
a cover for a vessel. A noted
Author draws it from the
Belg. Bodem; with us, the
Fundament.

Bumbasin, from the Fr. G. Bum­
basin, a web made of silk and
Cotton; both from the Lat.
Bombyx; which, among the
Ancients, signified Cotton, as
well as silk.

Bumbast, linen doubled, and in­
terwoven with flax: From
hence it is, that we say metaphorically, Bumbast words,
or stile.

Bumble, or Humble-Bee, from
the Teut. Humlen, the Lat.
Bombilare, the Gr. Βομβεῖν,
to hum, as doth a Bee.

Bumkin, from the Belg. Boom­
ken, a little tree; a fool in Lat.
being called Stipes; q.d.  a
Block-head, one that has no
more sence than a tree. Dr.
Th. H. thinketh it so called,
quasi Pumpin, or Pumpion;
q.d.  one that liveth upon
pompions, or other course
fare, as the poorer sort of
country-people do.

Bunch, from the Ital. Bugno, or
Fr. G. Bosse, a wen, or knot.
Minshew derives it from the
Gr. Βοῦνοσ, an hillock. v.
Botch, and Boss.

To Bunch, from the Lat. Pug­
nus, i.e.  to smite one with
the fist.

Bundle, from the Belg. Bondle,
Bundel, Teut. Buntel, idem;
and all from the word Bind;
which see.

Bung, to nip a Bung; which,
in the Rogue's language, sign­
ifies, to pick a pocket; from
the AS. Pung, a purse, poc­
ket, portmanteau, satchel,
&c.


 
Bung, Bung-hole, from the Belg.
 Bomme, Bom-gat, Fr. G.
Bondon, idem. Fr. Jun. de­
rives it from the Gr. Πώμα,
drink.

To Bungle, from the Fr. G. Bou­
gonner, to go about the doing
a thing awkardly; and this
again from Bougeon, a great
arrow, or bolt; q.d.  to shoot with an arrow too big for the
white.

Bunn, from the Hisp Bunnelo,
Fr. G. Bignet, idem. We
may also form it of the Fr. G.
Bon, good; q.d.  a well-re­
lished cake.

Bunt, the Bunt of a sail; q.d.  
the Bent of a sail.

A Bunting, perhaps from the
Fr. G. Bondir, to hop up and
down upon the ground.

Burbott, from the Fr. G. Bar­
bote, and this from the Lat.
Barba; because it is a Sea-­
fish full of prickles: Or ra­
ther, from the Fr. G. Bourbe,
mud; because it troubleth the
water, as it swimmeth near
the bottom.

Burden, from the AS. Byr­
ðen, Teut. Burde, the same.
Some there are, that derive it
from the barb. Lat. Burdo, a
mule, a creature naturally
proper to bear burthens.

Burganet, from the Fr G. Bour­
guignotte, a sort of net; q.d.  
a Burgundy-net.

Burgeon, from the Fr. G. Bour­
geon; and this perhaps from ­
Bourre; q.d.  a tender sprig.

Burger, from the Belg. Borgher,
Teut. Burger, a Citizen. V.
Borough.

Burglary, from the AS. Burg,
and the termination Lary;
which, in composition, signifies, a robbery. It comes of
the Fr. G. Larron, a robber,
or robbery; q.d.  the robbing
and breaking open a castle;
for every man's house is his
castle.

Burlesk, from the Ital. Burles­
co, Burlare; q.d.  Mock-poe­
try, composed of Jests to
make men merry withal.

Burley, a Burley man; q.d.  
Boor-like; (i e.) like a plow-­
man, one that hath a big,
plump body. I might derive
it as well from the Teut. Ge­
buhrlich; this from the Verb
Geburhen, to become; fat
men being generally the most
comely.

Burn, from the AS. Baernan,
Belg. Burnen, Teut. and Fr.
Th. Brennen, the same; and
probably, all from the Lat.
Furnus, an oven, or furnace.

Burnet, the herb Pimpernel; so
called, from the word Burn,
which it is good against: Or
perhaps from Bourn, a spring;
because it groweth most ple­
ntifully near rivers and springs.

Burnish, from the Fr. G. and
Hisp. Brunir, Ital. Brunire,
to polish.

Burr, from the Fr. G. Bourre,
a lock of wool; because it
hath such soft and light down,



that it is blown away by the
wind like wool. 

Burr, the root of a young stag's
horn, from the same root;
for then 'tis tender and soft.

Burrel-fly, from the Fr. G. Bur­
reau, a tormentor; because it
miserably torments labouring
beasts in the summer.

Burrow of Rabbets, v. Coney­
berry.

Burse, from the Belg. Borse, Fr.
G. Bourse, an Exchange; or
rather, from the Teut. Bursch,
a society; this from the AS.
Borg, Teut. Burg, a sure­
ty; q.d.  a society upholden by mutual stipulation, between
party and party.

Burser, from the Fr. G. Boursier,
(i.e.) he that hath the bag;
Purser.

Burst, from the AS. Burstan,
Belg. and Teut. Bursten; and
all perhaps from the AS. Bo­
rian, to make an hole in any
thing.

Bury, from the AS. Birian,
idem; or from the Fr. Th.
Berge, Teut. Berg, an hill,
sometimes an heap. Minshew
draws it from the Teut. Ber­
gen, to cover.

Bury, a termination added to
the names of Towns, is the
same with Borough; which
see.

Bush, from the Teut. Busch,
idem; or from the Belg. Bosch,
Fr. G. Bois, Ital. Bosco, a
wood. Fr. Jun. derives it
from the Gr. Βόσκω, to crop.
I had rather derive it from the
Lat. Arbuscula shrubs.

Bushel, from the Fr. G. Boisseau,
the same; or from the Teut.
Buschel, a bundle; which
perhaps may be corrupted
from the Lat. Pugillus, an
handful.

Busk, from the Fr. G. Busc,
Busg, the same; or more
commodiously from the Ital.
Busto, the trunk of the bo­
dy; because it is wore upon
women's breasts, to make
their Cloths sit tight, &c.

Buskin, from the Fr. G. Botine,
Ital. Bottino, idem; and these
from the Fr. G. Bote, a boot,
they being a sort of little
boots.

Buss, from the Belg. Boesen,
Bousen, Fr. G. Baiser, Ital.
Basciare, to kiss; all from
the Lat. Basiare, the same.

Bustard, from the Fr. G. Bi­
stard; and this from the Lat.
Bis, twice, and Tardus, slow;
because being very big and
heavy, it raises it self, and flies
with great difficulty.

To Bustle, v. Brustle.

Busy, from the AS. Bysgian,
to busy; Belg. Be-sich, the
same: Or from the Fr. G.
Besogner, Ital. Bisigare, to
be Busy, or meddle with a­
ny thing. Somnerus draws
it from the AS. Bisa, a
throng; q.d.  a throng of
Business.

But; as when we say, None but



he; from the AS. Bute;
(i.e.) None besides, or except
him. 

But, from the Fr. G. Bout, the
greater end of a thing, the
But-end of a tree, &c.

Butcher, from the Fr. G. Bou­
cher, Ital. Beccaro, the same.
Menagius derives them all
from the Lat. Buccea, because
he cutteth flesh in pieces, or
portions.

Butler, from the Fr. G. Bouteil­
lier, Ital. Bottigliere, Lat.
barb. Buticularius, the same.
V. Bottle, and Butt.

Butt, from the AS. Butte,
Belg. and Teut. Butte, Fr. G.
and Ital. Botte, idem.

Butt, a kind of Plaice-fish; ei­
ther from the Teut. Butte, or
the Belg. Bott, idem; an
Hallibutt.

To Butt, from the Belg. Botten,
Fr. G. Bucquer; or rather,
the Fr. G. Bouter, Ital. But­
tare; all signifying, to run
against, or push with the
horn.

Butter, from the AS. Buttere,
Belg. Boter, Teut. Butter, the
same.

Butter bump, a bird so called,
for its having smooth and soft
feathers. v. Buzzard.

Butterfly, from the AS. But­
ter-flege, Teut. Butter-­
fliege, Belg. Botervliege, the
same.

Buttery; q.d.  a place where
Butter is kept; from the
Fr. G. Bouter, to put; q.d.  
a Repository. V. Put.

Buttock, from the Belg. Bout;
(i.e.) the Bolt of the bone.
Dr. Th. H. derives it from
Bout, and the AS. Hoh, in
English Hough.

Button, from the Fr. G. Bouton,
Ital. Bottone, the same. Me­
nagius draws them all from
the Lat. barb. Pultare, to
knock against a thing.

Button in plants, from the Belg.
Botte, Fr. G. Bouton, a Bud;
which see.

Buttress, from the Lat. Fulta­
re; q.d.  props to support
the superstructure withal: Or
from the Fr. G. Brettesse, this
from Brettè; q.d.  the pin­
nacles of a wall, being inden­
ted like the teeth of a saw.

A Butwink, a bird so called, per­
haps because it winketh of­
ten.

Buxom, from the AS. Bocsum,
this from the Verb Bugan,
to bend; q.d.  flexible, or one
that will soon be perswaded to
a thing. Buxumness, by Chau­
cer is interpreted, Lowliness,
or Submission.

Buy, from the AS. Bycgean,
the same. Minsevus draws it
from the Belg. Bieden, to bid
money for. V. To Bid.

Buzzard, from the Fr. G. Bu­
zart, Ital. Buzzago, Teut.
Bushard; and all of them pro­
bably from the Lat. Buteo,
the same.


 
By, from the AS. Bi, Fr. Th.
Bi, Belg. By, beside, or nigh
to. Hence By-name; (i.e.)
nick-name.

By, a termination of many
names of Villages and Towns,
from the AS. Bye, an habita­
tion; and this from Byan, to
dwell; or from the Dan. Bye,
a City, or Town.

By-By; Mer. Cas. derives it
from the Gr. Βαυβᾶν, to
sleep; being sung by nurses,
to cause their nurslings to fall a-sleep.

By-word, from the AS. By-­
word, a proverb; q.d.  a
saying always ready. v. By,
and Word. 


C Cabbage, from the Fr. G. Ca­
bus, Ital. Cabuccio, Belg.
Raburs; and all from the Lat.
 Caput, a head.

Cabbin, from the Fr G. Cabane,
Hisp. Cabanna, Ital. Capan­
na; and all of them from
the Lat. Cavea, an hole, or
den. Salmasius derives it
from the Gr. Καπάνη, a crib,
or manger

Cabbinet, a diminutive of Cab­
bin. See Cabbin.

Cable, from the Belg. Cabel,
Fr. G. Chable; all, not un­
likely, from the Gr. Κάλως,
or Κάμιλος, signifying the
same.

Caboshed, a term in Heraldry;
from the Hisp. Cabeca; or
rather, from the Fr. G. Ca­
boche, an head; and all from
the Lat. Caput. 

Caburn, a term among Sailers;
from the Fr. G. Chevron, a
kid; it being a small rope,
compared with a Cable.

To Cackle, from the Belg. Raec­
kelen, Gaghelen, Fr. G. Ca­
queter, Ital. Caccherare, the
same; all fictitious words.

Cackrel, otherwise Cagarel so-­
called a Cacando, because it
loosens the body, and moves
to stool.

Caddis, v. Codworm.

A Cade lamb, perhaps from the
Lat Casa; q.d.  a lamb wea­
ned, and bred up by hand in
the house, the dam dying:
Or from the Fr. G. Cade,
which seemeth to be contracted from the Lat. Delicatus;
q.d.  made much of.

Cage, from the Fr. G. Cage, Ital.
Gaggia, the same; all from
the Lat. Cavea. 

Cajoll, an up start word, from
the Fr. G. Cageoler, Cajoler,
Ital. Gazzolare; and these
from the Lat. Graculus, a Jack­
daw.

The Caining of a rope, a say­
ing proper to Mariners; q.d.  
The Gaining of a rope; to
wit, when they weigh up an
anchor.

"Caining" not found in OED.





Caitiff, from the Fr. G. Chetif,
Ital. Cattivo, Captivus; as
we say, a slave to the world.

Cake, from the Dan. Kag, Belg.
Kocck, Teut. Kuch, the same.
Davis draws it from the
Lat. Coquo, to cook. V.
Cook.

Calamanco, possibly from the
Gr. Καλὸ, and the Lat. Man­
tum; q.d.  cloth fit to make
cloaks of.

Calamary-fish, from the Ital.
Calamaro; i.e.  a Cuttle­
fish, having blood as black as
ink.

Calendar, from the Lat. Calen­
darium; that is, an enume­
ration of all the Calends in the
year.

To Calender, from the Fr. G.
Calendrer, to smooth cloth.

Calf, from the AS. Calf, Belg.
Kalf, Teut. Kalv, the same.
From hence, The Calf of the
leg.

Caliver, from the Fr. G. Calibre,
both from the Lat. Æquili­
brium; q.d.  a piece of ord­
nance, made after an exact
proportion.

To Calk a ship; i.e.  mend it;
from the Fr. G. Calage, tow;
wherewithal it is stopped:
Or more probably from the
AS. Cæle, a Keel; q.d.  Cæ­
lage, or Keelage: Whence
we synecdochically say, To
Carine a ship; that is, to re­
pair it.

Call, from the Dan. Kalder; or
rather, the Gr. Καέω, the
same. Cardanus draws it
from the Heb. Col, Arab. Caul,
signifying, a word.

Callico-cloth, from Calecut, a
great Mart-Town in India,
from whence it is brought.

Calm, from the Belg. Kalm,
Fr. G. Calme, Ital. and Hisp.
Calma, idem. Cov. draws it
from the Gr. Καῦμα, because
the wind ceasing, the air grows
warm.

Caltrops, from the AS. Col­
træppe, idem. Minshew
draws it from the Fr. G.
Chausse trappes; so called,
because they cleave to ones
cloths. Th. H. Esq draws it
from the Fr. G. Cheval-at­
trappe, because it also signi­
fies, a warlike instrument to
ensnare the legs of horses
withal. V. Hose, and Trap. 

Calvary, Cross-Calvary, a term
in Heraldry; a cross erected
in imitation of Jacob's lad­
der, says Morgan: Or rather,
q.d.  a cross of Calvary, made
for a memorial of our Sa­
viour's Cross, that was carried
up the mount, step by step.

Cambrick, from the Teut. Cam­
mertuth; q.d.  cloth brought
from Cambray, a Town in
Picardy.

Cambring, a term among Ship­
wrights; from the Lat. Came­
ratus, Gr. Καμαρωτὸς, q.d.  
arched, or vaulted.

Camerade, from the Fr. G.
Chambre, Ital. Camera; q.d.  
a Chamber-fellow. v. Cham­
ber.



Cammock, from the AS. Cam­
moc, Cammec, or Cammuc;
that which we call Rest-Har­
row.

Camp, from the AS. Campe,
Belg. Kamp, Teut. Kampff,
a fight, or battle; from hence
Champion; and all perhaps from the Lat. Campus, a field,
or plain.

Can, from the Belg Konnen,
Dan. Kand, the same. It al­
ludes to the Gr. Ἱκανόσ εὶμι.

Canary-bird; so called, because
it is brought, from the Ca­
naries. 

Cancel, from the Fr. G. Cancel­
ler, Lat. barb. Cancellare, to
null, or rase out a writing.

Candlemass, or The Purifica­
tion of the blessed Virgin;
from the Lat. Candela, a can­
dle, and Mass; q.d.  a festi­
val celebrated with lighted
candles.

Candy, Sugar-Candy; either
from the Island Candia, for­
merly Crete, which affordeth
great store of it; or, as Mena­
gius has it, from the old Verb
Candire, to purifie, or make
white. Salmasius derives it,
from the Gr. Καντόν, Καντίον;
because, when broken, it ap­
pears all corner'd.

Cane, from the Lat. Canna,
the same.

Canker, from the Lat. Cancer,
any kind of spreading ulcer.

Cann, from the AS. Canne,
Teut. and Belg. Kanne; both
perhaps from the Lat. Cantha­
rus, idem. Dhuezius, not un­
elegantly, draws it from the
Teut. Kahn, a skiff.

Cannel, a kind of coal in Lan­
cashire; from the AS. Cene,
easie, and Ælan, to kindle;
q.d.  easie to be kindled.

Cannel-bone, q.d.  a bone near
the channel; that is, the throat.

Cannions, i.e.  boot-hose-tops;
from the Fr. G. Canon, this
from the Lat. Canna, a reed.

Cannon, from the Fr. G. Can­
non, Ital. Cannone; and all,
for the similitude, from the
Lat. Canna, a reed; as be­
fore.

Canon, from the Fr. G. Cha­
noine, Lat. barb Canonicus;
and all from the Gr. Κάνων, a
rule.

Canopy, from the Fr. G. Cano­
pée, and both from the Gr.
Κωνοπεῖον, and this from Κώ­
νωψ, a gnat, or fly; q.d.  a
net spread over the face, to
keep off gnats or flies, whilst
one sleepeth: With us, it is
set up over Princes heads, for
a badge of imperial power.

Canow, from the Teut. Kahn;
or rather, from the Lat. Can­
na; q.d.  a small ship, long
and hollow, like a reed.

To Cant; or, To use Canting
language, possibly from the
Teut. Tand, a ridiculous
phantasm; or from the Lat.
Cento, idle discourse; q.d.  to
use insignificant or nonsensical
discourse.

Cant, v. Canion.


 
Cantlet, from the Fr. G. Canton,
Ital. Cantone, a corner; Gr.
Κάνθος, idem.

"cantlet" antedates earliest OED citation (1700).



Canton, a term in Heraldry,
from the same root ; q.d.  a
quadrangular figure, set only
in the corner of an Escut­
cheon.

Cantred, a word used in Wales;
from the C. Br. Cant, (i.e.)
an Hundred.

Canvass, from the Fr. G. Can­
nevas, Ital. Cannevazzo; all
of them from the Lat. Can­
nabis, hemp; q.d.  made of
hemp, hempen.

To Canvass, to search into, or
throughly examine a matter;
also to hunt eagerly after Votes in times of Elections;
from the Fr. G. Canabasser, or
the Lat. Cannabis, hemp, by
a metaphor taken from beat­
ing hemp, because nothing is
more laborious.

Cap, from the AS. Cæppe, Ital.
Cappa; and all of them from
the Lat. Caput. 

Capable, from the Fr. G. Capa­
ble; both from the Lat. Ca­
pax, the same.

Cap-a-pe, Armed Cap-a-pe,
from the Fr. G. Cap-a-pie;
(i.e.) from head to foot.

Caparison, from the Fr. G. Ca­
parasson, Ital. Capparisone; and all of them from the Lat.
Caput, and Paratus; q.d.  ar­
mour fitted for horses heads.

Cape, from the Fr. G. Cap,
Ital. Capo, Hisp. Cabo, the
same.

Cape, The Cape of a cloak; by
a Synecdoche, from the AS.
Cæpe, Fr. G. Cappe, Dan.
Kappe, a cloak, or riding-­
coat.

Caper, To cut a Caper, meta­
phorically from the Lat. Ca­
per; q.d.  to skip or leap like
a goat.

A Caper, from the Lat. Capio;
(i.e.) a pirate, that taketh and
pillageth Merchants ships.

Capers, from the Lat. Capparis,
or the Gr. Κάππαρις, the
same.

Capital, a term in Architecture,
from the Ital. Capitello, Fr.
G. Chapiteau, the head of a
pillar.

The Capstaw, Capstand, or Cap­
stan of a ship, from the AS.
Cop, an head, and Steng,
a crane to draw up parcels
withal.

Captain, from the Fr. G. Capi­
tain, Ital. Capitano, or the
barb. Lat. Capitaneus; all
from the Lat. Caput, because
he is the Head of his Com­
pany.

Capuchin, one of the Order of
St. Francis; from the Fr. G.
Capuchon, a Monk's hood;
and both from the Lat. Caput. 

A Caravan, from the Fr. G.
Caravane, Ital. Caravana,
and all from the Turc. Ker­
van, a company of Merchants
travelling through Turky with
a guard of Janizaries.

Caravel, from the Ital. Cara­
vella, Hisp. Caravela; and



both perhaps from the Gr.
Κάραβος; q.d.  a kind of flight­
ship, somewhat resembling a
crab. 

Carbonado, from the Fr G. Car­
bonade, Ital. Carbonata, Hisp.
Carbonada, meat broiled up­
on coals; and all of them,
not unlikely, from the Lat.
Carbo, a coal.

Carcass, from the Fr. G. Car­
quasse; q.d.  Caro Cassa, i.e.  
flesh without life.

Card, from the Belg. Kaerde,
the same.

To Card wool, perhaps from
Carduus, a Fuller's thistle

A Mariner's Card,from the
Lat. Charta, paper

Cardinal, from the Lat. Cardi­
nalis, and this from Cardo, as
being the Heads, or Hinges
of the Church.

Cards, from the Fr. G. Cartes,
Ital. Carte; and all of them
from the Lat. Charta,  idem. 

Care, from the AS. Care, Lat.
Cura, signifying the same.

Caress, from the Fr. G. Cares­
ser, Ital. Carezzare; and all
from the Lat. Carus, dear, or
loving.

Carfax, a saying at Oxford;
from the Fr. G. Quarrefour, a
place where four ways meet:
Or rather, from Quattre-Fa­
ces, having four prospects.

Cargason, from the Fr. G. Car­
gaison, Hisp. Cargacon, the car­
go of a ship; and these from
the Fr. G. Carguer, Ital. Car­
icare, to load a ship.

Carriage, from the Fr. G. Ca­
riage, Ital. Cariaggio, the
same. V. To Carry.

Cark, from the AS. Carc,
Care; which see.

Carknet, from the old Fr. G.
Carcanet, a diminutive of
Carcan, a neck-lace.

Carl, v. Churl.

Carlings, a term in Sailing;
from the Fr. G. Char, Lat.
Carrus, a carriage, or suppor­
ter.

Carnacion, from the Lat. Caro;
q.d.  a flesh-colour.

Caroche, a French word; from
the Lat. Carruca, a kind of
chariot so called.

Carol, from the Gr. Καρὰ, joy,
or Καίρω, to be glad; a cer­
tain song usually sung on ones
Birth-day. Yet it may be de­
rived from the AS. Carl,
rustick; q.d.  a rural song.

Carot, from the Fr. G. Carote,
Ital. Carota, signifying the
same.

Carowse, from the Fr. G. Ca­
rousser; both from the Teut.
Gar-Ausz; i.e.  fill it all
out.

Carp, from the Fr. G. Carpe,
Ital. Carpa, Carpano; and all
of them from the Lat. Carpo,
to snatch greedily; for 'tis a
voracious greedy fish.

Carpenter, from the Fr. G. Car­
pentier, Ital. Carpentiero;
all from the Lat. Carpentum,
carved work.

Carpet, from the Belg. Karpet,
Ital. Carpetta, idem; and



this from the City Cairo and
the Ital. Tapeto; q.d.  Tape­
stry made at Memphis, alias
Cairo, a famous City in Æ­
gypt. 

Carrabin, or Carabin, from the
Fr. G. Carabin, Ital. Carabi­
no;  q.d.  a gun to carry about
one. V. Carry.

Carrack, from the Fr. G. Car­
raque, Ital. Caracca, Hisp.
Carraca; all from the Lat.
Carrus; q.d.  a ship of great
burthen.

Carrat; from the Fr. G. Carat,
Ital. Caratto; and all from
the Gr. Κεράτιον, an husk, or
cod; 'tis the weight of four
grains.

Carreer, from the Fr. G. Car­
riere, Ital. Carriera, Hisp.
Carrera; as we say common­
ly, To ride in a full Carreer;
from the Verb To Carry;
which see.

Carrion, from the Fr. G. Cha­
rongne, Ital. Carogna, Hisp.
Caronna; all from the Lat.
Caro, flesh.

Carry, from the Fr.
G. Cha­
rier; i.e.  to carry in a cart.

Cart, from the AS. Cart, Fr.
G. Charrette, Ital. Carretta;
all of them from the Lat.
Carrus, idem; which Fr.
Jun. derives from the Gr. Κάρ­
τος, for Κράτος, strength;
it being made strong, to sup­
port weighty carriages.

A Cartel of defiance, from the
Fr. G. Cartel, Cartée, Ital.
Cartello; and all, I suppose,
from the Lat. Chartula; i.e.  
a provocatory paper, whereby
one man challengeth another
to a duel.

Cartridge, or Cartage, from the
Fr. G. Cartouche, Ital. Car­
toccia; and all from the Lat.
Charta;  q.d.  paper with
powder rammed into a gun,
when it is to be shot off.

Carve, from the AS. Ceorfan,
Belg. Kerven, Teut. Kerben;
and all of them, not unlikely,
from the Lat. Carpere; i.e.  
to cut or divide meat in por­
tions.

A Case, from the Fr. G. Casse;
and both from the Lat. Capsa,
a box, or coffer.

A Casemat, a term in war;
from the Fr. G. Casemate, I­
tal. Casamatta, Hisp. Casa­
mata, the same. Minshew
derives them all from the Lat.
Casa, an house, and the Hisp.
Matar, flowing from the
Lat. Mactare, to kill, or slay;
q.d.  an house out of which one
is slain unawares.

Casement, from the Ital. Casa­
mento; because they are pla­
ced outward, on the out-side
of the house.

Cash, from the Fr. G. Casse,
Caisse, Ital. Cassa, a coffer to
hoard money in: And from
hence, A Casher, a Cash-kee­
per, or Purser; all of them
perhaps from the Lat. Capsa,
a coffer.


 
To Cashier, from the Fr. G. Cas­
ser; both from the Lat. Cas­
sare; i.e.  to disband a Sol­
dier, and put him out of
pay.

Casings, from the Teut. Roth,
dung; which is gathered by
the poor people in some Coun­
tries, to make fires withal; by
them called Casings.

Cask, from the Fr. G. Casque,
Hisp. Casco; and all from the
Lat. Cassis, an helmet, or head-­
piece.

Cask, from the Fr. G. Caque,
or the Lat. Cadus, a pipe of
wine.

Casket, from the Fr. G. Cas­
sette, Ital. Cassetta; and all
from the Lat. Capsula, a little
coffer.

Caskets, a term among Mari­
ners. V. Case, and Casket.

Cassock, from the Fr. G. Cas­
aque, Ital. Casacca, Hisp. Ca­
saca; and all of them from
the Lat. Casa; q.d.  a long
vestment wore in casa, i.e.  
within doors.

Cast, from the Dan. Kaster, id.
Minshew draws it from the
Fr. G. Chasser, to drive
away.

Castaniettoes, from the Hisp.
Castannetas, Ital. Castagnet­
te, the same; and all, not un­
likely, from the Lat. Casta­
nea, chestnuts; q.d.  little
round shells, used by Dancers,
like unto chestnut-shells.

Cat, from the Teut. Katz, Fr.
G. Chat, Ital. Gatto, Hisp.
Gato; all from the barb. Lat.
Catus, the same; and this
from the Lat. barb. Cattare,
for Captare, to catch at a
thing, as cats do at mice.

Cat, To play at Cat, from the
Teut. Kutte, an hole digged
in the ground, for the better
conveniency of raising the
ball, so as it may be hit with
the Cat-stick.

Catipan , to turn Catipan, from
a people called Catipani, in
Calabria and Apulia, who
got an ill name by reason of
their perfidy; very falsly by
us called Cat-in-pan.

See "to turn the cat in the pan", OED, "cat," 12. 



A Catch, a ship, which, for its
lightness, soon overtaketh o­
thers. Dr. Th. H. derives it from
the Belg. Ketsen, to run swift­
ly.

To Catch, from the Fr. G. Chas­
ser; or from the Belg. Ketsen,
to pursue one closely; or ra­
ther, from the Ital. Cattare,
and this from the Lat Capta­
re,  idem. 

A Catch, or Sonnet sung by
turns; so called, because eve­
ry one Catches it from ano­
ther. V. To Catch.

Catch-poles, Serjeants to arrest
and lay hold on men; from
Catch, and Poll, an head.
v. Poll.

Caterpillar, from the Fr. G.
Chatte-peleuse; q.d.  a worm
hairy as a Cat. Dr. Th. H.
draws it from Chair-peleuse, i.e.  hairy flesh.

Cates, perhaps contracted from



the word Delicates. Min­
shew draws it from the Goth.
Cates, signifying the same:
From hence a Cater, or Ca­
terer, a Steward at a feast. 

Catharpings, a term among Sai­
lers, from the Belg. Katerolle;
and this from Katte, and Roll,
with us, Rowl; i.e.  small
ropes running in little wheels,
or pulleys.

The Catlings of Wall-nut-trees, 
from the Belg. Kattekens,
Teut. Katzleins, Fr. G. Chat­
tons, down, or moss, which
grows about this sort of tree, much resembling the hair of a
cat.

Cattel, from the Lat. Capita,
because they belong to one
head, or owner, by right of
possession: V. Chattels.

Catterwawl, from Cat, and
Wawl. Dr. Th. H. thinks it
so said, quasi Gutterwawl. 

Cavalcade, v. Cavalier.

Cavalier, from the Fr. G. Ca­
vailler, Ital. Cavaliere, Hisp.
Cavallero; all from the Lat.
Caballus, a pack-horse.

Candle, from the Fr. G. Chau­
deau, Chaudelée; and these
from the Fr. G. Chaud, Lat.
Calidus, hot; q.d.  a confe­
ction made of eggs, wine,
bread, sugar and spices, always
to be taken hot.

Cave, from the Fr. G. Cave, or
the Lat. Cavus, hollow; Ca­
verna, the same.

Cavers, a term amongst Mari­
ners; from the Lat. Cavea, a
cave.

"cavers" not found in OED in this sense.



Caviary, or Caviare, from the
Ital. Caviaro, the spawn of a
Sturgeon pickled; caught in
Rha, or Volga, a river of Sar­
matia, or Moscovy.

Caul; (i.e.) the suet in which
the bowels are wrapped; so
called, because it representeth the form of a Cawl, or net:
in which sence, we may de­
rive it from the Lat. Caveola,
because a net is, as it were, a
prison for fish. But when it is
taken for dress for women's heads, it seemeth to come of
the Ital. Cavelli, or the Lat.
Capilli, hairs, saith Min­
shew.

Cauldron, from the Fr. G. Chau­
dron, Ital. Chauderone; and
these from the Fr. G. Chaud,
Ital. Caldo, Lat. Calidus, hot.

Causey, from the Fr. G. Chaus­
sée, Ital. Calzata, strewed
with chalk; or from the Lat.
Calceus, a shooe; because be­
ing paved with flints, it is
more commodious for foot­
men than horse-men.

Cease, from the Fr. G. Cesser;
both from the Lat. Cessare,
the same.

A Cellar, from the Fr G. Ce­
lier; and both from the Lat.
Cellarium, idem.

Censer, q.d.  Incenser, from the ­
Lat. Incendo, to burn; q.d.  
a vessel wherein is burned In­
cense; which see.

Centry, v. Sentinel.

Certain, from the Fr. G. Cer­
tain; this from the Lat. Certus,



certain, or sure. From hence the word Ascertain, or
assure one of a thing. 

To Chafe, from the Fr. G. Chauf­
fer; both from the Lat. Cal­
facere, i.e.  to heat, or warm
with rubbing: Hence, meta­
phorically, To Chafe with an­
ger.

A Chafer, from the Fr. G. E­
shauffer, to heat; q.d.  a ves­
sel to heat things in.

A Chafer, or yellow Beetle, from
the AS. Ceafor, Belg. Re­
ver, Teut Kafer, the same.
Scaliger derives it from the
Gr.Κάραβος; q.d.  having
a covering on its body resem­
bling that of a crab.

Chaff, from the AS. Ceaf, Belg.
Kaf, idem. Martinius de­
rives it from the Lat. Cavo, to
hollow; because when the
seed is struck out, the husk is
hollow. Fr. Jun. draws it
more ingeniously from the Gr. Κοῦφος, light. Yet it may
be derived from the AS. Caf,
swift; because it is easily car­
ried away with the wind.

To Chaffer, from the Teut. Kauf­
fer, to buy: it signifies, to
exchange one commodity for
another.

Chaffer, Good Chaffer, from the
AS. Ceaf, good wares; or
the Belg. Kooper, Teut. Kauf­
fer, to buy, or purchase.

Chaffinch, from the AS. Caf,
swift; q.d.  swift Finch. v.
Finch.

Chafingdish, from the word
Chafe; which see.

Chain, from the Fr. G. Chain;
and both contracted from the
Lat. Catena, idem.

Chair, from the Fr. G. Chaire;
and both contracted from the
Lat. Cathedra, the same.

Chalbot, rather Chabot, a term
in Heraldry; from the Lat.
Caput: It is a sort of fish with
a great head, called a Gull,
Bull-head, or Miler's-thumb.

Chalice, from the Fr. G. Calice;
and both from the Lat. Calix,
idem.

Chalk, from the Fr. G. Chaulx,
and both from the Lat. Calx,
idem.

Challenge, from the Fr. G. Cha­
lenger, Chalanger, to lay
claim to a thing.

Chamber, Fr. G. Chambre, Ital.
Camera, Teut. Kammer; all
from the Gr. Καμάρα, a roof,
or arch.

Chamberlain, Fr. G. Cambellan,
Ital. Cambellano, Ciamberla­
no, Teut. Kammerling, all
from the barb. Lat. Cammera­
rius, the same.

Chamblet. from the Fr. G. Ca­
melot, Hisp. Chamelote, Ital.
Cambelotto; and these from
the Lat. Camelus, a Camel;
this sort of stuff being made
of Camels hair.

Chamfer'd, from the Fr. G.
Chambrè, Cambrè, crooked,
or arched; or, according to
Menagius, from the Lat. Ca­
murus, for Curvus; (i.e.)



vaulted, or bent arch-wise. 

Chamois, from the Gr. Κεμὰς,
saith Scaliger; (i.e.) the skin
of a young Faun: But Covar­
ruvias derives it from the
Hisp. Gamuza; q.d.  the skin
of a wild goat.

Chamomil, from the Fr. G.
Cammomille, Ital. Camemil­
la, Lat. Camaemelum; all
from the Gr. Καμαίμηλον, a
kind of apple, to which it is
like in smell.

To Champ, as doth a boar, from
the Fr. G. Champayer, to
feed; and this from the Lat.
Campus, a field; or from the
Gr. Κάπτω, to devour greedi­
ly; or ΓαμφŰ, jaws; which
cometh from the Verb Κομ­
πέω, to whet the teeth like a
boar.

Champain, A Point Champain, 
a term in Heraldry; from the
Fr. G. Champaigne, a field:
One that unhumanely slays a
captive in the field, after he
hath cried Quarter, says Guil­
lam.

Champion, from the Fr. G.
Champion, Ital. Campione,
the same; all, not unlikely,
from the Lat. Campus, a field,
or the Gr. Κάμνω, to labour,
or take pains.

Champion-Ground, from the Fr.
G. Champaigne, Ital. Cam­
pagna, idem; both from the
Lat. Campus, a plain.

Chance, from the Fr. G. Chance,
and this from Cheance, a ver­
bal of the Verb Cheoir, to fall
out, or happen.

Chancel, from the Fr. Norm.
Chancel, and that from the
Lat. Cancelli, i.e.  a Vestry,
anciently separated from the
rest of the Church by a parti­
tion made lattisswise.

Chancellour, from the Fr. G.
Chancelier, Ital. Cancelliere;
all from the barb. Lat. Cancel­
larius, and this from Cancel:
Hence Chancery, by contracti­
on from the Fr. G. Chanceliere,
i.e.  the Chancellor's Court.

Chance-Medley, a term in Law;
from the Fr. G. Chance, chance,
and Mesler, to mingle; (i.e.)
unpremeditated death.

Chandler, from the Fr. G. Chan­
deliere; and both from the
Lat. Candela; i.e.  one that
maketh candles.

Change, from the Fr. G. Chan­
ger, Ital. Cangiare, Cam­
biare, and both from the Lat.
Cambire, the same. From
hence, To Counter-change;
also A Changeling.

Channel, v. Kennel.

Chant, from the Fr. G. Chan­
ter; both from the Lat. Can­
tare; or rather, Cantillare,
to sing softly.

Chantecleer, a cock; from the
Fr. G. Chanter, to sing, and
Clair, clear.

Chanter, from the Fr. G. Chan­
tre, Ital. Cantiere; i.e.  a
Singing master.

Chanter, a dog's name; from
the same root ; q.d.  a dog
that filleth the woods with barking.


 

Chantry, v. Chant, above.

To Chap, corrupted from Gape;
which see.

Chape, from the Fr. G. Chappe,
the point of a scabbard, made
of iron; or perhaps from the
Ital. Cappa, i.e.  the cover of
a scabbard.

Chaplet, from the Fr. G. Chape­
let, and both from the Lat.
Caput, q.d.  an ornament for
the head.

Chap-man, from the AS. Ceap-­
man, Teut. Kauffman, Belg.
Koopman, idem. v. Cheap,
and Chaffer.

Chapel, from the Fr. G. Cha­
pelle, Ital. Capella, the same.
From hence Chaplain, from
the Fr. G. Chapelain; both
from the Fr. G. Chape, a
gown; or from the Cappas
St. Martini. Spelman de­
rives it from the Lat. Capsella,
a little box, in which relicks
were kept.

Chaps, from the AS. Ceaflas,
idem; and this from Ceafl,
a snout.

Chapter, from the Lat. Caput, a
head; q.d.  a Convocation of
the Heads or Elders of the
Church.

The Chapter of a pillar, from
the Fr. G. Chapiteau; both
from the Lat. Capitulum, a
chapiter.

A Chapter, from the Fr. G. Cha­
pitre; and both from the Lat.
Caput, the same.

Char, a task set one to do; ei­
ther from the word Charge,
or the AS. Carc, care. V.
Charge, and Cark.

Char-woman, from the Belg.
Keeren; (i.e.) a woman hired
to rub, and make clean the
house.

Char, a fish very plentiful in
Winander Mere, a standing
water in Lancashire; not un­
likely, from the AS. Car­
ran, to turn; because it tur­
neth it self swiftly in the wa­
ter.

Charcoal, from the Eng. Char,
clear, and Coal; for the
clear and vehement heat which
it casteth; it is most fit for
cunning workmanship, and
Chymical operations.

Chard, The Chard of an Arte­
choke, from the Fr. G Chard,
of the same signification. It
may likewise come from the
Lat. Carduus. Gardiners term
that the Chard, that grows
out of the roots of old Arte­
chokes.

Chardon, a term among Gardi­
ners; from the Fr. G. Char­
don, Ital. Cardone; i.e.  an
Artechoke covered with earth,
till it become tender; from
the Lat. Carduus, a thistle;
q.d.  a great thistle.

Charge, from the Fr. G. Charge,
Ital. Carico, a burthen; and
all from the Lat. Carrus, a
cart, or waggon. V. Carry.

Charger, from the Teut. Kahr,
signifying a deep platter; or



from our Eng. Charge; be­
cause in it chargeable delica­
cies are carried to the table. 

Chariot, or Charret, from the
Fr. G. Chariot; and both
from the Lat. Carrus, a cart,
or waggon.

Charitable, from the Fr. G. Cha­
ritablè, Ital. Charitévole; and
all from the Lat. Charitas,
charity.

Chark, a word frequently used
in Lincolnshire; from the
AS. Acyrran, Teut. Keh­
ren. Belg. Keeren, to turn;
q.d.  beer kept unbroached,
till it becomes very stale, or
till it turns.

A Charlatan, from the Fr. G.
Charlatan, Ital. Ciarlatano,
a Circler, or Juggler; and this
from Ciarlare, to incircle;
q.d.  one that deludes men's
senses with jugling tricks, and
charming speeches.

Charm, from the Fr. G. Charme, 
Ital. Ciarma; all from the
Lat. Carmen; q.d.   a magick
Verse.

A Charnel-house, from the Fr.
G. Charnier, idem; and this
from the Lat. Caro, flesh; be­
cause thither must all flesh
come at last: Or from the
Lat. Cranium, a skull; q.d.  
a repository for dead men's
skulls.

Charter, from the Fr. G. Char­
tre, publick acts, or commen­
taries; this from the Lat.
Charta, paper.

Charter-house, from the Fr. G.
Chartreux, Ital. Certosa, a
Monastery of Carthusian-­
Monks; so called, from Car­
thusia, a mountain near Gratianopolis, where Bruno, who
first instituted this Order, had
his seat: Or from the old Fr.
G. Chartre, which formerly
signified, a prison, from Car­
cer, because they are shut up
in the Cloister, as it were in a
Gaol, being forbidden all hum­
ane conversation.

Charter-party, a term in Law;
from the Fr. G. Charte, or
Carte Partie, a writing, or
deed, delivered to each of
them that make a contract.

Chary, from the Lat. Cura, care,
q.d.  careful, or wary.

Chase, from the Fr. G. Chasser,
Ital. Cacciare; and all from
the Lat. Captare. 

Chase, Chased Plate, a term in
the Gold-smith's craft, a con­
tract of Inchase; which see.

Chasten, v. Chastise.

Chastise, Fr. G. Chastier, both
from the Lat. Castigare, the
same.

To Chat, from the Fr. G. Ca­
quetter, Ital. Gazzolare, to
chatter, or chattle like a Iay;
which see.

Chattels, a term in Law, from
the Belg. Katheyl, moveables.

Chatter, from the Belg. Citte­
ren, Teut. Zittern, to shake,
or tremble for cold.

Chatter as a Mag-pye, from the
Fr. G. Caequeter, Caqueter,
the same.



Chaudron, a measure of coals
consisting of 2000l. weight;
from the Fr. G. Chauderon, or
our Eng. Cauldron, (i.e.) so
many coals as suffice for fires
under Dyars vats.

Chavender, V. A Chevin, or
Chub.

Cheap, v. Cheapen.

To Cheapen, from the AS. Cea­
pan, Belg. Koopen, Teut.
Kauffen, to buy. Hence Chep­
stow, a City in Wales; from
the AS. Ceapstow, (i.e.)
a place for merchandise.

Chear, v. Cheer.

Chearful, q.d.  Ital. Chi a buon
Ciera (i.e.) one that is of
good cheer. V. Cheer.

Cheat, from the AS. Cetta,
circumventions, frauds; or
the Fr. G. Achet, an agree­
ment, or bargain; this from
the Verb Acheter, which
comes from the Lat. Captare;
as we say when we are cheated
in buying any thing, We are
bought and sold.

Check, from the Fr. G. Eschec,
Ital. Scacco, the play at Ta­
bles. Hence, A Check with
a pawn, Check with a rook;
terms in gaming. V. Chess.

Check-Mate, from the Ital.
Scaoco, and the Lat. Mattus,
which comes from the Gr.
Μάπτω, to undergo; q.d.  a
check cast under the table.

To Check, to repress, or keep
under; by a Metaphor from
the other Check. v. Chess.

Checker, to plant trees chec­
ker-wise, or by squares. V.
Check, and Chess.

Checkie, a term in Heraldry;
from the Fr. G. Eschiquette,
Ital. Inscacchiere, squared like
Checker-work. v. Check.

Checkin, from the Ital. Zeccha,
or from the Hisp. and Arab.
Cequi; it is a Venetian gol­
den coin. Minshew derives
it from the Hisp. Seca, a place
where money is coined.

Cheek from the AS Chece, Belg.
Kaecke, the same.

Cheer, from the Fr. G. Chere,
Caire, Hisp. Xira, Cara, the
countenance: Or from the Lat. Caro, when it is taken
for victuals.

Cherish, from the Fr. G. Che­
rir, and both from the Lat.
Charus; q.d.  to love one
dearly. v. Caress.

Chern, or Churn, from the Belg.
Keeren, Fr. G. Cerner, to
turn round: Or perhaps from
the Lat. Cernere, to divide;
i.e.  to separate the butter
from the milk.

Cherry, from the Fr. G. Cerise,
Ital. Ceregia; and all of them
from the Lat. Cerasum, the
same.

Cheslipor , Cheselip, v. Cheslop.

Cheslop, from the AS. Cese,
cheese, and Lip, or the Teut.
Lauffen, to run; because it
presently diffuses it self in the
milk; separating the Hetero­
genial, and gathering the Ho­
mogeneal part, whereof cheese
is made.



 Chess, from the Belg. Schaeek,
Teut. Scach, Ital. Scacco,
Hisp. Escaque; all which Sal­
masius derives from the Lat.
Calculus, the same.

Chest, from the AS. Cest, or
the Lat. Cista, idem; by a
metaphor it signifies, the
breast.

Chester, or Cester, a termina­
tion frequently added to the
names of Towns; from the
AS. Ceaster, a City, or
Town; and this from the Lat.
Castra. 

Chestnut, from the Fr. G. Cha­
staigne, Ital. Castagna; and
all from the Lat. Castanea, sc.
Nux, the same.

Cheveril, from the Fr. G. Cheve­
reul, Ital. Ciavarello, a kid.
v. Chamots.

Cheveron, and thence Chevronel,
a term in Heraldry; from the
Lat. Capreolus;  q.d.  a little
goat.

Chevin, from the Fr. G. Che­
vesne, Ital. Cefalo; and all
from the Gr. Κέφαλος, an
head, this fish having a great
head.

Chew, or Chaw, from the AS.
Ceowian, or the Belg. and
Teut. Kauwen, or Kawen,
idem; perhaps all from the
Gr. Χαίνω, to gape wide.

Chick, from the AS. Cicen, Belg.
Kuycken, Teut. Kücklein, a
diminutive of Cock. Mer.
Cas. derives it from the Gr.
Κικκὸς; which Hesychius in­
terprets, a cock.

Chide, from the AS. Cidan,
Teut. Schelten, the same.
Mer. Cas. draws it from the
Gr. Σκύζομαι, to be angry.

Chief, from the Fr. G. Chef,
Chief; both from the Lat.
Caput: It also alludes to the
Gr. Κεψαλη.

Chieftain, or Cheftain, i.e.  a
captain, or leader; from the
Lat. barb. Capitaneus. V.
Captain, and Chief, before.

Chilblain, q.d.  a sore contracted
by cold. V. Chill, and Blain.

Child, from the AS. Cild, Belg.
Kindt, Teut. Kind the same.
It alludes to the Gr. Γένος,
and Γεννάομαι.

Chill, from the Belg. Killigh,
this from the AS. Celan, to be
Cold; which see.

Chimes, from the Fr. G. Gamme,
and this perhaps from our
Gammuth, a term in Musick.
Dr. Th. H. draws it ingenious­
ly from the Ital. Chiamare,
because the sound thereof in­
vites people to church.

Chimney, from the Fr. G. Che­
minée, Hisp. Chemenéa; and
all from the Lat. Caminus,
Gr. Κάμινος.

Chin, from the AS. Cinne,
Belg. Koon, Teut. Kinn, id.
Fr. Jun. derives it from the
Gr. Κιεὶν, to move; because,
when people talk, it moves. Mer. Cas. from the Gr. Κόν­
νος, the beard upon the chin.
Yet I had rather draw it from
the AS Cinan, and this from



the Gr. Χαίνω, to gape, or
open the mouth; because by
drawing down the chin to­
wards the neck, the mouth
opens. 

Chin-cough, or Kin-cough, from
the Belg. Kinckhoest, Kich­
hoest, and this from Kinchen,
Kichen, to breath, and Hoest,
a cough; (i.e.) A Cough, that causeth shortness of
breath.

Chine, from the Fr. G. Chignon,
Chinon, Ital. Schiena; and all
from the Lat. Spina, the back-­
bone.

A Chink, from the AS. Cinan,
to gape as a wound or mouth.
Fr. Jun. derives it from the
Gr. Χαίνω, to gape.

Chink, from the Fr. G. Quin­
quailles, i.e.  money of cop­
per, or tin, that chinketh
much, though of small value;
so called from the sound such
money makes.

Chip, from the AS. Cyp:
Hence To Chip; both perhaps
from the Fr. G Chapler, (i.e.)
to cut wood in small pieces.

Chirp, a feigned sound, from the
singing of birds.

Chisel, a carving-tool; from the
Fr. G. Ciseau, Ital. Cisello;
and both from the Lat. Scin­
dere, to cut, or cleave.

Chisel from the Teut. Kiesel, an
husk, or cod.

Chitt; Minshew derives it from
the Ital. Cito, Hisp. Chico;
(i.e.) a little boy. Th. H.
from Kitten, taken from the
saying, He plays like a Kit­
ten.

Chitterlings; Minshew derives
it from the Belg. Schyterlingh,
in Eng. q. Shitterling; be­
cause in them are contained
the excrements. Yet I had rather draw it from the Teut.
Kutteln, the inwards.

Chivalry, from the Fr. G. Che­
valiere,  idem. In our Law
it is termed Knights Service.
v. Cavalier.

Chives, or Cives, a small sort of
Onion; from the Fr. G. Cive;
both from the Lat. Cæpa. 

Chocolate, from the Hisp. Chuco­
late, a cordial liquor; and
this from Cacao, a certain nut,
which is the great ingredient in this confection. I might
draw it from the Lat. Succus,
q.d.  Succulata, because it a­
bundantly increaseth the nu­
tritive moisture.

Choke; Mich. Hon. derives it
from the AS. Ceoca, a cheek-­
bone; because the halter is
tied under the cheek-bone of
criminals.

Choose, from the AS. Ceosan,
Fr. G. Choiser, idem; all per­
haps from the Lat. Colligere,
to gather together.

Chop, from the Belg. Kappen,
to mangle; or from the Fr. G.
Choper, Chopper, to stumble,
or hit against a thing. Min­
shew takes it from the Gr.
Κόπτω, to cut.

Chop, to Change, from the Belg.
Koopen, to buy; for formerly



men dealt by change of one
thing for another. V. Chea­
pen. 

Chopins, or as we say, Chopeens, 
from the Hisp. Chapin, a sock,
or upper sole; this from Cha­
pa; i.e.  a kind of rich shooe,
wrought with gold or silver.

Chopping-Boy, from the AS.
Caf, stout; (q.d. ) a stout
boy for his age: Or it may be
derived from the Belg. Koo­
pen, to buy; q.d.  a boy fit
to be sold, and capable of ser­
vile business.

Chough, from the Fr. Picard.
Chouette, Chue, Chouca, Ital.
Cutta, Scotta, a crow; or
from the Belg. Kauw, a jack­
daw; and this from Χαίνω, to
gape often, saith. Fr Jun. but
all are better derived from the
sound.

Chowse, from the Fr. G. Gausser,
Ital. Goffo; as we say, To
make a fool of a man.

A Chowse, or Fool, from the
Fr. G. Joucher, to cheat one
with fair words; by a Meta­
phor taken from Fisher-men,
who catch fishes with false nets
made of rushes.

Christen, from the AS. Crist­
nian, to Christen, Fr. G. Chre­
stionner, idem.

The Christian, or Boon Christian-­
Pear, corrupted from the Lat.
Crustumini, or Crustumiani,
a kind of Pear red on one side,
formerly much esteemed.

Christmass, q.d.  the Mass of
Christ. 

Chub, from the AS. Cop, a great-­
headed fellow. See Iolthead,
and Iobbernoll.

A Chub, or Chevin, a fish with a
great head; from the old Eng.
Cop, or the Fr. G. Chef, an
head.

To Chuckle with laughter, from
the Ital. Scuccherare, Belg.
Schachen, idem.

Chuff, A Country-Chuff, not un­
likely from the AS. Cyf,
Teut. Kuffe, an hogs-head,
or pipe; and all from the Lat.
Cupa,  idem; as we may, by a
Metaphor, call an ignorant,
and ill-shaped person.

Church, from the AS. Cyric,
Belg. Kercke, Teut. Kirch,
idem: q.d.  Gr. Ὀικία Κυ­
ριακὴ, the house of God.

Churl, from the AS. Ceorl,
Belg. Kuerle, Keerle, a stout
or big man.

Churr-worm, from the AS.
Cyrran, to turn; because
this worm turneth about
quickly.

Cinders, from the AS. and Dan.
Sinder, the dross, or scum
of metal: Or from the Fr. G.
Cendre, Ital. Cineri; or from
the Lat. Cineres, ashes; but I
rather incline to the former.

Cinque, a cast at dice; from the
Fr. G. Cinq, Hisp. Cinco, Ital.
Cinque; and all from the Lat.
Quinque. 

Cipher, from the Fr. G. Chiffre,
Sifre, Ital. Zifra, the same;
but it is really an Heb. and


 
Arab. word, denoting Nume­
ration. Right spell'd, Cy­
pher. 

Cipress, from the Fr. G. and
Hisp. Cypres, the Lat Cupres­
sus, the same. Right spell'd,
Cypress.

Cipress, a sort of silk; from
the Lat. Cyprus, an Isle where
the workers of it first flou­
rished. Right, Cypress.

Citadel, or Fortification, from
the Fr. G. Citadelle, Ital. Ci­
ttadella; q.d.  a little City,
with respect to the strength
of it.

Citron, a sort of fruit; from
the Fr. G. Citron, Lat. barb.
Citrum,  idem. 

Cittern, musick; from the Ital.
Ghitarra; both corrupted
from the Lat. Cithara, idem.

City, from the Fr. G. Citè, Ital.
Citta; both contractions of
the Lat. Civitas, idem.

Civet, from the Fr. G. Civette,
Sivette, Ital. Sibetto, Zibet­
to, Lat. barb. Zibethum, the
same.

To Clack, from the Belg. Klack;
or possibly from the Fr. G.
Clacquer, or C. Br. Cleccian,
to rattle.

A Clack, from the Teut. Klats­
chen, or Klaffen, to prate.

Claim, from the Fr. G. Claim,
Clamer, and this from the Lat. 
Clamare; i.e.  openly to
challenge to ones self.

Clammy, and Clam, v. Cleam.

Clamps, a term in sailing, from
the Belg. Klamme, Klampe,
crooked pieces of timber hol­
ding the sides of a ship fast to­
gether.

Clap, from the AS. Clappan,
Belg. Klappen, Kleppen, Teut.
Klapffen, Fr. G. Clappeter,
the same. Hence, A Clap­
per.

A Clap, from the Fr. G. Cla­
poir; q.d.  a swelling in the
groin and privities; the Vene­
real disease.

Clap, a term in Hawking; from
the AS. Clappan, to shut close,
as does an hawk's bill, or
beak.

Claret, from the Fr. G Claret;
and both from the Lat. Cla­
rus, clear; because Claret is
tenuous and transparent.

Clark, from the Fr. G. Clerc;
and both from the Lat. Cleri­
cus,  idem. From hence, Cler­
gy.

Clash, from the Belg. Klets,
Klettse, or the Gr. Κλάζω, to
make a confused noise, like
the down-fall of an old house.

Clasp, from the Belg. Ghespe,
the same; yet I had rather
draw it from the AS. Cleo­
fan, to close.

Clatter, and Clutter, from the
AS. Cleadur, Belg. Klatte­
ren, Kleuteren, idem; they
are all feigned from the sound.

Claver, or Clover-grass, from
the Belg. Klawer, Teut. Klee,
idem. I think it may as pro­
bably be drawn from the AS.
Chefer, a violet; for the
scent of its flowers is not


 
much different from that of
the violet. 

A Claw, from the Belg. Klawen,
AS. Clapan, Teut. Klauben,
to scratch, or tear.

Clay, from the Belg. Kley; and
both from the Fr. G. Croye;
this from the Lat. Creta, the
same.

To Cleam, a word used in Lin­
colnshire; from the AS. Clae­
mian, to dawb with clammy,
viscous matter.

Clean, from the AS. Clæne,
Belg. Kleynsen, Klensen, to
make pure; by a Metaphor
taken from Destillers. It may
likewise be drawn from the
Gr. Καλλύνω, to trim up, or
make neat.

Clear, from the Fr. G. Clair;
both from the Lat. Clarus,
idem. Fr. Jun. derives it
from the Gr. Γαλερὸς, idem.

Cleave, from the AS. Cleofan,
Belg. Kleven,
Teut. Klaven, 
to stick fast. v. Clay, and
Cleam.

Cleave, from the AS. Cleo­
fan, Belg. Kloven, Kluven,
to hew in pieces.

A Cleft, or Clift, from the
Verb, To Cleave. 

Clergy, from the Fr. G. Clerge,
Ital. Chieresia; all from the
Lat. Clericus, and this from
the Gr. Κλῆρος, a lot, or inhe­
ritance, they being the Lord's
Inheritance, dedicated to his
service.

Clever, and Cleverly, from the
Fr. G. Leger, nimbly, or
quickly, like a Legerdemain;
which see.

A Clew of thread, from the AS.
Clype, Belg. Klowe, Teut.
Klawel, Klewel, the same;
and all very probably from
the Gr. Κυλίω, to rowl, or
wind.

Cleyes, The Cleyes of a Lobster;
Minshew derives it from the
Gr. Χηλαὶ they somewhat re­
sembling the mouth of a pair 
of tongs. V. Claw.

Click, or Clink, from the Belg.
Klinken, Teut. Klingen, Fr.
G. Cliquer, to rustle, as doth
armour. v. Clack.

Clicket, from the Fr. G. Cliquet,
and this from Cliquer; q.d.  
a knocker whereby we give
those that are within-doors in­
telligence of our coming.

Clift, from the AS. Clyf, Belg.
Klif; and all from the Lat.
Clivus, a steep place, or
rock.

Climb, from the AS. Clyman,
Belg. and Teut. Klemmen;
and all perhaps from the Gr.
Κλίμαξ; q.d.  to creep up
little by little, or step by step.

Clinch; Minshew draws it from
the Lat. Clingere, to gripe
hard with the fist.

Cling, from the Dan. Klynger,
to stick fast, or cleave to a
thing; and this perhaps from
the Lat. Collinere, to dawb
over, to wit, with clammy
matter; as bird-lime.



Clip, from the AS. Clippan, Be­
clippan, to embrace one hard
about the middle.

Clip; Minshew draws it from
the Belg. Knippen, Snippen,
to cut off ones nails, cloth,
&c.

Cloak; Minshew draws it from
the Gr. Καλύπτω, to cover, or
hide.

To Clock as an hen, from the
AS. Cloccan, Belg. Klocken,
Teut. Klucktzen, Glucktzen,
Fr. G. Closser, Ital. Chioccia­
re, idem; they are all feigned
from the sound.

A Clock, by inverting the sense a ;
little, from the AS. Clugga,
Belg. and Dan Klocke, Teut.
Glocke, Fr. G. Cloche, a bell.

A Clock, a certain fly so called,
from the noise it maketh, like
the striking of a clock.

Clod, from the AS. Clud; or
rather, from the Belg. Kluyte,
Klot, the same. Hence Clot­
ted-blood, and Clouted-milk;
from the Belg. Klotter-melck;
q.d.  thickned, or crudded
milk.

Clog, from the Noun Log. V.
Cumber.

Cloister, from the Fr. G Cloi­
stre, Ital. Chiostro; both from
the Lat. Claustrum, signifying
the same.

Close, from the AS. Clysan,
Fr. G. Clovre, to shut up;
and all manifestly from the
Lat. Claudere, idem. Hence
we say, A Close; (i.e.) a field
hedged about.

Close by, or very near; see the
other Close.

Closet, a diminutive of Close;
q.d.  a little Close place.

Cloth, from the AS. Clað,
Dan. Klede, the same. Hence
our participle Clad; perhaps it
may come of the Gr. Κλώθω, 
to spin.

Clotter, from the Belg. Klotte­
ren, Klouteren, to wax thick.
v. Clod.

Cloud; Minshew derives it from
the Verb Claudo, to shut up;
because it shutteth up the Sun
from us. Somnerus draweth
it from Clod, because it con­
sisteth of condensed vapours.
It may also be drawn from the
AS. Clut, or the Eng. Clout,
because, like a curtain, it hi­
deth the light of the Sun from us.

Cloves, from the AS. Clufe, A
Clove of garlick.

Clough, from the word Cleave;
which see. It is likewise deri­
ved from the AS. Clud, a
rock, or cliff.

Clout, from the AS. Clut,
Teut. Lod, a remnant of
cloth.

Clouted-milk, v. Clod.

Clouted-shoon, from the Fr. G.
Clouet, a little nail; q.d.  one
that hath his shooes mended
with nails: or from the AS.
Clut, a clout, or patch.

Clouterly-fellow, from the Belg.
Kloete, a stupid jolt-head:
Or from Kluyte, Klouter,


 
thick; q.d.  an unprofitable
lump of flesh. 

Clown, contracted from the Lat.
Colonus, an husbandman; for
such, most an end, are of an
ungenteel carriage.

Cloy, from the Fr. G. Encloyer,
to satiate; and this from the
Lat. Claudere, to shut; (i.e.)
so to fill, as that there is no
place left for any more.

Club, not unlikely from the
Teut. Klob, Belg. Kloppel,
Klove; and all of them from
the Lat. Clava, the same.

Club-law, from the AS. Clea­
fan, Cleofan, to cleave,
or split; q.d.  every man to
pay an equal share.

Clumps, either contracted from
Clownish, or taken from the
Bel. and Teut. Clomp, Klompe,
one void of common sense, a
Num skull.

Clung, from the AS. Clingan,
to stick fast to; (i.e.) shrunk
up with leanness, half famish­
ed.

Cluster, from the AS. Clus­
ter, a bough; by a Meto­
nymy of the Adjunct.

Clutter, v. Clatter.

Coach, from the Fr. G. Coche,
Teut. Kutsche, Ital. Cocchi,
idem. Minsevus derives it
from the Hung. Kotczy, sig­
nifying the same; because it is
said to be first invented by the
Hungarians. Dr. Th. H. de­
rives it from the Fr. G. Carosse,
Ital. Caroccia, the same; and
these from the Lat. Carruca,
idem. 

Coal, from the AS. Col, Teut.
Kohl, Belg. Kole, Dan. Kul,
idem: But Vossius derives it
from the Gr. Κηλεὸς, hot;
possibly, from the Lat. Caleo,
to be hot.

Coast, from the Fr. G. Coste,
Ital. Costa; i.e.  the side of
the sea.

Coat, from the AS. Cote, Belg.
Kot, idem.

Coat, from the Fr. G. Cotte, Ital.
Cotta; both by contraction
from the Lat. Crocota, a saf­
fron-colour'd garment, as says
Menagius. From hence,
A Coat of Arms, A Coat of
Mail.

To Coath, a word frequently u­
sed in Lincolnshire; from the
AS. Coðe, a disease.

Cob or Sea-Cob, from the AS.
Coppe, Teut. Kopff, the
head; (i.e.) a bird having a
tuft.

The Cob of an herring, from the
same root .

Cob-irons, from the AS. Cop,
Teut. Kopff, an head, and I­
rons; (i.e.) irons having great
round tops.

Cobler, from the Belg. Koppelen,
and both from the Lat. Copu­
lare, to couple together, as
Coblers do old shooes.

Cob-nut, a play amongst boys;
from the Teut. Kopff, an
head; or the AS. Coppe,
the top of any thing; q.d.  


 
the nut that breaketh the head
of another. 

Cobs, round balls with which
fowls are crammed; from the
Fr. G. Gob, Gobeau, a pellet;
Gober, to swallow.

Cobweb, from the Belg. Kop­
webbe, idem; and this from
Koppe, a spider, and Web;
which see.

Cocheneal, from the Fr. G. Co­
chenille, Hisp. Cochinillo, Ital.
Cociniglia, all from the Lat.
barb. Cochinilla, idem.

Cock, from the AS. Cocc, Fr.
G. Coq, the same. Minshew
derives it from the Gr. Κοκκύ­
ζω. Hence Cocks-comb.

Cock of a Conduit; so called,
because it is made in the shape
of a cock's comb.

The Cock of a gun; or, To Cock
a gun, from the Ital. Cocca,
the point of an arrow; or 
Coccare, to make the arrow
fit for the bow.

Cock of hay; quasi, A Cop of
hay, as they express it in 
Kent; which Cop manifest­
ly comes from the AS. Coppe,
the top of any thing.

Cockal, a play with huckle-­
bones; from Cock, (i.e.) a
Victor, by a Metaphor taken
from a Cock-fight; or, q.d.  
Cop-all, from the AS. Cop,
an head, and our All; (i.e.)
he that is above all.

Cock-apparel, a saying in Lin­
colnshire; from the Fr. G.
Quelque Appareil,  i.e.  ap­
parel for the distinction of
Quality.

"cock-apparel" not found in OED.



Cockatrice, from the Fr. G. Co­
quatris, the same: Or from
Cock, and the AS. Atter,
with us Adder; q.d.  a viper
from a cock.

Cock-boat, by some called A
Coggle, or Cobble, from the 
Fr. G. Coque, a shell-fish.

To Cocker, from the Fr. G. Co­
queliner, to flatter; and this 
perhaps from Coque, i.e.  to
play with shells, or such like
toys, to please children withal:
Or from the Fr. G. Coucher,
to keep one much in bed.

Cocket, a little paper exhibited
by the Receivers of the King's
Custom, for a testimony that
the Custom of any parcel of
goods is paid; not unlikely,
from the Eng. Cock boat;
q.d.  a discharge of a boat.

Cockle, from the Fr. G. Coque,
Coquille; and these from the
Gr. Χόκλος, signifying the
same.

Cockle, from the AS. Coccel,
and this perhaps from the Verb
Ceocan, to choke; q.d.  tares
that choke the corn.

Cockney, or Cockneigh, from
the word Cocker; q.d.  a boy
brought up tenderly in the
City. Dr. Th. H. derives it
from the Fr. G. Accoquinè,
one given to idleness; and
this, I suppose, from Ad, and
Coquin, a beggar; beggars
being prone thereto.

Cockquean, Cotquean, or q.d.  
Cook quean, one that playeth
the Cook among women: Or


 
from the Teut. Kochin, a she-­
Cook. 

Cock-stride; or rather, as it is
pronounced in Lincolnshire,
Cock-strinde. The learned
Dr. Th. H. telleth us, that it
cometh from the Eng. Cock,
and the AS. Strind; and
this from the AS. Strynan,
to tread.

Cock-swain, from Cock, for
Cock-boat, and Swain;  (i.e.)
the master of a boat, or barge.
See Cock-boat, and Swain.

Cod, from the AS. Codde,
Belg. Kodde, Teut. Kode, a
little shell; and all from the
AS. Codde, a scrip, or purse;
also a little sack. From hence
cometh the Northern word,
Cod, signifying a pillow. Fr.
Jun. derives it from the Gr.
Κόδενα, any round thing.

Cod-fish, from the AS. Codde,
a pocket, or purse, from the
resemblance thereof.

Codlins, or Coddle, Codlin, 
from the word Coddle; q.d.  
a Summer-apple, so acid,
that it is to be boiled before it
is eaten.

Cod-piece, from the AS. Codde,
a portmanteau, and the Eng.
Piece, because it formerly
stuck out in the form of a
portmanteau.

Cod-worm, or Caddis, from
the AS. Coðde, a portman­
teau; because of the resem­
blance.

Cot, from the AS. Cofe, and
this from the Lat. Cavea, be­
cause it is a cave for diggers
under the ground.

Cofers, a term in Architecture;
from the Fr. G. Coffre, i.e.  
the inner part of the roof;
but primarily, a box, or cof­
fer, wherein roses, pomegra­
nates and flowers, the orna­
ments of a crown, are pla­
ced.

Coffee, not long known in Eng­
land; from the Ægypt. Choa­
va. 

Coffer, from the AS. Cofe,
Cofa; and these, not un­
likely, from the Lat. Cavea,
a cave, from the similitude.

The Cofferer of the King's hous­
hold, whose office it is, to pay
His Majesty's Officers their sal­
laries; from the Noun Coffer,
q.d.  the Steward of the King's
Coffer.

Coffin, from the Fr. G. Cofin,
Ital. Cophano; and all from
the AS. Cofa, a cave; tho
some derive it from the Gr.
Κόφινος, which signifieth, a
basket. V. Coffer.

To Cog, from the Fr. G. Coque-­
liner; and this from Coque,
a shell; a Metaphor from chil­
dren's play.

The Cog of a Miln-wheel; so
called, from the sound it ma­
keth in turning round.

Cogle-stone, from the Ital. Cuo­
golo; both from the Lat. Cal­
culus, and this from the Gr.
Χάλιζ, a little stone.



Cognisance, from the Fr. G.
Connoissance, and this from
the Verb Connoistre, to know,
or be assured of.

Coif, from the Fr. G. Coiffe,
Ital. Cuffia, Hisp. Cofia, idem:
And this Father Guadix de­
rives from the Arab. Quehf,
an head; and from thence
Quehfia, any ornament for the
head.

To Coil, or Quoil a cable, from
the Fr. G. Cueillir, Ital. Cog­
liere; and both from the Lat.
Colligere, to gather up toge­
ther.

Coil, To keep a Coil, perhaps
from the Teut. Kollern, to
chide; and this from Koller,
a collar; because combatants
take one another by the collar.

Coin, from the Fr. G. Coin,
Ital. Conio, stamped money:
Or, as Spelm. and Menagius
have it, from the Lat. Cuneus,
a wedge. Cironius derives it
from the Gr. Ἐικὼν, Ἐικόνιον,
an image; because it hath the
figure of the Prince's head up­
on it. Some draw it from the ­
Hisp. Cunnar, to coin.

Coines, a term in Architecture.
Adr. Jun. draws it from the
Fr. G. Coing, a corner; and
this from the Lat. Cuneus. It
may possibly be drawn from the word Ancones found in
Vitruv. signifying the same.

Cokers, from the AS. Cocer,
Belg. Koker, a case; they are
a sort of Fisher-men's boots,
into which their legs are put,
as it were, into cases.

Cokes, from the Fr. G. Cochon,
Hisp. Cochino, an hog; whence
we say, A lilly Hog: Or from
the Hisp. Coco, a word where­
with to fright children, which
in understanding are but fools:
Or from the Teut. Gauck,
Geck, a fool.

"Cokes" not found in OED.



Cold, from the AS. Cole, with
us Cool, Belg. Koel, Kaud,
Kaudt, Koud, Kout, the same:
Or not unlikely from the AS.
Colan, Cælan; and this per­
haps from the Lat. Gelu, Ge­
lare, to freeze.

Cole, or Cole-wort, from the
AS. Cawl, Belg. Koole, Teut.
Kohl, Fr. G. Choux, Caule,
Ital. Cavoli, Coli, Hisp. Col,
idem; and all of them from 
the Lat. Caulis, a stalk.

Cole-mouse, from the Fr. G.
Caule, and Mouse; q.d.  a
bird that feedeth much upon
Cole-worts.

Collet of a ring, from the Fr.
G. Colet, Collet, the palate;
this from Col, the neck; allu­
sively, the thickest part of
the ring, wherein the signet is
set.

Collar, from the Fr. G. Collier,
Hisp. Collar, a neck-lace; and
both from the Lat. Collare,
because it goeth about the
neck.

Collation, from the Fr. G. Col­
lation, idem; and this most
manifestly from the Lat. Col­
latio, a treatment made by


 
one, or two, or more persons,
to entertain the company. 

The Hawk Collieth; in Rider,
Collineat; in Gouldman, An­
nuit; a term in Fowling;
perhaps from the Fr. G. Col,
Lat. Collum, a neck; q.d.  he
moveth his neck streight for­
ward.

Collogue, from the Lat. Collo­
qui: Or rather, from the
Teut. Kosen, to talk, and Lu­
gen, to lye; q.d.  to deceive
one by fair speeches.

Collop; Minshew derives it
from the Gr. Κολάπτω, to cut,
or Κόλον, food, or Κολαβὸς,
which by Voss. is interpreted
Offa, a fat piece of flesh.

Colly-flower, v. Cole-wort.

Coloier, from the barb. Gr.
Καλόγερος, q.d.  a good old
man. Dr. Th. H. derives it
from Καλὸς, and Ἳερος, good
and holy.

"coloier" not found in OED.



Colonel, Fr. G. Colonnel, Ital.
Colonello, a captain over a
thousand men: Not as Min­
shew will have it, from Co­
lumna, because they are the
pillars of an army; but from
Colonia, because at first they
were set over Colonies.

Colt, from the AS. Colt, the
same.

A Colter, from the AS. Cul­
tor, Belg. Kouter, Fr. G.
Coutre, Ital. Coltro, Coltello;
and all from the Lat. Culter,
idem. 

Comb, Belg. and Teut. Kam­
men, Dan. Kemmer. It may
possibly come from the Lat.
Como, or the Gr. Κομέω, (i.e.)
to trim ones locks.

Comb, Dan. and Teut. Kam,
Kamm; perhaps from the Gr.
Κομμὸς; q.d.  the ornament
of a cock.

Combat, from the Fr. G. Com­
bat, Combatre, Ital. Combat­
tere, to fight: Or from the
Lat. Con, together, and Ba­
tuere, to smite.

Combatant, a term in Heraldry;
from the Fr. G. Combatant, a
part. of the Verb Combatre;
i.e.  a figure drawn like a
Gladiator standing upon his
guard.

Comber; Menagius draws it
from the Lat. barb. Cumbrus,
Fr. G. Combre, an heap. From
hence, To Incomber, to hin­
der the growth of things, as
trees hinder the increase of
corn sown under their shades.

Come, AS. Coman, Fr. Th. Ku­
man, Koman, Teut. Kom­
men. It may be taken from
the Gr. Κομίζω; which, in
Herodotus, signifies, to go.

Comely; Mer. Cas. draws it
from the Gr. Κομμὸς, (i.e.)
neat: I had rather deduce it
from our word Become;
which see.

Comfit, from the Fr. G. Confit,
and both from the Lat. Con­
fectio. 

Comfort, from the Fr. G. Com­
forter, Ital. Comfortare, to
strengthen, or instruct with


 
Counsel. Dr. Th. H. draws it
from the Fr. G. Comfort;
i.e.  consolation. 

A Coming-wench, from the AS.
Cweman, to please.

See quotation of 1749 in OED, "coming", adj., 2.



Command, from the Fr. G.
Command, Ital. Commando;
and these from the Lat. Con,
and Mando, to command.

Commence, from the Fr. G.
Commencer, Ital. Comincia­
re; both from the Lat. Con,
and Initium, a beginning.

A Commendum, from the Fr. 
G. Commendo, and this most
evidently from the Lat. Com­
mendare, to commend: It is ­
an Ecclesiastical Benefice va­
cant, that is committed to the
management of a fit person,
till it be supplied.

Commonalty, from the Fr. G.
Communautè, or the Lat.
Communalitas,  idem. 

To Commune, from the Lat.
Communicare. 

Company, from the Fr. G. Com­
pagnie, Ital. Compagnia, so
ciety, Fr. G. Compagnon, Ital.
Compagno, a companion; and
all these, either, as Caninius
saith, from Con, and Pagus;
(i.e.) one of the same town,
or street; or as Lipsius hath
it, from the Verb Combino;
or Combenno, in Festus; to
combine; or, which is most
probable, from Con, and Pa­
nis, i.e.  one that participates
of the same bread.

Comparison, from the Fr. G.
Comparison; and both from
the Lat. Comparatio, the 
same.

Compartiment, a term in Archi­
tecture, and Heraldry; from
the Fr. G. Compartiment,
any equal Division; and this
from the Verb Compartiri, to
divide into equal parts.

Compass, from the Fr. G. and
Hisp. Compas, Ital Compasso,
the same. Hence To Com­
pass, from the Fr. G. Com­
passer, Ital. Compassare, to
environ, or stand about.

Compassion, from the Fr. G.
Compassion, Ital. Compassione,
the same; these from the
Verbs Compassioner, Compas­
sionare, to commiserate, or
take pity on.

Complain, Complaint, from the
Fr. G. Complaindre, Plain­
dre; these from the Lat. Plan­
gere, to lament.

Complement, from the Fr. G.
Compliment, Ital. Compli­
mento; or from our word,
Comply; q.d.  Complyments.

Complice, from the Fr. G. Com­
plice, the Lat. Complico, to
enfold; q.d.  one bound in a
confederacy, or league.

Complot, from the Fr. G. Com­
plot, a conspiracy confirmed
by oaths; or by a Metaphor
taken from playing at ball,
from Con, and Peloter, when
a great many together, as it
were Confederates, do strive
against others of an equal
number.

Comply, either from the Fr. G.


 
Complaire, Ital. Compiacere,
to please greatly: Or from
the Lat. Complicare, to say as
another saith, without any
thwarting, to apply himself
to anothers humour. 

Componed, and Counter-com­
poned, a term in Heraldry;
from the Fr. G. Compone,
Counter-compone; q.d.  made
of two colours contrariwise
set together.

To Comport, i.e.  to behave ones
self; from the Fr. G. se Com­
porter, Ital. Comportarsi, to 
behave ones
self well or ill.

Compose, from the Fr. G. Com­
poser, Lat. Componere, the
same: Or rather, from Con,
and Pausa; i.e.  to put an
end to differences. v. Re­
pose.

Comprise, from the Fr. G. Com­
pris, part of the Verb Com­
prendre; both from the Lat.
Comprehendere, to compre­
hend.

Compromise, from the Fr. G.
Compromettre, Ital. Compro­
mettere. 

Conceive, from the Fr. G. Con­
cevoir, Ital. Concipere; and
both from the Lat. Concipere,
the same.

Concern, from the Fr. G. Con­
cerner; both from the Lat. 
barb. Concernere, the same.

To Cond, or Cun, a term in Sai­
ling; from the AS. Cunnan,
to know; Belg. Kond, Teut.
Kund, the same.

Conduct, Safe Conduct, a guard
of soldiers that defend an ene­
my from the violence of the
common people; from the
Fr. G. Sauf Conduit, Ital. Sal­
vo Condotta, the same.

Conduit, from the Fr. G. Con­
duite, idem.

Confront, from the Fr. G. Con­
fronter, Ital. Confrontare;
and these from Con, and Frons,
that is, to withstand one face
to face.

Congy, a decent inflexion of the
body, when we salute or part
from any body; from the Fr.
G. Conge, Ital. Commiato. 

Conn, to get a thing by heart,
by inverting the sence a little,
from the AS. Connan, Cennan,
to know.

Conn, to strike with the fist shut,
possibly from the Gr. Κόνδυ­
λος, a knuckle.

Conn, I Conn you thanks, from
the AS. Connan, to know; 
(i. e) to retain a good turn in
ones memory; or from the
Teut. Kunden, to own a fa­
vour, or gift.

"conn" antedates earliest OED citation ("con | conn, v. 3; 1721-1800)."



Conquer. from the Fr. G. Con­
querir, Ital. Conquistare, to
subdue; Fr. G. Conqueste,
Ital. Conquisto, victory; all
from the Lat. Conquirere, to
acquire, especially by war.

Constable, from the Fr. G. Co­
nestable, Ital. Conestabile;
q.d.  Comes stabuli, Master of
the Horse, Generalissimo of
all His Majesty's Forces. Ver­
stegan derives it from the AS.
Cyning, or Cunning, a



King, and Stable; q.d.  King
of the stable. 

Constrain, from the Fr. G. Con­
traindre, to compel, or force
one.

A Contore, from the Belg. Kon­
toor, Fr. G. Comptoir, a ta­
ble. See Account, Count, and
Compter.

Contrive, from the Fr. G. Con­
trouver, to invent; or de­
vise; this from Con, and the
Teut. Treffen, to find out;
also to hit of a thing.

To Control, from the Fr. G. Con­
tre-rolle, to adjust Accounts.
From hence, A Controller of
the King's houshold. V. Roll.

Convey, from the Fr. G. Con­
voyer, to accompany one;
q.d.  to carry away with, or
about one.

Convoy, from the Fr. G. Convoy,
safe conduct, Convoyer, to
conduct: Or, as Menagius
saith, from the Lat. Convehe­
re, idem.

A Cony, from the Belg. Konin,
Fr. G. Connil, Connin, Ital.
Coniglio; and all from the
Lat. Cuniculus,  idem. 

Cook, from the Belg. and Dan.
Cock, Teut. Koch, Ital. Cuo­
co; and all from the Lat. Co­
quus, the same.

A Coom, or Comb, a certain
measure of corn so called;
from the Fr. G. Comble; and
both from the Lat. Cumulus,
an heap.

Coop, from the AS. Cofa, a
cave; or the Ital. Cuba, a
cage for birds; (i.e.) a place
where fowls are kept, and
made fat.

Coop, or rather, Coupe, or Cou­
ped, a term in Heraldry;
from the Fr. G Coupè, a Par­
ticiple of the Verb Couper, to
cut.

Cooper, from the Belg. Kuyper,
Teut. Kuffer, the same; these
from Kuype, Kuffe, a tub, or
other vessel.

Coot, from the Belg. Koet, Fr.
G. Cotée, a Moor-hen; Ital.
Cutta, a bird, which in Hig­
ginius, is called a Felde-fare:
I suppose them all to be feig­
ned from the note which this
fowl hath.

Cop, from the AS. Cop; Teut.
Kopff, a top; these from the
Lat. Caput, an head; (i.e.)
the tuft, or top of a thing.

Cop of hay, a word frequently
spoken in Kent; from the
AS Cop; or, which is all one,
from Coppe, because it riseth
upwards like a tuft. V. A
Cock of hay.

"cop of hay"antedates the earliest use of the phrase in OED ("cop", n. 2, 5; 1695).



Cope; Minshew derives it from
the Teut. Kopff, an head;
q.d.  to hit heads, as wrestlers
or fighters sometimes do. It
may be drawn from the Gr.
Κόπος, labour; (q.d. ) to
be-labour one stoutly. 

The Cope of heaven, from the
Fr. G. Chape, Ital. Cappa;
and these from the Lat. Ca­
put, because the heavens are
above the rest of the creation.
V. Cop. Possibly, from the


 
Lat. Cavus, hollow; as we
say, the concavity of the hea­
vens. 

To Cope together, from the Fr.
G. Coupler, Ital. Coppiare;
and all from the Lat. Copula­
re, to match with.

Cope, from the AS. Cæppe, Belg.
Kappe, Fr. G. Chape, Ital.
Cappa, a kind of Sacerdotal
habit.

Coping, a term in Architecture;
from the AS. Coppe, and this
from Cop; (q.d. ) the roof, or
ridge of an house.

Copper, from the Belg. Koper,
Dan. Kobber, Hisp. Cobre, Fr.
G. Cuivre; and all from the
Barb. Lat. Cuprum; q.d.  Cy­
prian copper; for Galen and
others say, that the Isle of Cy­
prus was once famous for 
workmanship in copper.

Copperas, from the Hisp. Capar­
rossa, Fr. G. Coupperouse, Cou­
perouse: 'Tis nothing else but
(as Chymists say) an extract
of copper.

A Copsy, or Coppis, from the
Fr. G. Couper, to cut; or the
Gr. Κόπτω, to hew down.

Copy, from the Fr. G.  Copie,
Ital. Copia,  idem. 

Cordelier, one observing the In­
stitution of St. Francis; from
the Fr. G. Cordelier; this
from the Lat. Chorda, a rope,
which they wear instead of a
girdle.

Cordwainer, a Shooe maker;
from the Belg. Kordewaen,
Ital. Cordouano, Fr. G. and
Hisp. Cordouan, a sort of lea­
ther brought from Corduba, a
City in Spain.

Core, The Core in fruit, from
the Fr. G. Coeur, Ital. Core,
Cuore; and both from the Lat.
Cor; because like the heart,
it is in the midst of fruit, con­
taining the seed.

Cork, from the Belg. Korck,
Hisp. Corcho, Dan. Korcke,
Teut. Gorch; all from the
Lat. Cortex, the bark of a
tree; for it is really nothing
but the bark of a tree, compa­
red with other trees.

Cormorant, from the Fr. G. Cor­
morant; q.d.  a Sea-crow,
that devours fishes as fast as
crows do the standing corn.

Corn, from the AS. Corn,
Dan. and Belg. Korn, Korne,
Teut. Kern, Korn, the same.
Martinius, by the figure Me­
tathesis, draws it from the
Lat. Granum, the same; but
Fr. Jun. from the Gr. Κορέν­
νυμι, to satiate, or satisfie.

Corn, a disease in the toes; from
the Lat. Cornu, an horn, for
the hardness of it.

Cornelian, a sort of stone so cal­
led; from the Lat. Barb. Car­
neolus, and this from Caro;
q.d.  of a flesh-colour: Or
from Cornus, because it is red,
like the fruit of the Haw­
thorn.

Cornel, or Cornelian, from the
Fr. G. Corneille; and both
from the Lat. Cornum, the
fruit of the Haw-thorn.


 
Cornet, from the Fr. G. Cornet,
Ital. Cornetta; and all from
Cornu, an horn; q.d.  a mu­
sical instrument, made of
horn.

Cornet, an Ensign of a Compa­
ny of Horse; from Coronet,
because, in times of old, they
had their heads crowned with
Garlands; Or perhaps from
the Fr. G. Cornette. 

A Cornet-fish, from Cornu, an
horn, from the resemblance.

Not found in OED except in another term for this fish, "flutemouth."



Cornub, I Cornub'd him, from
the Belg. Keeren, to beat, and
Knoop, Knobbe, a knuckle;
q.d.  to strike with ones
knuckles.

"Cornub" not found in OED.



Coroner, from the Lat. Corona,
a crown; because, in the
King's name, he maketh in­
quisition into the casual and
unnatural death of a person.

A Coronet, from the Ital. Coro­
netta, a little crown.

Corps, or Coarse, from the Fr.
G. Corps; i.e.  a dead bo­
dy: In the one we follow the
right writing; in the other,
the right pronouncing of the
French word. It may like­
wise be derived from the Dan.
Crop, a body, by the figure
Metathesis.

To Cozen; Minshew derives it
from the Eng. and Fr. G Cou­
sin, Ital. Cugino; q.d.  to
impose upon one under pre­
tence of Affinity: Yet I had
rather draw it from the Fr. G.
Gosser, Gausser; as we say,
To play upon one.

Cost, from the Belg. and Teut.
Kost, Fr. G. Couster, Ital. Co­
stare; and all of them from
the Lat. Constare, to cost.

Costard-monger, a Fruiterer;
from Costard, a kind of apple,
and Munger, a Trafficker.
Costard comes, perhaps, from
the word Cost, because it was
a dear sort of fruit. M. H.
derives it from the Belg. Cost,
and Aerd, Teut. Art; q.d.  
fruit that naturally grows out
of the earth.

Coster, from the AS. Coppe, or
the Teut. Kopff, an head;
q.d.  Copster, or Kopffster. 

Costive; M. H. S. Th. D. draw­
eth it from the Belg. Cost,
meat, and Stiif, stiff; q.d.  
one that hath his excrements
dried within him.

Costrel, a vessel to carry wine in.
Minshew draws it from the
Ital. Guastada; possibly from
Coster, signifying, a top, or
head.

Cottage, from the AS. Cote,
Belg. Kot, the same. v. Court.

Cottarels, the meanest of clients;
so called from Cote, cottages,
which they live in.

Not found in OED, but see "cotterel", n.



Cotton, from the Fr. G. Cotton,
Ital. Cottone, C. Br. Cottwn,
the same; these from the Ital.
Cotogni, and this manifestly
from the Lat. Cydonium, a
quince; from the similitude of
the down that grows thereon.

To Cotton, from the Lat. Coadu­
nare, to make agreeable unto,
to unite.



Couch, from the Fr. G. Coucher,
Ital. Coricare, Colicare, Colca­
re, to lie down. Vossius and
Menagius derive it from the
Lat. Culcitra, idem.

Couchant, a term in Heraldry;
from the Fr. G. Couchant, a
Part of the Verb Coucher, to
lie down close. v. Couch.

Covenant, from the Fr. G. Con­
venant, Convenancer, the
same; both from the Lat.
Conventum, a compact, or
agreement.

Covent, from the Fr. G. Convent, both from Conventus,
an assembly.

Cover, from the Fr. G. Couvrir,
Ital. Coperire; and both from
the Lat. Cooperire, the same.
From hence also cometh the 
Verbal Covert.

Coverlet, from the Fr. G. Cou­
verlict, Ital. Copraletto; q.d.  
a cover bed. v. Cover.

Covet, from the Fr. G. Convoi­
ter, to seek earnestly after a
thing. From hence Cove­
tous. We also find it derived
from the Ital. Covidigia;
which, 'tis likely, hath been
corrupted from the Lat Cupi­
ditas, idem.

Cough, from the Belg. Kuch,
Kuchen, to puff and blow;
they are all words feigned
from the sound.

A Covie, from the Fr. G. Cou­
vée, Ital. Covata; these from
Couver, Covare; and these
again from the Lat. Cubare;
q.d.  a brood of Partridges,
Pheasants, &c. so many as are
hatched at once.

Counsel, from the Fr. G. Con­
seil, Ital Consiglio; all from
the Lat. Consilium, idem.

Count, from the Fr. G. Comte,
Conte, Ital. Conte; both from
the Lat. Comes: From hence,
A County; also, A Countess,
from the Lat. barb. Comitissa,
a Count's wife. This word is
supposed to have crept into 
the Latin Tongue, in the time
of Dioclesian, and to have sig­
nified, One of the King's Pri­
vy Council, because he day
by day accompanied the Em­
peror.

To Compt, or Count, from the
Fr. G. Conter, Compter, Ital.
Contare; and all from the
Lat. Computare, to cast Ac­
count, or compute.

Countenance, from the Fr. G.
Contenance; whence comes
the word Contenancer, with
us, To Countenance; (i.e.)
favourably to look upon one.

Counter, from the Fr. G. Com­
ptoir, a table to count money
upon. V. To Accompt, and
Contore.

Counterband-goods, a term in
Merchandise; from the Ital.
Contrabando; (i. e) Goods
prohibited by Statute; and if
siezed, confiscated to the King.
v. Banes, and Banish.

Counterfeit, from the Fr. G. Con­
trefaire, Ital Contrafare, to
imitate; q.d.  Lat. Contra­
facere, to make contrary;



viz.  the same of different me­
tal. 

Counter-point, from the Fr. G.
Contrepointe, Ital. Contra­
punto; q.d.  a coverlet made
up in seams, crossing each o­
ther.

Counter-poise, from the Fr. G.
Contrepoise, signifying the
same; q.d.  to counter-ba­
lance. V. Poise.

Counter-poison, from Contra,
and Poison; (i.e.) an Anti­
dote against Poison; which
see.

Counter-scarf, from the Fr. G.
Contrescarpe, Ital. Contra­
scarpa, a term in Warfare:
It may be derived from our
word Counter, and the Teut.
Kerven, Belg. Scharven to
cut.

Country, from the Fr. G. Con­
trée, Ital. Contrado, q.d.  
Lat. Conterrata; (i.e.) one
Land joining to another.

Coupe, a term in Heraldry. V.
Coop.

Couple, from the Fr. G. Couple,
Teut. Kuppel, Ital. Coppia;
and all from the Lat. Copula,
signifying the same.

Courage, from the Fr. G. Cou­
rage, Ital. Coraggid; q.d.  
the elevation of the heart.

Courant, written News; from
the Fr. G. Courant, a Part. of
the Verb Courir, to run; (i.e.)
running News.

To Coure, from the Ital. Covare,
Fr. G. Couver; these from the
Lat. Cubare, by a Metaphor
drawn from hens sitting upon
their eggs.

Course , or Ordinary, by the fi­
gures Antithesis, and Meta­
thesis, from the Noun Gross;
which see. Or 'tis contracted
from Currish, (i.e.) Vile, fit
for nothing but the dogs; or,
rough as dog's hair.

A Course, from the Fr. G. Course,
Ital. Corso; both from the
Lat. Cursus, an horse-race.
From hence Courser, a Race-­
horse; and an Horse-Cour­
ser.

Womens Courses, from the same
original. V. Flowers.

Court, from the Fr. G. Cour,
Courte, Ital. Corte; which
come from the Lat. Cohors. 

Courteous, from the Fr. G. Cour­
tois, Ital. Cortese; q.d.  one
that affecteth the fashions at
Court.

Cousin, from the Fr. G. Cousin,
Ital. Cugino. Some derive it
from the Lat. Consanguineus;
all signifying the same thing.

Cow, from the AS. Cu, Dan.
and Belg. Ko, Koe, Teut.
Kuh, idem. I scarce credit
those that draw it from the
Gr. Κύω, to bring forth; for
many other Animals multiply
more than these.

To a Cow's thumb, with a little
alteration of the sense, from
the Fr. G. A la Coustume,
fashionably.(i.e.)

Coward, from the Fr. G. Cow­
ard, Hisp. Cobarde, Covarde,
Ital. Codardo; q.d.  one that


 
has his heart in his heels: Or,
perhaps from Cow, and the
Germ. Aerd, Ard, nature;
(i. e) Cow-hearted: Or from
the Teut. Kuh-Hirt; with us,
Cow-herd. Cov. ingeniously
derives the Hisp. Covarde,
from Cueva; this from the
Lat. Caverna, a cave; q.d.  
one that creepeth into an hole
in time of danger. 

Cowcumber, from the Fr. G.
Coucombre, Ital. Coucomere;
and all from the Lat. Cucumer,
the same.

Cow-herd, from the AS. Cu,
and Teut. Hirt, idem; this
from the AS. Hiran, to hire
for wages. v. Cow, and
Herd.

Cowl, from the AS. Cugle,
this from Cucullus, in Juve­
nal: Or from the Belg. Ko­
vel, and this from the Lat.
Caveola, a little cave, for the
similitude of it.

Cowslip, from the AS. Cus­
lippe; so called, because
Cows love to eat them; or,
as Dr. Th. H. supposeth, be­
cause they have a smell like
that of a Cow's breath.

Coxcomb, I suppose it is corrup­
ted from the Fr. G. Cochon,
an Hog; for we often call a
fool, A Silly Hog: But see­
ing it signifies one that hath
high thoughts of himself, I
may as well draw it from
Cock, and Comb. 

Coy; Minshew very ingeniously
derives it from the Fr. G
Quoy, What? which word
such persons often angrily re­
peat. It may also be drawn
from the Noun Quoi, Coi,
quiet; (i.e.) she that sitteth
silent, especially at the hearing
of lewd talk.

Coy; a cage for fowls; from the
Belg. Koye, this from the Lat.
Cavea, the same: Or from
the Fr. G. Coy, quiet; because
one must stand there very
still, lest the birds be frighted 
away.

Crab, a fish; from the AS.
Crabba, Dan. and Belg.
Krabbe, Teut. Krebs; and
all from the Gr. Κάραβος, the
same.

Crab, a wild apple; from the
Belg. Schrabben, Teut.
Schrappen, to bite; from the
sharp biting taste it hath.

Crabbat; or rather, Crabat, 
a 
sort of band, not long worn
in England; from the Fr. G.
Rabat, a falling band, con­
trary to a Ruff, which standeth
out round the neck. It may
also be taken from the Fr. G.
Crabbat, comely; because it
is a comely wear: Or, more
probably, from the Fr. G. Cra­
bat, a Croatian; because a
Croatian first wore it.

Crabbed, morose; from Crab;
as we say, He looks as sowr as
a crab.

To Crack, as wooden vessels do,
for dryness; from the other
Crack. 



Crack, from the Belg. Kraeck,
Krack, Teut. Krach, Fr. G.
Crac, the same; they are all
feigned from the sound.

To Crack a nut, from the Fr. G.
Croquer, the same.

A Crackling, and Cracknel, from
the Fr. G. Craquelin, Belg.
Kraeckelinck, a cake that crack­
leth when it is broke.

Cradle, from the AS. Cradele,
by Ælfricus, Cradel, C. Br.
Crûd, idem. It may like­
wise be derived from the AS.
Cræt, a cart, for the simi­
litude thereof. v. Cart.

Craft, from the AS. Cræft,
Fr. Th. and Teut. Kraft,
Krafft, power; and these may
seem to flow from the Gr.
Κράτος, ability of doing a
thing.

Crag, the neck; from the Belg.
Kraeghe, the throat: Or, not
unlikely, from the Teut. Kra­
gen, a collar, or cape of a
garment.

Crag, a craggy rock; from the
Belg. Kraeghe, the neck; for
the tops of mountains are of­
ten full of hillocks, like to the
joints in the neck.

Cram, from the AS. Cram­
man, idem. V. Crum.

Cramp, from the Dan. and Belg.
Krampe, Teut. Krampft, Fr.
G. Crampe, Ital. Granchio,
the same.

Cramp-irons, v. Cramp.

Cranage, v. Crane.

Crane, an animal; also an en­
gine to unload ships with;
from the AS. Cræn, by Ælfrick, Cran, Belg. Kraene,
Teut. Kran, the same.

Crank, sound, healthy; from
the Belg. Vn, or Onkranck,
i.e.  not sick; the initial syl­
lable being lost.

Crank, a term in Sailing; I sup­
pose, from the Belg. Kranck,
weak; q.d.  a ship of small
strength, with small sails.

A Cranny, or little chink: Min­
shew draws it from the Fr. G.
Cren, Cran, Lat. Crena, the
nib of a pen, the notch of an
arrow.

To Crash with the teeth, from
the Fr. G. Escraser, to crush
in pieces; Croissir, to give a
crack. Minshew derives it
from the Teut. Rauschen, the
same; all feigned from the
sound.

Crasy, or Crazy, from the Gr.
Κράσις; q.d.  of a weak con­
stitution: Or, if you please,
from the Fr. G. Escrase, Part.
of the Verb Escraser; q.d.  
one wasted with sickness.

A Cratch, from the Fr. G. Creic­
che, Cresche, idem; and these,
if I am not mistaken, from
the Lat. Craticula, Cratica,
idem.

Crave, from the AS. Crafian,
Dan. Kreffver, idem. Min­
shew takes it from the Gr.
Κραυγὴ, a cry.

Craven, from the Verb To Crave;
(i.e.) one that presently asketh



pardon of an adversary: Or
from the AS. Creopan, to
creep; q.d.  one that falleth
down at the feet of every one
he has at any time offended:
Or, q.d.  Crave-hen; that is,
one addicted more to Vene­
real, than Marshal affairs. 

Craw, from the Dan. Kroe; or
from the Belg. Kroeghe, the
same.

Crawl, from the Belg. Krielen,
to be full of worms. It may
as well be taken from the Lat.
Grallari, (i.e.) to go foot af­
ter foot, as children do.

The Cray, from the Fr. G. Mal
de Craye, a disease among
hawks. This from Craye, chalk,
or clay. Minshew.

Cray-fish, from the Fr. G. Escre­
vice, Belg. Kreeft; and all,
not unlikely, from the Gr.
Κάραβος, a kind of crab.

Cream, from the Fr. G. Creme,
Ital. Crema; and all from the
Lat. Cremor,  idem. 

Crease, from the Lat. Creta,
chalk; q.d.  a line drawn with
chalk.

Credit, from the Fr. G. Credit,
Ital. Credito; all from Credo,
to trust.

The Apostles Creed, plainly e­
nough from the Lat. Credo, to
believe.

To Creck, or Creek, from the
Belg. Kreke, Krick, Fr. G.
Cricquer, Craquer, the same;
all from the sound.

A Creek; Minshew draweth it
from the Verb To Creck; yet
I had rather take it from the
Teut. Kriechen, to creep, as
the water doth, where the
bank is broken down.

A Creek in the neck, from the
word Crack; which see.

Creengles, a term in Sailing,
quasi Ringles; (i.e.) small
cords wound round like a ring.

Creep, from the Fr. G. Graper,
AS. Creopan; and all from
the Lat. Repere, the same:
Or from the Belg. Kruypen;
which Voss. deriveth from the
Gr. Κρύφα, q.d.  to come on
privily.

Cressent, or Cressant; q.d.   Lu­
na Crescens, the Moon in the
Increase; a term in Heral­
dry.

Crest, from the Fr. G. Cresté
both conspicuously from the
Lat. Crista, the same.

Crevase, or Crevis, from the Fr.
G. Crevasse; both from the
Lat. Crepare, to burst in the
midst.

Crevet, or Cruset, v. Crewet.

Creviss, Crevice, or Crevish, the
same with Cray-fish; which
see.

Crew, a society of good fel­
lows. Minshew taketh it
from the Fr. G. Creu, aug­
mented, or increased. I had
rather draw it from the Belg.
Kroeghen; q.d.  a company
of Pot-companions, or sons
of Bacchus: This from Kro­
egh, a pipe, or butt of wine.

Crewet, from the Teut. Krug,


 
Fr. G. Cruche, an earthen
pot. 

Crib, from the Belg. and Teut.
Krybbe, Kribbe, Krippe, Fr.
Th. Cribbe, Crippe, Ital. Ge­
reppia; all signifying the
same.

Crible, from the Ital. Crivello;
both from the Lat. Cribellum,
(i.e.) a sieve to separate the
good seed from the bad.

Crick, v. Creek, and Crack.

Cricket, I imagine, from the
Teut. Kriechen, to creep;
q.d.  a little stool, almost as
low as the very ground.

Cricket, from the Belg. Kricken,
or the Gr. Κρίζω, Κρέκω, to
chirp; (i.e.) a minute animal,
that maketh a crackling about
the fire. See Creek.

Crie, from the Fr. G. Crier,
Belg. Kriitten, which Fr.
Jun. takes from the Gr. Κρί­
ζειν, to make a whining noise.
It doth more than allude to
the Gr. Κλαίω, to weep.

Crimson, from the Fr. G. Cher­
mesin, Ital Chermesino, Cre­
mesino, Hisp. Carmesino, the
same; these from the Fr. G.
and Arab. Cherme, Chermes,
or Kermes: V. Cocheneal.
Salmasius sagaciously draws
our Crimson, from the an­
cient Fr. G. Guermes, in Lat.
Vermis, a worm. v. Ver­
million.

Cringe, from the Teut. Krie­
chen, to creep; (i.e.) to bow
ones face, in a manner, to the
very ground, for fear or cold,
&c.

Crinkle, from the Belg. Kronc­
kelen, idem. v. Rumple.

Cripple, from the Belg. Kreple;
this from Krepen, to creep;
(q.d. ) one that creepeth upon
hands and knees. V. Creep.

The Crock, a disease among
hawks; it is a kind of Cramp;
from the Fr. G. Croc, an
hook; because it draweth up
the joints like an hook. V.
Cramp.

Croft; Spelman derives it from
the Græco-Lat. Crypta; q.d.  
a field enclosed. V. Close.

Croisade, from the Fr. G. Croi­
sade; this from Croix, in Lat.
Crux, a cross; q.d.  an ho­
stile Expedition, set on foot
by the Pope, for the Cause of
Religion, in which every Sol­
dier bears a Crucifix on his
breast, as an emblem of spiri­
tual warfare.

Croises, Pilgrims for the sake of
Religion; also Knights of the
sacred Order of St. John of
Jerusalem; from the same
Original, and so called for the
same reason as before.

To Croke, from the Ital. Cro­
care, Fr. G. Croaquer, Crou­
asser, Croasser; all from the
noise which a toad makes.

A Crome, Cromb, or Crom of
iron, from the Belg Krom,
Teut. Krum, crooked, saith
Minshew.

A Crone, or Old Crone, a decre­
pit old woman; from the
Belg. Kronie, an old ewe. It
may, not unelegantly, be ta­
ken


 
from the word Κρόνος,
time; (i.e.) well stricken in
years. 

Crony, a word in Colleges, and
elsewhere; from the Gr. Κρό­
νος; q.d.  a good old friend:
Or 'tis contracted from Con­
gerrone, of the same signifi­
cation.

Crook, from the AS. Crycce,
a trumpet: Or from the Fr. 
G. Croc, an hook; or the Belg.
Kroken, to bend.

Crooked, from the Dan. Kro­
get; or the Fr. G. Crochu, the
same.

A Crop, from the AS. Crop­
pas, ears of corn; or the
Fr. G. Crope, Croupe, a top:
From hence, To Crop. Min­
shew draws it from the Lat.
Carpo, idem. It may also be
drawn from the Gr. Κρώπιον,
a reaping-hook.

The Crop, or Craw, from the
Belg. Kroppe, Teut. Kropff,
the same.

A Crolier-staff, from the Fr. G.
Crosse; this from Crux, a
cross; q.d.  a Bishop's Pasto­
ral-staff, having the figure of
the Cross on the top.

Croslet or Crosset, from the
Fr. G. Croiselet, Croisette, now
out of use. It signifieth, a little
Crucifix in Heraldry.

Croslet, a woman's brow-piece;
so called, because it is put
cross the forehead.

Cross, from the Fr. G. Croix,
Ital. Croce; and all from the
Lat. Crux, the same.

Crotchet, in Musick; from the
Fr. G. Crotchet; and this
from Croc, an hook; because
the character thereof does
somewhat represent it.

Crouch, from the Fr. G. Crochu,
crooked: V. Crook. Or,
which is most likely, from the
Teut. Krauchen, idem.

A Crow of iron, V. Crane. It
may be no mistake to draw
it from the Gr. Κρούω, to
knock.

To Crow, from the AS. Cra­
wan, Teut. Krahen, the same;
these from the Nouns, Crawe,
Krae, a crow. Fr. Jun.
draws it from the Gr. Κραυ­
γὴ, an hoarse noise.

A Crow, as before: V. To
Crow.

Crowd, from the AS. Crud,
the same. Or it may be
drawn from the Gr. Κρούω,
to knock; men being there­
in jostled one against ano­
ther.

A Crowd of Musick, from the
C. Br. Crwth, a fiddle; Cry­
ther, a Fidler; both perhaps
from the Gr. Κρούω, to beat,
and its derivative Κρότος, a
stroke. Spelman draws it
from the Hisp. Guerda, a
string: The derivation is as
easie from the AS. Cruð,
idem.

The Crown, from the Belg.
Kruyne, idem; or the Fr. G.
Coronne. 

Crucible, Lat. Barb. Crucibilum,


 
à Cruciando; q.d.  a
Chymical vessel, wherein Me­
tals are melted, and purified.
Dr. Th. H. draws it from the
Gr. Κρυσὸν Βάλλειν, because
gold is cast into it. 

Cruel, from the Fr. G. Cruel;
this from the Lat. Crudelis,
idem; and this from Crudus, 
raw; q.d.  one that could even
eat his enemy alive, raw.

Cruel; or rather, Crewel, from
the Belg. Klowe, Teut. Kla­
wel; which probably hath
been corrupted from the Lat.
Globulus, a bottom of thread.

Crum, from the AS. Cruma,
Teut. Krume, Krummel, id.
from this last, To Crumble:
They all flow from the Lat.
Grumus, clots of any thing.

Crump, from the Belg. and Teut.
Krimpen, Krummen, to shrink
up.

Crumple, v. Crump.

Crupper, from the Fr. G. Crou­
piere, Ital. Cropiera, Hisp.
Grupera, the same.

Cruse, from the Belg. Krus,
Teut. Krug, Fr. G. Cruche,
a Potter's vessel. It is not
much dissonant to the Gr.
Κρώσσος a water-pot.

To Cruse up and down the sea, 
a Sea-term; from the Belg.
Kruys, a cross; as we say, To
Cross up and down.

Crush, from the Fr. G. Escra­
ser; and this, without any of­
fence, from the Lat. Excru­
ciare, to torment.

Crutches, from the AS. Cricce,
Teut. Krucke, Ital. Croccie,
Crocciole; all from the Lat.
Crux, because they are made
something like a cross.

Cub, as a Fox-Cub, &c. Min­
shew derives it from the Lat.
Cubare, to lie down; because
they abide in their holes.

Cucking-stool; or rather, Duck­
ing-stool; q.d.  Choaking-­
stool; because Scolds being
thus punished are almost sti­
fled with water: V. Choke.
Dr. Th. H. takes it from the
Fr. G. Coquine, a Beggar-­
woman; because sturdy Beg­
gar-women are washed in it.

Cuckold, from the Fr. G. Cocu, 
idem; or more easily from
Cuckow, and Hold; q.d.  
poor man, like A Cuckow,
he bringeth up other men's
children for his own.

Cuckow, from the Fr. G. Cou­
cou, Ital. Cucco, Lat. Cucu­
lus; all from the note this
bird hath.

Cud, To chaw the Cud, from
the AS. Cud, idem; or it is
so called, q. Chewed.

Cudgel, from the Belg. Kudse,
Kodse, a knotted stick.

Cuerpo, To walk in Cuerpo,
from the Hisp. Cuerpo; q.d.  
to go in so extraordinary an
habit, as will draw the eyes of
people after one.

Cuff, from the Ital. Schiaffo, the
same; or Zuffa, a scuffle;
or from the Gr. Κόπτω, to
smite; or Κολάπτω, to smite
with the fist.


 
Culdees, a sort of Monks, for­
merly of Schone, in Scotland,
so called, à colendo Deum, 
from worshiping God.

Cull, from the Fr. G. Cueillir,
Ital. Cogliere; and both from
the Lat. Colligere, to chuse,
or gather together.

Cull, or Coll  about the neck, 
from the Fr. G. Col, Lat. Col­
lum a neck; q.d.  to clasp
about the neck.

Cullender, from the Fr. G. Cou­
landiere; this from the Lat.
Colum, or Colo, to strain.

Cullis, from the Fr. G. Coulis,
à Colando, from straining;
q.d.  strained broth.

Cully, from the Ital. Coglione, a
Fop; also the stones of any
creature, fools being naturally
well gifted.

Culver, from the AS. Culfre,
or the Lat. Columba, a pid­
geon.

Culvering, from the Fr. G. Co­
louvrine, Ital. Colubrina; and
these from the Lat. Coluber;
q.d.  a warlike engine, made
after the form of a serpent;
or, that is very destructive,
like a serpent.

Culvertail, a term in Archite­
cture; not unlikely from the
Fr. G. Couple-artail, this from
the Lat. Copulo, to couple, and
Articulus, a joint; (i.e.) a
joining of boards together ar­
tificially.

Cumble, from the Fr. G. Com­
ble, an heap; q.d.  measure
heaped up.

Cunn, from the AS. Connan,
Teut. Konnen, to apprehend a
matter, to understand.

Cunning, from the AS. Cun­
ning, expert, skilful; this
from the word Cunn, or
Kenn; which see.

Cup, from the AS. Cuppe, Belg.
Kop, Fr. G. Couppe, Ital.
Coppa, Gr. Κύπη, the same.
Hence cometh the Lat. barb. Capula, an Acron-Cup,and
Capella, a Taster.

Cupola, or Cuppola, a term in
Architecture; from the Ital.
Cupo, high; q.d.  an high
Tower arched, having but
little light. Evelin draws it
from the Lat. Cupa, a Cup.

Cupping-glasses, from our Eng.
Cup, and Glass. 

Curass, from the Fr. G. Cuirasse,
Ital. Coraccia, Corrazza: Or
from the Fr. G. Cuir, a skin;
(i e.) made of leather: Or ra­
ther, from the Ital. Cuore, the
heart; (i.e.) armour for the
breast. From hence, A Cu­
rassier.

Curate, from the Lat. barb. Cu­
ratus, Fr. G. Curè; (i.e.)
one that taketh care of his
flock.

Curb, from the Fr. G. Courber,
to hold back.

To Curd, or Curdle, perhaps by
a Metathesis, from the word
Crowd; q.d.  to Crowdle, or
thrust together.

Curl, from the Belg. Krollen, or
the Ital. Ciurlare, idem; this
from the Lat. Gyrulus; q.d.  


 
to twirl up: Or, which seem­
eth more probable, from the
AS. Cyrran, Teut. Keh­
ren, Belg. Keeren, to turn
up. 

Curlew from the Fr. G. Cor­
lieu, Ital. Carlotta, Arab.
Corli; all signifying a bird so
named.

Curr, from the Belg. Korre; this
from Kirren, to grin: Or
from Kurr, tamed: Or Curo,
to take care; for such dogs
are commonly trained up to
keep sheep.

Curr-fish, q.d.  a dog-fish. V.
Curr.

No dated citation found in OED but see "cur", n., compounds.



Currans, q.d.  Corinths.

Currant, from the Fr. G. Cou­
rant, idem; q.d.  good mo­
ney, that, in Commerce, pas­
ses from one to another with­
out any scruple.

A Current, or river running
swiftly; from the same root.

Currier, from the Fr. G. Cour­
rier, Ital. Corriere, from
Currus, say some; but it may
better be taken from the Lat.
Coriare, to Curry, to dress a
skin.

Curry, to rub an horse down;
from the Fr. G. Curer, Lat.
Curare, to take care about.
It will not be amiss to take it
from the Gr. Κορέω, to brush,
or make clean.

To Curry favour, from the old
Fr. G. Querir, Lat. Quærere,
to seek.

To Curse; Minshew takes it
from the Fr. G. Courrua, Ital.
Corruccio, anger. Another
judiciously draws it from
the AS. Cursan, this from
the Lat. Cruciare; q.d.  to
curse one to hell.

Curst, from the Belg. Korsel,
contumacious, impious: Or
from the word Curse; q.d.  
one that breaks out into cur­
sings upon the lightest occa­
sion.

Curtain, Fr. G. Courtine, Ital.
Hisp. and old Lat. Cortina,
the same: Perhaps from our
Eng. Court; which see. It
may likewise be taken from
the Fr. G. Coverte, Ital. Co­
perta, a covering. V. Co­
ver.

Curtal, or Curtail, from the
Belg. Kertelen, to cut short;
or from the Fr. G. Escourter,
Ital. Accortare, to abridge;
or more immediately from the
Lat. Curtus, short; or from
the Fr. G. Court, short; and
our word Tail; which see.

Courtelass, from the Fr. G. Cou­
telas, Ital. Coltellaccio, a short
kind of sword, now called A
Cutlass.

Curtezan, from the Fr. G. Cour­
tisane, Ital. Cortegiana, one
that is clothed after the Court-­
fashions. It is also common­
ly taken for a Whore.

Curver, from the Ital. Corvetta,
a leap, or jump.

Cushinet, from the Fr. G. Coussi­
net, Ital. Cucinetto, a little
Cushion; which see.

Cushion, from the Belg. Kussen,


 
Teut. Kussen, Fr. G. Coussin,
Ital. Coscino, Cucino, the
same; all from the Lat. Coxa,
an hip; because it is laid un­
der them. 

Cuskin, either a corruption of
the Lat. Cissybium, an Ivy-­
cup, by adding the termina­
tion kin; or taken from the
Fr. G. Gousse, bark; that is,
hollow.

Custard, q.d.  Gustard, à Gu­
stando, from tasting. It may
also be derived from the Belg.
Kost, meat, and Aerd, nature,
(i.e.) sustenance; by the fi­
gure Antonomasia.

Custom, from the Fr. G. Cou­
stume, Ital. Costume, Hisp.
Costumbre; all perhaps con­
tracted from the Lat. Consue­
tudo, the same. Custom, is
likewise taken for a tax due to
the King for foreign Goods
brought into England.

Cut, from the Fr G. Couteau,
this from the Lat. Cultellus, a
knife; or from the Fr. G.
Couper, Gr. Κόπτω, the same.

Cutle-fish, from the Belg. Cut­
tel-visch, Teut. Kuttel-fisch;
perhaps from the Lat. Cutis,
because it is little else but
skin.

Cutler, from the Fr. G. Couste­
lier, Coutelier; this from
Cousteau, a knife, or sword;
(i.e.) a knife, or sword-ma­
ker.

Cut-water, a term in Sailing:
V. Cut, and Water. 


D 
To Dabb on, from the Fr. G.
Dauber, Dober, to
Dawb; which see. Yet I
had rather derive it from our
word Do, and the AS. Uf,
Teut. Auff, upon, by an A­
postrophe; as in D'on, and D'off.
Hence we say, To lay
it on.

To Dabble, from the Belg. Dab­
belen, Dabben, to roll dirt in
the hand: Or from the C. Br.
Diblo, a daggle-tail.

Dace, in Lincolnshire
Dares; and this from the AS. Dare,
hurt; because it is a fish thought to be unwholsome
for the body.

Dacker, a word frequently used
in Lincolnshire; from the
Belg Daeckeren, to move
swiftly; this from Daeck, a
cloud; clouds being easily dispelled with the wind. V.
To Stagger.

Dad, a word whereby infants
call their fathers; from the
C. Br. Tad, Fr. G. Bab, Ital.
Dada, Dadda, Pappa, Tata,
Tato, a father; feigned from
the sound, says Minshew.

A Dag, or Rag of cloth; either
from the said Rag, by the
changing of one letter; or
from the AS. Dag; q.d.  a



rag hanging down from the
rest of the cloth. 

Dagger, from the Dan. Daggert,
Belg. Dagge, Ital. and Hisp.
Daga, Fr. G. Dague; all of
the same signification.

Daggle, from the AS. Deagan,
to bedawb: Or from Dab­
ble; which see.

Daign, from the Fr. G. Daig­
ner, Ital. Degnare; and both
from the Lat. Dignari, to
vouchsafe, or be pleased to do
a thing.

Dainty, from the old Fr. G.
Dain, idem; and this from
Dain, Daim, a Doe, whose
flesh is esteemed very much
by all nations. Minshew takes
it from the Lat. Dente, the
Ablat. of Dens, a tooth:
Whence may come our say­
ing, He hath got a sweet
tooth.

Dairy, from the Fr. G. Derriere;
q.d.  an house backward, where cheese is usually made.
V. Minshew.

Daisy, or Daizy; Minshew
draws it from the Gr. Δαίζω,
to divide; for that the flowers
thereof are many, and divi­
ded one from another. Yet I
had rather draw it from the
Fr. G. Dais, a canopy; be­
cause this sort of flower does
somewhat represent it.

A Daker-hen, from the Teut.
Dauchen, Tauchen, to dive;
q.d.  a bird that dives.

Dale, from the Belg. and Dan.
Dal, Dail, Teut. Thal, Tahl,
any steep place: Or, not un­
likely, from the Gr. Θάλλω,
to be green, or flourish.

To Dally, from the Belg. Dolen,
Dollen, to play the fool. Dr.
Th. H. taketh it from the word
Delay. 

Damask, from the Fr. G. Da­
mas, Damasquin, Ital. Da­
maschino, Damasco, Damask-­
Linen; so called, for Da­
mascus, the most famous and
ancient city of Assyria. Da­
mas is put, not only for the
city, but also from many
things that belong to it; as
Damask Rose, &c.

Dame, from the Fr. G. Dame,
Ital. Dama, Lat. Domina, the
same.

Dam, from the AS. Demman,
Belg. and Teut. Dammen, to
set bounds to water that it
may not pass.

Damm, for a mother among
brutes; from the Fr. G.
Dame, a dame; for she hath
some dominion over her
young. Somnerus takes it
from the AS. Tyman, to
bring forth.

Dammage, from the Fr. G.
Dommage, Dial Picard. Dam­
mage; all from the Lat. Dam­
num, loss.

Damp, from the Belg. and Dan. Damp,
Teut. Dampff, a va­
pour, or exhalation; Dan.
Damper, to evaporate. From
hence, To Damp.

Damsel, from the Fr. G. Damoi­
selle, Ital. Damigella, Donzel­
la,


 
a Gentlewoman; q.d.  
Lat. Dominicella, a little
Dame. 

A Damson, from the Fr. G. Da­
maisine, a plumb so called,
for that perhaps it was at first
brought over from Damascus,
into Europe. Right Dama­
scen.

Dance, from the Fr. G. Danser,
Ital. Danzare,
Teut. Tant­
zen, idem; and this from
Tand, a fantastical invention.

Dandeprat, a dwarf; from the
Belg. Danden, to play the
fool, and Praet, trifles; q.d.  
one that holdeth a frivolous
discourse. It may be taken
from our word Dandle, and
the Fr. G. Prest, ready; q.d.  
one so little, that he may be
carried about in ones arms
like a child.

To Dandle, from the Teut.
Dantzen, Tantzen; with us,
To Dance a child: Or from
the Fr. G. Dandiner, Belg.
Danten; all from the Teut.
Tand, a phantasm, a foolish
action.

Dandruff, from the AS. Tan, a
scab, and Drof, dirty.

Danger, from the Fr. Dan­
ger, the same. Minsevus takes it from the Gr. 
Δάνοσ, death, 
the greatest of all dangers.

Dangle,q. d. Hangle, v. Hang. 
It may be drawn from the 
Ital. Ciondolare; this from 
Ci, and Ondolare, to wag, as 
the waves flow; that is, too 
and again.

Dangle-wallet,an exact ba­
lance. v. Dangle, and Wal­
let.

"dangle-wallet" not found in OED.



Dank,somewhat damp; from 
the Teut. Duncken; and this 
from the Lat. Tingo, to dip in 
the water.

Dapper,from the Teut. Tapffer, 
Dapffer, idem; q. d. a man 
of a small stature, yet coura­
geous and nimble.

Dapple,a colour peculiar to hor­
ses; from the Teut. Apffel; 
with us, Apple; q. d. full of 
divers spots, like a Pippin.

Dare,from the AS. Dearran, 
Belg. Derren, Teut. Durffen, 
idem. I might also derive it 
from the Ital. Ardire, by the 
figure Metathesis. v. Har­
dy.

Dark,from the AS. Deorc, 
idem. Mer. Cas. derives it 
from the Gr. Ἀδερκὴσ, invi­
sible.

Darling,from the AS. Deor­
ling; q. d. Dearling. v. 
Dear. 

Dart,from the Fr. G. Dard, 
Ital. and Hisp. Dardo, the 
same. Fr. Jun. draws it from 
the Gr. Δαρδῶσαι, for Ῥίψαι, 
to cast.  

Dash,perhaps from the Dan. 
Dask, idem. Minshew draws 
it from the Belg. Derschen, 
Dorschen; both from the 
Heb. Dash, Dosch, he hath 
threshed. 

To Dash,perhaps from the Fr. 
G. Gasquer, to bespatter with   
  

  
dirt. Minshew takes it from 
the Gr. Δεῖσα; by Eustathius 
interpreted, Stercus, (i. e.) 
dung. I could also derive it 
from the other Dash, or from the Fr. G. Tache, a splatch of 
dirt.   

Dash,to terrifie; from Dazle; 
this from the Belg. Duyselen; 
to be greatly afraid: Or, 
which is more probable, from 
the Belg. Dwaes, AS. Dwaes, 
(i. e.) to be able to say nothing 
for fear.  

Dastard,from the AS. Dwaes, 
abashed, and the Belg. Aerd, 
nature; q. d. faint-hearted, ti­
morous by nature.  

Date,from the Fr. G. Datte, 
Daite, Hisp. Datil, Ital. Dat­
tero; and all from the Lat. 
Dactylus, the same.  

Daughter,from the AS. Doh­
tor, Belg. Dochter, Dan. 
Daater, Teut. Tachter, the 
same; perhaps from the Lat. 
Dos, a portion.  

Daunt,from the Fr. G Domter, 
this from the Lat. Domitare, 
to tame, or keep under.  

A Daw;possibly, from the note 
which it hath.  

Dawb;not unlikely, from the 
Fr. G. Dauber, idem.  

Dawn;Minshew derives it from 
the Belg. Dawevant Dagh, the 
dew of the day. The deriva­
tion is not unnatural if we 
draw it from the AS. Dæ­
gian, to begin to be day.  

Day,from the AS. Dæg, Belg. 
Dagh, Fr. Th. Tak,  Dan. 
Dag, Teut. Tag, the same.  

Dazle,from the Belg. Duyselen, 
to stun; also to make giddy, 
or light-headed; which you 
may draw from Dwaes, or 
the AS.  Dwaes, abashed.  

Deacon,from the Dan. Degn; 
both from the Lat. Diaconus, 
or the Gr. Διάκονοσ, one that 
ministreth in holy things.  

Dead, Death,from the AS.  
Dead, Deað, Belg. Dood, 
Teut. Todt, Dan Dod, idem. 
Mer. Cass. deriveth Die, from 
the Gr. Δύω, Δύνω, to interr: 
Minshew, from the Gr. Δεῖ­
δω, to fright; whence it is 
called, the King of terrours. 
Dr. Th. H. takes it from the 
Fr. G. Devier; and this from 
De, and Vie, which signifies 
as much as to depart this life.  

Deaf,from the AS. Deaf, 
Belg. Doof, Teut. Dawf; this 
last especially from the Gr. 
Κωφὸσ, the same.  

Deal,from the AS. Dælan, to 
divide; Belg. Deel, Teut. 
Theil, idem.  

Dean,from the Fr. G. Doyen, or 
the Gr. Δέκανοσ, a Deacon.  

Dear,from the AS. Dyran, 
to account dear to himself; 
Belg. Dier, Duyer, Fr. Th. 
Diue,  Teut. Thewer, the 
same. It may more ingeni­
ously than truly be taken from 
the Gr. Θήραω, to catch at 
greedily, every one being de­
sirous of things valuable.   
  

  
Debase,from the Fr. G. Desbais­
ser,  Ital. Dibassare, to Abase; 
which see; as also Base.  

Debate,from the Fr. G. Debat, 
Ital. Dibatto; whence come 
the Verbs Debaire, Dibatte­
re,  to contend, or be at va­
riance. v. Bate, and Abate.  

Debauch,A Debauch, from the 
old Fr. G. Desbaucher, to de­
flour.  

To Deboist; or rather, Debase,
from the Fr. G. Desbaisser, 
Ital. Dibassare; q. d. to De­
bash, for Abash: See Bashful, 
Abase, and Base. Or, more 
naturally, from the Fr. G. 
Desbaucher, to traduce, or 
lead amiss. v. Debauch.

Verb form of  "deboist" not found in OED.

  

Debonair,from the Fr. G. De­
bonnair, kind, mil; q. d. 
De Bon Aire; that is to say, 
one of a good, genteel na­
ture, carriage, and behaviour.  

Debt,from the Fr. G. Debte;  
and both from the Lat. Debi­
tum, the same.  

Decant,from the Lat. Barb. De­
cantare, a word lately found 
out by more barbarous Chy­
mists; which those mighty 
Zoilus's derive from the Lat. 
De, and the Gr. Κάνθοσ, a 
corner.  

Decay,from the Ital. Decadere, 
Fr. G. Decheoir; and both 
from the Lat. De, and Cadere, 
to fade, to come to nothing; 
metaphorically taken from 
plants shedding of flowers.  

Decease,from the Fr. G. De­
cez, death; Deceder, to die; 
and both from the Lat. Dece­
dere, to depart.  

Deceive,from the Fr. G. Dece­
voir; both from the Lat. De­
cipere,  the same.  

Decipher,from the Fr. G. De­
chiffrer, Deschiffrer, Ital. De­
ciferare, to draw out, or de­
lineate. v. Cypher.  

Deck,by a little variation of the 
sence, from the Belg. and 
Teut. Decken; both from the 
Lat. Tegere; and this from 
the Gr. Στέγω, to cover.  

Decks of a ship,from the Belg. 
Decken, to cover, or defend.  

Declension,from the Fr. G. De­
clinaison; both from the Lat. 
Declinatio, the same.  

Decrease,from the Fr. G. De­
croistre; and both from the 
Lat. Decrescere, the same.  

Decree,from the Fr. G. Decret;  
and both from the Lat. Decre­
tum, the same.  

Decry,from the Fr. G. Descrier, 
openly to defame; also to cry 
down any Coin.  

Deed,from the AS. Dæd, Belg. 
Daed, Teut. That, the same. 
v. Do.  

Deem,from the AS. Deman, 
to judge, or examine.  

Deepfrom the AS. Deop, Belg. 
Diep, Teut. Tieff, the same; 
which may be drawn from the 
Belg. Diepte,  Teut. Tieffte, a 
gulf. Mer. Cas. violently 
wrests it from the Gr. Βαθὺσ, 
the same.  

Deer,from the AS. Deor, 
Belg. and Fr. Th. Dier, Teut.   
  

   
Thier; and this manifestly 
from the Gr. Θὴρ, any wild 
beast.   

Deface,from the old Fr. G. De­
facer, to soil, or spoil the 
hape of any thing, to disfi­
gure.  

Defailance,from the Fr. G. De­
faillance;  this from the Verb 
Defaillir, to faint away as 
one in a fit; all from the Lat. 
De, and Fallere.  

Defaulk,from the Fr. G. De­
falquer, Ital. Defalcare, to 
strike, or cut off; a term in 
Arithmetick; a Metaphor ta­
ken from Reapers.  

Default,from the Fr. G. De­
faut; this from the Verb De­
faillir, to do amiss.  

Defile,from the Lat. præp. De,  
and the AS.  Ful, or the Eng. 
Foul; which see.  

Deflour,from the Fr. G. Defleu­
rer; q. d. Deflorare; (i. e.) 
to rob a virgin of the flower 
of her virginity.  

Defray,from the Fr. G. De­
frayer, this from Frais; q. d. 
to pay charges.  

Deft,a Northern word; from 
the AS.  Dæfe, pretty, or 
handsome.  

Defy,from the Fr. G. Defier, 
Deffier, Ital. Disfidare, Sfida­
re, to challenge one into the 
field.  

Degrade,from the Fr. G. De­
grader, Desgrader, the same.  

Degree,from the Fr. G. Degrè, 
the same.  

Delay,from the Fr. G. Delay, 
Ital. Dilaio, to put off, or de­
fer to a longer time.  

To Delaywine, from the Fr. G. 
Delayer, Dilaier, to mix, or 
mingle.  

Delight,from the Fr. G. Dele­
ctor, Ital. Dilettare; all from 
the Lat. Delectare, the same. 
Or it may more immediately 
flow from the old Fr. G. De­
lict, which is found in an old 
Translation of the Bible, and 
may be englished, pleasure, or 
delight.  

Deliver,from the Fr. G. Deli­
vrer, Ital. Deliverare, to set 
at liberty.  

Delve,from the AS. Delfan, 
Belg. Delven, to dig.  

Deluge,from the Fr. G. De­
luge; and both from the Lat. 
Diluvium, the same; this 
from Diluo, to wash away.  

Demand,from the Fr. G. De­
mander, Ital. Dimandare; 
both from the Lat. Demanda­
re, idem.  

Demeanour, Demean;Min­
shew derives them from the 
Fr. G. Moyen, mean; q. d. 
to comport himself humbly; 
rather from the Fr. G. Deme­
ner, Ital. Dimenare, idem.  

Demolish,from the Fr. G. De­
molir; and this from the Lat. 
Demoliri, to level with the 
ground.  

Demure,reserved, coy, modest, 
serious; from the Fr. G. Des 
mæurs,  over-mannerly; or 
from the Teut. Demuth, gra­
vity, or modesty.   
  

  
To Demurr,a term in Law; 
from the Fr. G. Demeurer, 
Ital. Dimorare, to delay; i. e. 
to stave off an Action to some 
other time.  

Demy,from the Fr. G. Demy; 
both from the Lat. Dimi­
dium, the one half of a thing. 
Demy also signifieth a Degree 
in Magdalen-College, Ox­
ford; A Demy-Fellow, one 
that hath half the salary due 
to a Fellow.  

A Denier, or Peny;from the 
Fr. G. Denier, Ital. Denaro; 
and both from the Lat. Dena­
rius,  the same.  

Den;Minshew draws it from 
the Belg. Denne, Ital. Tana, 
Fr. G. Taniere, the same. It 
may, if I may be allowed so 
much liberty, be taken from 
the Gr. Δύνω, to go under.  

Dennizen;Davis draws it plain­
ly from the C. Br. Dinaswr, 
Dinesidd, a Free-man; and 
this from Dinas, a city. Min­
shew derives it from the Fr. 
G. Donaison; q. d. a Citizen 
by gift and Co-optation Or, it 
may be so said, q. Danes Son, 
from the Danes,  that adopt­
ed such into their own tribes, 
when they invaded Egland.  

Dentels,a term in Architecture; 
from the Ital. Dentelli, idem; 
and this from the Lat. Dentu­
li, little teeth; which they re­
semble.  

Deny,from the Fr. G. Denier; 
and both originally from the 
Lat. Denegare, the same.  

Depaint,from the Fr. G. De­
peindre; both from the Lat. 
Depingere, idem.  

Depart,from the Fr. G. Depar­
tir, Ital. Dipartire; and this 
from the Lat. Dispartiri; 
q. d.to separate himself from 
others.  

Descant,from the Fr. G. Des­
chant, Ital. Discanto, a fre­
quent iteration of one thing; 
a term in Musick.  

Descry,from the inseparable 
præp. Dis, and Cry; q. d. to 
discover openly.  

Deserve,from the Fr. G. Deser­
vir, Ital. Deservire, the same.  

Desire,from the Fr. G. Desir,  
Ital. Desire; or from their 
Verbs Desirer, Desirare; all 
of them from the Lat. Desi­
derare, the same.  

Desk,from the Belg. Disch, 
Teut. Tisch, Ital. Desco, id. 
'Tis a sort of table to write 
upon, and keep Accounts in.  

Despair,from the Fr. G. De­
spoir, the Verb Desperer; all 
from the Lat. Desperare, the 
same.  

Despise,from the Fr. G. Despi­
ter,  Ital. Dispettare; or their 
Nouns Despit, Dispetto; all 
from the Lat. Despicere, the 
same. See Despite.  

Despite,from the Fr. G. Despit,  
indignation; or Despiteux, 
stomachful. See Spite.  

Despoil,from the Fr. G. Dispou­
iller, Ital. Spogliare; all from 
the Lat.  Spoliare, the same  

Destroy,from the Fr. G. Destruir;   
  

  
both from the Lat. 
Destruere, to lay waste.   

Detain,from the Fr. G. Dete­
nir, or the Lat. Detinere, the 
same.  

Developed,v. Invelop.  

Devest,from the Fr. G. Desve­
stir, to put off a garment.  

Devil,from the AS. Deofl, 
C. Br. Diafl, Diafwl, Fr. G. 
Diable, Hisp. Diablo, Ital. 
Diavolo, Belg. Duyvel, Teut. 
Teuffel; all from the Gr. 
Διάβολοσ, an impeacher, a 
back-biter, an accuser.  

Devise,from the Fr. G. Deviser,  
idem.  

Devoir,from the Fr. G. Devoir,  
idem.  

A Deuce, or Dews,from the Fr. 
G. Dewx, or the Gr. Δυὰσ, 
the number Two, at Cards, 
or Dice.  

Dew,from the AS. Deawe, 
Belg. Dauw, Teut. Taw, the 
same. It may also be drawn 
from the Gr. Δεύω, to water, 
or wet.  

Dew-lap;so called, because it 
laps the dew: Or from the 
AS.  Deop læppe; q. d. Deep-­
lap.  

Dial;q. d. Lat. Diale, belong­
ing to the day; (i. e.) shewing 
the hours of the day.  

Diamond,from the Fr. G. Dia­
mant; both from the Lat. A­
damas, the same.  

Diaper,from the Fr. G. Dia­
prer, Diapre,  interwoven with 
flowers. We may reasonably 
suppose that all these flow 
from the Fr. G. Divairè, it 
being of a various contex­
ture.  

Diapered,from the Fr. G. Dia­
prè, variously interwoven; a 
term in Heraldry.  

Didapper,from the Belg. Duyck 
Dapper, a bird that dives 
well; q. d. Dive-dapper. v. 
Dip, Dive, Dapper.  

To Didder,a word in Lincoln­
shire;  from the Belg. Sitte­
ren, Teut. Zittern, to chatter 
with cold.  

Dight,from the AS. Dihtan, 
to prepare, or make ready: 
Or from our word Deck; 
which see.  

Digrave;q. d. Dike, or Ditch­
grave; (i. e.) a Collector of 
money for the repairing of 
high-ways, and ditches. v. 
Grave.  

Dike,v. Ditch.  

Dildo,contracted from the Ital. 
Diletto; q. d. woman's de­
light. Or it may be drawn 
from our word Dally; q. d. 
a thing to play withal. See 
Dally.  

Dim,from the AS. Dim, the 
same: Or from the Teut. 
Demmen, Dammen, to muz­
zle.  

A Dimplein the face, or chin; 
q. d. Dintle, Dentle; from 
our word Dint, or Dent; 
which see.  

Din,peradventure from the AS.  
Dyn, noise; or Dynan, to 
sound: Or perhaps from the 
Lat. Tinnio, to tingle.    
  

  
Dine,v. Dinner.  

To Ding,hit against; perhaps 
from the Teut. Dringen, to 
pinch, or bruise: Or from 
the Lat. Tinnio, to ring, or 
tingle.  

Ding-dong,from the sound of 
bells.  

Dinner,from the Fr. G. Disner, 
Ital. Desinare, Discinare, to 
dine. Some derive it from 
the Lat. Dejejunare, to break 
ones fast.  

Dint,an impression; from the 
AS.  Dynt, a blow. Mena­
gius derives it from Dente, 
the Abl. of Dens, a tooth; 
(i. e.) a mark made with the 
teeth.  

Dip,from the AS. Dippan, 
Dan. Dypper, Belg. Doopen, 
idem.  

A Dirge;as Dr. Th. H.  informs 
us, from the Psalm that be­
gins with Dirige nos Domi­
ne. Mer. Cas. takes it from 
the Gr. Ὂδυρμα, a lamenta­
tion.  

Dirt,from the Belg. Drtit, 
Teut. Dreck, dung, filth; 
or from the Verb Driiten, to 
shite.  

Disadventure,an ill chance. See 
Adventure.  

Disard,from the AS. Dizi, Belg. 
Duysigh, vertiginous, amazed: 
Or from the Fr. G. Disard, a 
pratler: Or from the Belg. 
Dwaes Aerd,  an Idiot, one 
moped. v. Dizzy.  

Disaster,from the Fr. G. Desa­
stre, Ital. Disastro; q. d. Disa­
strum, mis-hap occasioned by 
the influence of a malignant 
star.  

Disband,from the Fr. G. Des­
bander, Ital. Sbandare; these 
from Dis, and Bande; (i. e.) 
to discharge, or remove from 
the troop.  

Disburse,from the Fr. G. Des­
bourser, or the Ital. Disbor­
sare, to unpurse. v. Purse.  

Discharge,from the Fr. G. Des­
charger,  or the Ital. Discari­
care, to set free. v. Charge.  

Disclose,from the Fr. G. Dis­
clos, or the Lat. Disclausus, 
discovered, brought to light.  

Discomfit,from the Fr. G. Dis­
comfir, or the Ital. Sconfig­
gere, to rout an army.  

Discover,from the Fr. G. Des­
couvrer,  or the Ital. Scoprire, 
to uncover. v. Cover.  

Discount,Ital. 
Scontare, Lat. 
Discomputare, to count, or 
reckon off. v. Counts.  

Discourage,from the Fr. G. Des­
courager, Ital. Scoraggiare, 
the same. v. Courage.  

Discourse,from the Fr. G. Dis­
cours,  Ital. Discorso; both 
from the Lat. Discurrere; 
q. d. to run from one plea, or 
argument, to another.  

Discredit,v. Credit.  

Discreet,from the Ital. Discre­
to, or the Lat. Barb. Discre­
tus, idem.  

Disdain,from the Fr. G. Des­
daigner, Ital. Sdegnare, to 
count a thing unworthy. v. 
Daign.   
  

   
Disease,from the Fr. G. De­
saise,  Ital. Disagio, the same. 
v. Ease.  

Disembogue,from the Fr. G. 
Disemboucher, now out of 
use; this from the Lat. præp. 
Dis, and the Fr. G. Bouche, 
Ital. Bocca, a mouth; meant 
of that place of a river, where 
it emptieth it self into the 
sea.  

Disfigure,from the Fr. G. De­
figurer, Desfigurer, Ital. Dis­
figurare, idem; q. d. to spoil 
the shape of any thing.  

Disfranchise,from the Fr. G. 
Desfranchir, to deprive one 
of his liberty. v. Frank, 
Franchise, and Enfranchise.  

Disgorge,from the Fr. G. Des­
gorger, to vomit up; meta­
phorically taken from water, 
as it were, boiling up out of 
a gurges, or whirl-pool.  

Disgrace,from the Fr. G. Dis­
grace, or the Ital. Disgratia, 
ignominy, or misfortune.  

Disguise,from the Fr. G. Des­
guiser; or from Dis, and 
Guise; which see; q. d. to 
change habit and countenance.  

Disgust,from the Fr. G. Desgou­
ster, Ital. Disgustare; (i. e.) 
to resent a thing ill.  

Dish,from the AS. Disc, id. 
or the Lat. Discus, the same.  

Disheveled,from the Fr. G. Di­
schevelè, Ital. Scapigliato; and 
these from their Nouns Che­
veux, and Capegli; which 
come from the Lat. Capilli, 
hairs; (i. e.) having it dang­
ling loose upon the shoul­
ders.  

Disingage,from the Fr. G, Des­
engager, to revoke an En­
gagement. v. Engage, and 
Gage.  

Dislodge,from the Fr. G. Des­
loger,  Ital. Disloggiare, Slog­
giare, idem; (i. e.) to change 
ones lodgings. It is likewise a 
term in Hunting; as we say, 
To Dislodge a Deer, when 
we rouse him out of his 
Lodge.  

Disloyal,from the Fr. G. Des­
loyal,  Ital. Disleale, the same. 
v. Loyal.  

Dismal,q. d. Dies malus, an unlucky day, saith Minshew. 
I had rather draw it from the 
Belg. Duys-Mael; q. d. a stu­
pendous time, or chance; or, 
q. d. Dimnel,  from the AS.  
Dim, dark; spoken in com­
parison with hell, which is 
sometimes called, Utter 
Darkness.  

Dismantle,from the Fr. G. Des­
manteller, Hisp. Dismante­
lar, to demolish the walls of 
cities; by an elegant Meta­
phor, taken from stripping off 
ones garment.  

Dismount,from the Fr. G. Des­
monter, Ital. Smontare, to a­
light, or make to a-light. v. 
Mount.  

Disobey,from the Fr. G. Dis­
obeyr, the same; or, q. d. Lat. 
Disobedire. v. To Obey.  

Disorder,from the Fr. G. Disor­
drè, the same. v. Order.   
  

  
Disparage,from the Fr. G. Des­
parager,  Ital. Dispareggiare; 
this from the Fr. G. Parage; 
q. d. to compare with Infe­
riours.  

Dispatch,from the Fr. G. Des­
pescher, or the Ital. Dispac­
ciare,  the same.  

Dispencer,from the Fr. G. Des­
pensier, or the Ital. Despensie­
re; and both from the Lat. 
Dispensator, a Steward. Min­
shew.  

Dispeople,from the Fr. G. Dis­
peupler, or the Lat. Depopula­
ri, to lay waste.  

To Dispert,from Dispertio, to 
divide; a term in Sailing, and 
in the Mathematicks. See 
Manwayring, in his Naut. 
Dict.  

Displace,v. Place.  

Display,from the Fr. G. Des­
plier, Ital. Despiegare, to un­
furl.  

Disport,v. Sport.  

Dispose,from the Fr. G. Dispo­
ser, idem; and both from the 
Lat. Disponere, to set in or­
der.  

Dissemble,from the Fr. G. Des­
sembler; and both from the 
Lat. Dissimulare, the same.  

Distain,from the Fr. G. Destain­
dre;  both from the Lat. Di­
stingere; q. d. to paint with 
various spots.  

Distrain,a term in Law; from 
the Fr. G. Destraindre, idem.  

Distress,from the Fr. G. De­
stresse,  Ital. Distretta; this 
from Dis, twice, and Strin­
gere, to bind; q. d. to la­
bour hard under scarcity and 
want.  

Ditch, or Dike,from the AS.  
Dice, Dic, or Dan. Diige, Dige, 
the same; and these from 
their Verbs Dician, Dirger, to 
make a trench about: Or 
from the Belg. Diik, which 
Fr. Jun.  derives from the Gr. 
Τείχοσ, a wall. It may al­
so be derived from our word 
Dig.  

Ditty,from the Lat. Dictum, a 
saying; q. d. a Sonnet com­
prising but a few words.  

Dive,from the AS. Dippan, Belg. 
Doopen, the same: Or per­
haps from the Gr. Δύπτω, to 
duck.  

Dizzy,from the AS. Dizi, or the 
Belg. Duyligh, the same. v. 
Dazle.  

Dobeler; or rather, Doubler,a 
great wooden platter. v. 
Double.  

A Dock,from the AS. Docca, a 
plant so called.  

A Dock,perhaps from the Gr. 
Δοχεῖον; this from Δ#x1F73;χομαι, 
to receive; q. d. a station for 
ships.  

To Dodge,to run from one plea 
to another; derived from the 
word Dog, that runs this way, 
and that way in hunting. It 
is also attributed to the Belg. 
Doddick, wavering; which 
comes from Dodde, a spit that 
turneth often about.  

Dodkin,from the Belg. Duyt­
ken, the smallest coin that is;   
  

  
this from the diminutive ter­
mination Kin, and Duit, a 
farthing. v. Doit.    

Doe,from the AS. Da, Dan. 
Daa, Belg. Das, Fr. G. Daim, 
the same.  

To Doe,from the AS. Don, Teut. 
Thun, the same.  

Dog,perhaps from the AS.  Doc, 
Belg. Dogge, Teut. Dock,  a 
Mongrel, or a Mastive. Hence 
To Dog one, to trace one like 
a dog. Minshew derives it 
from Δάκνω, to bite.  

Dogged, from Dog; q. d. per­
verse, of a crabbed, surly tem­
per.  

Dogger,from Dog; q. d. a lit­
tle light ship, which, like an 
Hound, is soon turned this, 
or that way.  

Doit,from the Belg. Duyt, Fr. 
G. Doigt; and this corrupted 
from the Lat. Digitus; q. d. 
a brass coin of a small value; so 
small, that it may be covered 
with the tip of the finger.  

Dole,from the AS. Dal, Dæl, 
Belg. Deyl, Teut. Theil, a 
part, or pittance; these from 
the Verbs Dælan, Drylen, 
Theylen, to distribute. v. 
Deal.  

Doller,from the Belg. Daler, 
Teut. Thaler, a German sil­
ver-coin; both from the Belg. 
Talen, Teut. Zahlen,  to pay. 
Martinius derives it from the 
Teut. Thal, a Valley; it be­
ing first coined in the Valley 
of Joachim, in Saxony.  

Dolphin,formerly the title of 
the Prince of Vienna; now, 
of the first-born of the French 
King; from the Fr. G. Daul­
phin,  and Daulphine, a Dol­
phin, which those princes car­
ried in their Coat of Arms.  

Dolphin,from the Fr. G. Daul­
phin, the Lat. Delphinus, or 
the Gr. Δελφὶν, the same; this 
from Δέλφαξ, an hog; be­
cause it somewhat resembleth 
one; or from Δελφὺσ, a womb, 
for the bigness of its belly.  

Dolt,from the Teut. Doll, im­
prudent; or from the Lat. At­
tonitus, stupified.  

Don,properly a Spanish word; 
contracted from the Lat. Do­
minus,  a master.  

Doom,from the AS. Dom, 
Dome, Teut. Vet. Duom, 
Run. Dan Dom, a Judgment. 
Whence the Verb Domner, 
to judge, or condemn. v. 
Deem.  

Door,from the AS. Dure, 
Dora, Goth. Dore, Dan. 
Dor, Teut. Thur, Thor; all 
from the Gr. Θύρα, idem: 
Or rather, from the AS.  Ðor, 
Ðurh, through.  

Dormant,from the Fr G. Dor­
mant, a Participle of the Verb 
Dormir, to sleep.  

Dormouse;q. d.  Mus Dormiens, 
a mouse that almost always 
sleepeth.  

To Dorr,from the Teut. Thor, 
a fool; or from the AS.  Dora, 
a drone; q. d. to make one 
dull and stupid.   
  

  
A Dorser, or Dosser;that is, an 
horse-cloth; from the Fr. G. 
Dossiere; both from the Lat. 
Dorsum, a back.  

Dosel, or Dorsel,from the Lat. 
Dorsum, a back.  

Dote,from-the Belg. Dutten, 
Doten, Fr. G. Dotter, the same.  

Dotterel;Cambden derives it 
from the Verb To Dote. v. 
Dote.  

Double,from the Fr. G. Double,  
the Ital. Doppio, or the Lat. 
Duplum, two-fold.  

Doublet,from the Fr. G. Doub­
let, Ital. Dobletto; q. d. a 
vesture thicker than ordinary, 
to keep the stomach warm.  

Doubt,from the Fr. G. Doub­
ten; and both from the Lat. 
Dubitare, the same.  

Dove,from the AS. Dufa, 
Belg. Duyf, Duyve, Teut. 
Dauv, Tauv, Dan. Due,  the 
same.  

Doughfrom the AS. Dah, Belg. 
Deegh, Teut. Deig, Teyg, 
Dan. Deyg; these from the 
Verbs Dyen, Deyen. Or it 
may be drawn from the AS. 
Deagan, to knead, to mix 
with water.  

Doughty,from the AS. Doh­
tig, strenuous; or Duguð, 
valour; which comes from 
Dugan, to be strong: Or 
from the Belg. Deuchd, Teut. 
Dugend, fortitude, courage. 
It also signifieth, a proud fel­
low; in which sence it may 
be so said, quasi Thoughty; 
q. d. one that hath high 
thoughts of himself.  

Dowager,a King's Widow; 
corrupted from the Fr. G. 
Douairiere, and this from 
Douaire, a Dowry; which is 
allowed her by the Law.  

Dowlas-cloth,perhaps from 
Dowglas,  some Scotch-man, 
that first wrought it; q. d. 
Dowglas cloth: If it may 
not more probably be drawn 
from the Fr. G. Dourlans, a 
Town in Picardy, once fa­
mous for this kind of Manu­
facture.  

Down,from the AS. Dune, A­
dune, downward.  

Down,from the Dan. Dun, 
Belg. Dunne; as, Dunne Ve­
ders, (i. e.) soft feathers. v. 
Thin.  

Downes,from the AS. Dune, 
Belg. Duyne, an heap of sand. 
Fr. Jun. deriveth all of them 
from the Gr. Θὶν, an heap. 
It may be better drawn from 
the Gr. Δουνὸσ, for Βουνὸσ, an hill.  

Dowry, or Dower,from the 
Fr. G. Douaire; q. d. Lat. 
Dotarium, a portion. Mer. 
Cas. derives it from the Gr. 
Δὼρον, a gift.  

To Dowse,from the Belg. Dou­
sen, idem; both from the 
Lat. Tunsare, to beat.  

Doxy,perhaps from the Belg. 
Docken, to yield willingly.  

To Doze,from the Belg. Duyse­
len, to be vertiginous, to 
stun: But more likely, from 
the word Dote; or from the   
  

  
Belg. Dwæs, stupid. Fr. 
Jun.  derives it from the Gr. 
Δυάζειν, to talk foolishly.   

A Dozel,from the Fr. G. Dou­
sil, Doisil, a faucet.  

Dozen,from the Fr. G. Dou­
zaine, Ital. Dozzina, Doz­
zena,  the same.  

Drab,one that prostituteth her 
body for gain; from the AS. 
and Belg. Drabbe, Drabbe, 
course, common, or the refuse 
of any thing.  

Draff,from the AS. and Belg. 
Drabbe, Drabbe,  lees, or 
dregs: Or more immediately 
from the Belg. Draf, idem.  

Drag,from the AS. Dragan, 
to draw along; the Teut. 
Trecken, or the Belg. Drag­
hen, the same; all possibly 
from the Lat. Trahere, to 
draw.  

Gum-Dragant, or Dragon,cor­
rupted from the Lat. Traga­
cantha, idem.  

Dragon,from the Fr. G. Dra­
gon, Ital. Dragone; both 
from the Lat. Draco, or the 
Gr. Δράκων, which comes 
from Δέρκω, to see; a Dra­
gon being quick-sighted.  

Dragoon, or Dragooners,, in our 
modern Militia, Horse-men 
armed with Musquets; from 
Dragon, because at first they 
were as destructive to the E­
nemy as Dragons. In the de­
clining state of the Empire, 
the Standard-bearers were cal­
led Draconarii, from Draco; 
because Dragons were painted 
upon their Standards, says Ve­
getius.  

Drain,from the Fr. G. Trainer, 
or the Ital. Trainare; à Tra­
hendo, from drawing; or from 
the Teut. Dringen, to squeese 
out the juice, or moisture.  

Drake, Sea-Drake,from Draco, 
a Dragon; q. d. Water-Dra­
gon.  

Drake,a warlike engine; q. d.  
Lat. Draco; because it casteth 
out fire like a Dragon. v. 
Culvering, and Serpentine.  

A Drake,A Male-Duck; not 
unlikely, from the Belg. 
Dreck, dirt; because it loves 
to feed in dirty places.  

Dram,from the Fr. G. Dramme, 
or the Ital. Dramma; which 
comes from the Lat. Drach­
ma, the same.  

Drap de-Berry,a kind of Frize 
brought from France. It is 
a pure Gallicism.  

Drape-sheep,I suppose from the 
AS. Drefe, a severing; the 
same that Cullers; which 
see.  

Draper,from the Fr. G. Drapier, or the Ital. Dra­
ppiere, idem; these from the Fr. G. 
Drap, and Drappo, cloth; 
which come from the Verb 
Draper, to calender.  

Draught,from the AS. Droht, 
or the Belg. Draght, idem; 
this from the Verb Draghen, 
to carry. v. Draw.  

The Draught,from the AS.   
  

  
Droge, Teut. Dreck, the 
excrements, dung.   

Draughts,the single play at 
Chess; from our word Draw.  

Draw,from the AS. Dragan, 
Belg. Draghen, Teut. Tra­
gen,  to bear. Minshew draws 
it from the Lat. Traho, the 
same.  

A Dray,from the Lat. Traha, 
which comes from Traho, to 
draw.  

Dread,from the AS. Dræd, fear. Minshew draws it from 
the Lat. Terret, the third per­
son singular of Terreo, to af­
fright.  

Dream,from the Belg. Droom, 
or Teut. Traum, the same. 
Mer. Cas.  derives it from the 
Gr. Δρᾶμalpha;, a vision, it may 
likewise, by a Metathesis, be 
drawn from the Lat. Dormi­
re, to sleep.  

Dregs,from the Teut. and 
Belg. Treck, Dreck, filth. v. 
Dross.  

Drench,from the AS. Dren­
can, to drink, to water. v. 
Drink.  

Dress,from the Fr. G. Betres­
cher; and both perhaps from 
the Teut. Tracht, which may 
be interpreted, the fashion of 
a suit of cloths. Davis draws 
it from the C. Br. Trwsio, to 
adorn, or deck.  

To Drill,from the AS. Dir­
lian, Dirl, to make an hole 
through; this from Ðurh, 
through. Hence, A Stone­
cutter's Dril.  

Drink,from the AS. Drink, 
of the Verb Drincan, to 
drink, Belg. Drincken, Teut. 
Trincken, the same. Some 
derive it from the Ital. Drin­
care, or the Fr. G. Trinquer, 
to fuddle.  

To Drip;v. Drop; perhaps 
from the Teut. Trieffen, to 
drop.  

Drive,from the AS. Drifan, 
Belg. Dreyven, Teut. Trei­
van,  Fr. Th. Dreven; as we 
say, To Drive on, as fast as 
he can Drive. In a metapho­
rical sence, it may be taken 
from the Gr. Τρίβω, to tear; 
as we say; To Drive off, or 
delay time.  

Drivel,spittle; from the Teut. 
Trieffen, to drop; which 
see.  

To Drizzle,from the Teut. Rise­
len; this from the Lat. dimi­
nutive Rossulus, or Roscellus; 
q. d. to rain as small as dew.  

A Droil:Minshew deriveth it 
from the Belg. Drevel; this 
from Drevelen, to turn any 
way; q. d. he that runneth 
this way, and that way, at his 
master's beck.  

Drole,from the Fr. G. Drole, 
Drolle, a merry Crony; as 
saith Menagius: Or perhaps 
from the Lat. Draucus, Drau­
culus, a sort of mimick.  

Dromedary,from the Fr. G. 
Dromedaire, or the Ital. Dromedario; 
  

 
these from the Gr. 
Δρόμοσ, a race; because of 
its swiftness.   

Drone,from the AS. Dræn, 
or the Teut. Traen, the same. 
Minshew derives it from the 
Belg. Droomigh, sleepy, slug­
gish. I may also draw it from 
our Eng. Part. Droven, of the 
Verb To Drive; because they 
are driven away by the Bees, 
from their hives.  

Droopish,from the Belg. Droef; 
this from the Teut. Trub, of 
Trubben, to vex; all, by a 
Metathesis, from the Lat. 
Turbare; q. d. troubled in 
mind; also sickly.  

Drop,from the AS. Droppan, 
Teut. Trawffen, Tropffen; 
whence the Nouns Dropa, 
Tropff, Trauff; in the Belg. 
Droop, Drop; which Mer. 
Cas. draws from the Gr. Δρυ­
πετὴσ, (i. e.) falling down­
ward.  

Dropsy,from the Fr. G. Hydro­
pisie, or the Ital. Hydropisia; 
or, more likely, from the Lat. 
Hydrops, the same.  

Dross,from the AS. Dros, 
or the Belg. Droes, the off-­
scouring of things.  

Drove,from the AS Draf, 
herds of cattel. v. Drive.  

Drought,from the AS. Dru­
goð, or the Belg. Drooghte; 
parchedness; Derivatives of the 
AS.  Drige, Drig, and Belg. 
Droogh, torrid, or Dry; 
which see.  

Drousiness,from the Verb To be 
Drousie; and this from the 
Belg. Droosen, always to 
slumber.  

Drown,from the Teut. Drunden, or Drunder, idem.  

To Drub,q.d. Dub; (i. e.) to 
beat, as one beateth a Drum; 
or rather, from the Teut. 
Druben; as we say, To lay it 
on; or from the Teut. Tru­
ben,  to molest one greatly. 
It may also be taken from the 
Gr. Δρǻπτω, or Θρύπτω, to 
bruise, or mangle.  

Drudge,from the AS. Drec­
can; because he is employed 
about the most servile offices: 
Or from the Teut. Tragen, 
or Belg. Draghen, to bear 
burthens. I may, without any 
offence, draw them all from 
the old Germ. Dreck, dirt. 
Mer. Cas.  draws it from the 
Gr. Τρυγητὸσ, a vintage; q. d. 
to labour as hard as those that 
tread the wine-press.  

Drug:Salmasius draws it from 
the Pers. Drova, a favour, or 
smell.  

DrugIt is grown a meer Drug, 
from Dreg, Dregs; (i. e.) it 
beareth no price, is of no value.  

Druggerman,from the Fr. G. 
Drogueman,  Trucheman; or 
the Ital. Torcimanno; which 
comes from the Gr. Δραγο­
μάνοσ; and all possibly from 
the Chal. and Arab. Targe­
man, an Interpreter, or Ex­
positor. 
  

 
Druid,a Priest among the an­
cient Britains; from the AS. 
and Hib.  Dry, a wise man. 
Martinius derives it from the 
Teut. Druwed, one strong in 
faith. It may best of all be 
taken from the Gr. Δρὺσ, an 
Oak; under which they cele­
brated their superstitious rites 
and ceremonies.  

Drumm,from the Belg. Trom­
mel, Teut. and Dan. Trom­
me; which are all words feig­
ned from the sound. Some 
draw it from the Lat. Tympa­
num, the same, by an Epen­
thesis of the letter r.  

Dry,from the AS. Drig, 
Drigge, Belg. Droogh, 
Teut. Durr, the same. v. 
Thirst.  

Duce,Duce take you; perhaps 
from the Goth. and AS. 
Dues, a spectre; (i. e.) the 
Devil, or Evil Spirit take you.  

To Duck,from the Belg. and 
Teut. Ducken, idem: Or, 
from the AS.  Gedufian, 
Ital. Tuffare, to dive.  

A Duck,from the Belg. Ducken, 
Duycken, Teut. Dauchen, 
Tauchen, to duck, or dive.  

Ducket,from the Fr. G. Du­
cat; q. d. a Coyn having a 
Duke's Coronet stamped on 
it: Or, as Covarruv. saith, 
because great Dukes are per­
mitted to coyn such money.  

Dudgeon,from the Teut. Dolch, 
or Dagen, Degen, a dagger. 
v. Dagger.  

Dudgeon,To take in Dudgeon; 
either from the other Dud­
geon; q. d. to resent a thing 
so ill, as to draw his sword to 
be avenged; or rather, from 
the AS.  Dolg, a wound; 
and this à Dolendo, from grie­
ving; q. d. to bear an injury 
impatiently.  

Due,from the Fr. G. Deu, Part. 
of the Verb Devoir, to be ow­
ing.  

Dugg:Minshew draws it from 
the Belg. Duyght, a faucet; 
for milk is sucked thereout, as 
liquor through a faucet: Or, 
from the Heb. Dod, Dodin,  
idem, a pap, or teat.  

Duke,from the Fr. G. Duc, or 
the Ital. Duca, idem; and all 
of them from the Lat. Dux, 
the same: From whence also 
cometh the Fr. G. Duchesse, 
the Ital. Duchessa, and the 
Lat. Barb. Ducissa. See Spel­
man.  

A Dulcimer,from the Ital. Dol­
cemelle, Dolzaina; both from 
Dulcis, sweet.  

Dull,from the AS. Dole, Belg. 
and Teut. Doll, stupid, slug­
gish. It may, not unlikely, 
be drawn from the AS.  Do­
lian, to suffer; for such take 
injuries more patiently than 
others.  

Dumb,from the AS. Dumbe, 
in the Dan. and Teut. Dum, 
Thumb, stupid: Or from 
the old Germ. Dumba, a fool: 
Or, as we say, A Dumb fel­
low.   
  

    
Dump,from Dumb: Minshew 
draws it from the Lat. Doma­
re, to tame; for then our 
courage is cooled, and we are 
as it were amazed.  

Dunce,from the Hisp. Tonto; 
and this from the Lat. Attoni­
tus, one affrighted: Or from 
Dumb, allusively, as it is ta­
ken for him that is aukward 
to all instructions.  

Dung,from the AS. Dyngan, 
Teut. Dung, Dungen, the 
same.  

Dungeon,from the Fr. G. Don­
geon,  a dark, strong and fen­
ced place. Or perhaps it may 
be so called, because of its na­
stiness, being all defiled with 
the excrements of the 
imprisoned.  

To Dun,to be importunate in 
words; from the AS.  Dyn, 
Dynan, to make a great 
noise about any thing.  

Dunn,from the AS. Dun; as 
Dun-fealu, a dun-foal.  

Durgen,from the AS. Dweorg, 
Belg. Dwergh, Dwargh, 
Teut. Zwarg, a Dwarf; 
which see.

"durgen" antedates earliest OED citation (1706).

  

Dusk,perhaps from the AS.  
Dystre, Teut. Duster, 
dark, or dull.  

Dust,from the AS. Dust, the 
same: Or from the AS.  
Dyrre, Teut. Durre; 
which signifies, dry.  

Dutchy,from the Fr. G. Duchè, 
Ital. Ducea, Ducato, the same. 
v. Duke.  

Duty,v. Due.  

Dwarf,from the AS. Dweorh, 
Dan. Duerre, Belg. Dwergh, 
Dwargh, Teut. Zwerch, 
Zwarg, idem; i. e. one of a 
small stature.  

Dwell,from the Dan. Duelger, 
to abide. Somnerus draws it 
from the AS.  Dwelian, Belg. 
Dwaelen; because our Ance­
stors once lodged in Tents, 
which they removed from 
place to place. Minshew  
draws it from the Gr. Διαυ­
lambda;ίζζεσθαι, or the Goth. Dwale, 
to lodge in an Inn by the 
way.  

To Dwindle,from the AS.  
Dwinan, Belg. Duynen, 
Teut. Schwinded, to de­
crease; also to grow dim, or 
go out.  

A Dy,from the Fr. G. Diè, 
Ital. Dado, the same. It 
may not incommodiously be 
drawn from the Gr. Δίκω, to 
cast; or from Δίω, because it 
wipeth one of his money.  

To Dy,v. Death.  

To Dy,from the AS. Deagan, 
this perhaps from the Lat. 
Tingere, to dip in colours. 
Minshew draweth it from the 
Gr. Δίημι, Διαίνω, to make 
moist, or to besprinkle.

  


E 
EAch,from the AS. Elc, in 
the Belg. Elck, Teut. El­
lick,  the same. Mer. Cas. 
draws it from the Gr. Ἓκα­
σοσ, every one.  

Eager,from the AS. Eagor, 
Fr. G. Aigre, Ital. Agro; all 
from the Lat. Acer, sharp, 
fierce, cruel. It is also taken 
for the raging flux and re-flux 
of the river Trent, from the 
Run. Dan. Eger, signifying, 
the Ocean.  

Eagle,from the Fr. G. Aigle; 
both contracted from the Lat. 
Aquila, idem.  

Eak,from the AS. Æce, Eter­
nity. v. Eke.  

Eam,Mine Eam, from the 
AS.  Eame, Belg. Oom, 
Teut. Ohm,  an unkle; all 
perhaps from the Lat. Amita, 
signifying an aunt.  

Ear,from the AS. Eare, Belg. 
Oor, Dan. Ore, Teut. Ohr,  
the same.  

Ear of corn,from the AS. 
Eare, Teut. Ahr, Belg. Are; 
this from the Lat. Arista, the 
same.  

Earable,for Arable, from the 
Lat. Arabilis, fit to be plow­
ed: Or from the AS. Ea­
rian, Teut. Erren; which 
come from the Lat. Arare, to 
plow.  

Earl,from the AS. Eorl, the 
old Dan. Eorla; these, not 
unlikely, from the AS. Are, 
Teut. Ehr, Belg. Eer, ho­
nour, or nobility.  

Early,from the AS. Aer, Belg. 
Eer, Teut. Eher,  signifying, 
before; q. d. before the rising 
of the Sun. v. Ere.  

Earn,from the AS. Earnian, 
or the Fr. Th. Arnon, to get, or 
deserve; this perhaps from the 
AS. Are, a stipend, or salary. 
Minsh. draws it from the Gr. 
Ἄρνυμι, to receive, or acquire.  

Earnest,from the AS. Eor­
nest, Belg. and Teut. Ernst, 
vehement, serious, studious, 
earnest, a pledge given before­
hand, to ratifie a bargain; 
from the Lat. and Gr. Arrha, 
the same. the AS.  Eor­
nest, comes from the AS.  
Arian, Belg. Eeren, Teut. 
Ehren; whence their Nouns 
Are, Eer, Ehr, a salary, or 
stipend.  

Earth,from the AS. Eard, 
Eorð, Belg. Erd, Aerde, 
Teut. Erde, the same. They 
may all be drawn from 
the Gr. Ἔρα, the ground; 
whence comes the Adv. Νέρ­
θε, below, beneath, or under.  

Earwig,from the AS. Ear­
pigga, and this from Eare, 
an ear, and Wicga, a kind 
of moth, or small worm.  

Ease,from the Fr. G. Aise, or   
  

  
the Ital. Agio; which Mena­
gius  draws from the Lat. O­
tium, pleasure, retirement; 
but most likely, from the AS. 
Eað, easie.   

An Easement,a privy, or jakes; 
from the Fr. G. Ausemente, 
or the Ital. Agiamento, the 
same.  

East,from the AS. East, 
Belg. Oest, Fr. G. Oest, the 
same.  

Easter,from the AS. Easter, 
in the Belg. Oster, Teut. O­
stern. Somnerus draws it 
from the AS.  Eastre, a 
Goddess of the Saxons,  or 
Germans; in whose honour 
sacrifices were offered about 
this time of the year.  

Easy,from the Fr. G. Aisè, the 
same: Or from the Noun 
Ease: Or, which is most like­
ly, from the AS Eað, id. 
q. d. Eathy; which Fr. Jun. 
derives from the Gr. Ἔθοσ, 
custom; because use makes 
perfect, as we say.  

Eat,from the AS Etan, Belg: 
Eaten, Teut. Essen, the same; 
and these from the AS. Ette, 
Teut. At, any sort of provi­
sion; and all of them from 
the Lat. Edo, and this from 
the Gr. Ἔδω, the same.  

An Eat-bee,a bird so called, be­
cause it feedeth upon Bees.  

Eaves,from the Fr. G. Eaux; 
and this from the AS.  Ea, 
water; because they receive 
the rain that runneth down 
from the house-top.  

Eaves-dropper,one that privily 
listeneth under the windows, 
what the people in the house 
say; from Eaves,  under which 
he stands; and Dropper, which 
see.  

Ebb,from the Belg. and Dan. 
Ebbe, or the Fr. G. Ebe, 
Hebbe, according to some; 
but most likely from the AS. 
Ebba, the flux and re-flux of 
the Tide. v. Slide.  

An Eddy,from the AS. Ed, 
again, and Ea, water; a 
whirl-pool, wherein the water 
turneth round.  

Edge,from the AS. Eege; 
both from the Lat. Acies, 
and this from the Gr. Ἄκη, 
the sharp side or point of any 
thing.  

Edish,from the AS. Edisc; 
this from Ed, the second 
time; q. d. fog, or grass that 
groweth so fast, as to be mown 
twice in one Summer.  

Eel,from the AS. El, Dan. and 
Teut. Aal, Belg. Ael, the 
same; and all from the Gr. 
Ἴλυσ, or Ἔλοσ, mudd; be­
cause they increase most in 
muddy waters.  

The Eves of an Holy-day; q. d. 
Evenings falling before a 
Fast-day.  

Effort,from the Fr. G. Effort; 
(i. e.) the putting forth of ones 
whole strength. v. Force.   
  

  
Effrontery,from the Fr. G. Ef­
fronterie, impudence; and 
this from the Lat. Effrons, im­
pudent, saucy, malapert.

"effrontery" antedates earliest OED quotation (1715).

  

An Eft or Evet,from the AS.  
Ebeft, and this from Efan, 
smooth; so called, for the 
smoothness of its skin.  

Eft-soons,from the AS.  Efso­
na, by and by, immediate­
ly.  

Egg,from the AS. Æg, Dan. 
Eg, Teut. and Belg. Ey, the 
same.  

To Egg,from the Dan. Egger, 
Run. Dan. Eggia, Fr. G. A­
gacer, to instigate, or prick 
forward; and this from the 
Lat. Acutus, sharp. The same 
with Edge; which see.  

Eglantine,from the Fr. G. Aig­
lantier, a wild rose. Min­
shew draws it from the Lat. 
Echinus, an hedge-hog; be­
cause it is full of prickles, like 
unto it. It may also be taken 
from the Belg. Eghel, an 
hedge-hog; and this from the 
Lat. Aculeus, a sting, or sharp 
prick.  

Egret,a bird so named; because 
it is eager in hunting after its 
prey.  

Eight,from the AS. Eahta, 
Belg. and Teut.  Acht, Ital. 
Otto, Hisp. Ootio, Fr. G. 
Huit; all from the Lat. and 
Gr Ὄκτω, the same.  

An Eilet-Hole,v. Oilet-hole.  

Either,from the AS. Ægðer, 
idem; and this from the Pre­
position Æc, also, and Der, 
afterwards.  

Eke,from the AS. Eac, Teut. 
Auch, moreover, again, also.  

To Eke,from the AS. Eacan, 
Gecan, to put a piece into a 
vesture, &c. Or from Eke, 
again; q. d. to make a-new in 
some parts.  

Ela,the highest note ascending 
in Musick; perhaps from the 
Lat. Eleva, elevation.  

Elbow,from the AS. Elboga, 
Belg. Elle-booge, Dan. Albu; 
q. d. the bowt, or bent of the 
arm. v. Ell, and Bow.  

Eldar,in Lincolnshire, Hellar, 
in Westmorland, Ellar, from 
the AS.  Ellarn, or the Teut. 
 Holder, the same: Or perhaps 
 from the Teut. Heller, clear; 
 from the bright colour if its 
 leaves.  

Elden,fuel for the fire; a word 
frequently used in Axholm 
in Lincolnshire, and else­
where; from the AS. Æld, 
fuel for the fire; or Ælan, 
to kindle.  

Elder,a word frequently used 
in Lincolnshire; from the 
Belg. Elder,  an Vdder; which 
see.  

Elder,from the AS. Æld, old; 
whence Ældor, the same: 
Hence Ald, old age; and 
Ealdorman, an Alderman; 
which see. It may also be de­
rived from the Teut. Elter, 
Alter, Belg. Ouder, the same.    
  

   
Eleven,from the Belg. Elf, 
Teut. Eylff, AS. 
Endlyfa, 
the same; and this from the AS. Ene, one, and Lyfan, to 
leave; (i. e.) one remaining, 
after the computation of ten.  

Elf,from the AS. Ælf, Teut. 
Alp; Belg. Alf, Alve, a Fairy, 
or Fiend, the Night-Mare; 
all perhaps from the AS. Ah­
leapan, to leap upon; for 
such people as are troubled 
with the Night-mare, fansie 
that some witch, or hag invi­
sible rides upon them. Min­
shew  derives it from the Noun 
Half; because they are ima­
gined to be of a small stature. 
Fr. Jun. draws it from the 
Gr. Ἄλφω, to change; be­
cause they turn themselves in­
to various shapes, and steal 
away pretty children out of 
their cradles, leaving in their 
stead deformed ones; which, 
for that reason, are called 
Changelings.  

Elixir:Menagius draws it from 
the Arab. Elixir, a breaking; 
this from the root Chesre;  be­
cause it breaketh, as it were, 
and cureth most diseases.  

Elk,from the AS. Elch, a crea­
ture like an Ox: Or from the 
Belg. Elsene, an awl; be­
cause this beast hath horns as 
sharp as a Cobler's awl.  

Ell,by those of Lincolnshire 
Eln, from the AS.  Eln, Fr. 
G. Aune, Aulne, Hisp. Alna; 
and all from the Lat. Ulna, 
the same.  

Elm,from the AS. Elm, Belg. 
Olm,  Fr. G. Orme, Ormeau, 
Dan. Elme; and all from the 
Lat. Ulmus, the same.  

Else,from the AS. Elles, or 
contracted from the Lat. A­
lias,  otherwise, but for that.  

Elsin,v. Awl.  

Embalm,from the Fr. G. Em­
baumer, to preserve from cor­
ruption. v. Balm.  

Embarass,from the Fr. G. Em­
barasser, Ital. Imbarazzare, 
Hisp. Embaracar, to block 
up, to stop up a passage. It 
may also come of the Prep. 
Im, for In and Barr; q. d. 
to keep one within compass. 
v. Barr.  

Embark,from the Fr. G. Em­
barquer, or the Ital. Imbar­
care, to go a-board a ship. v. 
Bark.  

Embassadour,from the Fr. G. 
Ambassadeur, Ital. Ambas­
ciador,  Hisp. Embaxadare, 
the same; and these from the 
AS. Ambyht, a message; 
and this from the inseparable 
Prep. Amb, and Æhtian, to 
esteem.  

Ember,from the Belg. Ameren, 
or the Dan. Emmer, a spark; 
and both from the old Goth. 
and Dan. Eld, fire, and the 
AS. Verb  Beran, to bring 
forth; (i. e.) that which the 
fire produceth.  

Ember-weeks,Minshew derives   
  

 
it from the Teut. Em­
behren, to be abstemious; 
though I had rather derive it 
from Ember, for ashes; and 
Week; because the Ancients 
fasted  and humbled them­
selves, in sack cloth and ashes, 
during that time.   

Embois,To Emboss a Deer, a 
term in Hunting; from the 
Fr. G. Embosquer, or the Ital. 
Imboscare, to lodge in the 
wood; and these from their 
Nouns, Bois, Bosco, a wood, 
or forest. It is also derived 
from the Ital. Ambasciare, to 
pant for breath.  

Emboss'd,a term in Archite­
cture; from the Fr. G. Em­
bosse; this from En, and 
Bosse, a bump, or swelling; 
for the similitude.  

Embrace,from the Fr. G. Em­
brasser, Hisp. Abrazar, Ital. 
Imbracciare, to hug in ones 
arms.  

Embroil,from the Fr. G. Em­
brouiller,  or the Ital. Embrog­
liare; which Menagius draw­
eth from the Fr. G. Brueil, a 
wood, which being cut down, 
blocks up the passage which 
lay through it. It may not 
incommodiously be taken 
from the Teut. Brullen, to 
bawl, or brawl; in which 
sence it is also taken.  

Emburse, or Imburse,from the 
Fr G. Embourser, or the Ital. 
Imborsare, to put up in a 
Purse; which see.  

Emerald,from the Fr. G. Es­
meraude, Hisp. Esmeralda, 
Ital. Smeraldo; all contract­
ed from the Lat. Smaragdus, 
a precious stone so called, for 
its bright glistering colour.  

Emerods,corrupted from the 
Lat. and Gr. H&ælig;morrhoides, 
idem.  

An Emmet, or Emmot, from 
the AS. Æmet; and this 
from A, always, and Mete, 
meat; q. d. a creature, that 
by its natural industry, is ne­
ver destitute of food. Min­
shew  ingeniously draws it 
from the Priv. A, and the 
Teut. Musz, ease; because it 
is always busie.  

Empair,from the Fr. G. Empi­
rer, to make worse; this from 
Pire, worse.  

Emperour,from the Fr. G. Em­
pereur; from hence, An Em­
peress; all from the Lat. Im­
perium, an Empire.  

Emplead,from the Fr. G. Em­
plaider, idem. v. Plead, and 
Plea.  

Employ,from the Fr. G. Em­
ployer, or the Ital. Impiegare, 
to set one his task.  

To Empoison, or Poison,from 
the Fr G. Empoisonner, id. 
v. Poison.  

Emprison,from the Fr. G. Em­
prisonner,  or the Ital. Impri­
gionare, to cast one into Pri­
son; which see.   

An Emps-Piece,a word fre­
quently used in Lincolnshire; 
from the AS.  Æmypce,   
  

   
egregious; this from A, al­
ways, and Mypce, a note, 
or mark. 

"emps-piece" not found in OED.

  

Empty,from the AS. Æmti, 
Æmtig; these from the 
Verb Æmtian, to empty; 
or from the inseparable priva­
tive Prep. Æ, and Mete, 
meat; (i. e.) without meat, 
hungry.  

Enamel,from the Fr. G. Es­
mailler,  Hisp. Esmalter, Ital. 
Smaltare, idem. v. Amel.  

Enamoured,from the Fr. G. 
Enamoure, or the Ital. Ina­
morato, to be in love.  

Enclose,from the Fr. G. Enclos, 
a Part. of the Verb Enclorre, 
to include. v. Close.  

Encomber,from the Fr. G. En­
combrer,  or the Ital. Ingom­
brare, to trouble, or vex. v. 
Comber.  

Encompass,v. Compass.  

To Encounter,from the Fr. G. 
Encontrer, or the Ital. Incon­
trare, q. d. to stand as an An­
tagonist against one.  

Encourage,from the Fr. G. En­
courager, to animate. v. 
Courage.  

Encrease,from the Lat. Incres­
cere,  the same.  

End,from the AS. End, Belg. 
Dan. and Teut. Ende, the same; 
AS. Endian, Belg and Teut. 
Enden, to terminate, or come 
to an end.  

Endammage, from the Fr. G. 
 Endammager, to damnifie. 
 v. Dammage.  

Endeavour,from the Fr. G. De­
voir, Endevoir, idem; q. d. 
to perform his duty to his ability.  

Endite,from the Fr. G. Endi­
cter, Enditer, or the Ital. In­
dettare, Indittare, to bring ]
an Endictment, or Endite­
ment against one; also to di­
ctate, or digest into method.  

Endive,from the Fr. G. En­
dive, or the Ital. Endivia, 
idem; an herb so called, be­
cause it groweth in high-way-­
sides.  

Endow,from the Fr. G. En­
douairer, (i. e.) to give one a 
Dowry; which see.  

Endue,corrupted from En­
dow.  

Endure,from the Fr. G. Endu­
rer, or the Ital. Durare, to 
suffer, or undergo affliction.  

Enemy,from the Fr. G. Enne­
mi, or the Ital. Nemico; and 
both from the Lat. Inimicus, 
the same. From hence, En­
mity.  

Enfeeble,v. Feeble.  

Enforce,from the Fr. G. Enfor­
cer, to make to do a thing for­
cibly. v. Force.  

Enfranchise,to give one his 
Freedom. v. Frank, Fran­
chise.  

Engage,from the Fr. G. Enga­
ger, or the Ital. Engaggiare, 
to pledge, or give in hostage; 
also to be Surety, or Bail for 
another. v. Gage.  

Engender,from the Fr. G. En­
gendrer, to procreate.   
  

  
Engine,from the Fr. G. Engin,  
or the Ital. Ingegno, ingenuity; 
so called, because of the cu­
riousness of the workmanship 
thereof. From hence, the Fr. 
G Enginier, and our Eng. 
Engineer, a maker of Engines.  

Engraff,v. Graff.  

Engrave,from the Fr. G. En­
graver, the same. v. Grave.  

Engross,v. Ingross.  

Enhance,from the Fr. G. En­
hausser,  now out of use; or 
the Ital. Inanzi, to raise the 
price of things.  

Enjoy,from the Fr. G. Joüir, 
the same. v. Ioy.  

Enjoin,from the Fr. G. Enjoin­
dre, to command.  

Enlarge,from the Fr. G. Es­
largir, or the Ital. Slargare, 
to amplifie, or make larger.  

Ennoble,from the Fr. G. Enno­
blir, to make noble.  

Enough,from the AS. Genoh, 
Belg. Ghenoegh, Teut. Ge­
nugh,  the same.  

Enquire,from the Fr. G. En­
querir; and both from the 
Lat. Inquirere, to dive nar­
rowly into a thing.  

Enrage,from the Fr. G. Enrager,  
or the Ital. Arrabiare, to set 
stark mad with vexation.  

Enrich,from the Fr. G. Enri­
cher, the same. v. Rich.  

Enrol,from the Fr. G. Enrol­
ler, idem.  v. Roll, and Rowl.  

To Ensaim, or Enseam an Hawk,i. e. to make an Hawk lean; 
from the Prep. En, from, and 
the Fr. G. Sain,  fat.  

Ensample,v. Example.  

Ensign,from the Fr. G. En­
seigne, or the Ital. Insegna; 
and both from the Lat. Insig­
ne, a flag, or banner.  

Ensue,from the Fr. G. Ensuy­
vre, to follow afterward.  

Entail,a term in Law; from 
the Fr. G. Entaillir, or the 
Ital. Intagliare;  these from 
the Fr. G. En, in, and Tail­
ler, to cut; q. d. to leave an 
estate to posterity, as sure, as 
if it were engraven in marble; 
and therefore to remain for 
ever. v. Fee-tail.  

Entangle, or  Intangle,from the 
Lat. Prep. In, and Tendicula, 
a snare, or net: Or it may be 
drawn from the AS. Tangl, 
a twig; which being done o­
ver with bird-lime, are laid to 
catch birds.  

Enter,from the Fr. G. Entrer, 
or the Ital. Entrare; and all 
of them from the Lat. Intra­
re,  the same: From hence, 
An Entry, and the Fr. G. En­
trée, idem.  

Enterchange,from the Fr. G. 
Enterchanger, the same. v. 
Change.  

Entercourse,from the Fr. G. 
Entrecours, commerce, or 
freedom to discourse, one to, 
or with another.  

Enterlace,from the Fr. G. En­
trelasser, or the Ital. Inter­
lacciare, idem, to interweave. 
v. Lace.  

Enterline,from the Fr. G. En­
treligner, the same.  

Entermewer,a term in Hawking; 
  


from the Fr. G. l'Entre­
muëur, to change the feathers 
into party-colours, as an hawk 
of the second or third coat 
doth. v. To Mew.   

The Hawk Enterpenneth,a term 
in Faulconry; from Inter, 
between, and Penna, a fea­
ther; (i. e) she tangleth her 
wings.  

Enterprise,from the Fr. G. En­
treprinse, Entreprendre, Ital. 
Intraprendere, to attempt, or 
undertake.  

Enterr,from the Fr. G. Enter­
rer, to bury.  

Entertain,from the Fr. G. En­
tretenir, or the Ital. Intrate­
nere,  to defend, or receive; the 
same.  

Enthral.v. Thrall.  

Enthrone,from the Fr G. En­
throner; and this from the 
Lat. Thronus, a throne; (i. e) 
to set upon the throne.  

Entice,from the Fr. G. Attiser, 
idem, to make one, by fair 
words, commit things un­
just: Or from the AS. Tih­
tan, to over-perswade.  

Entire,from the Fr. G. Entier, 
or the Ital. Intiero; and both 
from the Lat. Integer, whole, 
full and perfect.  

Entomb,from the Fr. G En­
tomber, to put into a Tomb; 
which see.  

Entrals,from the Fr. G. En­
trailles,  or the Ital. Intraglie, 
the inwards.  

Entrap,from the Fr. G. Entra­
per, to catch, as it were, in a 
Trap; which see.  

Environ,from the Fr. G. Envi­
ronner, to surround; or to 
encompass.  

Enure, or Inure,to accustom 
ones self to a thing; from In, 
and Vre;  which see.  

Envy,from the Fr. G. Envie; 
and both from the Lat. Invi­
dia, the same.  

To Equip,from the Fr. G. E­
quipper, to put one in good 
equipage, or habit; by a Me­
taphor taken from putting 
harness upon horses.  

Equitable,from the Fr. G. E­
quitable, just and lawful.  

Ere,from the AS. Ære, Belg. 
Eer, Teut. Eher, ere long, 
before that, in a short time.  

Ermin,from the Fr. G. Er­
mine,  or the Ital. Armellino, 
a field-mouse. Jul. Scalig. 
supposeth it to be so called, 
from Armenia, from whence 
these skins are brought. Er­
min, in Heraldry, is used for 
white, interspersed with black 
spots.  

Errand,from the AS. Ærend, 
a message: Or from the Fr. 
G. Erre, or the Lat. Errare, 
to go up and down from 
place to place.  

Errant,A Knight-Errant, from 
the Fr. G. Chivalier Errant, 
one that, Hercules-like, goeth 
about the world to discomfit 
Giants, Tyrants, Monsters, &c. 
Taken ordinarily for one that   
  

  
will swear at random, as Tra­
vellers may do, they not be­
ing likely to be disproved.   

Erst,from the Fr. Th. Erist, 
first of all. v. Ere.  

Escape,from the Fr. G. Eschap­
per,  Ital. Scappare, Scampa­
re, Hisp. Escapar, to avoid 
any danger by cunning con­
veying ones self away: Or 
from Ex, and Capi; (i. e.) 
not to be apprehended: Or 
from Ex, and Campus (i. e.) 
to flee out of the field: Or 
from Ex, and the Hisp. Ca­
po,  an head; q. d. to slip ones 
head out of the halter.  

Escarbuncle,from the Fr. G. 
Escarboncle, idem.  

Eschew,from the old Fr. G. Es­
chever,  Teut. Schewen, Belg. 
Schouwen, Ital. Schifare, to 
shun, or avoid.  

Espaliers, or Spaliers,a term 
among Gardeners; from the 
Fr. G. Espallier, or the Ital. 
Spalliere; these from the 
Nouns Espaule, and Spalla, a 
stake. It signifies, to under­
prop, as they do fruitful trees, 
with stakes, or pales of wood.  

Especial,from the Fr. G. Espe­
cial, individual, peculiar.  

Espouse,from the Fr. G. Espou­
ser, or the Ital. Sposare, to 
make sure, to betroth.  

Espy,v. Spy.  

Esquire,from the Fr. G. Escuir, Escuyr, 
or the Ital. Scudiero, 
idem: Or from the Fr. G. 
Escu, a shield; q. d. a Shield-­
bearer. v. Shield, and Bear.  

Essay,v. Assay.  

Establish,from the Fr. G. E­
stablir, or the Ital. and Lat. 
Stabilire, to confirm, or en­
force.  

Estate,from the Fr. G. Estat, or 
the Ital. Stato, a state, or con­
dition.  

Estrange,from the Fr. G. E­
stranger,  to alienate; this 
from the Noun Estrange, an 
alien. v. Strange.  

Estray,v. Stray.  

Even,from the AS. Æfen, Belg. Effen, Teut. 
Eben,  e­
qual, alike; Belg. Evenalo, 
even so.  

Even, or Evening,from the AS. 
Æfen, Belg. Avend, Teut. 
Abend, Dan. Afften, the same.
Aefentio, the Evening-tide. 
From hence, Eve, or Eeve, a 
preparation, or night before a 
Fast.  

Ever,from the AS. Æfre; 
this from A, and Awa, for 
ever, Ay; which see.  

Every,from the AS. Æfre 
Eac, Æfre Ene, all the 
whole number, every one.  

Evil,from the AS. Efel, yfel, 
Belg. Evel, Teut. Vvel,  the 
same.  

Ewe,from the AS. Eowe, Belg. 
Ouwe, Oye; and all from the 
Lat. Ovis, a sheep.  

Ewer,from the Fr. G. Aiguiere,  
and this from the Lat. Aqua, 
water; q. d. a bason to put 
water in.   
  

   
Exchange,from the Fr. G. 
Eschanger, to barter. v. 
Change.  

Exchange,The Exchange; so 
called, because Merchants, 
there meeting together, do 
make, give and receive Bills of 
Exchange, concerning money, 
or wares.  

Exchequer, Checker,from the 
Teut. Schatz, treasure; be­
cause the King's taxes, or reve­
nues were treasured up there­
in. Some draw it from the 
Fr Norm. Eschequir, a place 
where money is coined, the 
Mint.  

Excise,from the Belg. Acciise, 
tribute; so called, perhaps, 
because it is assessed according 
to the verdict of the Assise, 
or a number of men deputed 
to that office by the King. v. 
Size, and Assise.  

Exploit,from the Fr. G. Ex­
ploit, Exploict, a noble at­
chievement.  

Ey,An Ey of Pheasants, from 
the Teut. Oy, plur. Oyer; 
q. d. a brood, or covy of so 
many Pheasants as are hatched 
at one time.  

Eye,from the AS. Eag, Belg. 
Ooghe, Fr. Th. Ougon, Teut. 
Aug. Fr. G. Oeil, the same; 
this last is contracted of the 
Lat. Oculus, idem; AS. Eag 
Æpl, Teut. Aug Apffel, the 
apple of the eye; AS. Ea­
gan-Bregh, Belg. Oogh-­
Brawe, Teut. Augen-Brawen, 
the eye brow: Teut. Augen-­
Lied,  Belg. Ooghen-Lid, the 
eye-lid. Hence, To Eye; (i. e.) 
look upon.  

To Eye-bite,an emphatical word, 
from Eye, and Bite, (i. e.) to 
bewitch whatsoever they look 
upon.  

Eyesse,a term in Falconry; 
from the Teut. Ey, an egg; 
q. d. a young hawk just crept 
out of the shell. v. Nyas. 


F. 
A FAck,a term in Naviga­
tion; it is one circle of
a cable, twisted round; from
the Fr. G. Faque, a bag, the
mouth of which being open­
ed, it somewhat representeth.

To Fade,from the Belg. Vrd­
den, idem; and this from the
Fr. G. Fade, impotent; also
flat, unsavoury; all from the
Lat. Vadere, to go; as we
say, He is going, or gone.

Fadge,from the AS. Gefegan,
Teut. Fugen, Belg. Voeghen,
Fr. Th. Vogan, to agree, to
be adapted, made fit.

Fadle, Fiddle Fadle,trifles;
from the Fr. G. Fade, or the
Lat. Fatuus, a fool; and
Fiddle; q.d. to draw the
stick to and again hastily, and
to no tune: Or from Fiddle,
and the Teut. Faden, thread;
(i. e.) a Fiddle-string; and
to this day, when we shew


 
our dis-like of any thing, we
say, A Fiddle-stick. 

Fag-end,a saying common to
Butchers, signifying the Hind-­
joints; but by a Metaphor,
the Hind-end of any thing:
It is derived from the AS. Fe­
gan, Gefegan, to couple
together in joints.

Fagot,from the Fr. G. Fagot,
or the Ital. Fagotto, a bundle
of sticks.

Fail,from the Fr. G. Faillir,
Ital. Fallare, Teut. Fahl, a
default; all from the Lat. Fal­
lo, to disappoint, or frustrate.

Fain, I would Fain, from the
AS. Fægen, willingly, with
all ones heart.

To Faint,from the Fr. G. Fa­
ner, Fener, to fade as flowers
do with the heat of the Sun in
Summer.

Fair,from the AS. Fæger,
Belg. Fraey, the same; AS.
Fægernesse, fairness;
Fægere; as we say, Fair
and softly: Both Derivatives
of Fæger, fair.

A Fair,from the Teut. Feyer,
or the Fr. G. Foire; and both
from the Lat. Feriæ, holy-­
days; because Fairs are gene­
rally kept upon holy-days:
Or, which is most likely,
from the Lat. Forum, a Mar­
ket; a Fair being a Market
remarkable beyond others, for
buying and selling.

A Fairy,from the AS. Ferhð,
a Spirit: Or from the Fr. G.
Fée Phée, Ital. Fata, a ter­
restrial Elf. Minshew draws
it from the Belg. Vaerlick,
Teut. Gevahrlich, terrible,
dangerous. I chuse rather to
draw it from the AS. Faran,
to go, or gad about; because
these evil Spirits are thought
to go all about, dancing in the
night, in companies together.

Faith,from the Ital. Fede; and
this from the Lat. Fides, the
same.

Fall,from the AS. Feallan,
Belg. Vallen, Teut. Fallen,
the same: In the AS. there is
found Fylle-seoc, turn-­
sick, giddy-brain'd; as also
Fylle-seocnysse, Teut.
Fallenee-Sencht, the Falling-­
sickness. It may be drawn from
the Belg. Val, a fall; or the
Teut. Falle, a pit-fall; whence
comes Aufallen, to fall on.

Fallow,as Fallow-Deer, from
the AS. Falewe, Fealewe,
Belg. Vaeluwe, Teut. Faal, or
Fahl, idem; q.d. of a palish
bay colour, like a brick half
burned.

Fallow,land once plowed; from
the AS Fealga, Fealh, an
harrow; because fitted, by
twice plowing, for the more
easie use thereof.

Falter,to commit mistakes in
speaking, also to stumble;
from the Belg. Falteren, to
make balks in speech: Thence
Falteringhe, an impediment
in ones speech. v. Fall, and
Fault.


 
To Famblein ones speech, from
the Dan. Famber; as Fam­
ber min tale, I falter in my
tale.

Famine,from the Fr. G. Fa­
mine, scarcity of provision
and forage.

To Famish,from the Lat. Fa­
mes, hunger; (i.e.) to starve
one.

Fancy,contracted from the Fr.
G. Fantasie; and both from
the Lat. and Gr. Phantasia,
the same.

Fane,v. Vane.

Fangles,New Fangles, from
the AS. Fengan, Onfen­
gan, to go about a matter,
to take a thing in hand. The
eminent Dr. Th. H. supposeth
it to be so called, q. New E­
vangels, (i.e.) new Gospels.

Fangs,from the AS. Fengan,
Fr. Th. Fahan, Teut. Fahen,
Fangen, to fasten upon, to
catch hold of.

Fann,from the AS. Fanne, Fan;
and all from the Lat. Vannus,
the same.

Farcy,from the Ital. Farcina,
or the Fr. G. Farcin, a dis­
ease among horses, that filleth
the skin with swollen, running
ulcers.

Fardel,from the Fr. G. Far­
deau, or the Ital. Fardello, a
packet.

To Fare,from the Belg. Vaeren,
to be well. Mer. Cas. draws
it from the Gr. Φέρεσtheta;αι,
to be in good liking. From
hence, Good Fare, plenteous
provision.

A Farm,from the Fr. G. Ferme,
the same. Spelman draws it
from the AS. Fearmian,
Feormian, to afford a live­
lihood; whence Feorm,
food. Some there are that de­
rive it from the AS. Feorh,
life; because by food we are
kept alive.

Farr,from the AS. Feor,
Feorran, Belg. Varre,
Teut. Ferr, Fr. Th. Verro,
the same.

A Farrier,from the old Fr. G.
Ferrier, or the Ital. Ferraio;
these from the Nouns Fers
Ferri; and these from the
Verbs FerrerFerrare, to
shooe horses; all from the
Lat. Ferrum, iron.

Farrow, or Varrow,from the
AS. Faerh, Farr, a Boar-­
pig; both from the Lat. Ver­
ris, idem. Hence, To Farrow,
as a Sow that bringeth forth
young.

Farsang,a Persian word, yet of­
ten found in English Histories
of Persian Affairs ; from the
Lat. Parasanga, a measure
containing thirty furlongs in
length; almost the same with
our League; which see.

To Farse out,a term among Ma­
riners; from the Teut. Ferse,
idem; q.d. to jag, or un­
twist a rope, or cable.

Farset,a word found in a book


 
entituled Janua Linguarum,
signifying, a box, or cabinet;
perhaps from the Ital. Forzie­
re, Forciere, a coffer, or For­
cer; which see. 

Fart,from the AS. Fert, Belg.
Vert, Teut. Furtz, the same:
Whence come the Belg. Ver­
ten, Teut. Furtzen, to fart.
All fictitious words.

To Farthela Sail, from the Fr.
G. Fardeau, or Fardel, of
the Verb Fardeler, to fold
up, to wrap, or roll up in a
bundle.

Farther,v. Far.

Farthing,from the AS. Feor­
ðing; this from Feorð,
the fourth; or Feower,
Four; which see.

Farthingal,from the Fr. G. Ver­
dugalle, Hisp. Vertugala, Ver­
tugado; which Dr. Th. H. in­
geniously draws from Vertu­
garde; that is to say, the
guard of vertue.

Fashion,from the Fr. G. Facon,
or the Ital. Fattione, or Faz­
zo, the same.

Fast,from the AS. and Dan.
Fast, Fæst, Belg. Vast,
Teut. Fest, Fr. Th. Vaste,
firm, or sure; whence the AS.
Festnian, Belg. Vesten, Va­
sten, Teut. Vestigen, to make
fast.

To Fast,from the AS. Fæstan,
Belg. Vasten, the same.

To Fastenupon, from the Teut.
Anfassen; both from our
word Fast; q.d. to take fast
hold on.

A Fat,from the AS. Fatt,
Fatta, Belg. Vat, Teut.
Fasz; all from the Lat. Vas,
a vessel for wine, &c.

Fat,from the AS. Fæt,
Belg. Vet, Teut. Fett, the same:
Whence Fetten, Belg. Vetten,
to make fat.

Father,from the AS. Fæder,
Fr. Th. Fater, Dan. Fader,
Belg. Vader, Teut. Vatter,
Fr. G. Pere, Ital. Padre, the
same: Also AS. Fæderleas,
fatherless; Dan. Stiffader, a
step-father; all from the Lat.
Pater, and this from the Gr.
Πατὴρ, idem.

Fathom, or Fadom,from the
AS. Fæðm, Belg. Vadem,
a measure of six feet, or so
much in length as the arms
stretched out can over-reach.

Faucet,from the Fr. G. Fausset,
or perhaps from the Lat. Val­
licus, the Dim. of Vallus, a
pale, or stake; being forced
into the head of a vessel, like a
pale into the ground.

A Fauchion,from the Fr. G.
Fauchon,  idem; this from
Fauchet, a sickle; which
comes from Faucher, to
reap.

Falcon,from the Fr. G. Faucon,
Faulcon, or the Ital. Falcone;
and all from the Lat. Falco,
idem. Hence cometh the Fr.
G. Falconnier; with us, A
Falconer.


 
Fault,from the Fr. G. Faulte,
Faute, or the Ital. Falto,
Falta; and both from the Fr.
G. Faillir, to Fail; which
see.

A Fawn,or young Stag or Deer,
from the Fr. G. Faon, Fan,
Fam, idem. A noted Ety­
mologist draweth it from our
Participle Fallen, or Faln;
because lately fallen out of the
dam's belly.

To Fawn,from the AS. Fandian,
to tempt, or entice: Or per­
haps from our English Fain;
which see.

Fealty,from the Fr. G. Feaul­
tè, Feautè,  idem; this from
Feal, faithful; and all from
the Lat. Fides, faith; and Fi­
delis, faithful, trusty.

Fear,from the AS. Færan,
Afæran, to affright; and
hence Ferht, Belg. Faer:
Hence also the AS. Afeared;
with us, Affeard; all perhaps
from the Fr G. Peur, or the
Ital. Paura; which are both
manifestly derived from the
Lat. Pavor, the same.

Feasable,from the Fr. G. Fai­
sable, Faisible; and these
from the Verb Faire, Face­
re, to do; q.d. easie to be
done.

Fease, or Feag,to beat; by
wresting the sence a little,
from the Teut. Fegen, to
brush; or Ficken, to scratch
where it itcheth, as we say.

Feather,from the AS. Fæðer,
Belg. Veder, Teut. Feder,
Dan. Fier, the same. There
is also in the AS. Fæðer­
leas, unfledg'd, or feather­
less.

Feature,from the Fr. G. Fai­
ture, idem; and this from the
Verb Faire, to do.

Feaver,from the Dan. and Teut.
Feber,Fieber, or the Fr. G.
Fievre; which are all derived
from the Lat. Febris, the
same. Right spell'd Fever.

Fee,from the AS. Fea, Feo,
or the Ital. Fio, a reward.

Feeble,from the Fr. G. Foible,
Feble, Hisp. Feble, Ital. Fie­
bole, Fievole; and all from
the Lat. Flebilis, to be la­
mented; as we say, Lamen­
table, and pitiful weak.

Feed,from the AS. Fedan,
Belg. Voeden, Teut. Weyden,
Dan. Feder, the same; all
perhaps from the Fr. G. Pai­
stre, or the Lat. Pascere,
idem.

Feel,from the AS. Felan, Teut.
Fielen, Belg. Voelen,
to touch; also to feel.

Fegary,Vagary,à  Vagando,
from roving, or roaming a­
bout.

To Feign,from the Fr. G. Fein­
dre; and both from the Lat.
Fingere, the same.

A Feist,from the AS. Fist,
Teut. Feist, Belg. Veest;
and these from the Fr. G.
Vesse, Vesser, a fart, to
fart.



A Feldfare,from the AS. Feal­
for; and this from Feal, a
field, and Faran, far; q.d.
a bird that flieth a great way
before it alighteth.

To Fell,from the Belg. Velden,
Vellen, or the Teut. Fallen,
Fellen, to cast to the ground:
Or from the AS. Feollan, to
fall. v. Fall.

Fell,from the AS. Felle, Belg.
Fel, Fr. G. Felle, Ital. Fel­
lone, fierce, cruel. v. Fel­
lon.

Fell,from the AS. Felle, or the
Teut. Fell, a pelt, or skin.

Fellon,from the Fr. G. Fellon,
or the Ital. Fellone; and all
from the AS. Felen, Teut.
Fehlen, to offend.

Fellon,a disease so called; from
the AS. Felle, fierce, fell; for
the grievous pain it causeth in
the body.

Fellow,a companion; from
our word Follow; which
see.

The Fellow of a wheel,from the
Teut Felge, idem.

Felmonger,from the AS. Felle,
Teut. Fell, a skin, and the AS.
Mangere; q.d. a Skin-­
Merchant.

Felt,from the AS. Felt, the
Fr. G. Feutre, or the Ital.
Feltro, the same.

Female,from the Fr. G. Femelle,
the same.

Fen,from the AS. Fen, or the
Belg. Ven, the same.

To Fence,à Defendendo, from
defending.

A Fence,mound, or hedge, for­
med as the other Fence. 

Fenders, or Fender-bolts,from
Defendo, to keep off; a term
in Sailing; for which, consult
Manwayring, in his Dict.
Naut.

Fennel;in Lincolnshire, Fin­
kel; by Ælfricus, Fynel; in
Somnerus, Fenol; from the
Teut. Fenchel, Fr. G. Fenouil,
Ital. Finocchio; and all from
the Lat. Fœniculum, an herb
so called.

To Feoff,from the Fr. G. Fief,
or the Verb Fieffer, to en­
feoff.

Ferkin,from the AS. Feower,
Teut. Vier, four, and the
Dim. kin; it being the fourth
part of a barrel.

Fern,from the AS. Fearn,
Belg. Vaeren-kruyd, Teut.
Faren-kraut; and these from
the AS. Faran, Teut. Fah­
ren, Belg. Vaeren, to spread
out broad.

Ferret,from the Belg. Ferret,
Feret, Fr. G. Furet, Ital. Fe­
retta, an animal so called.

Ferry,from the Teut. Fahr, id.
and this from the AS. Faran,
Teut. Fahren, Belg. Vaeren,
to pass over.

A Fescue,from the Belg. Vaes­
keu, or the Fr. G. Festu; and
both from the Lat. Festuca,
a slender sprig, saith Fr.
Jun.

Fess,a term in Heraldry; from
the Fr. G. Fesse; which Min­
shew


 
draws from the Lat. Fas­
cia, a swathe. 


Fester,from the Fr. G. Appe­
stare, to infect: Or, which
is more probable, from the
Fr. G. Festrir, to decay, to
putrefie.

Festoons,a term in Archite­
cture; from the Fr. G. Fe­
ston, a garland of flowers; so
called, because it was used on
Festival-days.

Fetch,from the AS. Feccan,
Fæccean, Belg. Vatten, idem;
all perhaps from the Lat. Ve­
ctare, to bring.

Fetch, or Vetch,from the Fr. G.
Vesse, or the Ital. Vezza, or
Veccia; and all from the Lat.
Vicia, the same; which Var­
ro draws from Vincio, to
bind; because, like a vine, it
twisteth about that which is
next it.

The Fetlockjoint; (i.e.) the
joint between the leg and foot
of an horse; q.d. Feetlock,
or Feet-locks; or rather, q.
Fetter-locks.

Fetter,from the AS. Fettere,
Belg. Veter; and these from
their Verbs Gefeterian,
Vateren; properly, to put
chains upon the feet only.

Feud,from the AS. Fæhð,
Belg. Veede, Veide, invete­
rate grudge, or hatred: Or
from the Teut. Fehd, Fehde,
idem.

Few,from the AS. Fea, Feawa,
the same.

Fewel,from the Fr. G. Feu, a
fire, and the Lat. Alere, to
feed; q.d. matter to feed the
fire. Feu is derived from the
Ital Fuoco, Hisp. Fuego; and
all from the Lat. Focus, a
fire.

Fibby,from Fable; and both
from the Lat. Fabula, a ro­
mance.

"fibby" not found in OED.



Fickle,from the AS. Ficol, in­
constant; and this from Fa­
cen, to deceive: Or from the
Lat. Facilis, easie; q.d. one
that is easily perswaded to
change his mind.

Fiddle,from the AS. Fiðele,
Belg. Vedel, Teut. Fidel, the
same: Whence the Teut. Fi­
delen, to play upon the Vio­
lin; all from the Lat. Fidicu­
la, the same.

Field,from the AS. and Teut.
Feld, Belg. Veld, the same.

Fiend,from the AS. Fiende,
Fr. Th. Dfiant, the Devil;
these from the AS. Feond,
Fynd, Dan. Fiend, Teut.
Feind, Fr. Th. Fiian, Fian,
an adversary. Fr. Jun. de­
rives all these from the AS.
and Goth.  Figan, to hate.
It may also be taken from the
AS. Fandian, to tempt:
Whence the Devil is called, the
Tempter.

Fierce,from the Fr. G. Fier,
Farouche, or the Ital. Fiero;
and all from the Lat. Ferox,
cruel.



A Fife,from the Fr. G. Fifre,
or the Ital. Pifara, idem: It
is so called, from its whizzing
sound.

A Fig,from the Teut. Feige,
Ital. Figo, Fico, Fr. G. Figue;
all from the Lat. Ficus, the
same.

To Fig,Feage, or Firk, from
the Belg. and Teut. Ficken,
to whip one hard.

 

 
Fleet, in the City of London, 
now of little use, but for the 
conveying away of common 
Shoars, though formerly 'twas a Navigable River. 
See Flood in the Common 
Names. 

Flemming, perhaps from the 
AS. Flyming, Flyma, an 
Exile, a Banish'd man, be­
cause, as it is made clear out 
of Histories, they were often 
forced to change their Habi­
tations, and to go into neigh­
bouring Countries, by reason 
of the Inundations of the 
Sea. 

Flint-Castle, and Flint; 
perhaps from Flint Stones, 
wherewith it aboundeth; 
for it is a very rough craggy 
Country. 

Flixton, in Suffolk, q.d.  Foe­
lixton; from one Fœlix a 
Burgundian, who reclaim'd 
and confirmed the East-­
English, when they revol­
ted. 

Flodoard, a Christen-Name, 
from the AS. Flod, a River 
and Ward, a Warder, or 
Keeper. 

Floid, or Flud, a Sirname 
from the C. Br. Lhuid ruddy. 
It alludes to the Lat. Rufus, 
Rufinus; and the Gr. Pyrrhus. 

Flushing, a Port and City of 
Trading in Zealand, in the 
Belg. Flissingen; perhaps 
from the Belg. Fluysen, to 
flow violently; because this 
City and all Zealand is en­
dangered by the waves of the 
Sea, but that the Inhabi­
tants by much pains prevent 
such peril. 

Folshaw, a Village, from the 
old word Foll, for Fall, and 
Shaw, a Forest, where are 
many trees. 

The Foreland of Kent; see 
Foreland in the Common 
Names. 

The Forest of Dean, in Gloc. 
either from the Danes, some 
ancient Authors writing 
it the Danes Forest, for the 
English-Saxons called the 
Danes, Dene; or from the 
old Br. and Gall. Arden, a 
Forest; and hence it is, 
that the AS. Den, signi­
fyeth, a Desert, or un­
cultivated place. 

Forness, and Foreland, in 
Lancashire, from the AS. 
Nese, or Naese, a Promon­
tory, and Fore; which see. 

Forster, a Sirname, a Contract 
of Forester, (i.e.) belonging 
to a Forest. 

Fortescue, a Sirname, by con­
traction Forscue, from the 
Fr. G. Fortescu, a strong 
Shield. 

St. Fosters, from Foster, a 
Saint of that Name. 

Foster; see Forster above. 

Fosway, from the Lat. Fossa, 
a Trench, and Way; which 
see in the Com. Names. 

Foulgiers, a Sirname, from 
 

 
the Fr. G. Fougiere, Feu­
chiere Fern.  

Foulk, or Fulk, a Christen-­
Name; some, draw it from 
the Germ. Volly, generous, 
which is no where read of. 
Camden derives it more pro­
bably from the AS. Folc, 
Folk, or the common Peo­
ple. I might also take it from 
the AS. Folgian, Teut. Fol­
gen, to follow, q.d.  a Page,
or Footman. 

Foulness, in Essex, a Fore­
land wherein there is plenty 
of Fowls; from our word 
Fowl, and the AS. Nese, 
or Næse, a Promontory. 

Foy, or Fovey in Cornw. from
the River Fawey, which 
there runs into the Sea; this 
perhaps from the C. Br. Faw, 
fame, q.d.  a famous Ri­
ver. 

Francis, a Christen Name, 
either q.d.  AS. Francisc, 
a Frenchman; or from the 
Fr. G. Franc, Frank, or 
free. 

Frandingham, not unlikely 
from the AS. and Teut. 
Fremd, in the plural 
Fremden, Foreigners, and 
Ham, a Village; It being 
probably so called from the 
Foreign Danes, that took 
Possession of it. 

Frankfurt, the Name of two 
famous Cities in Germany, the 
one upon the River Meyn, 
and the other upon the Ri­
ver Oder; from the Franks or 
French, and Ford; see 
Franks, or French beneath, 
& Ford in the Com. Names. 

Franklin, a Sirname, from 
our word Frank, which see 
in the Com. Names, and the 
dim. Termination ling or 
lin, the word importing a 
Libertine; or from the Fr. G. 
Francolin, a Bird, so called. 

Franks, or French, hereto­
fore a famous People among 
the Germans. Adr. Jun. makes 
them all one with the Peo­
ple of Freezland, and he 
thinketh that they were both 
so call'd from their liberality. 
See Frank and Free in the 
Com. Names. According 
to the same Jun. they were 
call'd Franci, q. Fryonci, that 
is to say, free from Taxes, 
for that ci which Junius puts 
for Zinsz, is plainly of a 
Lat. Original, from the Lat. 
Census, a Tax or Tribute; 
& therefore, I think the for­
mer Derivation is far better. 

Fradmar, an ancient Germ. 
Sirname, Adr. Jun. expound­
eth it, Frey Meyer, (i. e.) 
a free Mayor; see Free and 
Mayor, in the Com. Names. 

Frea, from the AS. Frea, a 
Master; see Friga, beneath, 
and Friday in the Common 
Names. 

Fredegund, the Christ. Name 
of a Woman, from the AS. 
Frede, Teut. Friede, Belg. 
 


Vrede, Peace, and the Teut. 
Gunnen, to favour, q.d.  a 
Favourer of Peace.  

Frediswid, the Christen-name 
of a certain Saint; not un­
likely from the AS. Frið, 
Peace, and the Teut. Wei­
hen, Belg. Wiihen, to de­
dicate. 

Freedstoll, in Yorkshire, other­
wise call'd Frithsocn, and 
Frithstow, from the AS. 
Frið, Peace, and Stole, 
a Seat; it formerly being a 
place of immunity for Cri­
minals, a Sanctuary. 

Freezland, a Province in the 
Netherlands, in the Belg. 
Vriesen, and West Vrie­
sen, West-Freezland, to di­
stinguish it from East-Freez­
land, which is in Germany. 
Adr. Jun. makes the ancient 
Frisii, all one with the 
Franks, deriving both from 
Free and Frank; which see 
in the Com. Names. 

Fremund, from the AS. Freoh, 
free, and Mund, Peace; it 
was the Name of Offa's Son, 
King of the Mercii. 

Frery, probably from the AS. 
Freah, Freoh, Teut. Frey, 
free, and the AS. Ric, Teut. 
Reich, Rich, (i.e.) Rich 
in Freedom, or very free; 
or from the AS. Frea, a 
Master or Lord, & the same 
Ric, rich, or Rice, a Kingdom, 
(i.e.) a rich Lord, or Ruler 
of a Kingdom. 

Freshmersh, a Sirname; see 
Fresh, and Marsh in the 
Com. Names. 

Fridigast, a German General, 
from the Teut. Friede, AS. 
Frede, Frið, Peace, and 
either from the Teut. Gast, 
a Guest, or the AS. Gast, 
a Ghost, or Fiend. 

Fridigernus, a King of the 
Gothi. Jun. saith, that it sig­
nifieth one inclining to 
Peace, from the Teut. Friede, 
Peace, and Gern, freely, or 
Geren for Begeren, to de­
sire. Geren may have its 
rise à Quærendo, from seek­
ing after. 

Fridstan, from the AS. Frede, 
Frið, Peace, and Stan, 
a Stone, it denoting a Stone 
of refuge. 

Friga, a Goddess of the An­
cient Germ. the same with 
Venus of the Romans, per­
haps from the AS. Frig, 
free, and surely nothing is 
more free than carnal Plea­
sure, nothing more indo­
mitable; see Friday in the 
Common Names, and Frea 
above. 

Friling, in the time of the 
ancient Germ. Saxons it sig­
nified as much as one that is 
born free, from the Teut. 
Frey, free; see Adhling. 

Frith, in our Northern, and 
Scotish Idiom is frequently 
used for Freto in the Termi­
nations of many Names; manifestly 
 


from the Lat. Fretum, 
the raging Sea.  

Frithwold, Prince of Surrey, 
the Founder of the Mona­
stery or Abbey at Chertsey; 
deriv'd from the AS. Frið, 
Peace, and Wealdan, to 
rule; the word signifying a 
Peaceable King, or Ruler. 

Frodoard, from the AS. Frode, 
Frod, weary, afflicted, and 
Ward, a Guardian, q.d.  
the Patron of the afflicted. 

Frompton, in Dors. from the 
River Frome.  

Frumarius, a King of the 
Spanish Swedes, from the 
Teut. Fromm, Frommer, 
Honest; or from the same 
From, and Meyer, a Mayor. 
He liv'd in the year 461. 

Fulbert, a Christen-name, 
rom the AS. Full, full, and 
Beorht, splendent, (i.e.) 
one full of Splendour. 

Fulham, in Middlesex, in the 
AS. Fullon Ham, (q.d. ) 
Fowl-Town; from the AS. 
Fugel, a Fowl, and Ham, 
a Village: It is now remar­
kable for the Bishop of 
London's Country-House. See 
Fowl, and Ham, in the Com. 
Names. 
 

G 
GAina, a General of the 
Arians, often mention­
ed in Ecclesiastical Hi­
story; from the AS. 
Wægen, Teut. Wagen, 
a Chariot, or Waggon; or 
from that other Teut. Wa­
gen, to run a hazard. 

Gainsborough, in Lincolnshire, 
in the AS. Genes-buruh, 
or perhaps Geners-buruh; 
from the AS. Genes, a San­
ctuary, and Buruh, a Town; 
the word signifying a Town 
of refuge. 

Galliard, Nom. Gent. from 
the Fr. G. Gaillard, It. Gag­
liardo, stout, or Gallant; 
which see in the Common 
Names. 

Galloway, a Bishop's See in 
Scotland, from the Irish, which 
in their Tongue are call'd 
Gael.  

Gam, Nom. Gent. from the 
C. Br. Gam, Hunch-back'd, 
and this from the Lat. Camu­
rus, crooked. 

Gambrivii, an ancient People 
of Germany, where Hamburgh 



 
is now; from the Germ. 
Gans, all, wholly, and 
Brauwe, the brow, or fore­
head, (i.e.) all Brows, which 
in Physiognomy is a sign of a 
generous Mind.  

Garagantua, from the Hisp. 
Garganta, a Glutton. 

Garcias, a Spanish Christen-­
Name, perhaps from the 
Hisp. Jarcias, Xarcias, Ca­
bles. 

Garibaldus, a King of the 
Longobardi of Italy, from the 
Teut. Gar, altogether, and 
the AS. Bald, bold, ventu­
rous. 

Garnet, Nom. Gent, for Gar­
ner, which signifies a Grana­
ry. See Garner in the Com. 
Names. Or it may more pro­
bably come from Granatum, a 
Pomegranat. 

Garret, a Christen-name, a 
corruption of Gerard; which 
see beneath. 

Gateshead, an Haven in the Bi­
shoprick of Durh. in the AS. 
gate-shefed, or Heued, 
Goatshead, in the Lat. Gabro­
sentum, from the C. Br. Gaffr, 
a Goat, and Hen, for Pen an 
Head; perhaps from some 
Inn, at the Sign of the Goat; 
as the three Sisters in Spain, 
the Pear in Italy, as may be 
found in Antoninus. 

Gausenna, an ancient City in 
Linc. some Reliques of which 
Name yet remain in the Ri­
ver Guash, or Wash: It 
is now call'd Bridge Ca­
sterton. 

Gawen, a feigned Christen-­
name; if it be not a Corrup. 
of Walwin, Waldwin; 
which see. 

Gebericus, a King of the Goths; 
Adr. Jun. draws it from the 
Teut. Geben, to give, or be­
stow, and Ric or Reich, 
Rich; q.d.  a charitable man. 
It answers the Gr. Eleuthe­
rius, Polydorus. 

Gebhard, according to Jun. 
Liberal by Nature, from the 
Teut. Geben, to give, and 
Aerd, Nature. 

Gedney, for Godney in Som. 
from the AS. God, God, 
and Ea, Water. 

Geffrey, a Christen. name; as 
Camden expounds it, Joyful 
Peace; from the Belg. Gaw, 
glad, and the AS. Frið, 
Frede, Teut. Friede, Belg. 
Vrede, Peace. It answers 
the Gr. Irenæus. 

Gelt, a River in Cumberland, 
heretofore Gelta; not un­
likely from the C. Br. Gêl, an 
Horsleech, from the great 
store of Leeches which breed 
therein. 

Genatrud, the Wife of Dago­
bert King of the Franks, per­
haps from the Teut. Genad, 
Gnade, Gnad, Clemency, 
and Reden, or Rathen, to 
speak, or consult; or from 
the same Genad, and our 
word Truth, or True, (i.e.) 
submissive, and loyal. 

Gensalaricus, a King of the 
 


Spanish Vice-Gothi, from the ­
Teut. Gans, all, and Ric, 
Rich.  

Gensericus. He instituted the 
Government of the Vandals 
in Africa. It is deriv'd as 
Gensalaricus above . 

Gerard, a Christen-name, ac­
cording to Gesner corrupted 
from Eberard, which see; 
Or as Camden has it, from the 
Teut. Gar, all, and the Belg. 
Aerd, Nature: Or, as Ki­
lian saith, from the Teut. 
Geyer, a Vulture, and Aerd, 
nature, (i. e.) such an one, 
as hath an unsatiable, rave­
nous appetite; this from the 
word Begeren, to beg, or 
Beger, Avarice. 

German, from the Teut. Gar, 
all, and Man, q.d.  All man; 
see Alman. Jun. draws it, 
from Geert man, an honou­
rable man, this from Eere, 
Honour, or Eeren, to Ho­
nour. 

St. Germans, in Cornw. (i e.) 
the Temple of St. German, 
Bishop of Antisiodora, that ex­
tirpated the Pelagian He­
resy. 

Gernon, Nom. Gent. not un­
likely from the AS. Georn, 
Georne, Studious, Indu­
strious. It answers the Lat. 
Sedulius, Gr. Philoponus. 

Gertrude, a Womans Christen-­
name, from the Teut. Gar, 
all, and our words True, 
Truth, q.d.  faithful, one 
true to her trust. 
See True and Truth in the 
Com. Names. 

Gerbas, a Christ. Name, from 
the Teut. Gar, all, and 
Vast, Fast, which see in 
the Common Names. It 
answers to the Lat. Constan­
tius. 

Gibbcliff, in Warw. or rather 
Guy-Cliff, from Guy of 
Warwick, that fam'd Heroe 
that lived as an Hermit in 
this place; or from Guy 
Beauchamp Earl of War­
wick. 

Gibs, and Gibson, a Contract 
and Corruption of Gilbert; 
as also Gibbons, q.d.  the 
Son of Gilbert. 

Giffard, a Sirname, from the 
S. Gifan, to give, and the 
Belg. Aerd, nature, (i.e.) 
one that is naturally given to 
Liberality. 

Gilbert, a Christen-name; 
from the AS. Gealeþe, Belg. 
Gheel, Teut. Gael, yellow; 
or the Teut. Guelden, golden, 
and the AS. Beorht, fa­
mous. Verstegan surmiseth 
that it is so call'd q. Gild­
beriht, from the AS. Gild, 
a College, or Fraternity, and 
the Teut. Berichten, to in­
struct; or from the old word 
Gild, Liberal. 

Giles, a Christen-name, wrested 
from the Gr. Ægidius, and 
this from the Gr. Ἀιγὶς, a 
Goats-Skin, also the Shield 
of Minerva, perhaps so called 
 

 
because the Shields of the 
Ancients were cover'd with 
Goats-Skins. It may be taken 
from the Lat. Julius, and this 
from Iulus, the Sirname of 
Ascanius, from the Gr. ἴουλος, 
Down; or it may possibly 
come from the Gr. Gelasius, 
and this from γελάω, to 
laugh.  

Gilimer, the last King of the 
Vandals in Africa. Adr. Jun. 
draws it from the Belg. Gu­
leü, safe Conduct, & Meyer, 
a Mayor; or from the AS. 
Geal, Gealeþe, yellow, and 
Maere, remarkable, (i.e.) 
conspicuous beyond others 
for his yellow Locks. 

Gill, a Sirname, from the Fr. 
G. Guille, a Quill, or Fau­
cet; also a Keel of a Ship. 

Gillingham, a Village in Dors. 
perhaps from the AS. Gyl­
lan, to make a noise, from the 
parting of some Brook run­
ning swiftly thereby. 

Gilpin, according to Camden, 
a Contract, and corrup. of 
Gilbert.  

Girvii, whose Country was in 
the AS. call'd Girwa-land; 
after this name were former­
ly call'd the Inhabitants of 
the Moorish part of the 
Countries of Norfolk, Cam­
bridge and Linc. from the AS. 
Gyr, a Fen, and Land.  

Giselbert, from the Teut. Gei­
sel, an Hostage, and the AS. 
Beorht, illustrious. 

Gizeric, or Giseric, a Gothick 
Christen-name. Adr. Jun. sur­
miseth that it implyeth one 
Rich in Geese. I had rather 
draw it from the Teut. 
Geysz, a She Goat, and 
Reich, Rich. 

Gladuse, a Christen-name; pos­
sibly a Corruption of the 
Lat. Claudius.  

Glasnith, a Sirname; perhaps 
from the AS. Glæsen, Glas­
sen, and Yða, a wave. 

Glastonbury, in Somers. it was 
call'd by the C. Br. Inis Wi­
trin, also in the AS. Glasen­
ey, (i.e.) the Isle of Glass; 
memorable for the Tombs of 
two Kings, Arthur and Edgar, 
and of Joseph of Arimathea, 
and many of the Primitive 
Saints in England, from Glass 
(which see in the Common 
Names) and the AS. Byrig, 
a Town. 

Glendal, in Northumberland, 
from the River Glen; it be­
ing a Dale by the same Ri­
ver. 

Glentworth, in Lanc. from the 
AS. Glen, Glene, C. Br. 
Glynn, a Valley, and Worð, 
a Court, or Hall, seated in 
a Valley. 

Glinn, in the Hib. and C. Br. 
 signifieth a Dale encompassed 
with trees, but Glin, a Sir­
name, signifieth a Knee, saith 
Davis. 
 

 
Glocester, a Bishop's Sea; in the 
AS. Gleanceaster, a fair 
City, not unlike the Gr. Cal­
lipolis; and in this County 
are Fairford, & Fairley, &c. 
hence it is in Lat. call'd Gle­
vum or Clevum, not from 
Claudius Cæsar, as some will 
have it. 

Godard, a Christen-name; from 
the AS. God, God, Good, and 
the Belg. Aerd, nature, to­
wardness, (i.e.) one endowed 
with a Compliant and Divine 
disposition of mind. Versteg. 
supposeth it so call'd, quasi 
good heart.  

Godelif, or Godlaf. Verstegan 
thinketh it so call'd, quasi 
good Love. It is a Womans 
Christen-name. 

Godfrey, a Sirname, from the 
AS. God, God, Good, and the 
AS. Frið, Frede, Teut. 
Friede, Belg. Vrede, Peace; 
the word implying, God-like 
Peace. 

Godmanchester, in Hunt. from 
Gormon, or Guthrun a Dane, 
that first of all the Danish 
Princes embraced the Chri­
stian Faith. He here erected 
a Palace, which heretofore 
was by Anton. call'd Duroli­
ponte, by Camden Durosiponte, 
from the C. Br. Dwr, water, 
the River Ouze, and the Lat. 
Pons, a Bridge. 

Godolphin, or Godolcan, a 
Sirname. In the Cornwallian 
Dialect, it signifies a white 
Eagle , which the Family of 
Godolphins wears in its Coat 
of Arms. 

Godrich, from the AS. God, 
God, Good, and Ric, Rich. 

Godscalk, from the AS. God, 
and Scalk, a Servant. 

Godstow, from the AS. God, 
Good, and Stow, a place. 

Godwin, from the AS. God, 
God, and Win, a Conque­
rour, or from Winnan, to 
get, and God, Good, (i.e.) 
one that is a Conquerour in 
God, or that hath obtain'd 
vertue. 

Goedel, an Abbotess, or Prio­
ress of a Covent; from the 
Belg. Goed, Good, and De­
elen, Deylen, to deal, or 
divide (i.e.) Liberal and 
Munificent. It answers the 
Gr. Eleutheria, Polydora. 

Goedeland, the name of a Coun­
try in Holland. Adr. Jun. suppo­
seth that it is taken from 
Goedel the Abbotess above 
mention'd, to whom the Em­
perour Otho gave this place, 
and so call'd q. Goedels Land. 
It is now corruptly call'd 
Goeyland. 

Goff, a Sirname, from the 
C. Br. Goff, a Farrier. 

Gogh, a Sirname, from the 
C. Br. Gogh, ruddy; see 
Gouge beneath. 

Gorcom, the Name of a City 
in Holland. Adr. Jun. de­
rives it from the word 
Gorck, a Poor man, and 
 


Home, q.d.  an Habitation 
for the Poor; but the word 
Gorck is not to be found in 
Kilian.  

Gorges, from the Lat. Gurges, 
which this Family bears in 
its Coat of Arms. 

Gorney, a Sirname, in Som. 
from Gurnay, a Town in 
Normandy; this perhaps from 
the Fr. G. Gourneau, a Curr 
Fish. 

Gorst, a Sirname, Camden ex­
pounds it Shrubs. I had ra­
ther draw it from the AS. 
Georst, Gorst, Ling, 
Heath. 

Gothi, formerly a famous Peo­
ple, that subdued the Ro­
mans. Adr. Jun. draws it 
from the Germ. Got thienen, 
or Dienen, from Got, God, 
and Thienen, to serve; for 
Odinus, that erected them in­
to a Colony, instructed them 
in the things of God. 

Gouda, a famous City in Holland 
upon the River Isel. Adr. 
Jun. draws it from the Goth. 
or Cimbr. Gow, the Fence 
about, a Trench, also the 
Chanel of a Conduit. 

Gouge and Gogh, a Sirname, 
either from the Fr. G. Gouge, 
an Hunting-Staff, or from 
the Germ. Gow, which Spel­
man translateth, Pagus, a 
Village. See Gogh above. 

Gower, in Glam. in the C. Br. 
Guhir, a Country. 

Graham-Dike in Scotland, the 
Wall or Fortress of the Em­
perours Antoninus Pius and 
Severus, either from Graham 
a Scot, that first broke 
through it, or from a 
neighbouring Mountain call'd 
Grampius.  

Grampius, a Mountain in 
Scotland, now call'd Grant­
shame, which in the Scot. Hib. 
Dialect, signifieth an uneven, 
or crook-back'd Mountain. 

Graves, or Grave, a Sirname, 
so call'd from Grave, or 
Grove; which see in the 
Com. Names. 

Gravesend, a Port in Kent, (i.e.) 
the end or limit of the Coun­
ty. See Grave, and end, in 
the Com. Names. 

Greenvile, a Sirname, from the 
Eng. Green, and the Fr. G. 
Ville, a Town or Village: or 
perhaps it was formerly writ­
ten Granvile, and so de­
riv'd from the Fr. G. Grande 
Ville, a Grand or great 
Town. 

Greenwich, in Kent, from 
Green and Wich, a Port or 
Haven; which see in the 
Com. Names. 

Grig, a Sirname, from the 
C. Br. Krig, Hoarse; or, as 
the learned Th. H. tells us, 
'tis a Contract of Gregory.  

Grim, a Sirname, from the 
C. Br. Grim, strong; or from 
our Grim, (i.e.) one that 
hath a grim, stern look. 

Grimbald, the Christen-name 
of that St. who with St. Need, 
in the time of King Ælfred, 
 


the Founder of the Univer­
sity of Oxford, professed Di­
vinity there. It is thought 
to be the same with Grimo­
aldus, derived either from 
the AS. Grim, Gram, 
Grim, or the Teut. Grimm, 
Anger, and the AS. Weal­
dan, to rule, q.d.  a Sup­
pressor of wrath, or bridler 
of Passion: Or, on the con­
trary, from the same Grimm, 
anger, Gram, angry, and 
Bald, soon; or from the 
same Grim, Gram, angry, 
and the AS. Bald, bold, (i.e.) 
one that in his anger feareth 
nothing.  

Grimoaldus, a King of the 
Longobardi of Italy. See Grim­
bald. 

Grimsby in Linc. noted for the 
birth of D. Whitgift, Arch­
bishop of Canterbury, perhaps 
so call'd from one Grimus that 
built it. 

Grishild, now Grissel, a Christ. 
Name of a Woman; perhaps 
from the Fr. G. Gris, gray, 
and the Teut. Helde, Hel­
dinne, a Noble-woman, a 
Lady. 

Groenland, Dan. Gronland, a 
Country lying very far North­
ward; from the Belg. Groen, 
Dan. Gron, Green, so call'd 
q. Green-Land; and yet 
it is longer white with 
Snow, than green with 
Grass. 

Grovenour, Grubenor, or Gros­
venour, a Sirname in Che­
shire, from the Fr. G. le Gros­
veneur, a great Hunter. 

Grouthead, Robert Grouthead, 
that most learned Bishop of 
Lincoln, (i.e.) Fr. G. le Grosse 
teste, one that had a great 
Head. In the year 1245. 

Gruffin, a Christen-name; 
either, as Camden surmiseth, 
from the Lat. Rufinus: Or, 
which is as likely, the same 
with Gryffith, which in the 
C. Br. signifieth Credulous, 
or strong Faith'd. 

Guelpho, a General in Saxony, 
I suppose, either from Vlph, 
and then it implies, Help, or 
an Helper; or from Wolf, 
and then it answers the Lat. 
Lupus, and Gr. Lycias. 

Guildford, in Surrey; q.d.  
Golden Ford; from the 
AS. Gild, a College, or 
Fraternity, and Ford, which 
see. 

Gundebertus, a King of the 
Longobardi of Italy, from the 
old Teut. Gunde, now 
Gunst, favour, and the AS. 
Beorht, famous. 

Gunderic, a Christen-Name, 
from the old Teut. Gunde, 
now Gunst, good will, and 
the AS. Ric, rich, q.d.  
one that hath the good will 
of many. 

Guniberga, the Wife of Arioald, 
King of the Longobardi of Ita­
ly; deriv'd from the Teut. 
Gunde, now Gunst, favour, 
 

 
and Bergen, to hide; that 
is to say, one that smothereth 
or concealeth her love.  

Gundobaldus, or Gundebal­
dus; from the old Teut. 
Gunde, now Gunst, and 
Wald, abundance, this from 
the AS. Wealdan, to go­
vern; or from the Teut: 
Gunnen, to favour, and 
Bald, soon; q.d.  prone to 
favour. 

Gundomar, a King of the Bur­
gundians, from the old Teut. 
Gunde, now Gunst, favour, 
and Mehren, to amplifie, q.d.  
one that daily getteth more 
and more into mens fa­
vour. 

Gunhild, an English-Saxon, 
the Apostle of Norway; per­
haps from the AS. Con, Conn, 
Teut. Kuhn, Belg. Koen, 
valiant, and the Teut. Held, 
a Nobleman. He liv'd in the 
year 1024. 

Guntaric, the last King of the 
Vandals of Africa; not un­
likely from the Teut. Gunst, 
formerly Gunde, favour, and 
Reich, formerly Ric, Rich, 
that is to say, one that is kind 
to others, or that is beloved 
of others. 

Guntram, a King of the Bur­
gundians. Kilian writes it 
Gutram, from the Teut. 
Gut, good, and the old 
word Ram, now Ruhm, a 
rumour, or fame. It might 
likewise be taken from the 
Teut. Gunst, favour, and 
the same Ram for Ruhm.  

Gusman, a Spanish Sirname, 
well known to us by that 
Embassadour of the Spanish 
King sent to King James the 
First. 'Tis as much as to 
say, in the Goth. and Eng. 
Goodman.  

St. Guthlac, an English-Saxon 
Monk, in the honour of whom 
Æthelbald king of the Mercii 
built the most stately Abbey 
of Crowland in Lincolnshire; 
derived from the AS. Guð, 
War, and Laac, praise, q.d.  
one praised for his warlike 
Exploits; or Lac, a Victim, 
(i.e.) He that is Sacrificed, 
or Slain in the Wars. 

Guthred, a King of Kent, from 
the AS. Guð, war, and 
Rede, counsel, or Redan, 
to give advice; that is to say, 
a great Politician; or Coun­
sellour. 

Guthremion, a Castle in Rad­
norsh. by Nennius Guarthenio, 
which was by King Vortimer 
given a German Saint, in 
compensation of the ill 
treatment which he met 
with from King Vortigern, 
whom he had friendly and 
justly reproved; 'Tis drawn 
from the C. Br Guarsh, a re­
proach, and Enjaw, Just. 

Guy, a Christen-Name, from 
Guide, Hisp. Guia, a Lea­
der; or from the Fr. G. 
Guidon, a Banner, or Ensign. 

Gwischard, a Christ. Name; see 
Wischard in its place. 

 

 
H 
HAcomb, a Village in 
Devonshire, perhaps 
from Hay, and the 
AS. Comb, Comp, a 
Dale encompass'd with Hills, 
so call'd from the great crops 
of Hay which the Place af­
fords. 

Hadington, in Scot. in the Lat. 
Hadina, by adding the AS. 
Term. tun, a Town. 

Haga, in Surrey, perhaps from the AS. Hagan, Rasberries, or rather Haws; see Haw in the Com. Names. 

Hague, the most famous Vil­
lage in all the World, being 
the Seat of the States of Hol­
land, from the AS. Hegge, 
Hæg, Belg. Haege, an Hedge, 
perhaps from some great 
Fence made about the Prin­
ce's Palace. 

Hagworthingham, in Lincoln­
shire, from the AS. Hæg 
an Hedge, Worðig, a 
Street, and Ham, an Home 
or Habitation; see Hedge in 
the Com. Names. 

Hains, Camden draws it from 
the old Christen-Name Ai­
nulph, or Arnulph; this 
from the AS. Ana, alone, and 
Ulph, help, i.e.  one that 
needs not the assistance of 
others. 

Halard, a Christen-Name, pro­
bably from the AS. Hal, 
whole, and the Belg. Aerd, 
nature, q.d.  one, that is of 
an healthy temperament and 
constitution of Body. It an­
swers to the Gr. Hyginus. 

Halberstad, a famous Bishop's 
See in Germany, perhaps from 
the Teut. Halber, half, and 
Statt, a City; because in 
all likelihood not above the 
one half of the Ground is 
built upon, that was laid out 
for the compass thereof. 

Haledon, in Northumb. in the AS. 
Heafenfield, the place 
where King Oswald by a Di­
vine help got the Victory 
over Cædwalla the Britain; 
drawn from the AS. Halig, 
holy, and Dun, an Hill, or 
the Termination ton, AS. 
tun, a Town. Heafen­
field, from the AS. Heo­
fon, Hefen, Heaven, and 
 

 
Field, (q.d. ) the Heavenly 
Field, whereunto Aid was 
sent from above.  

Halifax, in Yorkshire, hereto­
fore called Horton, q.d.  
Halifeax, Holy hair, from 
the Sacred hair of a certain 
Virgin, whom a Clerk, be­
cause she would not prosti­
tute her Body to him, be­
headed. She was afterwards 
Canonized for a Saint. It 
might be called Horton, 
from the Lat. Hortus, a Gar­
den; or rather q. Hors-­
Town, because good Horses 
were bred there. 

Halyston, in Northumb. q.d.  
Holy Stone, where St. Paul 
the first Apostle of the North 
of England, baptized many 
Thousands of Men and Wo­
men; See Holy and Stone, 
in the Com. Names. 

Hamburg, a most famous Mart-­
Town, and Port in Germany. 
Adr. Jun. draws it from the 
Gambrivii, an Ancient Peo­
ple of Germany that came and 
dwelt here, q.d.  the Borough 
of the Gambrivii; See Bo­
rough in the Com. Names. 

Hampton, in Middl. formerly 
by Leland call'd Avona, q.d.  
Avontown; now Avon in 
the old Br. is taken in the 
general, for a Water or 
River. 

Hankin, a Contract. and Cor­
rup. of Randal, by adding 
thereto the Dim. Term. Kin, 
q.d.  little Randal; see 
Randal. Or as the famous 
Th. H. telleth us, q.d.  the 
Son of Hanna.  

Hanson, a Sirname, from Han 
the Diminutive of Randal, 
and Son; that is to say, 
the Son of Randal. V. 
Hankin. 

Hantshire, in the AS. Hante­
scire; so call'd from the 
River Anton; See Southam­
pton. 

Harborough, formerly Haver­
burgh, in Leicest. from the 
Teut. Haber, Belg. Haver, 
Oats, and the AS. Burg, a 
Town or Borough, from the 
great plenty of Oats, which 
the place affordeth. 

Harbottle, in Northumberland, 
from the AS. Here, an Ar­
my, and Botle Botl, an 
 House, it being formerly 
a Place, where Souldiers kept 
their Quarters. 'Tis also a 
Christen-Name. 

Harden, in Flintsh. heretofore 
Hawarden, Castle; a con­
traction of Haward, or Ho­
ward, and the AS. Den, 
a Den, Valley, or Forest; 
See Howard beneath. 

Harduicus, Hardewic, and 
Hardwick, a Tyrant of Ita­
ly, either from the Belg. 
Hard, Teut. Hart, hard, and 
the Teut. and AS. Weg, 
Belg. Wech, a way; or from 
the same Hard, and the 
AS. Wic, a Fort; that 
is to say, an hard, rough 
 

 
way, or a Fort hard to be 
won.  

Harewich, in Essex, an Haven 
remarkable for a War be­
tween the English and Danes; 
drawn from the AS. Here, 
an Army, and Wic, a Bay, 
or a fenced place. 

Harfager, Harald Harfager, 
a Dane King of England, from 
the AS. Hær-fæger, fair 
haired. 

Harhold, a Danish Christen-­
Name, either from the AS. 
Here, an Army, and Hold, 
an Emperour, or Hold, 
faithful; or from our Eng. 
word to Hold, q.d.  the main 
Pillar of the Army; or from 
the same Here, and Wold, 
which comes from the AS. 
Wealdan, to rule; or the 
old Teut. Aid, a Servant. 
See Herauld in the Com. 
Names. 

Harlem, a fair City in Holland, 
not unlikely from the Belg. 
Haer, an hair, and Leme, 
the Chaff or off-scowring of 
Flax, this City being much 
noted for the Manufacture 
of fine Linen, and good 
napp'd Cloth. 

Hartle-pool, in the Bishoprick 
of Durham, by Beda Heorta, 
q.d.  the Isle of Harts; from 
the AS. Heort, an Hart, and 
Pool.  

Harvy, a Sirname, formerly, 
as Camden saith, a Christen-­
name; possibly from the AS. 
Here, an Army, and Wic, 
a Fort. 

Hastings, in Sussex. Camden 
surmiseth, that it is so call'd 
from one Hasting a Dane, a 
great Robber, that either 
built, or seiz'd, or fortified 
this Town. Somnerus writes 
it in the AS. Hæsting, and 
Hæstingaceasten, and 
he draws it from the AS. 
Hæste, heat, because of 
the bubbling or boiling of 
the Sea in that place. 

Hatfield, in Essex, it is call'd 
King's-Hatfield, from the 
King's Country-House; Hatæfield Bradoak, from a broad 
Oak; perhaps in general 
from the AS. Hat, hot, and 
field; from the hot, sandy 
soil of the Ground. 

Hatto, a Christen-name; Ki­
lian draws it from the old 
Teut. Atte, Father. 

Haverford west, a famous and 
large Haven in Pembr. from 
the Brit. and old Gal. Aber, 
a Port, a Ford hard by, 
and its situation to the West. 
See Haven in the Common 
Names. 

Havering, in Essex, from aver, 
as before, and a Ring, which 
a Pilgrim here gave to Ed­
ward the Confessour, as if it 
had been sent from St. John 
the Baptist. 

Hawgh, or Howgh, a Sirname, 
yet in use in the North of 
England, which Camden expoundeth, 
 


a little Meadow, 
lying in a Valley.  

Hawis, a Womans Name. It 
is sometimes written Avice, 
formerly Helwisa; perhaps 
from the Teut. Hell, famous, 
and our word Wise; or 
from the old Name Hilde­
vig or wig, which implyeth, 
Ladies Defence, as saith 
Camden; or more probably 
from the Teut. Helde, or 
Heldinne, a Lady, and the 
AS. Wic, a Fort; or the 
AS. Hilde, love, and the 
same Wic. It may be the 
same with Heddewig, Hed­
vig, which according to Ki­
lian signifieth a Father's re­
fuge, from the old Teut. 
Hede Atte, a Father, and the 
Belg. Wiick, a place of 
Refuge. 

Heddewig, a Womans Name; 
see Hawis. 

Heile, the ancient English-­
Saxons Æsculapius, or God 
of Physick, from the Teut. 
Heyl, AS. Hæl, Hælo, 
Health. 

St. Helens head, in Ireland, 
from St. Helen the Mother of 
Constantine the Great, that had 
a Temple here. 

Helmsted, from the AS. Helm, 
an Helmet, and Sted, a 
Place; or from the same 
Helm, secondarily, a safe­
guard, and the same Sted, 
q.d.  a Fort, a place of re­
fuge. 

Helvald or Helwald, an Eng. 
Saxon, an Apostle and Mar­
tyr of the Frisii; either from the 
AS. Hæl, health, and 
Wealdan, to rule, or from 
Hel, Helle, hell, and the 
same Wealdan, to rule, 
because through the Preach­
ing of the Gospel, and cast­
ing out Devils by Miracles, he 
triumph'd over the Gates of 
Hell. 

Hengist, a famous Captain, the 
first English-Saxon that laid 
wast Britain; from the AS. 
Hengest, Teut. Hengst, 
Dan. Hest, an Horse; per­
haps so called because he had 
the figure of an Horse upon 
his Standard; or because 
his Brother's Name was 
Horsa. 

Hengston Hill in Cornw. in the 
AS. Hengesdoun, the 
Downes, or Banks of Hengist, 
a Saxon-General, a Place for­
merly famous for Stanna­
ries, or Mines of Tinn. 

Heningham, formerly Hed­
ningham, or Hengham, in 
the County of Essex, perhaps 
from one Hedning the Buil­
der of it. 

Henry, Camden draws it from 
the Lat. Honore, honour, and 
I suppose it is the same with 
Honoric, the Name of a King 
of the Vandals of Africk; 
Verstegan draws it from the 
Teut. Han, for Haven, to 
have, and the AS. Rice, 
 


rich. Kilian writes it Heyn­
rick, q.d.  Heymrick, rich 
at home; See Home and 
Rich, in the Com. Names. 
I might also not obscurely 
draw the Name Honoric, from 
the Teut. Hohn, modesty & 
Rich. See Hunerick.  

Henshaw, a Village in Chesh. 
that gave the Sirname to the 
Family of that worthy Gen­
tleman Sir Th. Henshaw, de­
rived from the Teut. Han 
for Haven, to have, and the 
Eng. Shaw Belg. Schawe, 
a Wood, also a Shade. 

Herbert, formerly a Christen-­
Name, now a Sirname, either 
from the AS. Here, an Ar­
my, and Beorht, bright, 
or Beorhte, light, q.d.  the 
Glory of an Army; or as 
Verstegan hath it, from the 
same Here, an Army, and 
the Teut. Bericht, instru­
cted, (q.d. ) an expert Soul­
dier. 

Hereford, a Bishop's Sea, from 
the AS. Here, an Army, 
and Ford, i.e.  a Ford through 
which an Army passed. 

Hereswide, an Abbatess of Kent, 
not unlikely from the AS. 
Here, an Army, & the Teut. 
Weyden, to feed. She lived 
in the year 649. 

Hereward, from the AS. Here, 
an Army, and Ward, a 
Keeper. It answers the Gr. 
Straton and Archestratus. 

Herman; See Harman. 

Hermegild or Ermegild, a 
Christen-name frequent a­
mongst the Spanish Vice-­
Gothi, from the AS. Earme, 
Teut. Arm, a Poor man, a 
Beggar, and the AS. Gildan, 
to exhibit, or give, q.d.  an 
Almoner, he that giveth Alms 
to the Poor. 

Hermelinda, a Queen of the 
Longobardi; from the AS. 
Earme, Teut. Arm an in­
digent Person, and Lind, 
mild; q.d.  kind to the 
Poor. 

Hermenegild, the Son of Levi­
gildus, King of the Spanish 
Vice-Gothi, from the AS. 
Hereman, Teut. Heerman, 
a Souldier, and the AS. 
Gildan, to pay, q.d.  one 
that payeth his Souldiers 
well. 

Hermenericus, the first King 
of the Spanish Swedes, from 
the Germ. Hereman, a Soul­
dier, and Ric, rich, (i.e.) 
one that is furnished with 
numerous Forces. 

Hermenfridus, King of the 
Turingi, either from the Teut. 
Armen, Ermen, Poor men, 
and Fride Peace, q.d.  the 
Patron of the Poor; or from 
Heremen Souldiers, and 
Fride, Peace. 

Hermingard, a Womans Christ. 
Name, from the AS. Earme, 
Teut. Arm, in the Pl: 
Armen, Poor men, and 
Gard, a Keeper, (i.e.) 
 


she that preserveth the 
Poor.  

Hermiones, the third Division 
of Germany. Adr. Jun. draws 
it from the Teut. Her-mid­
woners, the Inhabitants of 
the midst of the Island. 

Hermundory, a People in Ger­
many adjoining to the Catti. 
Adr. Jun. supposeth them to 
be so call'd, quasi Arm-und­
frey, Belg. Vrii, (i.e.) Poor 
and Free. 

Hern, a Sirname, which in the 
AS. signifieth a Cottage, or 
House, saith Camden. 

Herst, in Sussex, from the AS. 
Hyrst, a Wood. 

Hertford, a County Town, in 
the AS. Herudford, (i.e.) 
the Red Ford. 

Herthus, as Tacitus relateth, the 
God of the ancient Germans, 
so call'd either from Earth, 
or Hearth, which see in the 
Com. Names; It answers 
the Romans Vesta, by the Gr. 
call'd Ἐστία, which signifies a 
Fire-hearth. 

Herty Point, in Devonshire. It 
was formerly call'd Hercules's 
Foreland, or Promontory. 

Herton, Hercules Town; also 
Hertlond a Village, (i.e.) 
the Land of Hercules, not 
because Hercules ever arriv'd 
at this place, for he ne'r came 
further than the Gades, and 
the Sea, which after his 
Name was called the Hercu­
lean Sea; but because some 
Temple was here erected in 
honour of him. 

Herwin, a Christ. Name, from 
the AS. Here, an Army, 
and Win, a Conquerour, this 
from Winnan, to overcome, 
or from the same Here, 
and Wine, beloved. It an­
swers the Lat. Vincentius, and the 
Gr. Nicostratus and Phi­
lostratus. 

Hewald or Ewald, from the 
AS. Æ, Law, and Wealdan, 
to rule. It answers the Gr. 
Dicæarchus. 

Hexam, in Northumberland, by 
Beda call'd Hangustaid; I 
rather think it ought to be 
written Hagulstad, former­
ly call'd Hextoldesham, from 
the River Hextold. It was 
heretofore a Bishop's Sea. 
Somnerus draws it from the 
AS. Hægsteald, a Batchel­
lour, for an Order of Monks 
called the Culdei or Calidei 
all liv'd a single life here 
with the Bishop. 

Higgins, Huggins, and Hut­
chinson, a Contract of Hugh, 
q.d.  little Hugh, or Hugh's 
Son; for the termination in 
signifies a Son, as saith Æl­
fricus. 

Higham, in Sussex, that is to 
say, an high House, or Habi­
tation. 

St. Hilda, an Abbatess, from 
the AS. Hilde, affection, or 
desire. She liv'd in the 
year 639. 

Hildebert, a Christen-Name, 
from the Teut. Held, a Nobleman, 
 


and the AS. Beorht, 
famous.  

Hildebrand, a King of the Lon­
gobardi of Italy, from the 
Teut. Held, a Nobleman, and 
the AS. Brand, a firebrand, 
(i.e.) he that destroyeth the 
Enemy's Fields with fire; 
or, as Kilian saith, an Incen­
diary, one that eggeth on 
the Nobles; or from the old 
Cimbr. Helt. Teut. Held, a 
Nobleman, and Bren, an 
Helmet. 

Hildegard, the Christ. Name 
of a Woman, from the old 
Teut. Hilde, Love, (from 
which came the AS. Hold, 
a Sweet-heart) and Gart for 
Garten, a Garden, q.d.  a 
Garden of love, according to 
Aventinus. I had rather draw 
it from the Belg. Hulde, fa­
vour, and Gard, a Keeper, 
(i.e.) she that keeps in favour 
with every body. 

Hilderic, a French King; more 
frequently written Childe­
ric, by adding C for Cy­
ning, a King; deriv'd ei­
ther from the AS. Hilde, 
Desire, and Ric, a Kingdom; 
or from the Teut. Hulde, fa­
vour, and the same Ric, Teut. 
Reich, a Kingdom, or Ric 
rich; or from the Teut. 
Held, a Nobleman, and the 
same Ric, or Reich, rich. 

Hilperic, a King of France, 
from the AS. Helpe, help, 
and Ric, rich, q.d.  a rich or 
free Helper; In the French 
Annals it is written Chilpe­
ric, by adding C, for Cy­
ning, a King, q. d. King 
Hilperic. 

St. Hincmar, an Archbishop of 
Mentz in Germany, not un­
likely from the Teut. Hinc­
ken, to halt, and Meyer, a 
Mayor, or Prelate; It an­
swers the Lat. Claudius. 

Hith, in the County of Kent, 
one of the five Ports; from 
the AS. Hyð, a Port, κατ' 
ἐξοχὴν. 

Hobkins, or Hopkins a Di­
minutive of Hobs, as that 
is of Robert, q.d.  little 
Robert. 

Hobs, formerly a Christen-­
Name, but now a Sirname, 
a Corr. of Robert; which see. 

Hockley in the hole, in the 
County of Bedford, from the 
AS. Hoc, dirt, and Leag, 
a Pasture, q.d.  a dirty 
field. 

Hogarth a Sirname, from the 
AS. Heah, high and Geard, 
earth; or from the Belg. 
Hoogh, high, & Aerd, nature: 
or, lastly, from the same 
hoogh, high, and our word 
Heart.  

Hodgekins, corrupted from 
Hodges, and this from Roger, 
q.d.  little Roger. 

Hodges, a Sirname, though here­
tofore it was a Christ. Name, 
Corr. from Roger; which 
see. 
 

 
Hodson, a Sirname, (i.e.) 
the Son of Hod, or Otto; 
which see. 

Hoel Dha, (i.e.) the good 
Prince, or Lawgiver of the 
North Part of Wales: Some 
there are that draw Hoel 
from the Gr. Helius.  

Holderness, in Yorkshire, by 
Ptolemy called the Promon­
tory Ocellum, from the C. Br. 
Ykill, a Foreland. By a cer­
tain Monk it is call'd the hole 
Deira; See hole and Deira 
in their places. 

Holdward; see Howard be­
neath. 

Holland, in Linc. Ingulphus, 
writes it Hoiland, q.d.  hol­
low Land, because it abounds 
with Ditches full of Water; 
see Hole in the Com. Names. 
Adr. Jun. draws the other 
Holland beyond the Sea from 
the Belg. Hoy, Hey, Houw, 
Hay, and Land, q.d.  a 
Country that affordeth store 
of Hay; the same Author in 
another place more probably 
Conjectures that the Danes 
that conquered it, call'd it 
Olandia, from an Isle in the 
Balthick Sea, of the same 
name, and this he draweth 
from the Cimbr. Ol, Ale, 
and Land, q.d.  Aleland. 

Holm Castle in Surrey, q.d.  a 
Castle in an Holm; see Holm 
in the Com. Names. 

Holmsdale in Surrey, from the 
AS. Holm, an Holm, and 
Dale, a Valley, for it a­
bounds in fruitful Pastures. 

Holm Pierpont, in Nott. the 
Residence of the famous Mar­
quis of Dorset; Holm signi­
fies a place encompassed with 
Rivers, Pierpont, a Stone 
Bridge, from the Fr. G. Pierre 
a Stone, and Pont a Bridge. 

Holstein, from the Belg. Holt, 
Hout, Teut. Holtz, Wood, 
and Stein, a Stone, q.d.  a 
Country where there is plen­
ty of Wood and Stone. 

Honnyton, in Devonsh. so called 
quasi Honey-Town.  

Honoric, a King of the Vandals 
in Africk; the same with 
Huneric and Henry; which 
see. 

Hope, a Sirname, perhaps from 
the AS. Hofe, an House, 
Cave, or Farm. 

Hope Castle in Flintsh. C. Br. Caer Gurley. V. Hope be­
fore. 

Horden, a Sirname. Camden ex­
pounds it a Steward, and 
derives it from our Eng. 
Hoard, Treasure, q.d.  the 
Steward of ones Substance. 

Horn, the Metropolis of West-­
Freezland, a famous City and 
Port; Adr. Jun. a Citizen, 
and the Glory thereof, sup­
poseth that it is so called 
from a great Inn in the Mar­
ket-Place, having the Horn 
for a Sign; or because their 
Coat of Arms had upon it 
the figure of an Horn. 

Horn Church in Essex, formerly 
call'd Horn-Minster; so call'd 
because on the East part 
 


of the Church certain pieces 
of Lead jutt forth like unto 
Horns.  

Horsa, a famous Saxon Com­
mander, Brother to Hengist; 
so called from the figure of
 an Horse, which he and his 
 Brother had upon their Coats 
 of Arms; see Hengist above, 
 and Horse in the common 
 Names. 

Horsham, in Sussex, from Horsa 
the Brother of Hengist, a fa­
mous Saxon Captain. 

Horsted, a Village in Kent, from 
Horsa the Saxon, whose 
Corps were there burned. 

Hoskins, the same with 
Hodgekins. 

How or Hoo, a Sirname; Cam­
den saith, that it signifies an 
high place, from the Teut. 
Hoch, high. 

Howard, the Sirname of a 
great and illustrious Family. 
According to Spelman, quasi 
Hofward, i.e.  the Warden 
of an Hall; or according to 
Verstegan, quasi Hold ward, 
i.e.  the Keeper of a Strong 
Hold, or he that is set over 
the Ward or Watch: Or 
from the AS. Hold, a Tri­
bune, and Ward, Ward or 
Custody. It might formerly 
imply as much as the word 
Marquess; which see in 
the Common Names. Or it 
may be drawn from the AS. 
Hold, Hospitality, & Ward, 
q.d.  kind to Strangers: 
or it is so call'd q. Here­
ward, the Keeper, or Pillar 
of an Army. It may also be 
taken from the Teut. Hoch, 
high, and Ward, a War­
der, as Camden has it; or 
from the old Teut. Hold, 
favour, and werd worthy, as
saith Kilian. 

Howburn, in Scotland, from 
the AS. Hæg, or Haga, a 
Field, and Bourn; which 
see in the Com. Names. 

Howel, a Sirname. Camden 
draws it from the Gr. 
Helius.  

Hoxon, in Suff. formerly He­
gilsdon, memorable for the 
Martyrdom of St. Edmund, a 
King; perhaps by a Meta­
thesis for Haligtun, (i.e.) an 
Holy Town, or the Town of 
an Holy Man. 

Hubald, perhaps formerly Hu­
wald, at first a Christen-­
Name, but now a Sirname, 
from the AS. Hiwe, a Family, 
& Wealdan, to govern, q.d.  
an Housholder. 

Hubert, a Christen-Name, from 
the AS. Hewe, colour, and 
Beorht, clear. 

Huet, the Diminutive of the 
Christen-Name Hugh; which 
see. 

Hugh, a Christen-Name, from 
our English word to Hew, 
according to Aventin. or from 
the Teut. Hawen, formerly 
Hougen, to cleave. It may 
also be drawn from the 
Belg. Hoogh, Teut. Hoch, 
 

 
high. It answers the Latin 
Celsus.  

St. Hulda, a Prophetess, from 
the Teut. Huld, Hulde, sa­
vour; It answers our word 
Grace, a Christen-Name, 
frequently given to Women. 

Huldericus, if it be not the 
same with Ilderic, or Hil­
deric, which see, I may draw 
it from the Teut. Hulden, to 
honour one with his Vote, 
and Ric, Rich, q.d.  such an 
one whose Vote will go far 
in ones favour. 

Hulet, a Sirname, from the 
Fr. G. Houlette, a Shepherd's 
Crook. 

Hull, a River, from whence 
that famous Fortification in 
Yorkshire, formerly called 
Kingston upon Hull, takes 
its name; because it is situ­
ate upon the mouth of this 
River, where it disembogueth 
it self into Abus or Humber. 
It may be drawn from the 
Teut. Heulen, Belg. Huylen, 
to howl, from the noise it 
maketh when it meets with 
the Sea. 

Hulsok, a Sirname, q. d. the 
Son of Vlric, or Huldric.  

Humber, a famous River where 
the Tide cometh at fixed 
times, as in the Thames, by 
Ptolemy call'd Abus, in the AS. 
Humbre, Humbre Ea, 
the water Humber, not from 
Humber a King slain there, 
as is commonly believed, but 
as Somnerus hath it, from 
Humming, because the wa­
ters thereof make a great 
huzzing at the flowing and 
ebbing of the Tide. Leland 
taketh it to be a Contract of 
Humm, and Aber, which in 
the C. Br. signifieth the mouth 
of a River. 

Humbert, the last Prince of 
Vienna Narbonensis; Kilian 
exp. it Vnwert, (i. e.) not 
dear. I would rather draw 
it from our word Home, 
which see in the Common 
Names, & the AS. Beorht, 
famous, q.d.  one that is mag­
nificent at Home, or that 
liveth sumptuously, or keeps 
a good House. 

Humfrey, a Christen-Name, 
from our word Home, and 
the AS. Frede, Frið; 
Peace, that is to say, one 
that maketh Peace at home. 

Huneric, according to Kilian, 
and Jun. it is derived from 
the Teut. Hun, an Hen, and 
the AS. Ric, rich; one that has 
many Cocks and Hens. See 
Henry. 

Hungerford, in Barkshire, here­
tofore Ingleford, perhaps so 
called, quasi Engla-ford, 
(i.e.) the Ford of the English. 

Hunsden, in Herefordsh. possi­
bly from the AS. Hunde, a 
Hound, and Dune, an Hill, 
q.d.  the Hounds Town, or 
Hill; because it was a place, 
whither many perhaps re­
sorted to hunt. 
 

 
Huntington, a County-Town, 
by Marianus Huntantun, else­
where Huntersdune, (i.e.) 
the Mount of Hunters; for­
merly Amesbury, as it were 
Arnulphs bury, from Ar­
nulph, an Holy man that 
was there interr'd. 

Hurn or Hyrn, a Sirname; 
Ælfricus exp. it a Corner. It 
may be deriv'd from the AS. 
Hyrn, horn, for a Corner 
is generally crooked like a 
Horn. 

Hurst, or Hyrst, a Sirname, 
also the name of a Castle. 
Camden interpreteth it a 
Wood. It may be derived 
from the AS. Hyrsta, Horse 
trappings. 

Hurstly, from the AS. Hurst, 
which as Camden saith, sig­
nifies a Wood, and Leag, 
with us a Lea, or Ley, a 
Field unplow'd. 

Hussey, a Sirname; from the 
Fr. G. Housse, a sordid Gar­
ment: also Housse, one that 
hath such a Cloak on. 
 

I 
IAmes, a Christen-Name, 
from the Lat. Jacobus, 
yet more immediatly 
corrupted from the Hisp. Jayme, or the It. Gia­
como, the same; and all from 
the Hebrew Name Iacob im­
plying a Supplanter, because 
Jacob cunningly deceived 
his Brother. 

Iane, a Christen-Name of a 
Woman, in the Fr. G. Geanne, 
a corruption of Ioan, which 
see in its place, if it may not 
rather come of the Lat. 
Jana, answering the Man's 
Name Janus.  

Iasper, or Gaspar, a Christen-­
Name, the Name of one of 
the Wise men that came to 
worship our Saviour, (if we 
may credit Chronology) and 
if so, it must needs be of an 
Arab. Original , for the Wise 
men are thought to have 
come out of Arabia. 

Iceni, a People of Brit. from 
the C. Br. Iken, a Wedge, for 
this Region is extended to­
ward the Ocean in the form 
of a Wedge. This People 
had in Possession the Coun­
tries of Suffolk, Norfolk, Cam­
bridge, and Huntingdon. 

Long Iehindon, in Warw. for­
merly Vchindon, not unlikely 
 

 
from the AS. Wyc, 
Wycing, a Sanctuary, and 
Dune, or Tun, an Hill, or 
Town.  

Ienks, Ienkins, Ienkin­
son, corrup. and contract. 
from Iohn, q.d.  the Son 
of John. 

Iennings, the Diminutive of 
the Christen-Name Iohn; 
or as Th. H. telleth us, 'tis 
derived from the Fr. G. 
Jannin.  

Iessop, formerly a Christen-­
Name, but now a Sirname, 
corrupted from the Heb. 
Ioseph.  

Iew, from the Fr. G. Juif. 
Belg. Iode, Teut. Jud, all 
from the Lat. Judæus, the 
same. 

Iewry, Palaestina, Judæa, or the Holy Land; and in a 
Secondary sence, a Street in 
London, where the Jews dwelt 
together formerly. There 
is found in an ancient Tran­
slation of the French Bible 
Iuerie, of the very same 
sence, so that it is thought, 
that, He, whom we call a 
Iew, was heretofore in the 
Fr. G. called un Jüe, though 
at this day both the words 
are out of use, and Juif is 
written in the room of the 
word Jüe. 

St. Iies, in Cornw. (i.e.) the 
Temple of Jie, an Irish Saint 
so called. 

Ikeneld Street, one of the Roman Circuits, q.d.  the Gate of the Iceni.  

Ilchester, formerly Ivelche­
ster, a Town in Somers. from 
the River Ivel, upon or by 
which it is built: by Floren. 
of Worcester, Gwelcester; by 
Nenn. call'd Pont-Ivel-Coit, that is to say, Ivel Bridge in the Wood. 

Ildericus, the last King but ­
one of the Vandals of Africa. 
Adr. Jun. derives it from the 
Belg. Elder, or Ilder, an 
Udder, and Ric, Rich, that 
is, rich in Cattle. But if his 
right Name was Hilderic, as 
some write it, I had rather 
draw it from Held, a Noble­
man, and the AS. Ric, Rich, 
that is, one that had many 
Nobles within his Kingdom. 

Ildobaldus, a King of the 
Ostro-Gothi of Italy, not un­
likely from the AS. Eald, Æld, an Old man, and Bold, 
Bold, q.d.  a stout, courage­
ous Old man. 

Ilekely, in Yorkshire, by Pto­
lemy call'd Olicana, by adding 
thereto the AS. Term. Ley, 
a Pasture. V. Lea. 

Immeric, a King of Kent, de­
rived from the Teut. Im­
mer, ever, and the AS. 
Ric, Rich, q.d.  ever, or 
always rich. 

Inchkeith, an Isle in Scotland, 
in the C. Br. it sign. Guith, 
a Separation, for it is thought 
to have been parted from 
the rest of Scotland, by the 
force of the Sea. 
 

 
Ingævones, the third Division 
of the Germans, as Tacitus 
writes, from the Teut. Woh­
nen, Gewohnen, to dwell, 
and the prefix In, for they 
were Inhabitants of the in­
ner or middle Part of Ger­
many. 

Ingram, a Christen-Name, a 
Contract of Engelram, this 
from the AS. Engel, an 
Angel, and perhaps, Rein, 
Purity, that is, of an Ange­
lical Purity; or from In, 
and Gram, angry, (i.e.) 
very furious, according to 
Aventinus. 

Ingulphus, an Abbot of Crow­
land, and an Historian; not 
unlikely from the AS. Enge, 
a Straight, and Ulph, help. 
q.d.  a present help in times 
of adversity. 

St. Iohn's Foreland, in Ire­
land, by Ptolem. Isanium, from 
the C. Br. Isa, signifying ve­
ry Low. 

Iolland, or Iollan, formerly 
a Christen-Name, but now a 
Sirname, corrupted from the 
Lat. Julianus, Julian.  

Ioscelin, a Christen-Name, as 
the Lat. Justulinus, as Justu­
lus, Justinus, and Justilianus, 
all from Justus.  

Ipswich, a famous Port 
and Place of Trading in Suffolk, 
in the AS. Gipswich, which, 
according to Somnerus, was 
heretofore written Gypes­
wic, from the River Gyp­
ping, and this from the AS. 
Noun Geap, crooked, to 
wit, from its winding Cur­
rent; and Wic, a Bay, Port, 
or Haven. 

Irchenfeld, in Herefordsh. in 
the Doomesday-Book, Ar­
chenfeld. Somner. saith that 
it was formerly written Ir­
cingafeld, (i.e.) the Ur­
chins Field; see Vrchin 
and Field in the Common 
Names. 

Ireland, by the Natives call'd 
Erin, by Orpheus, Aristotle, 
and Claudian, Jerne; by Eusta­
thius, Οὐερνία, in the C. Br. 
Yverden, from the Hib. Hiere, 
the West, for it is the far­
thest West of any Isle in 
Europe, and ought rather to 
be call'd Iberia or Hesperia, 
from Hesperus the Evening 
Star rising in the West. Wa­
raeus draws it from the Iberi, 
the first Inhabitants thereof. 
Bochartus from the Phœnic. 
Ibernae, (i.e.) the uttermost 
Habitation. 

Irmenseal, the God of the 
ancient Germans; in Versteg. 
Ermensewl. Jun. will have 
it to be written Hermonstal, 
from the Teut. Herr, Belg. 
Heer, a Lord, Mon the 
Moon, and Stal, a Stall, or 
Seat. Verstegan, who makes 
him the same with the Mer­
cury of the Romans, derives 
the Name better from the 
Teut. Armen, Poor men, 
 

 
and Seale, a Pillar, (i.e.) the 
Pillar, or refuge for the Poor. 
Spelman likewise supposeth 
that it should rather be call'd 
Hermenseal, from Hermes 
that is Mercury, and the same 
Seale, a Pillar, or Statue.  

Isabel, a Christen-Name of a 
Woman, by the Spaniards 
and Italians; contracted from 
Elisabeth, q.d.  Elisa-bella, 
pretty Bess. 

Isbrand, Adr. Jun. derives it 
from the Teut. Eysen, Belg. 
Iisen, Iron, and the old 
Goth. Bren, an Helmet; that 
is to say, one Armed with
an Helmet of Iron. I had 
rather draw it from the 
same Germ. Eysen, Iron, and 
our Eng. Brand, a Torch, 
q.d.  a searing Iron. 

Iselste, a City in Holland, from 
the River Isel, (which Jun. 
makes one and the same 
with Sala of the Franks) and 
Stein, a Stone. 

Islington, formerly Iseldon, 
a Village near the Suburbs of 
London, perhaps from the AS. 
Gisel, an Hostage or Inn 
for Entertainment, & Dune, 
or Tun, a Bank, or Town. 

Islip in Oxfordsh. memorable 
for the Birth of Edward the 
Confessour; from the AS. 
Gest, a Guest, and Leof, 
dear, q.d.  an Hospitable 
Town, kind to Strangers. 

Istevones, a Third Division 
of Germany, as Tacitus writes, 
from the Ger. Est, the East, 
and Wonen, Gewonen, to 
inhabit, q.d.  Est-Woners, 
(i.e.) Inhabitants of the Ea­
stern Quarter. The same 
with Ingævones before. 

Iubilius, a King of the Her­
munduræ, Co-temporary with 
Claud. Nero; perhaps from 
the Belg. Guftel, free, libe­
ral, and this from the Verb 
to give; which see in the 
Com. Names. 

Ivel, a River in Somersetshire,
which joining with another 
running the same way into 
the Sea, is then by Ptolemy 
call'd Uzella, now Evell­
mouth. 

 

 
K 
KAtlage, formerly Kid­
lington, perhaps from 
the AS. Cat, a Cat, 
and Leag, a Pasture, 
or Field. 

Kellenton, in Westm. by An­
tonin. Gallana, or Callana, by 
adding the Term. ton, which 
signifies a Town. 

Kelnsey, in Yorkshire, which 
is derived from the Lat. 
Ocellum, by adding the AS. 
Termination sey, which 
comes from Ea, water, i.e.  
an Isle, or Land lying next 
to the Water. 

Kemp, a Sirname, from the 
AS. Cempa, a Souldier. 

Kenard, a Christen-Name, 
Cambd. derives it from Kind, 
and the Belg. Aerd, Nature. 
It may be better drawn from 
Keen, AS. Cene, Sharp, 
and Aerd, Nature, i.e.  one 
acute and ingenious by Na­
ture: See Keen in the Com. 
Names. 

Kenchester, in the County of 
Heref. by Anton. call'd Arico­
nium out of the Ruins where­
of Hereford was built. 

Kendale, or rather, Kandale, 
in Westm. (i.e.) a Dale by 
the River Kan, which runs 
close by it. 

Kenham, formerly a Christen-­
Name, now a Sirname; de­
rived from the Welsh name 
Cynan or Conan, as saith Cam­
den. If it be not a corrup­
tion of the AS. Kenhelm, 
which see beneath. 

St. Kenhelm, a King of the 
English-Saxons. Camden sup­
poseth it to be so call'd q. 
Kindhelm, that is, the Hel­
met, or Protector of his 
Kindred , or Relations. Ver­
stegan draws it from the 
AS. Cyning, a King, and 
Helm, an Helmet or Head-­
piece. 

Kennet, in Wiltshire; in the AS. 
Cynetan, in the Lat. Cu­
nelio, the name of a River. 
We have very likely deri­
ved the name from the 
Welsh . 

Kenneth, a King of the Scots, 
unless it be of a Scoto-Hib. 
Original , (which I suspect) 
it may be drawn from the 
AS. Cennan, to know, or 
own a thing, and the Belg. 
Eed, AS. Að, an Oath, that 
 


is, one that owneth, and viola­
teth not his Oath.  

Kenred, or rather Cenred, a 
King of Northumberland, from 
the AS. Cene, courageous, 
and Rede, counsel, i. e.
one that is bold in Counsel. 

Kenric, or rather Cenric, 
King of the West-Saxons, 
from the AS. Cene, bold, 
warlike, valiant, and Rice, 
a Kingdom, or Ricsian, to 
rule, or reign, q.d.  a valiant 
Ruler. 

Kent, in the AS. Cent, from 
whence Centise, a Kentish 
man. Lambard, draws it 
from the C. Br. Caine, a 
Leaf, because it formerly a­
bounded in Woods. Camden 
draws it from the Fr. G. Can­
ton, a corner, because Eng­
land, in this place stretcheth 
out it self in a corner toward 
the North-east; and hence 
it is; that such a corner in 
Scotland is call'd Cantire, and 
that the Inhabitants of ano­
ther corner in Scot. are by 
Ptol. call'd Canta. 

Kenwulph, or Cenulph, a 
King of the West-Saxons, 
Founder of Wincham Abby in 
 Gloc. from the AS. Cene, 
bold, valiant, and Ulph, 
help. 

Kester, in Linc. formerly in 
the AS. 'twas call'd Dwang­
ceaster, from the AS. 
Dwang, a Thong, & ceas­
ter, a Town, or Castle so 
call'd, because Vortigern King 
of the Britans, gave Hengist 
the Saxon so much ground 
in this place, as he could 
compass about with an Oxes 
Hide cut into as small 
Thongs as could be: Thong 
Castle. 

Kesteven, in Linc. perhaps cor­
rupted from the ancient 
Name Gausenna, or from 
the AS. Ceosl, Gravel, or 
Sand. 

Keston, a small Village in Kent, 
where Cæsar, then Dictator, 
had a Conflict with the Bri­
tains; in the AS. 'twas call'd 
Cesars-tun, Cæsar 's Town, 
in imitation of the Gr. Cæ
saria. 

Kettleby, the Name of a Town 
in Linc. derived from the AS. 
Ketel, a Kettle, and By, 
an Habitation; because per­
haps this place was formerly 
much noted for such kind of 
Workmanship. 

St. Kew, possibly the same with 
St. Kibius the Britain. 

Kilkenny in Ireland, so called 
from Cella a Cell, and Cani­
cus a holy Hermit that lived 
therein. 

Killian, a River in Scotland, 
heretofore called Kelin.  

Killingworth, in Warw. for­
merly Kenelworth, from a 
Kenel or Ditch hard by it. 

Kimbolton, in Hunt. formerly 
Kinnivantum, from the ini­
tial of the old name Kin, the 
AS. Bolde, a Village, and 
Ton, a Town. 
 

 
Kinburgh, the Christen Name 
of a Woman; Camden draws 
it from our Eng. Kin, and 
the AS. Borh, a Surety, 
that is, she that engageth for 
her Kindred. 

Kingils, a King of the West-­
Saxons, from the AS. Cyne, 
Kingly, and Gælsa, Luxu­
ry. 

Kingsdelf, in Hunt. a great 
Ditch, which King Canutus 
caused to be digged at his 
own great charges; so call'd 
from King, and Delve; 
which see in the Common 
Names. Kingsdelf, quasi 
Kings ditch. 

Kingston in Surrey; in the 
time of the Danish Wars it 
was the Seat of the English-­
Saxon Kings, in which three 
Kings were Crown'd, from 
King, and Ton, for Town, 
q.d.  Kings Town. 

Kinton, or Kenton in Warw. i.e.  
Kines Town, from Kine 
and Town, which see. 

Kinulph, rather Cenulph or Cinulph, a King 
of the West-Saxons; from the AS. 
Cene, strong, bold, and 
Ulph, help. 

Kirk Oswald, in Cumb. (i.e.) 
the Church of Oswald, a King 
and Martyr, in whose honour 
a Temple was here erected, 
which bears his Name 
to this day. Vulgarly Kirk 
Vzzald. 

Kirk Patrick in Scotl. that is 
to say, the Church of St. Pa­
trick.  

Kirton in Linc. from a Stately 
Church there erected by A­
lexander Bishop of Lincoln, 
q.d.  Kirk Town.  

Knevet, Nom. Gent. corrup­
ted from the old Name Du­
venet, saith Camden, which 
perhaps cometh of the Fr. G. 
Duvet soft feathers, where­
with Bolsters are filled. 

Knoc Fergus in Ireland, (i.e.) 
Mount of Fergus; Careg 
Fergus, (i.e.) the Crag, or 
Rock of Fergus, so call'd 
from King Fergusius.  

Knoc Patrick, in Irel. (i.e.) 
St. Patrick 's Mount. 

Knolles Pacis in Scotl. Duni 
Pacis, (i.e.) the Hills of 
Peace, from AS. Cnolle, 
the top of a Mountain, and 
Pax, peace; see Downes in 
the Com. Names. 

Knolls, a Sirname, from the 
AS. Cnolle, the top of an 
Hill. 

Knotsford in Chesh. that is to 
say, the Ford of King Ca­
nutus.  

Krich, a Sirname, from the C. 
Br. Krisp, curled, or twirl'd 
up. It answers the Lat. Cri­
spianus, or Crispus.  

 


L 
LAde, a Sirname; Camden 
expounds it an Aquæ­
duct, or Conduit-Pipe, 
from the AS. Lada, 
Water Lada, signifying 
the same; this from Water, 
Water, and Laedan, to Lead. 

Lambert, formerly a Christ. 
Name, but now a Sirname, 
either from the Engl. Lamb, 
and the AS. Beorht, fair, 
as saith Camden; or as Ver­
steg. hath it, q.d.  Lamb 
heart; having a gentle inno­
cent heart like a Lamb. 
Kilian exp. it Lang Werd, 
(i.e.) Long in favour, Isle­
bius, Landbrecht, that is, 
a Breaker of Land. 

Lambeth, in Surrey, formerly 
Lomehith, (i.e.) the Loam 
Port or Wharf. But Loam 
for Mudd, not being found 
in Somner. I may draw it from 
Lamb hith (i.e.) the Lambs 
Port or Wharf. 

Lancaster, the Shire-Town; 
better, as the Inhabitants 
pronounce it, Loncaster; by 
the Scots Longcastell, from 
the River Lon, and the AS. 
Ceaster, a Castle. 

Lancelot, a fictitious Christen-­
Name; perhaps from the 
Teut. Lansz, or the Lat. 
Lancea, a Spear; or from 
the Belg. Laeten, to Cast, 
q.d.  an Horseman armed with 
a Spear. 

Lancels, in Cornwall, not im­
probably from the old Fr. G. 
Lancelle, a Lancet. 

Landaff in Glam. (i. e.) the 
Church upon the River Taff; 
a Bishop's See. 

Landulph, from the AS. Land, 
ones Country, and Ulph, 
help, q.d.  one that fighteth 
for his Country. 

Laney, Nom. Gent. from the 
old Fr. G. yet used in Savoy, 
Lanoy, a kind of Hawk; 
see Lanneret, or Lanard 
in the Com. Names. 

Lanfranc, from the AS. Land, 
a Land, and Franc, Free, 
that is to say, made a Free 
Denizen of a place. 

Lange, in Lanc. in the AS. 
Billangho, memorable for 
a signal overthrow given 
Captain Wade a Rebel, by 
Ardulph King of Northum­
berland. 

Langport, in the County of 
Somerset, (i.e.) the long 
Port.  
 

 
Langworth, in Linc. from the 
AS. Lang, long, & Weorð, 
for Weorðig, a Village. 

Lanladron, Nom. Gent. per­
haps from the C. Br. Lain, a 
Sword, and Ladd, to slay. 

Lanthony, an ancient Abby 
in Monm. q. Lanthodeney, from 
Lhan an Abby, or Ecclesiasti­
cal Place, and the River Hode­
ney, as saith Girald a Welsh 
Interpreter; also Lahn Devi 
Hodeney, (i.e.) St. David's 
upon Hodeney. 

Lan Vethlin, or Methlin, in 
Montgomer. (i.e.) Methlin 
Church; by Antoninus, Medio­
lanum, q.d.  a Town between 
two Brooks or little Rivers. 

Lanwitham, a River in Cornw. 
perhaps from the C. Br. 
Llenwi, to fill up. 

Latimer, a Sirname; from the 
Fr. G. Latinier, a Latiner, 
i.e.  He that can translate 
any Tongue into Latin, for 
in the time of the Romans, 
Interpreters were wont to 
turn every strange Tongue 
into Latin, that Language 
being known to all in a man­
ner, as Menagius relateth 
it. 

Launston, in Cornw. a Con­
tract of Lanstaphodon, which 
in their Dialect signifieth 
as much as St. Stephen 's 
Church. 

Law, a Scotish Sirname , which 
among them signifieth an 
Hill. 

Lawson, a Sirname, q. d. Law­
renceson, (i.e.) the Son of 
Lawrence.  

Lazzi, among the ancient Ger­
man Saxons, it signified Li­
bertines, or such as were 
made free, said Nithard. in 
his Hist. Francorum; drawn 
from the Teut. Freylassen, 
or Freygelassen, made free. 
See Adhling. 

Lea, a River in Hertf. formerly 
Lygean, i.e.  Lyg-ea, or the 
River Lyg.  

Lechlade, formerly a Town in 
Gloc. in which there was a 
famous Latin School, which 
with Crekelade, (i.e.) a 
Greek School, King Ælfred 
removed to Oxford, when he 
built that University. Som­
nerus supposeth that this 
Town was call'd in the AS. 
Leuegelade, or Leuelade, 
and he derives it from the 
AS. Leccian, to water, and 
Ladian, to Purge; see 
Crekelade, or Creccelade. 

Ledbury, in Heref. from the 
River Ledden, and Bury, 
which see in the Common 
Names. 

Lee, Ley, or Leigh, a Sir­
name, either from the C. Br. 
le, a place, or from the AS. 
Ley, Leag, Lege, Land 
unplow'd for some years, 
Lee, or Ley as it is call'd in 
the North of England. 

Leeds in Yorkshire, in the AS. 
Loydis, heretofore the Kings 
of Northumberland's Palace; 
not unlikely from the AS. 
Leode, Teut. Leut, People; 
all from the Greek Λα#x1F78;ς, 
 


Λεὼς, q.d.  a populous Ci­
ty.  

Leerdam, a City in Holland, 
perhaps from the AS. Lær, 
Gelær, empty, Teut. Lar, 
Lehr, the same, and our 
English word Dam.  

Leland, a Sirname, made fa­
mous by our famous Anti­
quarian of that Name; from 
the AS. Leag, a Pasture, 
and Land.  

Le Herbert, in Merionethshire, 
(i.e.) Herbert's Way, from 
Herbert an Earl of Pembr. 
that with much ado made 
his way over the Mountains 
there. 

Leicester, the County Town. 
Matth. Par. writes it Lege­
cester; this Camden surmiseth 
to be the same with Nennius's 
Caer Lerion: It may be 
derived perhaps from the 
AS. Leagceaster, which 
again is derived from the 
AS. Leag, which signifies 
Ground laid fallow, and 
ceaster, a Town or Castle, 
it being built hard by a Com­
mon. 

Lemster, in Heref. heretofore 
called Leon Minster, from 
a Lion, as some relate, 
which appear'd to a Monk in 
a Dream; or from Line which 
yieldeth great increase in 
this place. 

Lemster, a Province in Ireland; 
in the C. Br. Lein, by the 
Natives call'd Leighnigh, 
Ptolemy saith, that it was the 
Country of the Brigantes, Me­
napii, Cauchi, and Blanii; 
perhaps from the C. Br. Llam, 
a leap, or jump, or Llam­
mu, to leap, because it is 
full of Hills and uneven 
Places. 

Leneham, a Village in Kent, 
from the old word Durolenum 
in Anton. (i.e.) the water of 
the River Len, by adding 
the Termination Ham signi­
fying a Village. 

Lennox, a Province in Scot­
land, from the River Levin, 
which by Ptolem. is call'd 
Lelalonius. 

Leodegar, a Christen-Name, 
q.d.  Leodgard, i.e.  the 
Peoples Gard, from the 
AS. Leod, People, & Gard, 
which see in the Common 
Names; see also Luitgard, 
beneath. 

Leofhold, Versteg. draws it from 
the AS. Leof, Love, and 
Hold, faithful. 

Leofric, an Eng. Sax. Comman­
der of the Mercii, who com­
pass'd the City of Coventry 
about with that strong Wall, 
that was pull'd down some 
years since; from the AS. 
Leof, love, and Ric, a 
Kingdom, also rich, q.d.  
beloved of all, or rich in 
love. 

Leofstan, a Christen-Name; 
Camden saith that it is the 
Superlat. of Leof, dear. In 
 


the AS. Leofsta, i.e.  most 
dear: Or from the same 
Leof, dear, and Stan, a 
Stone, q.d.  a Precious Stone, 
or Jewel.  

Leofwin, a Christen-Name, 
from the AS. Leof, Love, 
and Win, a Victour, or 
Winnan, to obtain, q. d. 
one that obtains the love of 
every one. 

Leonard, a Christen-Name, 
from the AS. Leon, a Lion, 
and Aerd, nature, that is to 
say, one that hath a stout 
courage like a Lion. 

Leonegildus, the Christ. Name, 
of a King of the Spanish Vice-­
Gothi, from the AS. Leon, 
or Teut. Lowe, in the Plu­
ral Lowen, a Lion, and the 
AS. Gildan, to shew, (i.e.) 
he that makes a show of Li­
ons for the People to see it: 
or rather from the AS. Lean, 
Teut. Lohn, Dan. and Goth. 
Lon, a reward, and Gilfan, 
to give, (i e.) such an one as 
payeth his Souldiers accor­
ding to their deserts. 

Leopold, or Leodpold, either, 
as Camden hath it, from the 
AS. Leod, People, and Vp­
hold; or as Verstegan, from 
the AS. Leod, Dear, also 
Love, and Hold, that is, He 
that maintaineth Friendship 
and Concord It answers the 
Gr. Demosthenes. 

Leskerd, a River in Cornwall, 
perhaps from the C. Br. Llefg, 
low or gentle, and Cerdd, 
Musick, namely from the gen­
tle Humming noise it maketh 
in its course. 

L' Estrange, a Sirname, from 
the Fr. G. L' Estrange, an 
Alien, a Foreigner. 

Lettice, the Christ. Name of 
a Woman, from the Lat. Læ
titia, Joy; It answers to the 
Gr. Euphrosyne. 

Leveney, a River in Breckn, 
nigh to which was formerly 
a Town, which Ptolem. calls 
Loventium, by adding there­
to the AS. Term. Ey, for 
Ea, water; perhaps from the 
C. Br. Llewa, to Eat, because 
by overflowing its Banks it 
carrieth away some of the 
surface of the Neighbouring 
Fields. 

Leverton, a Village in Linc. 
q.d.  Leofrie 's Town, from 
Leofric an English-Saxon the 
Founder of it. 

Leveson, a Sirname, q.d.  Lewe­
son, i.e.  the Son of Lewis, 
which see. 

Levigildus, King of the Spa­
nish Vice-Gothi; from the old 
Belg. Leuwe, a Lyon, and 
Gild, a Fellow, according 
to Junius. 

Levin, formerly a Christ. name, 
but now a Sirname; a con­
tract of Leofwin, which see 
above. 

Leviston, a Sirname, a Cor­
ruption of the Christ. Name 
 

 
Leofstan, which see above: 
or from Levins, or Leof­
wins, by adding Ston.  

Lewes, a Port in Suss. from the 
AS. Læswe, a Pasture, it 
being surrounded on each 
side with good Pasture 
Lands. 

Lewis, a Christ. Name, im­
mediately from the Fr. G. 
Louis, or the It. Luigi; among 
the Venetians 'tis call'd Aluise; 
all from the Teut. Ludwig, 
the same; and this from the 
AS. Leod, Teut. Leute, Peo­
ple, and Wic, a Castle, or 
Fort, (i.e.) the Safeguard, 
or Support of the People. 

Lewlin, a Christ. Name fre­
quent among the Welsh , q.d.  
like a Lion. It answers the 
Gr. Leon and Leontius. 

Ley, a River in Essex, in 
the AS. Lygean, perhaps 
from the AS. Licgean, 
to Lie; because it runneth 
so softly, that one would 
think it stood still. 

Leyden, a famous City in Hol­
land, perhaps from the old 
AS. and C. Br. Lug, or the 
AS. Lich, a Lake, & Dune, 
an Hill, q.d.  an Hill envi­
ron'd with a Lake or Lough, 
which see, and also Downes 
in the Common Names. Adr. 
Jun. draws it from the Belg. 
Luyck, a Cloyster, and Dun, 
an Hill, or from Lege Du­
nen, from the lowness of the 
Hills. 

Leyton, in Essex, in the C. Br. 
Durolitum, (i.e.) a Town 
upon the River Ley.  

Lhan Badern vaur, in Cardi­
ganshire, that is to say, the 
Temple of Badern, the Great, 
or St. Badern the Bishop. 

Lhanberon, in Cornw. not un­
likely from the C. Br. Lhan, 
a Church, and Herwa to fly 
unto, q.d.  a Sanctuary, or 
place of refuge. 

Libertas de Anstie, in York­
shire, (i.e.) de Ancienty, 
which comes from the Fr. 
Anciente, or the Lat. Anti­
quitas.  

Lichfield, in Staff. a Bishop's 
See. Beda writes it Licid­
feld, which signifieth the 
Field of dead Bodies, be­
cause a great many here suf­
fer'd Martyrdom in Diocle­
sian's days. 'Tis derived from 
the AS. Lice, or Teut. Lich­
nam, a dead Carcass, and 
Field. Somnerus, draws it 
from the AS. Liccian, to 
lick, and the same Field; 
because it is as it were, lick­
ed by the River that runs 
by it. 

Lid, a River in Devonshire, from 
thence Lidstow, a Market, 
and Lidford, a Village upon 
the Ford of Lid; see Stow, 
and Ford, in the Common 
Names. 

Liege, from the Fr. Liege, the 
Teut. Luttich, Luttig, or 
Luck; or the Belg. Luick, 
a City, and Bishop's See, 
 


of the Eburones. See Leedes.  

Liffy, in Ireland, by Ptolem. 
Libnius, by Gyrald, a Welsh­
man, Aven Liff, that is to 
say, the River Liff.  

Lime, in Kent, by Anton. it is 
called Portus Lemanis, by 
Ptolem. Λιμὲν, a Port; whence 
Lime, a small Port in the 
County of Dorset, derives its 
Name. 

Lin, a River in the County of 
Nottingh. from the C. Br. 
Lhin, a Lake. 

Linn, King's Linn, or Linn 
Regis, a famous Town and 
Port in the County of Norf. 
with water surrounding it, 
for the Britains meant thus 
much by their word Llyn; 
and Regis was added to it, 
because in the time of King 
John, and Henry the Third, 
the Inhabitants hereof va­
liantly opposed the designs 
of some Rebels, maintain­
ing their King's part to the 
last. 

Lincoln, a Bishop's See; by 
Ptolem. and Anton. it is call'd 
Lindum, by Beda, Lindecolli­
num, in the AS. Lynde­
collyne, and Lind cyl­
lon-ceaster, in the C. Br. 
Lindcoit; from Llyn, a Lake, 
and the AS. Collyne, an 
Hill, because in the times of 
the English-Saxons it was all, 
or the greatest part of it built 
upon a Hill. 

Lindisfarn, heretofore a Bi­
shop's See; in the AS. 
call'd Lindesfearona-ea, 
i.e.  the Isle of Lindisfarn, 
which is to this day call'd 
the Holy Island, from some 
Holy men and Monks that 
dwelt there; perhaps from 
the AS. Linde, a Linden tree, 
or Lindene, made of Lin­
den, and Faer, an Entrance, 
or Fare, a way. 

Lindsey, in Lincolnsh. the grea­
test Quarter of this County, 
so call'd from Lindum, or Lin­
coln its chief City. 

Lionel, a Christ. Name, from 
Lion, with the dim. Term. el, 
(i.e.) a young Lion, or a 
little Lion. It answers to the 
Gr. Leontius. 

Lisard Point, in the County of 
Cornw. perhaps so called from 
some likeness it hath to a 
Lizard; see Lizard in the 
Com. Names. 

Lisle, a Sirname; from the 
Fr. G. Isle an Isle, by put­
ting before it L' with the 
note call'd Apostrophus. I 
suppose that it is rather de­
rived from L'isle, a famous 
City in Flanders. 

Listithel, in Cornw. by the In­
habitants Lest. Vthiell, by 
Ptolem. called Uzella; the 
Town formerly stood on an 
Hill, but now in a Valley, 
so that it might be so call'd 
from the C. Br. Uchel, 
high. 

Lith of Pickering, in York­
shire, (i.e.) the Liberty 
 

 
of Pickering, from the AS. 
Lið, a Member.  

Lithquo or Linlithquo, in 
Scotland, from the neigh­
bouring Lake Lin, which a­
bounds with Fish. 

Littleborough, in the County 
of Notting. (i. e) a little Bo­
rough, or Town. 

Liuba, a King of the Spanish 
Vice-Gothi, not unlikely, from 
the AS. Lufian, to love. 

Liver, a River in Cornw. per­
haps from the AS. Lið, 
Liðer, Lither, or idle, be­
cause it floweth calmly and 
slowly. 

Liverpool or Lirpool, a Port 
in the County of Lanc. from 
the AS. Liferpoole, which 
comes from Liver, which 
see above, and Pool, which 
see in the Common Names; 
because it either is or was 
compassed about with Pools, 
or Ponds. 

Logh Cure in Scotl. see Logh 
in the Com. Names. 

London , England's Epitome, a 
City and Port inferiour to 
none in Europe. In Tacit. 
Ptolem. and Anton. it is call'd 
Londinum, and Longidinium, 
in Ammian. Lundinium, 
in the C. Br. Lundayn, in the 
AS. Lundenceaster, Lun­
denbyrig, and Lunden­
wyc, from the C. Br. Llong, 
Ships, and Dinas, a City, in 
which sence it answers the 
Gr. Naustahmos, and Nauplia; 
or as Somner hath it, from 
the C. Br. Llawn, full and 
populous, and the same Di­
nas, a City. This famous 
City, no ways inferiour to 
the greatest and most famous 
in all Europe, for riches and 
greatness, in the time of the 
Britains and Romans was an 
Arch-Bishop's See, but at 
the Arrival of the Saxons, it 
was deprived of this Honour, 
and, being made the Metro­
polis or Mother-City, and 
the Archbishop's See, re­
mov'd to Canterbury, it be­
came only a Bishop's See. 

Longobardi, a victorious Peo­
ple. At first they were In­
habitants of Germany, after 
that of Pannonia, and lastly 
of Italy. Many suppose, that 
they were so call'd from the 
length of their Beards, from 
the Germ. Lang, Long, and 
Bart, a Beard. Some draw 
it from Allebaudi, Halberts, 
which they used in times of 
War; See Halbert in the 
Common Names. 

Lonsdale, in Westm. (i.e.) a 
Dale by the River Lon.  

Loo, a River in the County of 
Cornw. perhaps from the low­
ness and shallowness of the 
water, or from the old words 
Loo, Low, Logh, a Lake, 
(which last see in the Com. 
Names) because perhaps it 
standeth like a Pool. 

Loopool, a Sirname; from Loo, 
as above, and Pool; which see 
in the Com. Names. 
 

 
Lopp, from the English to 
Leap, because, saith Camden, 
it implieth such an uneven 
place as cannot be pass'd 
over without leaping; or from 
the AS. Loppe, a Flea, or 
Lop, according to the Lin­
colnshire Dialect. 

Loquaber, or Logh Aber, in 
Scotland, from Logh, a Lake, 
which see in the Com. Names, 
and the C. Br. Aber, the 
mouth of a River. 

Lora, the Christ. Name of a 
Woman; from the obsolete 
word Lore, which signifies 
Learning. 

Loring, a Sirname, as much 
as the Fr. de Lorain, or le 
Lorain, i.e.  of Lorain.  

Lorty, a Sirname, from the 
Fr. G. de l' Ortie, i.e.  of 
the Nettle; and this from 
the Lat. Urtica, the same. 

Lothair, a Sirname from which 
came the Name Luther, ac­
cording to Verstegan; from 
the Teut. Lauter, famous. 

Lothbrook, a King of the Danes 
. Camden interpreteth it, Lea­
ther Breeches. 

Lothild, or Clothild, or Clo­
thildis; from the AS. Le­
ode, Teut. Leute, People, 
and Helde, or Helduine, a 
Lady, q.d.  a Lady much be­
loved of the People, the Peo­
ples Darling. 

Love, a Sirname, from the 
Fr. G. Loup, a Wolf. 

Lovell, in the Fr. Louvel, a 
Sirname, the dim, of Loup, 
q.d.  a little Wolf. 

Louvet, a Sirname, from the 
Fr. G. Louvet, a young Wolf. 

Lough Regit, in Ireland, a 
Lough upon which stood a 
Town by Ptol. called Rigia, 
from the AS. Luh, or Teut. 
Logh, a Lake. 

Lough, a River in Scotland, from 
the same root. 

Loughborough, in the County 
of Leicester, from the AS. 
Lig, Lige, a flame, per­
haps from some Fire happen­
ing there; or from some 
Lough or Pool near the place, 
and Borough, which see in 
the Com. Names. 

Louvre, a famous Palace of the 
King of France; from the Fr. 
L'ouvre, (i. e) the Work or 
Fabrick so call'd, Κατ' ἐξοχὴν, 
for the Curious workmanship 
thereof. 

Ludfrid, Versteg. draws it from 
the AS. Leod, Teut. Leute, 
the People, and the AS. 
Frið, Frede, Teut. Friede, 
Peace, i.e.  one that reform­
eth the Disorders of the Peo­
ple, and settles 'em in Peace. 

Ludgate, a Gate of the City 
of London, q.d.  Fludgate, 
from a little River that for­
merly ran under it; or from 
the AS. Luc, false, and Gate, 
that is to say, a False Port; 
or as the eminent Th. H. in­
geniously surmiseth, from the 
AS. Leod, the People, and 
Gate, as Porto del popolo Romæ, 
not from one Ludd a King of 
 


the Britains, as is vulgarly 
believ'd from the Informa­
tions of several ancient Chro­
nicles.  

Ludovic, or Lodowick, a Chri­
sten-Name; see Lewis, a­
bove. 

Ludulph, or Ludolph, from 
the AS. Leod, Teut. Leute, 
the People, and the AS. 
Ulph, Help. 

Luitbald, Duke of Bavaria, 
from the AS. Leod, Teut. 
Leute, People, and Bald, 
Bold; that is, valorous a­
mong, or for, the People. 

Luitbert, a King of the Longo­
bardi of Italy, from the Teut. 
Luit, now Leute, AS. Le­
ode, the People, and the AS. 
Beorht, famous or bright, 
q.d.  Illustrious in his Peo­
ple, or the light of his 
People. 

Luitgard, or Luidhard, a Bi­
shop, Chaplain to Bertha 
Queen of France, then Wife of 
Ethelbert, the first Christian 
King of Kent, from the AS. 
Leode, Teut. Leute, former­
ly Luit, the People, and 
Gard, which see in the 
Common Names. 

Luitprand, a King of the Lon­
gobardi of Italy, from the 
Teut. Luit, now Leute, AS. 
Leode, the People, and our 
English Brand, i.e.  Fire­
brand, according to Aventi­
nus, i.e.  One that set the 
People at variance. 

Lumbard-street, a Street in 
London, so called either from 
some Merchants of Lombardy 
in Italy that liv'd here, or 
q.d.  Lumber Street, that is 
to say, a Street where old 
Garments or such like Lum­
ber, was vented in former 
times; from the Teut. Lum­
pe, or the Belg. Lompe, a 
Rag, or Tatter. 

Luxenburg, a County Town 
in the Netherlands, perhaps 
from the Teut. Luchs, a 
Libbard, and Burg, a Castle, 
or City, from the Plenty 
of those sort of Creatures 
there. 

 

 
M 
MAb, a Sirname, also 
the Name of the Queen of Fairys. I 
suppose, from the C. Br. Mâb, a Child, or a 
little Boy, for those terre­
strial Elfs, are imagin'd to 
take upon them the shapes 
of little Children, the better 
to invite the Eyes of the 
Beholders. 

Mabel, a Womans Christen-­
Name; from the Lat. Ama­
bilis, amiable; or, as some 
will have it, from the Fr. G. 
ma Belle, or the It. mia 
Bella my fair one, my Dar­
ling. 

Macquire, in Ireland, per­
haps from the C. Br. Mag­
wyr, barrenness. 

Machlin, Mechlin, in the 
Fr. Malines, and Teut. Me­
cheln; a County, and Arch-­
Bishop's See in the Nether­
lands, perhaps from the Belg. 
Maeckelen, to pass over, to 
traffick, to wit from the 
great Trading of several 
Countries thereto. 

Mac Mahon, an Irish Sir­
name ; by interpretation, a 
Bear's Whelp. 

Madoc, a Brit. Proper name, 
Camden draws it from the 
C. Br. Mâd, good, and the 
Latin Occa, an Harrow. 

Maedhart, a Womans Christ. 
Name, q.d.  Maiden Heart, 
from our English Maid and 
Heart, or the Belg. Aerd, 
Nature, or disposition of 
Mind. 

Magdeburg, a famous City in 
Germany, formerly the Me­
tropolis;---from the Teut. 
Magd in the Pl. Magden, 
a Maid, and Burg, a City, 
or Fort. 

Maiden Bradley in Wiltshire, 
from a Noble young Woman, 
a Virgin, who being seiz'd 
with the Leprosy her self, 
built here an Hospital for 
such as should be taken with 
the like Disease for the fu­
ture. 

Maiden-head, in the Coun­
ty of Berks, at first cal­
led Southealington, after 
that Maiden hyth; so call'd 
from the Superstitious ado­
ring the head of a certain 
British Maid, one of the 
11 Thousand Companions 
of Ursula. It was before 
 

 
call'd Southealington, from 
South, Ea, the Dim. Ter­
mination ling, and Town, 
q.d.  a small Town lying 
Southward by the waters 
side; see Ea.  

Maidstone, in Kent hereto­
fore Medweageston, (i.e.) 
Medways Town, from the 
River Medway, running close 
by it; but by Corr. Maid­
stone. 

Mainard, formerly a Christen-­
Name, but now a Sirname. 
Verstegan draws it from 
Man, and Heart, that is, 
one that hath the Heart of a 
Man, i.e.  stout hearted; or 
from Man and the Belg. 
Aerd, Nature. Aventinus 
seemeth to draw it from the 
Teut. Meine, mine, and 
the old Teut. hard, AS. 
 Hord, a Treasure. 

Malc, in Ireland, formerly 
Macolicum.  

Maldon, in Essex, by Tacitus 
and several others called Ca
malodunum; by Anton. Camu
lodunum; in the AS. it is 
call'd Maledune, & Meal
dune, from Camulus, or 
Camalus, a God of the Bri­
tans, (the same with Mars 
of the Romans,) and the AS. 
Dune, a Mount, or Hill. 

Malleverer, a Sirname, possi­
bly from the Fr. G. Mal, 
evil, and Levrier, a Grey­
hound, or Hunter. 

Mallobaudes, from the Belg. 
Mael, Teut. Mahl, a Meal, 
and the obsolete word Be­
haud, an Upholder, from 
Hauden, now Houden, to 
uphold. 

Mallory, a Sirname, from the 
Fr. Mal, bad, and Lievre, 
an Hare. 

Mallovel, a Sirname, from the 
Fr. Mal, ill, and Lovell, which 
see above. 

Malmesbury, in the County of 
Wilts, built by Malmutius a K. 
of the Britains, says Skinner, 
but questions whether there 
ever was any such man. By 
the Brit. it was call'd here­
tofore Caer Bladon, after that 
Ingelborn, then Maidulfes­
burg, from Maidulph, (a 
Scotish Saint and Hermit 
that built an Abby there, and 
opened the Publick School,) 
and Bury, a Town; whence 
for shortness it begun to be 
call'd Malmesbury. Beda 
calls it Adelmesbirig, from 
Adelm Scholar to Mai­
dulph, and the first Abbot 
of that Abby. Maidulph 
may be drawn from the AS. 
Mæden, a Maiden, and 
Ulph, help. 

Malpas, in Cheshire, from the 
Fr. Mal, ill, and Pass, which 
see in the Common Names, 
in the AS. it is written 
Depenbach, from Deope, 
deep, & Becc, Teut. Bach, 
a Brook, q.d.  a bad way, 
or deep passage. 

Mancester, in Warw. from the 
C. Br. Maen, a Stone, and the 
 


AS. Ceaster, a Town, 
possibly from the great Quar­
ry of Stones there.  

Manchester, a rich Town of 
Trade in the County of 
Lancaster, in the Neigh­
bouring places call'd Man­
castle; deriv'd from the C. ­
Br. Maen or Mana a Stone, 
and the AS. Ceaster, a 
Town. 

Mandevill, a Sirname; in the 
Lat. Barb. it is written Mag­
na Villa, in the Fr. de Magne 
ville, from whence by cor­
ruption Mandevill. 

Manfred, King of Naples and 
Sicily, from Man, and the 
Germ. Friede, Frede, Peace, 
q.d.  a Pacifyer of Men, or 
one, that makes it his Bu­
siness to keep his Subjects in 
Peace. 

Mannours, a Sirname, (i.e.) 
of the Mannors, from the 
Fr. Manoir, a Mannor, or 
Farm. 

Mansfield, in Nottingh. from 
the C. Br. Maen, a Stone, and 
Field; or more simply from 
the old AS. Mangian, to 
Trade, or Traffick, and the 
same Field, because it was, 
and is a place of great Trade. 
Some report, that it gave 
name to the Mansfelts, 
Counts of Germany. 

Manwaring, a Sirname, not 
unlikely from our word Man, and the Teut. Wa­
ren, Wehren, to protect; 
see Ward in the Common 
Names. 

Mapletoft, a Sirname, from 
the AS. Mapul, a Maple, and 
toft, a tuft, or top. 

Maraboduns, (in the time of 
the Emperours Tiberius, and 
Caligula) King of the Suevi-­
Marcomanni, in Germany; from 
the AS. Mære, Mare, a 
Mare, and the Teut. Bott, 
Belg. Bode, a Messenger. 

Marcomanni, a People of Ger­
many, a Tribe of the Suevi, 
that heretofore took into 
Possession part of Bohemia, 
and Moravia, and in the time 
of the Emperour Marcus 
greatly invaded the Roman 
Empire, q.d.  Markman, 
i.e.  Men of the Marches, 
from the AS. Mearc, Belg. 
Marck, Teut. Merck, a 
Mark, or Limit, and Man, 
a man. 

Marcomirus, King of the 
Franks of Sicambria, from the 
Belg. Marck, a Mark, and 
Meyer, a Major, according 
to Jun. and so it implieth 
the same that our word 
Marquess; which see in 
the Common Names. 

Margerie, some suppose, that 
it is the same with Mar­
garet, and if so, it may be 
drawn from the Lat. Marga­
rita, a Pearl; others derive 
it from Marjoria, or Marjorana, 
the Herb Marjoram, which 
see in the Com. Names. 

Marlborough, in the County 
of Wilts, from our word 
 

 
Marl, i.e.  fat soil, and 
Borough; or rather from 
the AS. Marl, Chalk; for 
it standeth upon a chalky, 
clammy Soil; or as some 
will have it, from that fabu­
lous Prophet Merlin.  

Marlow, in the County of 
Bucks; from Marl, Chalk, 
and Lea, Ground, (which 
see in the Common Names,) 
or Ea, water. 

Marmaduc, a feigned Christ. 
Name; as Camden saith, from 
the AS. Mare Mæhtig, 
or the Teut. Mehu Mach­
tig, (i.e.) more mighty; and 
Dux, a Captain, or our word 
Duke.  

Marn, a County in Scotland, 
perhaps from the AS. Mara, 
Marches, or Bounds. 

Charles Martel, that invinci­
ble French Captain; from the 
Fr. G. Marteau, formerly 
Martel, a Hammer, or the It. Martello the same; and 
this from the Lat. Marculus, 
a little Mallet; which deri­
vation of his Name he vindi­
cated by his hammering the 
Saracens, at that time ma­
king War with the French. 

Maseras, a King of the Spa­
nish Suevi, from the Teut. 
Mause, a scarr, and Tres­
chen, to beat; so called, 
from the Scars he had in his 
Body. 

Mathasuenta, Wife to Vitigis, 
King of the Ostro-Gothi of Ita­
ly; perhaps from the Teut. 
Matt, slender, and the ob­
solete word Swenth, a 
Wench, according to Jun. 
See Wench in the Common 
Names. 

Matison, and Madison, a 
Sirname, (i.e.) the Son of 
Matthew; or as the famous 
Th. H. rather fansies, the 
Son of Matilda, or Mathil­
dis.  

Mattiaci, an ancient People 
of the Netherlands, formerly 
the Inhabitants of the Coun­
try now call'd Zealand. Adr. 
Junius draws it from Mat, or 
as they now write it, Maet, 
a Mate, which was a fami­
liar Appellation whereby 
they signify'd their good will 
one to another. 

Maud, the Christen-Name of 
a Woman, the same that 
Mathildis, which is drawn 
from the Belg. Maecht, a 
Maid, and Helde, or Hilde, 
a Lady; that is to say, a 
Maid of Honour, a Princess. 

Maugre, a Christen-Name; 
see Maugre in the Common 
Names. 

Manley, a Sirname, not un­
likely from the Fr. G. Mal, 
bad, and Lieu, a place, (i.e.) 
born in a bad Clime, or bar­
ren part of a Country. 

St. Mawes, in the County of 
Cornwall (i.e.) the Church 
of St. Mawe, an Irish Bishop. 

The Maze, a famous River of 
France, the Netherlands, and 
Germany; see Mosa, beneath. 
 

 
Mean-Borough, also East, 
West-Mean in Hantsh. from 
the Meanvari, a People men­
tion'd in Beda; which possi­
bly may be drawn from the 
C. Br. Menn, a Wagon, Cart, 
or Coach, and Gwar, a Neck. 

Meares, a Sirname; either 
from the AS. Mere, a 
Marsh, or Mara, Marches, 
or Limits. 

Meath, a County in Ireland, 
by the Inhabitants call'd 
Miith, by Girald, in Lat. 
Media, because it is proba­
bly in the Middle of Ireland. 

Meckleborough, in the Teut. 
Mechel burg, (i.e.) the 
Megalopolis, or great City 
of Germany; so call'd from 
the largeness thereof, from 
Mickle, i.e.  much, and 
Borough, which see in the 
Com. Names. 

Medemenham; not unlikely 
from the AS. Medeme, 
mean, in another sence, wor­
thy, and Ham, a Village. 

Medeshamsted, the old Name 
of a Bishop's See, now call'd 
Peterborough; from the AS. 
Mæde, Med, a Mead, 
Ham, a Village, and Steda, 
Stede, a place; to wit, from 
the Meads laying on each 
side thereof. 

Medley, now Midgley in 
Yorkshire, in the AS. Mede­
ly, because it lyeth in the 
mid'st as it were, between 
two Rivers. Hence the An­
cient Family of the Midgleys 
took its Name. 

Medway, in the County of 
Kent, perhaps from the Pa­
stures and Meadows it run­
neth close by; see Mead, and 
Way, in the Com. Names. 
Somner supposeth it so call'd, 
because it runs through the 
middle of Kent; see Middle, 
in the Com. Names. 

Melton Mowbray, in the 
County of Leicester, from the 
Mowbrays, formerly Land­
lords thereof; and Melton, 
which comes either from 
the AS. Meldian, to betray, 
or from the Eng. to Melt, 
i.e.  from melting Metals, 
for which Art perhaps it was 
heretofore accounted fa­
mous; or from the AS. Mele, 
a Cup, because the place was 
perhaps famed for the Pro­
fession of Cup-making. Or 
as Dr. Th. H. supposeth, from 
Mell, which in Kent is yet 
used for a Mill; so that 
Melton may be so call'd q. 
Mill-Town. 

Mentz, by Tacit. and Ammian. 
call'd Magantiacum, by Eutrop. 
Moguntia. 'Tis a famous City 
of Germany, an Arch-Bishop's 
See, who is generally Elector 
of the German Empire. In the 
time of Aurelian the Empe­
ror, it begun to be for short­
ness, call'd Montiacum, and 
after that Mentz, which name 
it still retains. 
 

 
Mephistophiles, an Hellish Imp. 
Dr. Faustus's Page, q.d.  Me­
phitophilus, (says Dr. Skinner) 
a lover of a rawmish or sul­
phureous smell. 

Meraud, a Christen-Name of 
Woman frequent in Cornwall; 
from the Fr. Esmeraude, by 
them call'd Meraud, with 
us Emerauld, which see in 
the Com. Names. 

Mercia, the greatest Kingdom 
of the Heptarchy, call'd in 
the AS. Mearclond, from 
Mearc, a Mark, or Limit; 
because it was bounded on 
every side to keep it safe 
from the inroads of any of 
the other Six Kingdoms of 
the English Heptarchy. 

Meredith, a Sirname; from 
the C. Br. Merweyridd, the 
roaring of the Sea; says 
Skinner. 

Merionethshire, in the C. Br. 
Sire Verioneth, in the Lat. 
Mervinia, a County in Wales. 

Merkin, a dangerous Port in 
Cornwall, (i.e.) Jove's Mar­
ket, so called from the ma­
ny Storms arising therein. 

Merlin, he whom the Welsh 
cry up so much for the gift 
of Prophecy; from the 
Teut. Maehr, Maehre, a Fa­
ble, whence Mahr Lein, 
a little Fable; these from 
the AS. Maere, famous. 
This Etymology seems apt 
enough, if ever there was 
such a man, which I am not 
so apt to believe, by reason 
of the many fabulous Stories 
which are blown about con­
cerning him. 

Mernerfridus, a Prince of the 
Turingi; Junius thus ex­
pounds it, Meerner des fri­
des, (i.e.) the Author of 
Peace. 

Merouee, the Third King of 
the Franks. Adr. Jun. draws 
it from Meroua, a River in 
Holland, where he assigns to 
the ancient French their first 
Seat and beginning. I might 
also draw it from the Germ. 
Meyer, a Mayor, and Weg 
a Way. 

Merric, a Christ. Name among 
the Welsh; Camden suppo­
seth, that it is a corruption 
of the Lat. Mauritius, with us 
Maurice. 

Mersh Ware, in the County 
of Kent, (i.e.) in the AS. 
Inhabitants of the Marshes, 
for so were the Inhabitants 
of the place call'd Rumney 
Marsh formerly named, 
from Mersc, a Marsh, and 
Waer, a Man, in the Plural 
Wara, Men. 

Merton, in Surrey, from the 
AS. Mere, a Marsh, and 
Dune, a Bank, or tun, a 
Town. 

Merwald, a Christen-Name; 
not unlikely from the AS. 
Mere, famous, and Weal­
dan, to rule; and so by in­
terpretation it may signifie, an 
illustrious Prince, or Ruler. 
 

 
Merwin, a Christen-Name; 
from the AS. Mere, glo­
rious, and Win, a Conqueror, 
or Winnan, to conquer. 

Mesnill, or Menill, a Sir­
name; from the old Fr. 
Norm. Mesnil, an House; and 
this from the Lat. Mansio, a 
Mansion, or place of a­
bode. 

Metaris, heretofore in the C. 
Br. Maltraith, a place, where 
the Waters Ebb and Flow 
upon the Coast. of Norfolk, 
and not far from Lincolnshire, 
now call'd the Washes; per­
haps from the C. Br. Mall, 
corrupt, (i.e.) muddy, and 
Traide, a Passage, or Ford; 
this from Treiddio, to Ferry 
over. 

Mews, a Sirname, possibly 
from the Episcopal seat in 
France, call'd Meaux.  

Michelgrove, in Suss. (i.e.) 
the great Grove; See Mic­
kle, and Grove, in the Com. 
Names. 

Micklethwaight, a Sirname, 
from our word Mickle, or 
the AS. Micl, much, and 
Ðweaht, washed, a Parti­
ciple of the Verb Ðwean, 
to wash. Camden draws it 
from the said Micl, or Micel, 
great, and Hwoit, which, 
he says, signifies a Pasture; 
See Thwaight in the Com. 
Names. 

Middleborough, in the Belg. 
Middelburg, a famous City 
in Zealand, so call'd, because 
it stands in the middle of 
Walachia. 

Middleton, (i.e.) the Middle-­
Town in Dorsetshire; former­
ly famous for an Abby ere­
cted there by King Ethelstan, 
for Expiation of the Murder 
of Edwin his Brother. 

Milburg, or Milborough, the 
Christen-Name of a Woman. 
Verstegan draws it from the 
AS. and Eng. Mild, and 
Burg, a Town, q.d.  kind to 
her Towns-folk: or it may 
be derived from the same 
Mild, & Borge, or Borh, 
a Bondsman, in a seconda­
ry sence. 

Mildred, the Christen-Name 
of a Woman, from the AS. 
Milde, mild, and, the Teut. 
Reden, to speak; or from 
the same Milde, and the AS. 
Rade, Counsel, (i. e.) mild 
in Counsel. 

Miles, a Christen-Name, from 
the Lat. Milo, or from Mili­
um millet; as Fabius, from fa­
ba, a Bean, &c. 

Millet, the Diminutive of the 
Christen-Name Miles, says 
Cambden. Some also draw it 
from the Fr. Millet; as Cice­
ro, à Cicere, i.e.  a Pease. 

Milton, in the County of 
Kent, by some a Contract of 
Middleton: Others draw it 
from the Lat. Mola, a Mill, 
q. Mill-Town; see Mill 
in the Common Names. 

Minours, a Sirname; possibly 
 

 
from the Fr. Mineur, a 
Miner, a Digger in a Mine.  

Modbery, a Village in Devonshire, either from the AS. Mod, Mode, Valour, and Bury, a Town: or, q.d.  Mudbury, i.e.  Muddybury; See Mud, in the Com. Names. 

Moigne, a Sirname. It alludes to the Fr. G. Moine, a Monk. 

Mole, a River in Surrey; so 
call'd, because like a Mole, 
or Want, it forceth its pas­
sage under Ground, and 
thereby mixes its Water 
with the River of Thames. 

Molesey, in the County of 
Surrey; from the River Mole, 
and the AS. ea, water, or 
waterish Ground; q.d.  Mole's 
Water. 

Molines, a Sirname, formerly 
de Molines; derived from 
the Fr. Moulin, or the It. Mo­
lino, a Mill. 

Molineux, a Sirname: (i e.) 
Molitor, a Miller; derived as 
Molines before. 

Monmouthshire, formerly 
called Wentset, and Wen­
sland, from the AS. Went, 
Setas, (i.e.) the Inhabi­
tants of the Country called 
Went, which is a Corrup­
tion of Venta, the name 
of the chief Town in the 
County, and which was by 
the Britains call'd Caer Guent. 
Leland, draws 'em both from 
the C. Br. Gwynn, white, 
which he might do perhaps 
from the colour of the Soil. 
It now takes its Name from 
Monmouth, the County 
Town; memorable for the 
Birth of that invincible 
Prince, Henry the Fifth; which 
in the C. Br. is call'd Mongwy, 
from the Rivers Munow 
and Wy, at the meeting of 
which it is seated. And there­
fore call'd Monmouth; q. 
Munow's mouth. 

Montchensey, a Sirname; 
from the Fr. Mont Chesneux, 
(i.e.) a Mount beset, or 
Planted with Oaks, says 
Skinner. 

Montfichet, a Sirname; so 
called à Monte fixo, from a 
Mount that stands firmly, 
unmoveable; or from the 
Fr. Mont, a Mount, and Fichet, 
a Graff. 

Montfort, a Sirname, q.d.  Fr. G. 
de Mont fort, (i.e.) of a for­
tified Mount. There is also 
a Town in Holland of the 
same Name. 

Montgomery, from Roger de 
Montgomery, E. of Shrewsb. 
that subdued the Country 
and built the Castle: Born 
in France, and took his Name 
from Montgomery, in that 
Kingdom: So call'd, q. Mons 
Gomeris, the Mount of Go­
mer.  

Monthermer, a Sirname; By 
interpretat. Hermer's Mount, 
or Mount of Hermer. Or Mons 
Eremitæ, q. Hermits-Hill, or 
Mount. 
 

 
Montjoy, a Sirname, q.d.  
Mons Jovis, or Jove's Mount. 
Skinner draws it from the Fr. 
Mont, a Mount, and Joye, Joy. 
See Ioy, in the Common 
Names. 

Montperson, a Sirname; pos­
sibly a Contraction for 
Mont Peterson, q.d.  the 
Mount of Peter 's Son. 

Montross in Scotland, i.e.  the 
Mount of Roses; Some draw 
it from the Fr. G. Mont-Rosse, 
the Horses Mount; others 
from Mount, and Ros, 
by the Britains taken for 
Heath. 

Montsorrel, in Leicestershire; 
from the Fr. Mont, a Mount, 
and the River Sora that runs 
near it. 

Moorgate, one of the Gates of 
the City of London; so call'd 
from a Marsh or Moor that 
formerly was hard by it, 
but now dried up; and 
Gate.  

Moravia, in the Teut. Mahren, 
and by Contraction Marn. 
It was heretofore the Seat of 
the Quadi, and the Marco­
manni; from which last, I 
suppose it had this Name: 
Or it may be drawn from 
the AS. Mære, famous, for 
that the Marcomanni were re­
nown'd above any other 
the Inhabitants under the 
Empire of Germany, for war­
like Exploits; witness their 
Conquest over the Roman 
Empire, in the time of the 
Emperor Marcus, and their 
wasting even Italy it self with 
Fire and Sword, almost to the 
very Gates of Rome. 

Morgan, a Christen-Name; 
from the C. Br. Mor, the 
Sea, and Gan, born; (i.e.) 
born by the Sea side. It was 
formerly, and not without 
some colour, taken to be the 
same with the Gr. Pelagius. 

Morice, a Christen-Name, in 
Lat. Mauritius; this from the Lat. Maurus, a Moor; and 
this again from the Gr. 
Ἀμανρὸς dark, obscure. 

Mortimer, a Sirname; from 
the Fr. Mort, dead, and 
Mer, the Sea. 

Mortlack, a Village in Surrey, 
upon the side of the Thames, 
either q.d.  Lat. Mortuus La­
cus, a dead Lake; or from 
the AS. Morð, Death, and 
Lac, a Victim. 

Mosa, the Belg. de Mase, 
and Maes, the Teut. d'et 
Maasz, and in the Fr. 
Meuse; 'tis a famous River, 
running through Germany, 
and the Netherlands. Per­
haps originally from the 
Belg. Maes, as, Maes-hout, 
a Maple-tree, from the great 
plenty thereof growing upon 
the Banks of it. 

Mougrave Castle, in Yorkshire; 
possibly from the Fr. Moult 
Grace, i.e.  much Grace. 

Montague, a Sirname, q.d.  
Fr. de Mont Aigu, (i.e.) of 
 


the sharp top'd Mountain.  

Mount Norris, a Fort in Ire­
land, erected by Charles 
Montjoy, in memory of 
the most courageous John 
Norris, Knight, under whom 
Montjoy serv'd as a Volon­
tier. 

Mowbray, a Sirname; per­
haps, from the Teut. Mowe, 
an Heap, and Bræde, by 
Chaucer Brede, Bread. 

Muckelney, in Somersetshire, 
(i.e.) the great Isle, caus'd 
by the meeting together of the Rivers Ivell and Pedrid; 
from the AS. Micel, great, 
or Mickle as they say in 
Scotl. and elsewhere, and Ea, 
Water, or Land encompassed 
with Water. 

Mullins, a Sirname; formerly 
de Mullins; from the Fr. Mou­
lin, a Mill. 

Muschamp, a Sirname; from the 
Fr. Mousche, a Fly, and Champ, 
a Field; or rather, as the lear­
ned Th. H. tells us, from the 
Fr. Mousse, Moss, q.d.  Moss-­
Field. 
 

N 
NAerdem, a City in 
Holland, memorable 
for a great Slaugh­
ter made by the 
Spanish, contrary to their 
Covenant. It may be drawn 
from the Belg. Nae, Naer, 
near, and Dem for Dam, 
a Wear, q.d.  a City upon 
the Wears; or from the same 
Naer, near, and Deme, De­
men, a Cows Udder. 

Naples, a famous City in Cam­
pania, from the Fr. Naples, 
or the It. Napoli, and all from 
the Gr. Νεάπολις, (i. e.) the 
new City. It began to be so 
called in the time of the se­
cond Punick War, as Livy 
writeth. 

Neal, a Christen-Name; a 
Contract of the Lat. Nigellus. 
It is now a Sirname. 

Neath, in Glam. by Anton. 
call'd Urbs Nidum; and the River 
Neath, Nidus. 

Neccar, from the Teut. Necker 
by Flav. Vopisc. in the life of 
Marc. Aurel. Val. Prob. called 
Nicer, or Nicrus; a famous 
River in Germany. 

Saint Needes, in Huntindon. 



 
(i. e) the Church of St. Need, 
who died in this Town; it 
being before called Aines­
bury, which might be taken 
perhaps from the AS. Agen, 
ones own, and Bury; which 
see in the Com. Names.  

Neene, the Name of a River, 
according to Leland; 'tis cor­
rupted from Avene, and this 
from Avon.  

Nelson, (i.e.) the Son of Neal, 
which see above; or from 
Nell for Eleanor, and Son; 
(i.e.) Eleanor's Son. 

Nemetes, an Ancient People 
of Germany. Ortelius saith, 
that the Sclavonians call all 
the Germans Nemiz, that the 
Turks call them Nimzi, the 
Hungar. Nemet, and the Bo­
hem. Nemec; and these per­
haps from the Teut. Neh­
men, to take away, to steal, 
because this People lived by 
Robberies, Piracies, and Ra­
pines. 

Nese or Næse, a Foreland in 
Kent, q.d.  a Nose of Land; 
from the AS. Næse, Nese, 
a Promontory, or Nose. 

Nest, a Womans Christ Name, 
frequent among the Welsh: 
'Tis supposed to be a Conæ
tract. or corrup. of the Lat. 
and Gr. Agnes.  

Netherland, from the Belg. 
Netherland, or the Teut. 
Niderlandt; that is to say, 
a Lower Land, with respect 
to Germany. 

Nevill, a Sirname; from the 
Fr. de Neuve ville, (i.e.) of 
a new Town. 

Newbottle, in Scotland, (i.e.) 
the new Building; for the 
AS. Botle, signifieth a Vil­
lage or House. 

Newbury, in Berkshire; that 
is, the new Town, raised out 
of the Ruins of Spinham, 
the old Town; from whence 
it is, that part of the New is 
yet call'd Spinham: Deri­
ved from our word New, 
and the AS. Borg, a Town, 
or Bury, or Borough. 

Newcastle, in Northumberland, 
a Sea-Port Town. Be­
fore the times of William the 
Conquerour, it was call'd 
Monckchester, because it ap­
pertain'd to Monks. It may 
be derived from New and 
Castle. It answers the Fr. 
Neuf Chastel, and the Gr. Neo­
castron. 

Newcastle under Lime, in 
Staffordshire, (i.e.) under the 
River Lime. Derived as 
above. 

Newenden, in the County of 
Kent, in the C. Br. Caer An­
dred, in the AS. Andred-­
Ceaster, also, Britten­
den, i. e. the Valley of the 
Britains; from whence the 
Hundred was called Sel 
Brittenden; for the AS. 
Den, signifieth a Valley, 
Syl, a Pillar; and Britten, 
a Briton, or Britain. 
 

 
Newmarch, a Sirname, for­
merly de New March; pos­
sibly from the Fr. Neuf, New, 
and Marchè, a Market. 

Newmarket in Suffolk, from 
our own words, New and 
Market.  

Newport, in Hantshire; from 
our word New, and 
Portus, 
a Port. 

Nidderdale, in Yorkshire, from 
the River Nidd, and Dale; 
which see in the Common 
Names. 

Neel, from the Fr. Noel, and 
this, by a great Corruption, 
from the Lat. Natalis.  

Nokton, or Noketon, in Linc. 
from Nook, that is, a Cor­
ner; and the AS. tun, with 
us, Town: q.d.  a Town in 
a Corner. 

Nonesuch, a Palace in Surrey; 
q.d.  none like or compara­
ble to it. 

Norfolk, a County in England; 
q.d.  North folk, (i.e.) Men 
of the North, with respect 
unto Suffolk, (i.e.) South 
folk. 

Norham, or Northam, in Nor­
thumberland, from North; 
and the AS. Ham, an Home 
or Habitation; in the AS. 
'tis call'd Ubbanford, 
either 
from one Ubba, the Founder 
thereof; or from the River 
Ubba, and Ford; or was so 
call'd, quasi Ufan-Ford, 
i.e.  the upper Ford. 

Norman, q.d.  Northman, 
i.e.  a man of the North; for 
so were the mixt Inhabitants 
of the Northern Countries, 
called, viz.  Of Sweden, Den­
mark, and Normandy; A 
People that continually were 
making Incursions upon 
France, the Netherlands, and 
England, laying waste and 
spoiling many places there­
of, even to the Besieging of 
Paris, subduing England, Mag­
na Græcia, and Sicily. 

Normanton Fields, in Northamp­
tonshire, corruptly for Dor­
manton Fields; from the AS. 
Dormanceaster, i.e.  the 
old Town of Dormford. Som­
ner writes it Dorm-ceas­
ter, and derives it from 
the C. Br. Dor or Dwr, water, 
and withal placeth it in Hun­
tingdonshire. 

Norris, a Sirname; probably 
from the Fr. Nourrice, a 
Nurse. 

Northallerton, in Yorkshire; 
in the AS. Ealfertun, 
perhaps from Elf, an Elf, 
Fairy, or Fiend; because 
it is thought that such terre­
strial Dæmons haunted 
this place, and tun, a Town; 
now call'd North-Allerton, 
or Ealfertun, from its si­
tuation to the North. 

Northamptonshire, from Nor­
thampton, the County Town 
thereof; which is so called 
from its Northern situation, 
(that is with respect to 
Southampton,) and the River 
 


Anton, or Avon, according 
to Camden.  

Northumberland, in the AS. 
Northan-Humberland, 
(i.e.) a Land on the North 
side of the River Humber.  

Norwich, in Norf. a City and 
Bishop's See; in the AS. 
Norðwyc, (i.e.) the Nor­
thern Bay, Harbour, or Ca­
stle; from the AS. Norð, 
North, and Wyc, a Port 
or Castle. 

Nottingham, a famous Coun­
ty-Town, in the AS. Snot­
tengaham, from the AS. 
Snottenga, Caves, and 
Ham, an House or Habi­
tation. 

Novantes, an ancient People 
of Scotland, formerly Inha­
bitants of the Country now 
call'd Galloway; perhaps from 
the C. Br. Nofio, to swim, 
and Antur, having attempt­
ed, from Anturio, to at­
tempt. 
 

O 
OBotriti, or Abotriti, 
an ancient People of 
Germany, on both 
Sides of the River 
Elbe, where now are the 
Dukedoms of Lunenburg and 
Megalopolis. Adr. Jun. sup­
poseth them to be so called 
quasi, About riiters, or A­
bene reiters, that is, Even­
ing or Night-Riders, that is, 
such as on Horseback made 
inroads upon the neighbour­
ing Nations despoiling them 
of their Goods, and laying 
waste their Country. 

Ochy hole, a Cavern in Som. 
drawn from the C. Br. Ogo, a 
Cave; or from the AS. Oga, 
terrour, q.d.  a place fright­
ful to be look'd into. 

Ockham, in Surrey, a Village 
where William de Ockham, 
(Author of the Sect of Nomi­
nalists) was born; perhaps 
q.d.  Okeham, i.e.  Oak-­
Town, from the abundance 
of Oaks growing in or a­
bout it. 

Ockhampton, in Devonshire; 
from the River Ock, and 
Anton, now Avon. 

Ockley, in Surrey, a Village; 
from the AS. Ac, an Oak, 
 

 
and Lea, or Leag, a 
Field.  

Oder; see Via­
der, and Viadrus. 

Odoacer, King of the Heruli, 
Rugii, Turcilingi, and at last 
of Italy, the same with Ot­
tocar, or Odgar; which 
see. Adr. Jun. writes him 
Haudovacrius, or Adovacrius; 
but what Authors he has for 
it, I know not, saving his 
Supposition drawn from the 
Motto written upon his Stan­
dard, houd u Wacker, which 
is by Interpretation, Hold, or 
keep thy self watchful. It may 
also be drawn from the AS. 
Hold, trusty, and Wacker, 
vigilant. 

Offchurch, in Warw. from Offa, 
King of the Mercii, and the 
Builder thereof, whose Son, 
Fremund, was there in­
terr'd. 

Oger, formerly a Christen-­
Name, according to Camden, 
but now a Sirname; perhaps 
from the AS. Oga, ter­
rour. 

Okeham, in Rutland, from the 
AS. Ac, an Oak, and Ham, 
an House. 

Okenyate, a small Village in 
the County of Shropshire, by 
the Rom. call'd Usocona: Now 
it hath its name from our 
word Oak and Gate, from 
some Oak growing at the 
Gate; or because the Gate 
is made of Oak. 

Oker, a Sirname, formerly 
Okover, (i.e.) over Oak. 

Oldbury, in the County of Gloc. 
i.e.  the old Borough, see Bury 
in the Com. Names. 

Old Carlile; see Carlile.  

Old Perith, in Cumberland, 
by the Romans called Pe­
trian, from the Petreian Band 
that Quartered there. 

The old Town in Hereford­
shire; in the C. Br. Castle 
Hen, the old Castle. 

Old Winchester, in Northum­
berland; elsewhere called 
Vindolana, by adding thereto 
the AS. termination Ceas­
ter, a Town, is now de­
generated into Old Win­
chester. 

Oliver, a Christen-Name, from 
the Fr. Olivier, an Olive 
Tree. 

St. Omer 's, an University, 
from the Fr. St. Omer, a City 
over against Flanders, (i.e.) 
the Church of St. Omer; or 
Omeropolis, the City of St. O­
mer. 

Ordevices, an ancient People 
of Wales, from Oar Devi, 
(i.e.) upon the River Devi; 
for there is a Tract by the 
Sea, which the Welsh to this 
day call Ardudwy. 

Ordulph, King Edgar's Son, 
from the AS. Ora, a Port, 
and Ulph, help; or from the 
same Ulph, and Ord, an 
Army; or from the Teut. 
Ort, a place, and the same 
Ulph, help. 

Orial College, in the University 
 


of Oxford; Fuller surmiseth 
that it is so called from its 
Oriental, or Eastern Situa­
tion; though I think rather 
q. Aurea Aula, a Golden Hall, 
or Collegium Aureolum, (i.e.) 
a fair and stately College.  

Originall, a Christen-Name; 
I suppose the same with 
the Gr. Origenes, and Lat. 
Origen.  

Ormond, in Ireland, by the 
Irish call'd, Orwowen, that 
is, the Front of Munster; 
see Munster. 

Ormus, a Haven upon the 
Persian Coast, famous in the 
time of our Progenitours; 
now greatly impaired be­
cause of the Commerce or 
Tradings being removed to 
another place; from the Gr. 
Ὅρμος, an Harbour; be­
cause perhaps it was the 
Harbour for the Ships, which 
Alexander the Great sent with 
his Captains Onesicritus, and 
Nearchus to view the Shores 
of India. 

Orpington, or Orpinton in 
Kent; perhaps from our word 
Orpin, a Plant so called, and 
Town, from the abundance 
thereof thereabout. 

Osborn, from the AS. Hus, 
an House, and Bearn, a 
Child; or Osborn, q.d.  
Hous-born; that is, born at 
home. 

St. Osith, perhaps from the 
AS. Oð, ever, and Sið, 
or Gesið, mild. 

Osmund, a Christen-Name; 
from the AS. Hus, an House, 
and Mund, Peace. 

Osney, in the County of Ox­
ford, q.d.  Ousney, from the 
River Ous, and the AS. Ea, 
Water, or Land by the Ri­
vers side. 

Osred, a King of Northumber­
land; from the AS. Os, for 
Hus, an House, and Rede, 
Counsel. 

Oswald, that Pious King of 
Northumberland; from the 
AS. Hus, an House, and 
Wald, Power, or Weal­
dan, to rule, q.d.  an House­
holder, or Master of a Fa­
mily. 

Oswaldsaw Hundred in Wor­
cestershire, from Oswald Bi­
shop of Worcester, that begg'd 
the inspection thereof of 
King Edgar; and the AS. 
Ea, water; quasi Oswald's 
Ea. 

Oswestre, in Shropshire, for­
merly Oswaldstre, in the 
C. Br. Croix Oswald, Oswald's 
Cross; from the C. Br. Tre, 
a Town, and St. Oswald King 
of Northumberland, that was 
here slain in Fight by Penda, 
a General of the Mercii. 

Oswin, a Christen-Name; from 
the AS. Hus, an House, and 
Winnan, to Win, or acquire; 
or rather from the same 
Hus, and Wine, dearly be­
loved. 
 

 
Oswy, King of Northumberland, 
Founder of the Cathedral 
Church at Litchfield, from 
the AS. Hus, an house, and 
Wie, consecrated, which 
comes from the Teut. Wei­
hen, or the Belg. Wiihen, ­
Wiien, to consecrate, or de­
dicate. 

Otford, in Kent, memorable 
for an overthrow of the 
Danes; perhaps from a Ri­
ver Ott, and Ford.  

Othes, a Christen-Name; pos­
sibly from the Lat. Otho, 
though Kilian derives it from 
the old Teut. Atte, Fa­
ther. 

Ottadini, a British People, that 
setled themselves in the 
County of Northumberland; 
possibly from the C. Br. Uch 
Tin; that is, beyond the 
Tine.  

Otterey, in Devonshire, from 
Otter, and the AS. Ea, 
water. 

Ottgar, King Edgar's Father-­
in-Law; perhaps, q.d.  Oath 
Gard, i.e.  a Keeper of his 
Oath. See Odoacer, and 
Ottocar. 

Ottocar, a Puissant Prince of 
Bohemia, Duke of Austria, and 
Lord of many other Domi­
nions. Kilian draws it from 
the old Teut. Oede, untilled, 
and Acker, a Field; and 
takes it to be the same with 
Odoacer. Some write it 
Ottgar, and draw it from the 
Teut. Atte, Father, & Gard, 
q.d.  his Father's Advocate. 
See Ottgar. 

Overborough, in Lancashire; 
see Over, and Borough, in 
the Com. Names. 

St. Mary Overey, a Street in 
the Borough of Southwark, 
beyond London Bridge, q.d.  
St. Mary Over Ea, that is, 
St. Mary over, or on the other 
side the water. 

Ougthred, or Vctred, former­
ly a Christen-Name, but now 
a Sirname; perhaps from 
the AS. Uht, early, the 
Morning Tide, and Redan, 
to give Counsel; that is to 
say, He that gives seasonable 
Advice; or as the learned 
Th. H. telleth us, from the 
Belg. Hoch, high, and the 
AS. rede, Counsel, (i.e.) 
noble Counsel. 

Oundle, or Oundale, in the 
County of Northampton. It 
implieth as much, as Avon­
dale; from the River A­
von. 

Ousbourn, in Yorkshire, a little 
River, which runneth into 
Owse; See Bourn in the 
Com. Names. 

Martin Outwich, formerly St. 
Mary Otirwich in London; 
not unlikely from the AS. 
Otyr, Oter, an Otter; 
and Wyc, a Dock, or 
Wharf. 

Owdewater, or rather as the 
Belg. write it Oudewater; 
that is, the Old Waters, a 
 


Town in Holland, famous for 
the Birth of Arminus the Di­
vine; see Old and Water 
in the Com. Names.  

Owen, a Christen-Name; Cam­
den supposeth it a Corrup­
tion of the Gr. Eugenius.  

Owse, a River in 
Yorkshire, in 
Lat. Isis; which Name is 
met with frequently in read­
ing of History; which makes 
me think that Owse and 
Avon were taken by the Bri­
tains for any River, or Water 
in general. 

Oxford, a Bishop's See, and 
one of the two famous Uni­
versities of England; from 
the AS. Oxenford, deri­
ved as the Gr. Bosphorus, or 
the Germ. Oschenfart, say 
some. Leland will have it to 
be so called quasi Owseford, 
that is, the Ford of Owse; 
which I take to be a better 
derivation of the Name. 
 

P 
PAdstow, a Town in 
Cornwall, a Contract 
of Petroch-Stow, 
(i.e.) the Place, or 
Church of St. Petroch, a Bri­
tish Saint. 

Pain, a Christen and Sirname; 
possibly from the Fr. Payen, 
which may be contracted 
from the Lat. Paganus, a 
Pagan. 

The English Pale in Ireland, 
(i.e.) that part of Ireland 
wherein the English former­
ly lived apart from the Irish 
by Laws of their own; pro­
bably it might have this 
Name from the Pales or 
Stakes set round about it to 
keep off the Irish Robbers. 

Pancerolt, a Sirname; per­
haps from the Fr. Pancerotte, 
a small Paunch or Belly; 
see Paunch in the Com. 
Names. 

Parnell, a Contract of the 
Lat. Petronilla, a Womans 
Name. 

Parret, a River in Som. for­
merly call'd Pedrid.  

Parry, a Welsh Sirname, q.d.  
Ap Harry, i.e.  the Son of 
Henry.  

Passelew, a Sirname; from 
 

 
the Fr. Passez l' Eau, from 
passing, or swimming, over 
the water.  

Patison, q.d.  Patrickson, i.e.  
the Son of Patrick.  

St. Patrick's Purgatory, St. 
Patrick 's Isle in Ireland, from 
the Lat. Patricius and Pur­
gatory; which see in the 
Com. Names. 

Patrington, in Yorkshire; by 
Antoninus, Prætorium, and by 
corrup. Patrington, as the 
Italians have turned their 
Prætorium into Petrovina. 

Paunton in Lincolnshire, by 
Anton. called ad Pontes, (i.e.) 
a Town upon the Bridges. 

Paynell, (i.e.) Paganellus, a 
little Pagan, a Christ. Name; 
see Pain above. 

Peagkirk, in the County of 
Northampton; from Peag, a 
sacred Virgin Sister to 
St. Guthlac, and Kirk; which 
see in the Com. Names. 

The Peak, a Mountain in Der­
byshire; Among us Peak sig­
nifies a jutting forth, and a­
mong the Spaniards, the 
Mount in the Isle Tenariff, is 
called Pico, because perhaps 
it hath a sharp top like a Pike; 
see Pike in the Common 
Names. 

Pearson, a Sirname, q.d.  Pe­
ter 's Son, in the Fr. Pietre; 
from the Lat. Petrus, and 
our Eng. Son.  

Peche, a Sirname, from the 
Fr. Pechè, a fault; or rather 
from Pesche, fishing. 

Pedderton, in Somersetshire; 
heretofore Pedridan, from 
the River Pedrid, formerly 
famous for the Court of King 
Ina, our first Saxon Law-­
giver. 

Peg, for Margaret; Versteg. 
draws it from the AS. Piga, 
a Girl. 

Pembroke, in the C. Br. Pen 
Bro, a Mount or Head by 
the Sea. 

Pen, a Sirname, from the C. 
Br. Pen, an Head; in a se­
condary or figurative sence, 
The top of a Mountain. 

Pen, a Village in Surrey, where 
the Britains received a great 
overthrow from Xeniwalch, a 
West-Saxon; and Canutus 
the Dane, from Edmond Iron­
side. It is situate near to 
Wincaunton, which took 
its Name from our word 
Wine; or rather from the 
AS. Winnan, to overcome, 
and King Canutus, that was 
there overcome; Pen in the 
C. Br. as was said above, sig­
nifieth an Head. 

Pencridge, or Pancridge, in 
Staffordshire; perhaps from 
the C. Br. Pen, an Head, and 
Crûg, a Crag, Bank, or 
Ridge. 

Pendennis, in Cornwall; a 
Castle built by King Henry 
the Eighth in the Port of 
Falmouth. In their Dialect 
it is called Pen Dinas, that is, 
the Head of the Town. 

Pendle Hill in Lancash. from 
the C. Br. Pen, an Head, 
 


as the Alpes are called by 
the Latins, Pennini montes.  

Penigent, a Hill in Lanc. from 
the C. Br. Pen gwin, (i.e.) 
from its Snow-white Top. 

Penmaen-maur, a Mountain 
or Hill in Caern. by interpre­
tation, the great Moor-head, 
or Top ; there is likewise, 
Pen-maen-bychan, i.e.  the 
lesser Stony Top or Head. 

Pennant, in Cornwall; (i.e.) 
in the C. Br. the Valleys 
Head. 

Penry, a Sirname, frequent 
among the Welsh, q.d.  Ap 
Henry, i.e.  Henry 's Son; 
see Henry. 

Pensans, a Town in Cornwall, 
i.e.  the Head of Saints or 
Sands; either from our word 
Saints, or Sands, and 
the C. Br. Pen, a Head; or 
from the same Pen, and the 
Fr. G. Sans without. 

Penwith in Cornw. (i. e.) a 
Promontory on the left . 

Percival, a Christen-Name, 
possibly from Perchevaal, a 
Village in Normandy, which 
comes perhaps from the Fr. 
Perche, an Head, or Horn; 
and the old word Val, a 
Valley. 

Perin, a Sirname, formerly a 
Christen-Name; from the 
Fr. Pierrin, in the Lat. 
Petrinus, little Peter; for the 
termination in diminisheth. 

Perkin, a Sirname; from the 
Fr. Pierre, Peter; and our 
diminut. termination kin, 
q.d.  little Peter, or Peter's 
Son; see Kin in the Com. 
Names. 

Perpoint, and Pierpoint, a 
Sirname of a noble Fami­
ly; from the Fr. Pierre, a 
Rock, or Stone, and Pont, a 
Bridge. 

Perrot, a Sirname, from the 
Fr. Pierrot, that is, Great 
Peter, this from Pierre, Peter, 
and the augmentative Ter­
mination ot.  

Persho, in Worcestersh. vulgarly 
Parshoro, (i.e.) a Shore 
planted with Pear-trees; for 
it is not far from the River 
Sabrina. 

Pertharitus, a King of the 
Longobardi of Italy; perhaps 
from the Belg. Peere, an 
Horse, and Richten, for 
Berichten, to teach; the 
Name implying as much as 
Horse-Courser. 

Peterborough, in Northampton­
shire; so called from an Ab­
by and Church erected there 
formerly by Peada and Wul­
pher, Kings of the Mercii, in 
honour of St. Peter. It 
is now a Bishop's See. 

Pevensey, in Sussex; from 
the AS. Peofen-Sea, now 
by contraction Pemsey. 
Somn. writes it Pæfena-Sæ. 

Peverell, a Sirname; from 
Fr. Poivrel, or the It. 
Peverello, a small Peper Corn, 
these from the Fr. Poivre, or 
the It. Pevere, Pevero, a Peper 
Corn. 
 

 
Philebert, a Christen-Name; 
from the AS. Fela, the Belg. 
Veel, or the Teut. Viel, 
much, and Beorht, bright, 
or splendid. 

Picardy, a Province of France; 
perhaps from the Fr. les 
Piques, Pikes, and the Belg. 
Aerd, nature; they being 
mostly accustom'd to fight 
with Pikes. This Province 
had not this Name till the 
year of our Lord 300. 

The Picts Wall, in Cumberland; 
in the C. Br. Gual, Gal, Bal, 
or Mur Sever; by the Scots 
Scottish-Waith; by the 
English Inhabitants there­
upon, Picts wall, Pehits 
wall, or Keep wall, and 
the Wall by way of excel­
lency; a very sumptuous 
work first begun by the Em­
perour Adrian, and after­
wards continued by Seve­
rus. 

Piercy, a Sirname, according 
to Camden; not from piercing 
or darting out the Eye of a 
King of the Scots, as Boe­
tius relates; but from Pierce, 
which among the Ancients 
was the same that Peter is 
amongst us. Pierce cometh 
from the Fr. Pierre, Sig. Pe­
ter, also a Stone. 

Pigot, a Sirname; Camden 
saith, that it signifieth a 
thing that is Speckled, and 
so may be derived from the 
It. Piga, or the Lat. Pica, a 
Mag-Py, q.d.  party-colour'd 
like a Mag-Py. The learned 
Th. H. supposeth that it comes 
from the Fr. Bigot.  

Pipinus, a King of France; 
Adr. Jun. draws it from the 
Teut. Pipen, to make a 
shrill sound; It may be drawn 
from the Fr. G. Pepin, a Pip­
pin; or from Piè, a Foot, 
and Pein, Pain; as the Gr. 
Oedipus. 

Pitchford, in Shropshire; so 
called from a Spring rising in 
a private House, upon which 
Pitch continually floateth. 

Plaicy, in Essex; à Placendo 
from pleasing, q.d.  a plea­
sant place; as Placentia in 
Italy. 

Plantagenet, a Sirname; pro­
per to the Dukes of Andium; 
and afterward to several 
Kings of England; from the 
Fr. Plante Geneste, that is, a 
Plant of Broom, from one of 
the Dukes of Andium; who, 
(to expiate the Death of his 
Brother, whom he, to obtain 
the Empire for himself, had 
put to Death,) took a Jour­
ney into the Holy Land, and 
every Night during his Jour­
ney, scourged himself with 
a rod of Broom, for Pen­
nance. 

Pleasaunce, from the Fr. Plai­
sance, the It. Piacenza, or the 
Lat. Placentia; so called from 
its pleasant Situation. 

Plegmund, an Arch-Bishop 
of Canterbury; perhaps from 
the AS. Plega, Plaga, 
 


Play, and Mundian, to up­
hold.  

Plimouth, a famous City and 
Sea-Port Town in Devonsh. 
q.d.  the Mouth of the River 
Plim. Or it may be taken 
from the Gr. Πλημμύρα, the 
Tide. 

Plonket, a Sirname; not un­
likely from the Fr. Blond, 
red-hair'd, and the Dim. ter­
mination Ket.  

Poik, in Worcestersh. Camden writes it Powick, which 
may be derived from the 
AS. Pol, a Pole and Wic, 
a Bay, or Fort. 

Poitevin, now Pelfin, a Sir­
name, q.d.  Fr. le Poitevin, 
come of a Pict; or from Pi­
ctavia in France. 

Pollard, a Sirname, from the 
Fish called a Pollard; see 
Poll and Pollard in the 
Com. Names. Or from our 
Eng. Verb, to Poll, or cut 
the hair. 

Polton, in Cornwall; that is to 
say, Pool Town.  

Pont Eland, in Northumber­
land; from the River Pon­
tus; by the Romans 'twas 
call'd Pons Ælii.  

Pontfret, or Pontfract, com­
monly call'd Pomfret, in 
Yorkshire, q.d.  Lat. Pons fra­
ctus, the broken Bridge. It 
is Historied that the Bridge 
was broken down by the 
vast Number of People that 
met here to give a welcom 
to the Arch-Bishop Wilhelm, 
King Stephen's Nephew by 
his Sister; so that many did 
fall into the River, and had 
been all inevitably drown'd, 
but that a Tear which Wil­
helm let fall, saved them 
all. 

Portlock, in Somers. a small 
Harbour, q.d.  the Ports Lock; 
see Lock in the Common 
Names. 

Portland, an Isle in Dorsetshire; 
either from the Port Wey­
mouth, which is over against 
it; or from Portus, a noted 
Saxon Pirateer. 

Portland, in Hantshire, an­
ciently call'd Portsey, and 
Portchester; possibly here­
tofore remarkable for some 
noted Port of Trade: 
from our old word Port, 
carriage or behaviour, and 
Land; which see in the Com. 
Names. 

Portslade, a small Village in 
Sussex; q.d.  a way Leading 
to the Port, according to 
Camden. Some derive it from 
the AS. Sled, a Valley; that 
is, a Port or Haven in Val­
ley or Bottom. 

Portsmouth, a famous Sea-Port 
Town in Hantsh. q.d.  the 
Mouth of the Port; see Mouth 
and Port, in the Common 
Names. 

Powell, a Welsh Sirname; 
q.d.  Ap Howell, i.e.  Howell's 
Son; see Howell. 

Preston, in Lanc. q.d.  Priests 
Town.  
 

 
Price, a Sirname; proper to 
the Welsh; q.d.  Ap Rice, i.e.  
the Son of Rice. 

Prichard, a Sirname frequent 
in Wales, q.d.  Ap Richard, i.e.  
the Son of Richard.  

Prindle, a Sirname; perhaps 
from the Lat. Prædiolum, a 
small Farm, to which agrees 
Camden. 

Probert, properly a Welsh Sir­
name, q.d.  Ap Robert, (i.e.) 
begotten of Robert, Robert's 
Son; see Robert. 

Prodhow, or Prudhow Castle, 
in Northumberland; by the 
Romans called Protolitia, or 
Procolitia, a Military Fort. 

Prono, a God of the ancient 
Germans; perhaps from the 
Teut. Brandt, a Brand, or 
Fire; for he is imagin'd to 
be the Germans Vulcan, or 
God of Fire. 

Prud, a Welsh Sirname, q.d.  
Ap Rhud, i.e.  Rhud 's Son; 
Rhud denoteth one that 
is red-hair'd; See Red in 
the Com. Names. 

Pudsey, a Sirname; from the 
Fr. Puis, a Well, and our 
word Sea; or the AS. Ea, 
Water. 

Pugh a Welsh Sirname, q.d.  
Ap Hugh; that is, Hugh 's 
Son. 

Pull hely, in Caern. in the 
C. Br. it implieth as much, as 
Salt Marsh. 

Putney, in Surrey, on the 
Bank of thee Thames; from 
the Belg. Put, in the Plural 
Putten, a Well, and Ea, 
Water. 
 

Q 
QVixot, Don Quixot, 
The noted Spanish 
Rhodomantado; from 
the Hisp. Quixotes Ter­
ces, Armour for the Thigh; 
this again from the Lat. Coxa, 
the Hip; or it may come 
from Quixada, Quixar, a Cheek­
bone, possibly so call'd from 
the greatness of his Jaw 
bones, and leanness of his 
Cheeks. Quixar, may be 
drawn from the AS. Ceac, 
Ceoca, a Cheek, or Cheek­
bone. 

Quinborough, in Kent, (i.e.) the 
Queens Borough; a Castle 
built by King Edw. the Third 
in the honour of his Wife 
Philippa of Hannonia.


 

 
R 
RAchisius, a King of 
the Longobardi of Ita­
ly; from the Teut. 
Raach, Revenge, or 
Rachen, to revenge, (i.e.) 
an Avenger. 

Radbod, a King of Freezland, f
rom the AS. Rade, Coun­
sel, and Bode, a Messen­
ger. 

Radegisus, a King of the Gothi; 
from the AS. Read, the 
Belg. Rood, or the Teut. 
Rot, Red, and Geisz, a 
Goat. Jun. 

Radegonde, a Wom. Name; 
from the AS. Rade, Rede, 
Counsel, and the Teut. Gun­
nen, to favour; (i.e.) one 
that favoureth, or submits to 
good Counsel. 

Radnor, old Radnor; in the 
C. Br. Pencrag, from its high 
top; perhaps from the AS. 
Rade, a Road, and Ofer, 
or Ober, over. 

Radulph, or Rodulph; see 
Ralph, beneath it. 

Raginbert, one of the Longo­
bardi, Duke of Narvisium, 
in the year 701. perhaps from 
the Teut. Rechen, to avenge, 
or Raach, vengeance, and the 
AS. Beorht, famous. 

Ralph, a Christen-Name; a 
Contract of Radulph, which 
is the same with Rodulph; 
from the AS. Rade, Coun­
sel, and Ulph, Help, (i.e.) 
one that assisteth in Coun­
sel. 

Rams head , in Ireland; per­
haps so called from the like­
ness of a Ram 's Head and 
Horns. 

Ramsey, in Huntingtonshire; 
from the AS. Ea, Water, or 
an Isle, and Ram, q.d.  
Rams Isle. 

Randal, a Christen-Name; 
Camden takes it to be a cor­
ruption of Ranulph, and 
derives it from the Teut. 
Rein, Pure, and Ulph, Help. 

Ratcliff, in Middl. q.d.  Red 
Cliff.  

Ravensbourn, a River in Kent; 
from Raven, and Bourn; 
see both in the Common 
Names. 

Raulins, a Sirname; from the 
Fr. Raoul, Radulph, by adding 
 


the Patronymick Termina­
tion ins, q.d.  Ralph 's Son, 
or little Ralph; see Ralph.  

Raymund, a Christen-Name; 
from the Teut. Rein, Pure, 
and Mund, a Mouth, (i.e.) 
one that abstains from wan­
ton Discourses; or from the 
Teut. Ruh, rest, and the 
AS. Mund, Peace; (i.e.) 
one that answereth not a­
gain. 

Reading, in Berks, a Town of 
great Trade; Camden draws 
it from the C. Br. Redin, 
Fern, which groweth there­
abouts in great abundance. 
Leland supposeth that it is 
thus nam'd, from the meet­
ing together of other waters, 
with the River Rhe, or 
Rhea.  

Reafan, the Banner, or Flag 
of the Danes, from the figure 
of a Raven embroidered 
thereupon by King Lodbroke's 
Daughter. See Raven in the 
Com. Names. 

Reccaredus, or Richaredus, 
a King of the Spanish Vice-­
Gothi; from the AS. Ric 
Rich, and Rede, Counsel; 
or from the Teut. Reden, to 
say, and the same Ric, that 
is, one of a fluent and elo­
quent Tongue. 

Rechilla, a King of the Spanish 
Swedes; from the Teut. Re­
chen, revenge, and Ellen, 
to make hast; that is, one 
quick to revenge. 

Reciswindus, a King of the 
Spanish Vice-Gothi; not un­
likely from the Teut. Re­
chen, to avenge, and Gesch­
wind, speedily. 

Reculver, in Kent; in the AS. 
Raculf. 

Redbridge, in Hantsh. in the 
AS. Reed, ford, (i.e.) 
Reed-ford, or Reed-bridge.  

Redwall, or rather Redwald, 
from the AS. Rede, Coun­
sel, and Wald, Power, i.e.  
one that beareth Sway in 
Counsel. 

Reeve, a Sirname; from the 
AS. Refa, or Genefa, 
a Tax-Master, or Grave; 
see Grave in the Common 
Names. 

Reginfred, Reinfred, or Rain­
fred; from the Teut. Rein, 
Upright, and Friede, or the 
AS. Frede, Peace. 

Regni, an ancient People of 
Britain, that formerly had 
the Shires, Surrey and Sussex, 
and part of Hantshire in Pos­
session; not unlikely from 
the C. Br. Rhêg, a Gift, and 
Neges, a Messenger. 

Reinard, a Christen-Name; 
from the Teut. Rein, un­
corrupt, and the Belg. Aerd, 
Nature, q.d.  Honestly min­
ded. 

Reiner, a Christen-Name; 
from the Teut. Rein, un­
spotted, and Ehr, Belg. Eere, 
Honour, i.e.  one, whose good 
Name is unstain'd. 
 

 
Reinfraw, in Scotland; Ptol. 
calls it Randuara.  

Reinhold, Rainhold, or Re­
nald, a Christen-Name; from 
the Teut. Rein, Pure, and 
Hold, Friendship, saith Cam­
den: From the same Rein, 
and Held, a Nobleman, saith 
Versteg. I might also draw it 
from the same Rein, and our 
English Hold; that is, one, 
that holdeth fast his Inte­
grity. 

Remismundus, a King of the 
Spanish Swedes, q.d.  Ru­
mismund; from the Teut. 
Ruhm, fame or Report; 
and the AS. Mund Peace, 
or the Teut. Mund, a Mouth; 
that is, famous for Peace, or 
Eloquence. 

Renè, Titular King of Naples 
and Sicily, from the prefix 
Lat. Re, again, and the Fr. 
Nè, born, (i.e.) reborn, born 
again; as to the Kingdom. 

Renimed in Middlesex; that is 
to say, Running Mead, me­
morable for the rebellious 
meeting of the Barons against 
King John. 

Repton, in Derbishire, a Town 
memorable for the over­
throws of Æthelbald, and 
Buthred, two Kings of the 
Mercii; not unlikely from 
the Teut. Rein, clean, and 
the AS. tun, a Town, (i.e.) 
a clean Town. 

Rheadsdale, in Northumber­
land; that is to say, the 
Dale of the River Rhead, 
or Rhe.  

The Rhein, next after Danu­
bius, the most famous River 
not in Germany only, but in 
all Europe; from the Teut. 
Rein, clear, pure, q.d.  a 
clear Water; they used to 
wash and purifie new-born 
Babes therein, to try whe­
ther they were Genuine or 
no; or from the Teut. Rin­
nen, to flow, or Runnen, 
to run. 

Rhese, a Welsh Christ. Name; 
Camden draws it from the 
Teut. Riese, a Giant. It 
may also not improbably be 
drawn from the C. Br. Rhesel, 
a Crib or Rack to put Hay in 
for Horses. 

Rhie, in Sussex, a Sea-Port; 
from the Fr. Rive, a Shore, 
or Bank of a River. 

Rian, a River in Scotland; at 
the Mouth of which was a 
Town, by Ptolem. called, A­
bravanus, q.d.  Aber Ruani, the 
Mouth of the River Rian, or 
Ruan.  

Ribblechester, an old Town in 
Lanc. Ptolem. calls it, Ri­
bodunum, and corruptly Rigo­
dunum.  

Ribell, a place in Lanc. whi­
ther the Tide cometh; by Ptolem. called Bellisama, and 
by adding the AS. Rhe, a 
River, to the beginning of 
the old Name, Bellisama, it 
comes now to be call'd Ri­
bell. 

Ricciarius , King of the Spa­
nish Swedes, in the Year 48. 
 

 
not unlikely from the AS. 
Ric, or the Teut. Reich, 
Rich, and the AS. Are, or 
the Teut. Ehr, Honour, that 
is, one greatly honoured.  

Rice, see Rhese.  

Richard, Versteg. draws it from 
the AS. Ric, or the Teut. 
Reich, Rich, & our Eng. word 
Heart, that is, Liberal, or as 
we say, open hearted. Some 
draw it from the same Ric, 
Rich, and the Belg. Aerd, 
Nature; that is, one that 
hath great natural Parts; 
others, from the AS. Rice, 
a Kingdom, and Ward, a 
Keeper. Aventin. writes it 
Reichgard, from the Teut. 
Reich, rich, and Gard, to 
keep. Jun. writes it Reich­
raht, i.e.  a Rich Senatour, 
from the same Reich, rich, 
and Raht, Counsel, also a 
Senatour. 

Richborough, in Kent, for­
merly Richberge; in the AS. 
Repti muð, by Anton. Rhi­
tupis Portus; by Marcell. Rhu­
tupiæ Statio, all which are but 
little dissonant one to ano­
ther. Camd. draws it from 
the C. Br. Ryth Tusyth, (i.e.) 
the Sandy Ford. 

Richmond, from the AS. Ric, 
Rich, and Mond, Peace, or 
Mund, a Mouth, (i.e.) Peace­
able, or Eloquent. 

Ricimerus, or Richimerus, 
a Swede by descent, that 
most nefariously usurp'd the 
Roman Empire; either from 
the AS. Ric, a Kingdom, and 
Mere, famous, or from the 
Teut. Reich, a Kingdom, and 
Mehren, to increase. 

Ridvers, for shortness Rivers, 
in Hart. i.e.  de Ripariis, per­
taining to the Banks; a Sir­
name. 

Riegate in Surrey; (i.e.) the 
Gate, or Course of the River 
Rie.  

Ring, a Sirname; possibly from 
the AS. Hring, a Circle, or 
Compass. 

Ringwood, Regnewood, or 
Rincewood, in Hantsh. for­
merly the Metropolis of the 
People call'd Regni, q.d.  the 
Wood or Forest of the Regni, 
into which they fled for 
Protection, as wild Beasts in­
to a Wood. 

Ripley, a Village in Surrey, 
where William Ripley, the 
Chymist was born; from our 
word Ripe, and the AS. 
Leag, Leg, a Field, or 
Pasture. 

Rising, in Norfolk; heretofore 
noted for a Castle call'd Ri­
sing-Castle; from its rising 
or high Situation. 

Rithy, a Sirname; probably 
from the C. Br. Ryth, a 
Ford. 

Robert, a Christen-Name; 
Camden draws it from the AS. 
Rade, Counsel, & Beorht, 
famous. Versteg. saith, that 
 

 
it was heretofore written 
Ruberiht, and Ruberight, 
and draws it from the Teut. 
Rou or Ruh, rest, and the 
Termination Beright, i.e.  
forward, or prone to any 
thing. It may be taken from 
the Teut. Roth, Red, and 
Bart, a Beard. The Dutch 
write it Ruprecht, which 
may seem to come from 
Ruh, Quietness, or Peace, 
and Pracht, Pomp, or Splen­
dour.  

Roch, a Sirname, in the Fr. 
de le Roche; from Roche, a 
Rock. 

Rochester, in Kent, a Bishop's 
See; Anton. writes it. Roibis, 
The Eng. Saxons Wrowe­
ceaster; and not many 
Ages since, it was called 
Rewchester. It may possibly 
be called Rochester, from the 
Fr. Roche, a Rock; and the 
AS. Ceaster, a Castle or 
City. 

Rodelinda, Wife to Perthari­
tus King of the Longobardi of 
Italy; from the AS. and old 
Teut. Rade, Counsel, and 
Lind, mild. 

Roderic, a Christ. Name, fre­
quently given to the Spanish 
Vice-Gothi; from the AS. 
Rade, the Teut. Raht, or 
the Belg. Raed, Counsel, 
and the AS. Ric, or Teut. 
Reich, Rich. 

Rodoaldus, a King of the Lon­
gobardi of Italy; derived ei­
ther from the AS. Rade, 
Counsel, and Wald, Power, 
whence Wealdan, to rule, 
(i.e.) he, that ruleth pru­
dently; or from the Belg. 
Rood, and Wald, a Wood. 

Roger, a Christen-Name; from 
the Teut. Ruh, Rest, and 
Gard, a Keeper. Kilian draws 
it from the same Ruh, Qui­
etness, and the Teut. Ge­
ren, Begeren, to covet, or 
desire. 

Roiston, in Hert. from Roisia, 
a Pious Lady, who in the 
time of the Normans, here 
set up a Crucifix, q.d.  Roi­
sia's Town.  

Rolland, or Rowland, a Christ. 
Name; Camden draws it from 
the AS. Rade, or Rod, 
Counsel, and Land; q.d.  
his Countries Patron or Coun­
sellor. Verstegan, from the 
Belg. Row, Peace, and the 
same Land, that is, a Paci­
fier of his Country. 

Rollo, a Duke of Normandy; 
perhaps from the Teut. 
and Goth. Roth, Red, 
and Luwe, a Lion, (i.e.) a 
bloody Lion; hence styl'd 
the bloody Brother. 

Romeswork, in Kent; a place 
near the Sea, where it is 
thought that Caesar the Dicta­
tour at his first Arrival in 
this Land, pitch'd his Tents; 
(i.e.) the Work of the Ro­
mans.  

Romoaldus, one of the Longo­
bardi, 
 

 
Duke of Beneventum; 
from the Teut. Ruhm, Glo­
ry, and the AS. Wealdan, 
to reign, or Wald, Gewalt, 
Power; or from the Teut. 
Raum, Room or Space, and 
Wald, a Wood.  

Rosamund, a Christen-Name; 
from Rosa, a Rose, and the 
Teut. Mund, a Mouth; 
from her rosie-colour'd Lips. 

Rosland, a small Province in 
Cornwall; from the C. Br. 
Ros, Heath, and Land; 
which see in the Common 
Names. 

Ross, a Foreland in Scotland, 
the Seat of the ancient Can­
tæ; perhaps from the C. Br. 
Ros, Heath or Ling. 

Rotharis, a King of the Longo­
bardi of Italy. Kilian draws 
it from the Teut. Retter, a 
Deliverer; this from the Verb 
Retten, to deliver. 

Rotherfield, in Sussex, former­
ly Rotheram; from the Ri­
ver Rither, or Rother, and 
Field; which see: from 
hence also Rotherbridge. 

Rotterdam, a chief City of 
Trade in Holland; Adr. Jun. 
interpreteth it, the Dam or 
Wear of Rota, or Roter, a small 
River that runs hard by it, & 
disembogueth it self into the 
River Mosa; see Dam in the 
Com. Names. 

De Rougemont, a Sirname; 
from the Fr. Rouge, Red, and 
Mont, a Mount. 

Rous, a Sirname; from the Fr. 
Roux, red-hair'd. 

Routon-Castle, in Shropshire; 
Anton. calls it Rutanium, 
whence Routon.  

Row, a Sirname; our North-­
Country-men pronounce it 
Raw; from the Fr. Rue, a 
Street, or Lane. 

Roward, a Christen-Name; 
from the Belg. Rouw-­
Waerd, a Title of great Dig­
nity in Brabant, with Power 
not much less than that of a 
Dictatour of the Romans. It 
may be compared to our 
Constable or Master of the 
Horse; from the Belg. Rouw, 
Quietness, and Waerden, 
to Ward, or keep, q.d.  a 
Defender of Publick Concord. 

Rowen, Daughter to Hengist 
the English-Saxon, Wife to 
Vortigern, King of the Britons; 
not unlikely from the Teut. 
Ruh, or Belg. Rouw, Peace; 
and the AS. Winnan, to ac­
quire. 

Roxburg, or Roxborough, in 
Scotland, heretofore call'd 
Marchidun, (i.e.) the Hill 
of the Marches, which see; 
as also Mark and Downes 
in the Com. Names. It is 
now call'd Roxborough, pos­
sibly from some Rocks or 
Crags adjoining. 

Rugii, a warlike People of 
Germany upon the Balthick 
Sea; Adr. Jun. draws it from 
the Belg. Ruge, rough, hairy, 
probably from the natural 
roughness of their Bodies; 
or because they were cloathed 
 


with the shaggy Skins of 
Wild-Beasts; See Rough 
in the Com. Names.  

Rumney, or Romeney, in 
Kent, formerly Romenal; 
perhaps from the Romans, 
that first Landed on that 
Shore. It is also the proper 
Name of a Man. 

Rumsey, in Hantshire, in the 
AS. Rumseg, memorable 
for a Nunnery of veiled 
Nuns, erected by King Ed­
gar; perhaps from the AS. 
Rum, Broad, or Large, 
and Sæeg, Sedge. 

Russel, a Sirname; from the 
Fr. Roux, Red, and the dim. 
Term. el, that is to say, 
somewhat Red; for the old 
Fr. word Russel, signified 
formerly the same that Ros­
seau doth now. 

Ruthin in Denb. in the Lat. 
call'd Ruthunia, in the C. Br. 
Ruthun; perhaps from the 
C. Br. Rhwth spacious, Broad. 

Ruthlan, in Flintshire; from 
the red Rock or Bank of the 
River Cluyd, and Llan, a 
Temple, i.e.  a Red Church. 

Rutlandshire, in the AS. Rote­
land; from the Germ. Rud, 
or Rote, red, or ruddy, that 
being the colour of the Soil; 
and our words Land, and 
Shire; which see in the 
Common Names. 
 

S 
SAcy Forest in Northam­
ptonshire, q.d.  Sal­
sey, from the Lat. 
Salicetum, a place 
where Willows grow. 

Saffron Walden, in Essex; 
from the great store of Saf­
fron, and Walden, which 
comes from the AS. Wall, a 
Trench, or Wall, and Den, a Dale. 

Salisbury, aliàs Sarisbury, 
in Wiltshire, a Bishop's See, 
from the Lat. Sarisberia; in 
the AS. Searisbyrig, or 
Searoburg, q.d.  Dry 
Town; for the old Town 
stood upon an Hill where no 
Water was, but it is now si­
tuate in a Vailey, and a lit­
tle Brook runs through the 
Streets thereof. See to Sear, 



 
and Borough, in the Com. 
Names.  

Saltmersh, a Sirname, by the 
change of one letter, from 
Salt, and Marsh.  

Samond, a Sirname; from 
St. Amand.  

Sampier, a Sirname; from 
the Fr. de Saint Pierre, i.e.  
of St. Peter. 

Sampoll, a Sirname; from 
the Fr. de Saint Paul, i.e.  of 
St. Paul. 

Sandon, in Kent; (i. e.) San­
dy Town; from Sand and 
Town; which see in the 
Com. Names. 

Sandwich, in Kent; from 
Sand, and Wich; which see 
in the Com. Names. 

Sassem, a Village in Holland; 
Adr. Jun. supposeth that it 
is called so quasi Sachsen 
Hiem, the Saxons Home; 
for its certain that the Sax­
ons once subdued a great 
part of the Low-Countries. 

Saucheverell, a Sirname; from 
the Fr. Saute, a Forest, and 
Chevrelle, a young She-Goat. 

Saxon, in the AS. we find Seaxna Ðeod, the People 
of Saxony, and Eald Seax, 
an old Saxon; from the AS. 
Seax, the Goth. Cimbr. 
Saks, or the Fr. Th. Sahs 
a Poniard, which the An­
cient Saxons always wore in 
stead of Swords. Mer. Cas. 
draws the AS. Seax, from 
the Gr. and Pers. Σάγαρις, 
a kind of short Sword. These 
ancient Saxons were former­
ly divided into a threefold 
People; namely, into the 
Ostphali, Westphali, and An­
garii. 

Scales, a Sirname; see Scale 
in the Com. Names. It is 
the same with the It. de la 
Scála, and Fr. de l' Eschelle,
made famous by the Princes 
of Verona, and two most 
learned Monarchs, the Fa­
ther and Son, of that 
Name. 

Scandia, by the Inhabitants 
called Schoenland; from 
the Teut. Schoen, Schon, 
fair, which may come from 
Scheinen, to shine; q.d.  a 
fair Land, or pleasant Coun­
try. 

Scarborough, a Port in York­
shire; from the AS. Scear, 
a Scar, and Burg, a Town, 
saith Camden. Skinner draws 
it from the AS. Scearp, 
Sharp, and the same Burg, 
(i. e.) a Town or Fort by 
a sharp or picked Rock, the 
same, as Scharpenberg, in 
Brabant, and the Fr. Mon­
taigue. 

Scardale, in Devonsh. a Valley 
encompassed with Rocks; 
from the AS. Scear, a Scar 
or Cape; or from Scearres, 
Scars, or Rocks; and Dale.  

Scarr, a Sirname; from the 
other Scarr; which see in 
the Com. Names, and Scar­
borough above. 
 

 
Schiedam, a Town in Hol­
land. Adr. Jun. calls it the 
Dam or Wear of the River 
Schie; see Dam in the Com. 
Names. 

Schoon-haven, a City in Hol­
land; from the Belg. Schoon 
or Teut. Schon, fair, and 
Have, a Sheep Coat, Hoeve, 
a Farm, or our Eng. Haven.  

Scots, Inhabitants of Scotland; 
also the Name of the People 
call'd Scythæ. Adr. Jun. draws 
it from our word to Shoot, 
q.d.  Archers κατ' ἐξοχὴν; 
see Shoot in the Common 
Names, and Scythae following. 

Scythæ, or Scythians. Adr. 
Jun. and Voss. suppose that 
they formerly used the Ger­
man Tongue, and that they 
derived their Name from 
the Teut. Schieten, to shoot, 
or cast Darts, q.d.  die Schieters, the Shooters, by 
way of excellency. See 
Shoot, in the Common 
Names. 

Seater, a God of the Germans ; 
Verstegan distinguisheth it 
from Saturn, though without 
ground. Consult Verstegan, 
and see Saturday in the 
Com. Names. 

Seaton, in Devonshire; that is 
to say, Sea town; and by 
our Ancestors call'd Moridu­
num, from the C. Br. Mor, 
the Sea, and Dun, a Town. 

Sebald, or Sewald; from 
the AS. Sæ, the Sea, and 
Wealdan, to rule. 

Sebart, King of the East-­
Saxons, who was the first of 
that People that embraced 
Christianity. Verstegan taketh 
it to be a Contract of Si­
gebert. It may be drawn 
from the AS. Sæ, the Sea, 
and Beorht, famous; (i.e.) 
renown'd for Sea-Conquests. 

Seckington, in Warw. in the 
Saxons time, call'd Seccan­
dune; from Secce, a Fight, 
and Dune, a Town or Hill. 

Seghill, in Northumberland; 
from the AS. Secce, a Fight, 
or Secg, a Warrier, or 
Sagene, a Sword, and our 
word Hill; or from the AS. 
Sige, the Teut. Sieg, or 
the Belg. Sighe, Victory, and 
the same Hill.  

Seimore, a noted Sirname 
(i.e.) of St. More; from 
the Fr. de Saint Mor, or 
Maur.  

Selby, famous for a great Con­
vent, or Abby, the Abbot 
whereof had the Title of 
a Baron of the Realm; from 
the AS, Sel, Good, Con­
venient, and By, an Habi­
tation. 

Sellenger, a Sirname, a Corr. 
of Saintleger, which comes 
from Saint Leodegar; which 
see. 

Selrid, a King of the East-­
Saxons; from the AS. Sel 
well, and Rede, Counsel, or 
Redan, to give Advice.
 
 
 
  
Selsey, in Sussex; formerly a 
Bishop's See; but that au­
thority is now removed to 
Chichester, and the place 
become of very small Consi­
deration, from the AS. Seol, 
a Seol-fish, and Ea, or Ige, 
an Isle. 

Semarc, a Sirname, from Saint 
Medard.  

Semarton, a Sirname; from 
Saint Martin.  

Senly, a Sirname; from Saint 
Lizy.  

Senilo, a Sirname; from Saint 
Loid.  

Sentlow, a Sirname; from 
the Fr. Saint Loup, (i.e.) Saint 
Love. 

Seofrid, a King of the East-­
Saxons; from the AS. Seo, 
the Sight, andFrið, or 
Frede, Peace. 

Sevenoke, or Senoke, in Kent; 
so called from 7 great Oaks 
that grew there, but were 
cut down long ago. 

Severn, a River, in the C. Br. 
call'd Haffren, in the Lat. Sabrina. 

Shaftsbury, in Dorsetshire; 
from the AS. Sceaft, a 
Shaft, or Arrow; or as Cam­
den will have it, a Spire 
Steeple, and Bury, a 
Town. 

Shannon, in Ireland, Ptolem. 
calls it Senus, Oros. Sena, and 
in some Copies it is written 
Secana, whence by corrup­
tion Shannon. 

Shaw, a Sirname; Camden ex­
pounds it a shady Forest; see 
Shadow in the Common 
Names. 

Sheal, a Sirname, by inter­
pretation, a Cottage, not un­
likely from the AS. Sceala, ­
Shells or Rings; because as ­
Houses defend the Inhabi­
tants, so Shells the Bird in 
the Egg, and the Rind the 
Pap in the Apple. 

Shene, now Richmond, in 
Surrey, the King's Country 
House, upon the shore of the 
Thames; so called from its 
shining; See Shine in the 
Common Names. Or from 
the Teut. Schon, Fair. 

Sheppy, an Isle in the County 
of Kent; from the AS. Sceap-­
Ea, or Sceap-Ige, i.e.  the 
Sheeps Isle, from Sheep 
that abundantly multiply 
therein; and therefore, not 
unelegantly, called by Le­
land, Ovinia, from Ovis, a ­
Sheep. 

Sherborn, in Dors. from the 
AS. Scire-burn, i.e.  the 
clear Fountain; see Sheer 
and Bourn in the Common 
Names. 

Sherwood, in Nottingh. (i.e.) 
Sheer Wood; see Sheer, 
and Wood, in the Common 
Names. 

Shipston, in Warw. (i.e.) the 
Sheeps-Town.  

Shobery, in Essex; from the AS. 
Sceo, a Shooe, and Byrig, 
a Town. 
 

 
Shoreham, in Sussex; from 
the AS. Scoreham, and 
this again from score, a 
shore, and Ham, an home; 
so called, because it lieth to 
the Shoreward; see Shore 
in the Com. Names. 

Shot, Shut, or Shute, per­
haps from the Verb to shoot; 
which see in the Com. Names. 
It may likewise be taken 
from the Belg. Schot, the 
Fr. Escot, or our own word 
Shot, i.e.  a Reckoning or 
Club amongst good-fellows. 

Shrewsbury, the County 
Town of Shropshire; from 
Shrubs and Bury: which 
see in the Com. Names. In 
the Welsh it is now called 
ymwithig, from the pleasant 
situation thereof; as the Lat. 
Placentia, or the Gr. Callipolis, &c. 

Sicambri, a People of the 
Netherlands; Jun. draws it 
from the Teut. Such om her, 
(i.e.) Look about thee; which 
he supposeth to have been a 
Motto wrought upon their 
Standard. 

Sichild, Wife to Clothair, 
King of France; perhaps from 
the Teut. Sieg, Victory, and 
Helde, for Heldinne, a Noble 
Woman. 

Sidenham, a Village in Devon­
shire; perhaps from the AS. 
Sid or Side, long, and Ham, 
a Village. 

Sigebald, a Christen-Name; 
from the AS. Sige, or the 
Teut. Sieg, Conquest, and 
Bald, Bold; also swift, saith 
Verstegan, q.d.  one that is 
quick in pursuit of Victories; 
or that becometh more cou­
rageous than usually after a 
Victory obtain'd. 

Sigebert, King of the East-­
English; from the AS. Sige, 
Teut. Sieg, Victory, and 
Beorht, famous. Verstegan 
draws it from the same 
Sige, and Briht, advised. 
Kilian from the Belg. Sighe, 
Victory, and Werd, worthy; 
that is, one worthy of the 
Victory. 

Sigemer, Jun. derives it from 
the Germ. Sige, Victory, and 
Meyer, a Major; or it may 
be drawn from the same 
Sige, and Mehren, to aug­
ment. 

Sigeric, from the AS. Sige, 
Victory, and Ric, Rich, (i. e.) 
Rich in Conquests. 

Sighere, a King of the East-­
Saxons; from the AS. Sige, 
Victory, and Here, an Ar­
my. 

Sigismund, a Christen-Name; 
either as Camden hath it, 
from the AS. Sige, Victory, 
and Mund, Peace; that is, 
one that procureth Peace, 
yet so as by Victory; or as 
Jun. and Verstegan write, 
from the Teut. Sieg, Victo­
ry, and Mund, a Mouth; 
 

 
that is, one that conquers his 
Enemies by good words, or 
fair means.  

Silcester, in Hantshire, by Nenn. 
Caer Segonte, q.d.  the City, 
or Town of the Segontiacks; 
Camden saith, that the AS. 
Selceaster, denotes a great 
Town; yet I think it rather 
implieth, a fair Town. 

Silly Islands; Sulp. Severus 
calls them Sillinæ Insulæ; in 
the Lat. Bar. Sorlinges, 
more frequently; the Greek 
Geographers call 'em Cassite­
rides, namely, from the Stan­
naries, or Mines of Tin. 

Simberd, a Sirname; from 
St. Barbary; perhaps it was 
formerly read Simberb, which 
in French is rendred de ­
Sainte Barbe, and this is the 
Dim. of the Fr. name Bar­
bare, with us Barbara, as 
before. 

Singlis, an Irish Sirname; 
from St. Gelasius.  

Sisebubus, a King of the Spa­
nish Vice-Gothi, in the year 
621; perhaps from the Teut. 
Susz, sweet, and Butte, a 
Lip, or Cup. 

Sisenandus, another King of 
the Spanish Vice-Gothi; not 
unlikely from the Teut. 
Susz, sweet, and Sohnend, 
coming of the Verb Sohnen, 
to reconcile. 

Sitsilt, a Welsh Sirname , now 
Cecill.  

Siwald, heretofore a Christ. 
Name, but now a Sirname; 
from the AS. Sige, Victory, 
and Wealdan, to rule. 

Siward, a Christen-Name; 
Verstegan saith, that it was 
formerly read Sighward; 
from the AS. Sige, the 
Teut. Sieg, or the Belg. 
Sighe, Victory, and Ward, 
a Keeper; that is, he that 
doth not carelesly lose the 
advantages of a Conquest. 

Siwe, a God of the Germans; 
perhaps from the AS. Sige, 
or Teut. Sieg, Victory, which 
the Romans worshipp'd as a 
Deity. 

Skeffington, the Name of a 
Village; from the AS. Sceap, 
a Sheep, and Town, q.d.  
Sheeping Town, i.e.  the 
Shepherd's Town. 

Skell, or Schell, a Sirname; 
from the AS. Sceale, a pair 
of Scales. 

Skrekingham, in Lincolnshire, 
corruptly for Trekingham, 
i.e.  the Place of three Kings; 
because three Danish Kings 
fell here in Battle; from 
tre for three, King, and the 
AS. Ham, which signifies an 
home or habitation. 

Smeth, or Smeath, a Sir­
name; Camden expounds it, 
a Plain, from the AS. 
Smaeðe, smooth, even. 

Snell, a Sirname; from the 
Belgic. Snel, the Teut. 
Schnell, the It. Snello, or 
the Fr. Isnel, swift and nim­
ble. 
 

 
Snowden, in Caernarv. from 
Snow, and the AS. Den, a 
Den, or any receptacle; in 
the C. Br. Craig Eriry, from 
Snow always seen upon the 
top thereof. 

Sole, a Sirname; Camden saith 
that it signifies a Puddle, or 
Pool; yet Sol, in the AS. is 
put for an Halter, or Stay. 

Somersetshire, from Somer­
ton, that was formerly the 
chief Town in the County; 
in the AS. Somertun­
scire, perhaps so called, 
because of the Pleasantness 
of Dwelling in the Summer 
time. 

Southampton, a famous Port; 
Anton. calls it Clausentum, from 
Clausus, and the River An­
ton: It is now drawn from 
the same Anton, and South, 
to distinguish it from Nor­
thampton lying more to the 
North. Leland calls it Avon­
dunum, and draws it from the 
C. Br. Avon or Afon, a Wa­
ter, and the AS. Dune, a 
Bank, or tun, a Town. 

Southwark, in Surrey, over 
against London, in the AS. 
Souðwerc, (i.e.) a Work 
or Building on the Southside 
of London; see South in 
the Common Names. 

Spencer, formerly le Despen­
cer, a Sirname of a Noble 
Family; from the Fr. le De­
spensier, that is, a Steward. 

Spene, a Village in Berkshire; 
the old Town called by Anton. 
Spenæ.  

Stafford, a County Town; 
Somner. draws it from the 
AS. Stef, a Staff, and 
Ford.  

Standard hill, in Sussex; so 
called, because William the 
Conquerour set up his Stan­
dard on this Hill, before he 
joined Battel with Harhold; 
see Standard and Hill in 
the Com. Names. 

Stanes, in Middlesex; from the 
AS. Stana, Stones. 

Stanford, in Linc. from the 
AS. Stan, a Stone, and 
Ford, that is, a Stony Ford. 

Stanley, a Sirname; from the 
AS. Stan, a Stone, & Leag, 
a Pasture. 

Stanton, from the AS. Stan, 
a Stone, and Town, (i.e.) 
a Stony Town. 

Stany-street, in Surrey; that 
is to say, Stony-street.  

Stert, a Foreland in Devonsh. 
from the AS. Stert, or 
Steort, a Tail; because like 
a Tail it is stretched out in 
length into the Sea. 

Stert point in Somersetsh. (i.e.) 
a Tailed Promontory; from 
the AS. Stert, Steort, 
a Tail. 

Stey, a Sirname; from the 
AS. Stige, a Path; yet 
Camden, and before him Æl­
fricus, render it a Bank, or 
Wear. 
 

 
Stigand, an Arch-Bishop of 
Canterburry, about the time 
of the Arrival of William the 
Conquerour; perhaps from 
the AS. Stigend, or Sti­
gand, coming of the Verb 
Stigan, to climb; and sure­
ly none will except against 
his climbing that has the 
good luck to see himself 
seated in an Arch-bishop's 
Chair, without a fall by the 
way. 

Stiliard, in London, by the 
Thames side; Minsh. and the 
Learned Th. H. take it to be 
so called from Steel, and 
Yard, because Merchants 
bring in and set to sale great 
store of Steel therein. There 
is read also Stile Yard, in 
some ancient Writings, which 
may be taken from the 
Stile, that parted it from the 
next Street, that Carts, Coa­
ches and such like Annoyan­
ces, might not interrupt men 
there met together to com­
mune about Merchandice. 

Stilico, perhaps from the 
Teut. Still, quiet, and 
Leich, a Funeral. 

Stoke, a Sirname, the same 
with Stow, which signifieth 
a Place, saith Camden: yet 
I had rather draw it from 
the AS. Stocce, the Trunk 
of a tree; see Zouch, be­
neath. 

Stoke Flemming, in Devonsh. 
from a Noble Flemming, the 
Land-Lord hereof in times 
of yore, and the AS. Stocce, 
the Body of a Tree. 

Stoneham, in Hantshire; see 
Stone and Ham, in the 
Com. Names. 

Stonehenge, in Wiltshire; some 
surmise that the great Stones 
seeming as it were to hang 
in this place, were set up for 
Monuments of some famous 
Men that were there slain; 
from Stone and Hang: 
which see in the Common 
Names. 

Stony Stratford, in Buck. 
q.d.  Stony-street-ford.  

Stourminster, in Dorsetshire; 
from the River Stowr, and 
a Minster, that formerly 
stood there; from hence like­
wise Sturton, a Village, quasi 
Stowe Town. 

Stow, a Sirname; from the 
AS. Stow, a Place. 

Stradling, a Sirname, Cor­
ruption of Easterling; which 
see, and Sterling in the 
Com. Names. 

Strasburg, a famous City in 
the Empire of Germany; per­
haps from the Teut. Strasz, 
a Way, and Burg, a 
City. 

Strathern, in Scotland; from 
the C. Br. Straith Ern, 
i.e.  a Valley by the River 
Ern, says Skinner, though 
Straith is not found in 
Davis. 

Stratton, in Shropshire, (i.e.) 
Street Town, or rather 
Strait Town, that is, a 
 


narrow, and strait Town, or 
a Town in a Valley.  

Streanes hall, formerly fa­
mous for a Covent of English-­
Saxons. Somner draws it 
from the AS. Streond, 
Strand, a Strand, or Shore; 
and Heal, a Corner, or 
Healc, otherwise Hylc, a 
Bending, or Turning. 

Sturbridge, in Kent; that is 
to say, the Bridge of the Ri­
ver Stur.  

Suevi, of late Schwauben, 
formerly a most renowned 
People of Germany; perhaps 
from Schweben, to move, 
q.d.  a nimble, or active 
People. 

Suffolk, from the AS. Suð­
folc, that is, Folk, or Peo­
ple of the South, in opposi­
tion to those of Norfolk. 

Suintilla, a King of the Spa­
nish Vice-Gothi; not unlikely 
from the Teut. Suenth, a 
Wench, by adding the Dim. 
Term. illa, q.d.  little Wench; 
from his pretty little Stature 
or Countenance. 

Sully, in Glamorg. an Isle; 
either from Sully, the 
Lord of the Mannor, or from 
the Silures, an ancient Peo­
ple so call'd. 

Sureby, in Yorkshire; Ptole­
my calls it Ἐυλίμενον Gabran­
tovicorum; others call it the 
Bay of Safety; q.d.  Sure 
Bay.  

Surrey, from the AS. Suð, 
the South, and Rea, a River, 
q.d.  South of the River, 
as saith Camden. It may also 
come of South, and the 
Belg. Ricg, a Ridge; or 
from the Fr. G. Sud, the 
South, and Rive by contra­
ction Rie, the Bank of a 
River. 

Sureteyes, a Sirname; from 
the Fr. Sur Teyse, i.e.  upon 
the River Teyse.  

Sussex, from the AS. Suðsex, 
q.d.  South Saxony. 

Suthred, the last King of the 
East-Saxons; from the AS. 
Soð, true, and Redan, 
to speak. 

Suthwell, in Nott. (i.e.) the 
South Well. Beda calls it Tio­
vul Fingacester, where St. 
Pauline, Arch-Bishop of York 
baptized the People of this 
Country in the River Trent. 

Sutton, a Village in Devon­
shire, and elsewhere, q.d.  
South Town.  

Swain, formerly a Danish 
Christ. Name , but now a Sir­
name; from the old word 
Swain a Countryman, or 
Farmer; see Swain in the 
Com. Names. 

Swaldale, in Yorkshire; from 
the River Swale, and 
Dale, a Valley. 

Swanescomb, in Kent; either 
q.d.  Swaines-camp, or 
Swaines-comb, i.e.  the 
Valley of Swaine, a General of 
the Danes; that pitched his 
Tents here. 
 

 
Sweden, formerly the Seat 
of the ancient Gothi, the Van­
dali, and the Suiones; from 
which last in tract of time, 
the Country came to be 
called Sweden. 

Swithelm, a King of the East-­
Saxons; from the AS. Swiðe, 
greatly, and Helm, proper­
ly, an Helmet, and by tran­
slation, Safegard, q.d.  one 
that protecteth others with 
might and main. 

St. Swithin, Bishop of Winche­
ster; formerly Switheahn; 
Camden draws it from the AS. 
Swiðe, greatly, and Heah, 
or Heahn, high: It may al­
so not improbably be drawn 
from the Belg. Swith, Va­
liant, and Helm, an Hel­
met, and so may seem to be 
a depravation of Swith­
helm next above. 

Syncler, a Sirname; from 
the Fr. de Sainte Claire, i.e.  
of St. Claire.  
 

T 
St. Tabb's, (i. e.) the 
Church of St. Ebba; 
see St. Ebba above. 

Tadcaster, in Yorkshire; from 
the AS. Tade, a Toad, and 
ceaster, a Castle, perhaps 
because the Ditch or Trench 
cast round it might abound 
with Toads. 

Tailbois, a Sirname; from 
the Fr. Tailler, to cut, and 
bois, a Wood, q.d.  a Car­
penter. 

Tamerton, in Cornwall; for­
merly called Tamara; from 
the River Tamara, and by 
adding the AS. tun, a Town, 
Tamerton. 

Tamworth, in Staffordshire; 
from the River Tama, and 
the AS. Weorð, or 
Worð, an Isle, or Holme, 
also a Court, or Country-­
house; as in Germany, Kei­
serwert, and Bomelswert, 
(i.e.) the Isle of Cæsar, and 
Bomelius. 

Tancred, King of Naples and 
Sicily, of the Norman race; 
not unlikely from the AS. 
Ðancgian, or the Teut. 
Dancken, to give thanks; 
it may also be drawn 
from Danck, thanks, and 
Reden, to speak. 
 

 
Tanfara, a God of the ancient 
Germans, whose most stately 
Temple Germanicus Cæsar le­
velled with the ground. Jun. 
draws it from the Article 
The, and Anfang, a begin­
ning; perhaps he was among 
them the same that Saturn 
was among the Romans. 

Tavistoke, a Town in Devonsh. 
from the River Teav, and 
the AS. Stow, a place. 

Taunton, a fine Town in Som. 
q. Thonton; from the Ri­
ver Thon, and Ton, for 
Town. 

Tees, a River in the Bishop­
rick of Durham called by 
Ptolemy Τούασις, or Τύεσις, and 
thence by corruption Tees. 

Teifedale, in Scotland, (i.e.) 
a Dale by the River Tefy, 
or Teviat.  

Teiguemouth, in Devonshire; 
that is the Mouth of the Ri­
ver Teigue.  

Bishops Teiguton , a place of 
Refuge or Sanctuary in for­
mer times; a Village upon 
the same River. 

St. Telean, a Welshman, Bi­
shop of Landaff. I take it 
to be a corruption of the 
Heb. Elias, or the Lat. AElig;lius; 
though some allusively, in 
the respect of his Piety and 
Learning, have call'd him 
ἥλιον, that is, Apollo, or the 
Son. 

Temesford, in Bedfordshire; 
(i.e.) the Ford of the Thames, 
and Owse; see Thames 
below. 

Temple Bruer, in Lincolnshire; 
from Temple, and the Fr. 
Bruyere, a place where Heath, 
Briars, &c. grow. Temple, 
a Sirname, from the Knights 
Templars, or Officers in the 
Temple of Jerusalem. 

Isle of Tenet or Thanet, in 
Kent; Solinus calls it Atha­
naton, and from hence 
Thanaton, which may come 
from the Gr. Θάναγος, death, 
because, as our Author re­
lates, it killeth Serpents that 
are brought into it. 

Teringham, a Village, as also 
a Sirname of a Family; from 
the AS. Ðeorian, to faint, 
and Ham, a Village; or q.d.  
Tiringham, because, being 
situate upon an Hill, the a­
scent is difficult, and causes 
weariness. 

Terry, a Christen-Name for­
merly, though now a Sir­
name only; from the Fr. 
Thierry, and this very pro­
bably a Contract of the Germ. 
Theodoric; which see. 

Teukesbury in Gloc. (i.e.) the 
Church of St. Teuke, an Her­
mit. 

Teutobocchus, an ancient King 
of the Teutones, who with his 
Army was vanquished by 
Caius Marius; in the Germ. 
he is call'd Theodway, from 
the AS. Ðeod, People, and 
Wagian, Belg. Waeghen, 
to move, or put forward; or 
Theodweck, from the same 
 


Ðeod, and the Teut. Wec­
ken, to awake. Jun. writes 
it Stautebec, and derives 
it from Stout, and Beak; 
which see in the Common 
Names.  

Thames, in Latin Tamesis, a 
famous River; the Port of 
London; so called from the 
meeting together of the Ri­
vers Tame, and Owse.  

Thelwall, in Cheshire; from 
the AS. Ðel, the Trunk 
of a tree, and Wall, a 
Trench. 

Theobald, a Christen-Name; 
either, as Camden hath it, 
from the AS. Ðeod, People, 
and Bald, Bold; or as Verst. 
and Kiliam q.d.  Belg. Theud­
bald, (i.e.) Bald Deughde­
lick, early Virtuous or Vali­
ant, from the Belg. Deughde, 
Virtue, or Valour, and Bald, 
soon. 

Theodebert, from the AS. 
Ðeod, People, and Beorht, 
famous. 

Theodelinda, a Queen of the 
Longobardi of Italy; from the 
old Teut. and AS. Ðeode, 
People, and Lind, mild; 
whence Linden, to asswage. 

Theodohatus, King of the 
Ostro-Gothi of Italy; from the 
AS. Ðeod, People, & Hatan, 
to hate, (i.e.) one that was 
hated of the People. 

Theodomir, a King of the 
Spanish Swedes, from the AS. 
Ðeod, People, and the Teut. 
Mehren, to augment, (i.e.) 
one that extends the Limits 
of his Empire by adding 
more People or Countries to 
his own. 

Theodoric, by Contraction 
Derrick, and in Fr. Thierry, 
in the Belg. Diderick, saith 
Versteg. from the Belg. 
Deughde, Virtue, and Ric, 
Rich. Camden draws it more 
near, from the AS. Ðeod, 
People, and Ric, a Kingdom; 
also Rich. 

Theodulph, a Christen-Name; 
from the AS. Ðeod, People, 
and Ulph, help. 

Theofred, Son to Reciswindus, 
King of the Spanish Vice-­
Gothi, from the AS. Ðeod, 
People, and Frede, Peace. 

Thetford, in Norfolk; from 
the River Thet, and ford. 
It was heretofore a Bishop's 
See. 

Theudebald, a King of the 
Goths; from the Belg. 
Deughde, Valour, and Bald, 
soon, (i.e.) valiant betimes. 
I may also draw it from the 
AS. Ðeod, People, and 
Wealdan to rule. 

Theudes, or Thudo, a King of 
the Spanish Vice-Gothi; from 
the AS. Ðeod, People. It 
answers the Lat. Poplicola. 

Theudomar, an ancient Ger­
man Name; from the Belg. 
Deughde, formerly Theude, 
 


valour, and Meyer, a Ma­
jor; or from the AS. and 
old Germ. Theod, Theode, 
People, and the same Meyer, 
or the AS. Mære, famous, 
or the Teut. Mehren, to aug­
ment; or from the AS. 
Ðeoden, to Master, and the 
same Mære, famous.  

Thirlwall Castle in Northum­
berland; from the AS. Ðirl, 
a hole, (whence Ðirlian, to 
make a hole through, to 
drill,) and Wall; Because 
the Scots in their Invasion of 
England, made several holes 
or gaps in the Partition Wall 
which the Emperor Severus 
built for the division of the 
two Kingdoms, for their bet­
ter conveniency of entring 
and retreating. 

Thistleworth, in Middlesex, 
formerly Gistleworth; from 
the AS. gisle, or the Teut. 
Gistel, a Hostage, and Worth, 
a Court, or Hall, because the 
Hostages from Foreign Coun­
tries were here kept by 
the Triumphant West-Saxon 
Kings. 

Thor, the chief God of the 
ancient Germans, equal to 
Jupiter of the Romans; either 
a Contract of Thunder, be­
cause he was their God of 
Thunder; or from the AS. 
teran, to tear, because he 
may be said to rend the 
Clouds; or from the Belg. 
Tieren, to cry with a loud 
voice. See Thunder, Tear, 
and Thursday, in the Com. 
Names. 

Thorismundus, a King of the 
Spanish Vice-Gothi; either 
from Thor above, and the 
Teut. Mund, a Mouth, (i.e.) 
He that doth as it were 
thunders with his voice, or 
speaketh as majestically as 
Jove himself: or contrari­
wise from the AS. Ðore, 
Ðure, a Door, and Mund, 
Peace, q.d.  the Gate of 
Peace. 

Thorney, in Hantshire; in the 
AS. Ðorn Ige, the Thorny 
Isle; see Thorn, and Ea, 
in the Com. Names. 

Thory, a Sirname; either from 
Thor, the ancient Saxon and 
Germans Jupiter; or from 
the Teut. Thore, a Door, or 
Thor, distracted. 

Thrasimund, a Christ. Name 
frequent among the Longo­
bardi of Italy; Kilian draws 
it from the Belg. Te Rasch, 
too Rash, and Mund, a 
Mouth, (i.e.) one that 
speaketh without delibera­
tion. 

Throckmorton, q.d.  The Rock-­
Moor-Town.  

Tilbury, in Essex; Beda calls it 
Tilabury, from the AS. 
Tilian, to toil, or labour 
greatly, and Burg, a Town; 
so call'd, from the hard and 
even stony life of St. Ceadda, 
Bishop of the East Saxons. 

Tindall, in Northumberl. (i.e.) 
 

 
a Dale or Valley by the Ri­
ver Tine.  

Tine, in Lat. Tina, a River in 
Northumb. from Tin, which 
in the C. Br. signifieth nar­
row. If it may not come 
from our word Tiny or lit­
tle; see Tiny in the Com. 
Names. 

Tinmouth, in Northumberland; 
(i.e.) the Mouth of the Ri­
ver Tine.  

Tipkins, a Sirname; from 
Tib, for Tibald, or Theo­
bald, and Kin, which dimi­
nisheth, q. d. Little Theobald; 
see Theobald, above. 

Tir-Conell, in Ireland; q.d.  
Terra Cornelii, i.e.  the Land 
of Cornelius.  

Tiroen, a Country in Ireland; 
the ancient Irish call'd it 
Tir-Eogain, (i.e.) terra 
Eugenij, or the Land of Eu­
genius.  

Tirrell, a Sirname; in French 
de la Tourelle, (i.e.) of a 
Turret: or as the Learned 
Th. H. telleth us, from the 
Fr. Tiret, to shoot; the first 
of this Name having been 
Archer to William the Se­
cond, when he went a Hunt­
ing. 

Tivi, a River in Cardig. in 
the C. Br. Dwr Tivi, the Wa­
ter of Tivi.  

Tolestale, in Dublin in Ireland, 
(i.e.) the Toll-takers or Pub­
licans Stall; see Toll, and 
Stall, in the Common 
Names. 

Tong Castle, or rather Thong 
Castle in Kent; so called, 
because Vortigern King of the 
Britains gave Hengist the 
Saxon so much Land here, as 
he could compass about with 
an Oxe's Hide cut into as 
small Thongs as he could. 

Tooly, a Sirname; if Camden's 
authority may be rely'd on, 
it was formerly a Christen-­
Name, and a Corruption of 
St. Olave.  

Torbay, a Bay in Devonshire; 
from the AS. Tor, a Tower, 
and Bay; which see in the 
Common Names. 

Torcester, in Northamp. from 
the AS. Tor, a Tower, and 
ceaster, a Castle, though 
Marian calls it Tovecester; 
as if it should come of the 
AS. Towe, Tow or Flax, and 
ceaster, a Town. 

Torkesey, in Linc. in the AS. 
Turcesige, for Troge­
sige, saith Somner, from 
troge, a Cock-boat, and 
Ige, an Island. 

Torold, formerly a Christen-­
Name, according to Camden, 
but now a Sirname; deri­
ved from the AS. Tor, a 
Tower, and Old, q.d.  Old 
Castle. 

Tory, a River in Caern. Ptole­
my calls it Tobius. 

Totnes, or Totenais, in De­
vonshire; from the Fr. Totene, 
the fish called a Polypus, which 
is often caught there. 
 


Traith-Taff, in Glam. Ptole­
my calls it Ratostabius; from 
the C. Br. Traith, the Tide, 
and the River Taff.  

Tre-Baldwin, or Trefald­
win, in Montgom. that is 
the Town of one Baldwin 
Bollers, the Land-Lord there­
of; from the C. Br. Tre a 
Town, and Baldwin.  

Treboeth, in Yorkshire; (i.e.) 
in the C. Br. The Burnt 
Town. 

Tregenie, in Cornwall; from 
the C. Br. Tre, a Town, and 
Geneu, a Port. Gate, or En­
trance, so call'd from its be­
ing situate near Falmouth. 

Tregian, a Sirname; perhaps 
from the C. Br. Tre, a Town, 
and Giant, q.d.  the Giants 
Town. 

Trekingham, in Linc. from 3 
Danish Kings there slain in 
Battle . 

Trent, a noted River; Som­
ner takes it to be a Contract 
or Corruption of the C. Br. 
Dour-went, Dar-went, or Da­
rent; see Darwent. 

Tribocci, an ancient People 
of one of the Provinces of 
Germany, now call'd Alsatia. 
Some do suppose that they 
had this name from their 
love to Luxury; q.d.  Trey 
bauchen, (i.e.) having three 
Bellies, from the Teut. Trey, 
or Drey, three, and Bauch 
a Belly, i.e.  big Belly'd peo­
ple. Glareanus, to wipe off 
the disgrace cast upon his 
Country by such a deriva­
tion, draws it from Trey, 
three, and Buchen, Beech-­
trees. 

Trino-bantes, an ancient Bri­
tish-People, that resided in 
Middlesex and Essex; not from 
Troja nova, as say Chronolo­
gers, for we have nothing 
to do with the Trojans; but, 
as Camden surmiseth, from 
the C. Br. Tre-nant, that is 
to say, a Town in a Valley; for 
this Country is lower and 
lower, as it draws nearer to 
the Thames, in the fashion of 
a Valley. 

Trisanton, in Ptolem. q.d.  C. Br. 
Traith Anton. (i.e.) the Tide 
of the River Anton. 

Tristram, a Christen-name, 
perhaps for Tristan, which 
may come from the Lat. Tri­
stis, sad; or it may be the same 
with Turstan; which see 
below. 

Tru-Ar-Drait-Bay, in Corn­
wall, in the British tongue , it 
implieth as much as, the Bay 
at a Town built upon the Sand. 

Trubridge, in Wiltshire; in the 
AS. Truðabyrig, (i.e.) a 
secure, or firm Town; see 
True, Bury, Borough, and 
Bridge, in the Com. Names. 

Truro, or as they say in Cornw. 
Trura, from three Rows, or 
Streets encompassed with 
two Rivers. 

Tuisco, a God of the ancient 
Germans; in the AS. Tues, 
or Tiwes, from Ðwean, in 
 


the Theot. Thuagan, Thu­
ahan, to wash, or Purge; 
q.d.  the expiatory God; see 
Tuesday, in the Com. Names, 
and Dutch in its place. We 
may also with some probabi­
lity draw it from the AS. 
Ðeod, People, q.d.  Ðeodisc, 
(i. e.) the People's tutelar 
God.  

Tulga, a King of the Spanish 
Vice-Gothi, in the Year 640. 
perhaps from the Teut. 
Dolch, a Poinado, or Poy­
nard. 

Tunbridge, in Kent, from 
Town and Bridge; It an­
swers the Gr. Gephyra. 

Turbervill, a Sirname; q.d.  
de Turbida Villa, i.e.  of the 
turbulent Village. 

Turchill; Camden saith, that 
it was formerly a Christen-­
Name; however it is now 
become a Sirname; and may 
be drawn from the AS. Tor, 
a Tower, and Cild, a Child, 
that is, a Child born, or found 
in a Tower. 

Turstan, formerly a Christen-­
Name, but now a Sirname. 
Camden derives it from the 
AS. Treowestan, the Su­
perlative of Treow, true, 
faithful; or 'tis the same 
with Tristram, above. 

Tutbury, or Sturesbury Ca­
stle in Staff. perhaps from the 
AS. Stod, a Stallion, and 
Byrig, a Town; there be­
ing Plenty of good Horses 
bred there. 

Tuttle Fields, formerly Tut­
hill Fields near Westmin­
ster; from the AS. Stod, 
a Horse, and our words hill 
and Fields.  

Twedale, in Scotland, (i.e.) 
a Valley by the River Twede, 
q.d.  Twede-dale. 

Twerton, in Devonshire, q.d.  
Twifford-Town, a Town 
having two Fords. 

Twiford, in Northumb. that is 
to say, a twofold Ford.  

Twinamburn, now Christ-­
Church, in Hantshire; so 
called, because it is situate 
between two Bourns or lit­
tle Rivers; see Two, and 
Bourn, in the Common 
Names. 

Twist, a River in Kent; so 
called from its Twistings and 
Windings. 

Tyburn, a place near London, 
the Publick place for Execu­
tion of Criminals within Lon­
don and Middlesex, not from 
Tying, and Burning, as some 
will have it, but from the AS. 
Twy, Two, and Byrna, 
in our old English Bourn, a 
small River; from two Brooks 
that formerly run thereby, 
but are now dry'd up.

 

 
V 
VAdomarius, a King of 
the Alemanni, Co­
temporary with Ju­
lian the Apostate; 
perhaps from the Belg. 
Wade, a Garment and Mey­
er, an Overseer. 

Vahalis, or as Adr. Jun. has 
it Vachalis,  in the Belg. 
Waal, a River in the Ne­
therlands; or rather an Arm 
of the Rhine. Jun. draws it 
from the Belg. Waeghen, to 
waggle. I had rather draw 
it from Wallen, to be trou­
bled, or to flow to and a­
gain. 

Vale of red Horse, in Warw. 
from the Figure of an Horse, 
in a Valley, on whose Neck 
were red marks. 

Vally of White Horse, in 
Berkshire; so call'd from the 
form of a Horse represented 
upon a white or Sunny 
Bank. 

Vandals, an ancient People of 
Scandia, as also Germany, fa­
mous for their remarkable 
Conquests, even to the Sub­
version of the Roman Em­
pire; either from the Germ. 
Wandelen, Wandeln, to 
wander abroad; for com­
ing from Sweden and Dane-­
Land, the remotest Parts in 
the North, they extended 
their Victories over Spain and 
Mauritania. Adr. Jun. de­
rives it from the Dalii, a Peo­
ple of Scandia, q.d.  Belg. 
Van De or Der Dalen; 
or Teut. q.d.  Von die Tha­
len, i.e.  People that inha­
bit the Valleys. 

Vannius, Cotemporary with 
Claudius Nero, a King of the 
Swedes; perhaps from the 
AS. Wan, wan, or pale. 

Vaughan, a Sirname; per­
haps from the C. Br. Vachan, 
little, small. 

Vaux, a Sirname; from a Town 
in France of the same Name . 

Vbii, an ancient People of 
Germany, that lived where 
the famous City of Colonia A­
grippina now stands; perhaps 
from the Germ. Ob, or Oben, 
above; that is to say, the Up­
per People compared with 
those of the Low-Countries. 

Vbsford, or Vfford, a Village 
so call'd, (i.e.) the Ford of 
Ubba, or Uffa, the first King 
of the East-English. 
 

 
Vchtred, a Christen-Name; 
Camden draws it from the 
Germ. Hoch or Hoogh, lofty, 
and Rede, Counsel. 

Velleda the Germans Sibylla; 
Kilian draws is from the 
Belg. Veel, or the Teut. 
Viel, much, and the Belg. 
Leeden, or Teut. Leiden, 
to suffer. 

Vernulph, a Goth that slew 
King Athaulph; Jun. expounds 
it, an old beaten Soldier; from 
the Teut. Fern, Ferner, old, 
and Ulph, help. 

Veromirus, Chief of the Teu­
tones in Aug. Cæsar's time; 
from the Belg. Vere, pas­
sage by Water, and Meyer, 
a Major. I could also draw 
it from the Teut. Werre, 
with us War, and Meyer, 
a Major; see War, and Ma­
jor in the Com. Names. 

Verulamium, a famous City 
of England, in the time of 
the Romans, out of the Ru­
ins whereof was raised St. Al­
bans in Hertfordshire; perhaps 
from the C. Br. Gwêr, fatness, 
and Llonn, pleasant; from 
the pleasantness and fertility 
of the place. 

Viader, or Viadrus, now O­
der, a famous River in Ger­
many; perhaps from the 
breadth of its Current, viz.  
from Wider, or Wide, which 
see in the Com. Names; Or 
from the Teut. Oed, or Oe­
der, without Inhabitants, be­
cause it runs through a Land, 
where no body dwelleth. 

Viander, a City in Holland; 
from the Belg. Wije, or 
Wiide, or the Teut. Weide, 
a Willow-tree; from the 
plenteous increase of Wil­
lows, which all Holland, as 
being low & fenny, is full of. 

Victericus, a King of the Spa­
nish Vice-Gothi; from the 
Teut. Wicht Gewicht, 
weight, and Reich, or the 
AS. Ric, rich. 

Vidishindus, another King of 
the Spanish Vice-Gothi; from 
the Teut. Weide, a Willow, 
and Winden, to winde, q.d.  
a Basket-maker. 

The Vizes, in Wiltsh. perhaps 
from our word to Devise; 
which see in the Com. Names. 
q.d.  a Castle built with much 
curiosity of Workmanship 
and Art. 

Vipount, a Sirname; former­
ly de Vipount; from the 
Fr. de Vieux Pont, (i.e.) of the 
old Bridge. 

Visurgis, now Weiser, a famous 
Riv. in Germ, from the Teut. 
Weisz, Weisser, white; from 
the whiteness of its Water. 

Vitigis, a King of the Ostro-­
Gothi of Italy; from the AS. 
Wittig, or the Belg. Wit­
tigh, witty; which see, and 
Wit, in the Com. Names. 

Vitsan, a place upon the Fr. 
shore over against Kent; not 
from the C. Br. Gwith, a par­
tition, as Camden surmiseth, 
but corrupted from the Eng­
lish Whitesand.  
 

 
Vlpher, see Wulpher. 

Vlphric, see Wulphric. 

Vlphstan, see Wulphstan. 

Vlric, for Vlphric; which see 
above. 

Vlster, a large County toward 
the North in Ireland; in Lat. 
call'd Ultonia and Ulidia, in 
Irish Cui Guilly, (i.e.) the 
County Guilly. It was for­
merly the Seat of the Darni, 
Robogdii, Erdini and Voluntii; 
from which last, 'tis proba­
ble, came the Names Ultonia, 
Ulidia, and Guilly. 

Vnulphus, a Christen-Name; 
frequent among the Longo­
bardi of Italy; from the Teut. 
Ohne, without, and Ulph, 
help; (i.e.) forlorn. 

Vrdehead, in Scotland; from 
the AS. Ord, an Edge, and 
Head, q.d.  a piked Pro­
montory. 

Ure, formerly Vrus, a River 
in Yorkshire, which in the 
Romans time wash'd Isurium, 
a Town of the Brigantes, 
which is now call'd Ald­
borough. Urus was after­
ward by the English Saxons, 
called Oure, now Owse.  

Vrian, a Danish Christ. Name ; 
the same with our Name 
George; which see above. 

Vshant, in Cornw. the Romans 
call'd it Uxantissa Insula.  

Vsk, a River in Monm. in 
Lat: Isca.  

Vther Pendragon, a King of 
the Britains; (i.e.) the Head 
of a Dragon; because he 
had upon his Standard the 
form of a Dragon's Head, as 
the Romans also had in the 
last Ages of the Empire, saith 
Claudian. Vther is derived 
either from the C. Br. Uthr, 
Uther, to be admired; or 
from the Gr. Eutherius.  

Vtrecht, a famous City and 
County in the Netherlands, 
formerly a Bishop's See; in 
Lat. call'd Trajectum ad Rhe­
num, and Ultrajectum, of 
which it is a Contract, q.d.  
the best Trajection, or passage 
over the Rhine; Ultrajectum, 
from the People Wulti, or 
Wilti, and the old Belg. 
Drecht, a Town, as some 
will have it; or because it 
was Ulpius Trajan the Empe­
rour's Trajection. 

Vxbridge, in Middl. formerly 
Waxbridge, because the Clay 
is soft under foot like wax. 

Vxeter, in Staffordshire; a con­
tract of Vtoxeter, by the 
Romans called Etocetum. 

 

 
W 
WAcho or Wacarius, 
a King of the Lon­
gobardi, in the year 
500. either from 
the Teut. Wacker, of a quick, 
sharp Nature; or from Wa­
cher, a Part. of the Verb 
Wachen, to watch. 

Wainfleet, in Lincolnshire, re­
markable for the Nativity of 
William Bishop of Winchester, 
the Founder of Magdalens 
College in Oxford, and of a 
Grammar-School in this 
Town; perhaps from Wain, 
the Contract. of Wagon, 
and the AS. Fleot, a 
River. 

Wakeman, a Sirname, q.d.  
Watchman, from the Verb 
to Wake; which see in the 
Com. Names. 

Walarand, formerly a Christ. 
Name, but now a Sirname; 
from the AS. Walpian, to 
rowl, and Rand, in the old 
Danish Raund, and Ren­
dur, a Shield, q.d.  one that 
brandisheth his Shield. The 
Sirname Waldron is a Con­
tract of Walarand. 

Walbert, or Gualbert, a 
Germ. Christen-Name; from 
the AS. and Teut. Wall, a 
Wall, and the Belg. Berd, 
a Board; or from the same 
Wall, and Beorht, famous. 

Wallbrook, a Street in London, 
from Lucius Gallus a Roman 
Captain, that was slain there, 
and a Brook, which is now 
dried up; q.d.  Gallbrook. 

Walburg, the Christ. Name of 
a Woman; possibly from the 
AS. Wall, a wall, and Burg, 
for Borough, a Town; or 
from the same Wall, and 
Borh, a Bail, or Surety; 
(i. e.) She that defendeth 
the Walls. 

Waldemar, a Danish Christen-­
Name, from the old Goth. 
and Germ. Wald, Power, and 
the Teut. Mehren, to am­
plifie, that is to say, he that 
amplifieth his Dominions by 
Victories; or from the same 
Wald, and the AS. Mære, 
famous. Jun. draws it from 
the Teut. Wald, a Wood, 
and Meyer, a Major. 

Waldron, see Walarand. 

Waldwin, a Christen-Name; 
from the AS. Wealdan, to 
 


rule, or Wald, Power, and 
Win, a Conquerour, or 
Winnan, to Win.  

Walfleet in Essex, famous for 
good Oysters; from the 
AS. Wall, a wall, and Fleot, 
a River. 

Walleys, or Wallis, a Sir­
name; see Walsh. 

Wallingford, in Berkshire; from 
the C. Br. Guall Hen, i.e.  the 
old Wall, by retaining where­
of, and adding thereto Ford, 
the Eng. Saxons called it 
Gualengaford, and Wal­
lengaford, with us Wal­
lingford, as before. 

Wallmer, in Kent, from the AS. 
Wall, and Mare the Sea, q.d.  
a Wall for the Sea. 

Wallop, a Brook in Hantshire; 
from the AS. Weallian, 
Germ. Wallen, Waellen, 
to bubble forth, and Vp, 
Belg. Op, upward. 

Wallsend, in Northumberland; 
(q.d. ) the Walls-end, in 
Lat. Vindobala and Vindomora, 
(q.d. ) finis Valli, and finis 
Muri, i.e.  the Trenches End, 
and the Walls End. 

Wall-town, in Northumberland; 
upon the Wall, formerly a 
Palace Royal, where Segbert 
King of the East-Saxons was 
baptized, by St. Pauline; from 
Wall, and Town.  

Walsh, a Sirname, that is, to 
say, a Welsh -man; see Welsh 
below. 

Walsingham, in Norfolk; from 
the AS. Wæl, a Weel, or 
Whirl-Pool, this from Wæl­
wan, to wallow, and Ham, 
a Habitation, q.d.  a dirty 
boggy Town, or from the AS. 
Wælipe, Southern-wood, 
which grows plenteously 
there. 

Walter, a Christen-Name; here­
tofore Waldher, saith Cam­
den; either from the Teut. 
Wald, a Wood, and Herr, 
a Master; or from the AS. 
Wealdan, to rule, & Here, 
an Army. 

Waltham, a Town in Essex, 
memorable for a stately Ab­
by, the Abbot whereof was 
reckoned among the Barons 
of Parliament; from the 
AS. Weald, Teut. Wald, a 
Wood, and Ham; which 
see in the Com. Names, 
q.d.  a Town standing by a 
Wood. It answers the Gr. 
Δένδρος, and the Lat. Sylviacum. 

Wandle, a River in Surrey, 
from the C. Br. Gwaneg, a 
Wave, from whence Gwanegn, 
to overflow, for the Ebbings 
and Flowings thereof. 

Wandregisel, an Eng. Saxon 
Saint; from the AS. Wan­
drian, to wander; and the 
Teut. Gesell, a Companion, 
q.d.  a Companion of Pil­
grims. 

Wandsworth, in Surrey; here­
tofore Wandlesworth; from 
 


the River Wandle or Van­
dali, and Worth, a Plat­
form, or Village, or from the 
Dan. Vand, water, and the 
same Worth, (i.e.) a Town 
by the waters side.  

Wansdike, in Wiltshire, the 
Limit of the West-Saxons 
and the Mercii; q.d.  Wo­
dens dike, the Ditch of 
Woden, or Odin, the God 
of the Saxons, which was 
the Mercurius of the Romans; 
nigh to this is a small Town 
called Wodensburg, (i.e.) 
the Town of Woden; see 
Wednesday, Wood, & Dyke, 
in the Common Names. 

Wantage, a Village in Berk­
shire; perhaps from the AS. 
Wanta, less, from the small­
ness thereof. 

Ware, in Hertf. from our Eng. 
Wear, which is a Ditch 
made to keep off the over­
flowing of Water; see Wear 
in the Com. Names. 

Warin, now a Sirname; from 
the Teut. Gar, all, and Win, 
q.d.  one that wins always. 

Waring, a Sirname; Spelman 
draws it from the AS. Wa­
rian, or Werigan, to 
Curse or Back-bite. It may 
be drawn from the Waringi, 
a People in Germany, oppo­
site to the English Coast, in 
the time of Tacitus. 

Warnafred, the right Sirname 
of Paul, called the Deacon, a 
Chronographer of the Longo­
bardi; from the Teut. War­
nen, to fore-warn, and Fried, 
or the AS. Frede, Peace, 
q.d.  he that exhorts unto 
Peace. 

Warwick, in the C. Br. Caer Leon, the Legions Camp, 
where the Major of the Dal­
matian Horse acted under the 
Command of the Duke of 
Britain. Camden draws it 
from the C. Br. Guarth, a 
Safegard, or Garrison, and 
the AS. Wyc, a Port or 
City. Somner saith, that it 
was formerly call'd Wæring, 
or Wæring Wic, and de­
rives it from the AS. Wæ­
ring, a Wear, and Wyc, 
a Fort. 

The Washes in Norfolk, so cal­
led because it is wash'd by 
the Tides dashing against it, 
a Shore almost as dangerous 
as the Quicksands in Africa. 

Wassenaer, the Sirname of an 
ancient and noble Family in 
Holland. Adr. Jun. expounds 
it Wasser Heer, i.e.  the Ma­
ster of the Waters. 

Watling-street, one of the four 
Circuits, dividing London in 
the midst as it were from 
South to North, either from 
some man nam'd Vitellian; or 
as Somner supposeth from the 
AS. Wedla, a Beggar, or 
Wedlian, to beg; because 
Beggars sat therein as their 
constant place to ask Alms. 
It may also very probably be 
drawn from the Belg. Wenselen, 
 


to rowl, from its crook­
ed Windings.  

Webba, a King of the Mercii, 
from the AS. Webba, a 
Weaver. 

Wedon, in Leicest. Anton. calls 
it Bannoventa, the principal 
Seat of the Bennoni or Ven­
noni. 

Welch, or rather Welsh, from 
the AS. Wealh, a Stranger, 
or Foreigner; and this pro­
bably from Gallus, a French 
man; for the Gallo-Belgæ and 
Brit. for a time used the same 
Speech. And it is manifest, 
that the Franks that subdued 
Celtica, called the Gallo-Belgæ, 
Wallones; and that the Ger­
mans in the Neighbouring 
Countries of Italy, called Lom­
bardy, and Gallia, on this side 
the Alps, the Welsh Land; 
and that the Fr. call our 
Wales, Pais de Gales. 

Welles, in Som. a Bishop's See; 
so called from Wells, that 
spring forth all over, after 
the manner of Pagase of the 
Macedonians, Susa among the 
Persians, and Croia in Dal­
matia; which all had their 
Names from Springs or 
Wells. 

Wellingborough, formerly 
Wedlingborough, or Wod­
lingborough, in Northampton­
shire; from Wells that have 
a Medicinal virtue; or, if it 
ought to be called Wedling­
borough, from Wædla, a beg­
gar, or Wædlian, to beg; 
(i.e.) the Beggars Town; 
and if it ought to be pro­
nounced Wodlingborough, 
from the AS. Wod, Wood 
or Mad, and the Dim. Ling, 
q.d.  the Town of People 
half Mad; to wit from the 
impatience of infected Peo­
ple coming to the Wells for 
ease. See Borough in the 
Com. Names. 

Wellington, in Som. (i.e.) the 
Town of Wells.  

Welsh-pool, in Montgom. from 
Welsh, and Pool; which 
see in the Com. Names. 

Wentsbeck, a little River in 
Northumb. upon which stood 
an old Town called Glano­
venta, (i.e.) a little River 
running into or out of the 
 River Went; See 
 Beck in the Com. Names. 

Were, a River in the Bish. 
of Durham; from the AS. 
Weorg. Ptolemy call'd it 
Vedra, and Beda Wirus; and 
from hence cometh 

A lead-in to the next entry, on Weremouth.

 

Weremouth, in the same Bish. 
and Monks Weremouth, 
which Beda writes Wirau­
mouth, (i.e.) the Mouth of 
the River Were. 

Werminster, an old Town in 
Wiltshire, heretofore Verlucio; 
from Ver, the beginning of 
the old Name, and Minster.  

Werthrada, a Queen, Wife to 
Charles the Great. Jun. sup­
poseth that it comes of the 
Germ. Werth, worth, or wor­
thy, and Rade, Counsel.
 

 
Westchester, a famous Bishop's 
See; so called to distinguish 
it from Chester in the Street 
in Durham, which lies to the 
East as this does to the West. 
The Eng. Saxons called it 
Leaga ceasten, (i.e.) 
the Legions Town; because 
a Roman Legion quarter'd 
here. 

Westminster, our Royal City 
in Middlesex; q.d.  a Minster 
i'th' West. 

Westphalia, a Country in Ger­
many, from its Western Situ­
ation, and the Teut. Falle, 
a Trap or Snare; because 
through the number & thick­
ness of Woods, and many 
Ditches, and Whirl-Pools, it 
was formerly a Place very fit 
to lay an Ambuscado in. 

Westphaling, Nom. Gent. (i.e.) 
one come from Westphalia.  

West-Seaxanric, (i. e.) the 
Kingdom of the West-Sax­
ons; for Seaxan, signifieth 
Saxons, and Ric, a Kingdom; 
See Saxon. 

Weymouth, a Port and little 
Mart-Town in Dors. so call'd 
from the River Wey, and 
Mouth, that is, the Mouth 
of Wey. 

Whaley, in Lanc. not unlikely 
from the AS. Weallian, 
to be full of Springs, and 
Leag; a Field, or Pasture, 
q.d.  a Field, well watered. 

Whealop Castle in Westm. Ptole­
my calls it Gallagium, Anton. Gallatum. 

Wheelock, a Sirname; from 
the AS. Wioloc, Purple, saith 
Somner, he means the Purple-­
fish, or rather a Cockle, or 
Sea-Snail, which in Linc. 
they call Wilk; See Wilk 
in the Com. Names. 

Wherf, or Wharf, a River in 
Yorkshire; from the Belg. 
Wervel, a Whirl-Pool, or 
Wervelen, to run round a­
bout. 

Whitby, or Whiteby, in 
Yorkshire; (i.e.) a white 
Town, or Bay, in the AS. 
Streanesheale; i.e.  
Streanes hall, which see. 

Whitchurch, in Shropshire; from 
White and Church; which 
see in Com. Names. 

Whitney, in Oxfordshire; from 
the AS. Hwit, white, and 
Ea, a Water, or Ige, an 
Island. 

Wibert, or Guibert, a Christen-­
Name; from the Teut. Wei­
hen, or the Belg. Wiihen, to 
consecrate, and Beorht, 
bright, also, light, q.d.  Sa­
cred Light. 

Wiberton, a Town in Linc. 
from Wiburt, Wibert, or 
Guibert, an English-Saxon 
Knight the Builder thereof, 
and Town, (i.e.) the Town 
of one Wibert, that about 
the year 870. fought under 
Algar, in a Battel against the 
Danes. 

Wickham, in Buckingh. rather 
Wicomb; from the AS. 
 


Wic, the winding of a Ri­
ver, or a Port, and Comb, a 
Valley.  

Wickliff, Iohn Wickliff, who 
so mawl'd the Triple-Head, 
that he obtain'd from her 
the Title of Arch-Heretick; 
from the AS. Hwit, white, 
and Clif, a Rock, or Clift. 

Wien, in Lat. Vienna, the Court 
of the Arch-Dukes of Austria; 
perhaps from the Belg. Wtie, 
Wiide, or the Teut. Weide, 
a Willow-tree; or, from the 
Belg. Wiien Wiihen, or 
Teut. Weihen, to consecrate; 
because perhaps here was a 
Temple consecrated to some 
Deity in times of Heathe­
nism. 

Wierdale, in Lanc. from the 
River Wy, and Dale, a 
Valley. 

Wigelinda, the Daughter of 
Pertharitus, King of the Lon­
gobardi of Italy; not unlike­
ly from the AS. Wiga, a 
noble Man, or Woman, and 
the Teut. Lind, mild. 

Wight Isle, in the AS. Wuit­
land, and Wick-Ea, in the 
C. Br. Guith, which denotes 
a Division, or Separation; 
because it is thought that this 
Isle was cut off and parted 
from the rest of England by 
the force of the Sea. 

Wiggin, in Lanc. commonly 
called Wiggon, in the AS. 
Wibiggin, from Wi, Sa­
cred, or Wibed, an Altar, 
and Biggin, or Bicgan, 
to build, q.d.  Sacred Build­
ings. 

Wigmore, in Heref. in the 
AS. Wigingamere, per­
haps from the AS. Wine, 
praised, Geong, young, and 
Mære, famous; though it 
may more immediately be 
drawn from the AS. Wic, a 
Fortress, and Mor, a Moor. 

Wigod, formerly a Christen-­
Name, but now a Sirname; 
from the Teut. Weihen, or 
the Belg. Wiien, to conse­
crate, and God, that is to 
say, consecrated unto the 
Lord. 

Wilberham, formerly Wil­
burgham in Kent; perhaps 
from the AS. Wild, Wilda, 
untamed, Burg, and Ham; 
which see in the Common 
Names. 

Wilbram, formerly nam'd 
de Wilburnham; from the 
AS. Wille-burne, i.e.  a 
Well Spring, and Ham, a 
Village; q.d.  a Town of Wells; 
as Welles in Somersetshire. 

Wilcock, a Sirname, from the 
obsolete Eng. Wald, for 
Wood, and Cock; which 
see in the Common Names: 
Or, as the Eminent Th. H. 
telleth us, 'tis a Dim. of 
William, as the Nurse's Bi­
licock. 

Wilfred, Arch-Bishop of York, 
in the year 672. from the AS. 
 


Willa, the will, and Frede, 
or Frið, Teut. Friede, 
Peace; that is, one, whose 
Mind inclines to Peace, and 
quietness.  

Willebald , in the year 762. from 
the AS. Willa, the Will, or 
Willan, to Will, and Bald, 
Bold. 

Willebrod, a Christen-Name, 
made famous by that most 
holy English-Saxon, the first 
Bishop of Utrecht, and Apo­
stle of the Belgæ. Verstegan 
writes it Willebrord, or ra­
ther Wilberord, and ex­
pounds it an Active will or 
Mind; for he saith, that 
Berord denoteth, one, that 
is Active: It may be taken 
from the AS. Well, well, 
and Beord, Speech, q.d.  
well spoken; or from the 
AS. Willan, to covet, and 
Breod, the Teut. Brodt, 
or the Belg. Broodt, Bread; 
that is, a great lover of Bread. 

Willet, the Dim. of Will, as 
Will is of William.  

William, in the Teut. Wil­
helm, not, as Luther will 
have it, q.d.  Vielhelm, i. e. 
the Shield of many; nor as 
some would have it, q d. a 
voluntary Defence, from Will 
and helm. But as Verstegan 
ingeniously, from Guild 
helm (i.e.) one furnished 
with a guilt Helmet. 

Wilnolde, an Abbatess of Kent, 
in the year 694. not unlikely 
from the AS. Willa, the will, 
and Nolde, she would not; 
that is, one that doubteth in 
Mind. 

Wilton, in Wiltshire; from the 
Brook Willey, and Ton, a 
Town; q. Willy-Town, 
heretofore called Alan, 
therefore by the Romans 
call'd Ellandunum.  

Wiltshire, in the AS. Wil­
setta, either from the 
Town Wilton, or the River 
Willy, and Setta, which 
signifieth neighbouring Inha­
bitants. 

Wimbleton, in Sur. in the AS. 
Wibandune, which Som­
ner writes Wibbandune, 
and saith it had this Name 
from one Wibba the Builder 
thereof, and Dune, an Hill. 
Wimbleton seems to be so 
call'd q. Wimble-Town.  

Wimear, a Sirname, formerly 
Wydmear, saith Versteg. from 
the AS. Wid wide, broad, 
and Mære, famous; that 
is, one that is well spoken of 
by many. 

Wimund, a Christen-Name; 
from the Teut. Weihen, or 
Belg. Wiien, Wiihen, to 
consecrate, and the AS. 
Mund, Peace; or from Wi, 
Sacred, and the Teut. Mund, 
a Mouth; that is, one of chaste 
and undefiled Lips. 

Winanderinere, in Westmorland; 
perhaps from the AS. Wine, 
 


Pleasant, Wad, a Ford, and 
Mere, a Marsh; or from 
the AS. and Eng. Wind, or 
Winds, & the same Mere, 
that is, a Water often trou­
bled, and rowled on heaps 
with the Wind.  

Winburn, in Dors. in the AS. 
Wynburaham, corr. from 
its old Name Vindogladia; in 
the C. Br. Windagledy, imply­
ing a Town between two 
Glades, (i.e.) two Rivers, 
for the Britains used gladium 
pro Amne, for a River or Brook; 
Winburn may be derived 
from the AS. Wine, Plea­
sant, and Bourn, a Spring, 
or Rivolet. 

Winchcomb, in Gloc. remarka­
ble for its Minster in former 
times: In the AS. call'd 
Wincel-Combe, from 
Wincel, a Corner, and 
Comb, a Valley environ'd 
on each side with Hills. 

Winchelsey, Old Winchelsey, 
in Sussex, in the AS. Win­
cels Ea, from Wincel, a 
Corner, and Ige or Ea, 
an Isle. 

Winchester, in Hantshire, a 
Bishop's See; in the AS. 
Wantanceaster, in the 
C. Br. Caer Guent, which 
comes from Gwin or Gwen, 
white, q.d.  white City, be­
cause it is built upon a Chal­
ky Soil. 

Windham, formerly Wimund­
ham, in Norfolk, (i.e.) 
Wi­
mund 's home; see Wi­
mund. 

Windogast, a Dutch Christen-­
Name; from the Belg. Win­
nen, to get, and Gast, a Guest, 
(i.e.) one that through Ci­
vility wins the love of his 
Guests, or Customers. 

Windsore, in Barkshire; in 
the AS. Windele-shora, 
so called from the winding 
of the Thames at that place; 
see wind and shore in the 
Com. Names. 

Wine, a Christen-Name; from 
the AS. Wine, Beloved. 
Or 'tis a Contract of 

A lead-in to the next headword, 
"Winefred."



Winefred; so was Boniface the 
Eng. Sax. Apostle of the 
Germans, called in his Mo­
ther Tongue; from the AS. 
Winnan, to get, and Frið, 
Frede, Peace, q.d.  a 
Procurer of Peace; 'tis also 
a Womans Name. 

Winoc, a Sirname; from the 
AS. Winnan, or the Belg. 
Winnen, to obtain, and the 
AS. Aac, or Ac, an Oak, 
that is, one that for his merits 
is rewarded with a Civick 
oaken Garland. 

Winterton, in Norf. so called from its cold situation. 

Winwidfield, in Yorkshire; so 
called from a Victory, which 
Oswin, King of Northumberland, 
obtain'd here over Penda the 
Mercian. There is also Win­
field, in Germany, where 
 

 
Q. Varus, was slain with 
his Legions: From the 
AS. Winnan, to conquer, 
and our word Field.  

Wischard, a Christen-Name; 
the Italians write it Guiscard, 
by interpretation a Crafty 
Shifter, says Skinner, quo­
ting an Anonymous Author 
for it; but adds. I find not 
Wisch of this Signification, 
and therefore I chose rather to 
draw it from the Teut. Wis­
chen, or Belg. Wisschen, to 
purge, or wipe, and the Belg. 
Aerd, Nature, q.d.  one that 
is sincere. 

Wismar, by some call'd Viso­
marus, King of the Vandals, 
and Founder of Weismar in 
Germany, a City upon the 
Coast of the Balthick Sea. 
Jun. expounds it Wiise 
Meyer, i.e.  a Wise Major; 
see Wise, and Major, in the 
Common Names. 

Witekind, the Christen-Name 
of the renown'd German-­
Saxon that was Tutor to so 
many Princes, Kings, and 
Emperours. He was the first 
of the Princes of that Na­
tion, that embraced the Chri­
stian Faith; from the old 
Teut. Wite, or the AS. Hwit, 
Hwita, white, and the Teut. 
Kind, a Child. Kilian writes 
it Wide-kund, and draws 
it from the Belg. Wiide, 
wide, and Kund, known. 

Withericus, by some called 
Videricus, a Goth, Christ. 
Name. Adr. Jun, draws it 
from the Belg. Wither, or 
Wider, a Weather, and 
Rich, q.d.  Rich in Cattel, 
or Weathers; see Rich and 
Weather in the Common 
Names. 

Withred, a King of Kent; from 
the AS. Wið, against, and 
Redan, to counsel; that is, 
one that ever Contradicts 
others. 

Withringdon, in Northumber­
land; from the AS. Wiðe­
rian, to wither, and Dune, 
an Hill, q.d.  a dry Hill. 

Wivelscomb, in Somers. from 
the old Eng. words Weevel, 
for Weezel, and Comb, a 
Valley with Hills on each 
side. 

Woden, a God of the Goths 
and Germans, the same with 
Mars of the Romans; his 
Statue was set up with a Pa­
noply, or compleat Armour, 
and a drawn Sword upon it, 
his Etymon agreeing with 
his Figure; for it is derived 
of the AS. Wedan, the Belg. 
Woeden, or the Teut. Wu­
ten, to be Wood, or Mad, q.d.  
the furious God, that is, he 
that inspired a warlike fury 
into the Minds of Men; see 
Wood, and Tuesday, in the 
Com. Names. 

Woerden, a Town in Hol­
land; from the Belg. Woorde, 
a Drake, and the AS. Den, 
a Valley, or Den; perhaps 
 

 
from the plenty of Wild 
Ducks.  

Woldsbury, in Wiltshire; from 
Wold and Bury; that is to 
say, a Town amongst Hills; see 
Wold, and Bury, in the 
Com. Names. 

Wolfard, a Saxon Christen-­
Name; from the AS. Wulf, 
the Belg. Wolf, or the Teut. 
Wolff, a Wolf, and the Belg. 
Aerd, Nature, (i.e.) crafty 
and greedy as a Wolf. 

Wolfart, a Christ Name; from 
the Teut. Wol, well, and the 
Belg. Vaeren, to be in 
health; or the same with 
Wolfard above, q. Wolf-­
heart. 

Wolfgang, a Christ. Name; 
from Wolf, and the Belg. 
Gangen, to go, q.d.  a thie­
vish fleering gate, like that 
of a Wolf. Verstegan writes 
it Wulfang, and Welfeng, 
and draws it from the AS. 
Wulf, the Belg. Wolf, or 
the Teut. Wolff, a Wolf, and 
the AS. Fengar, to catch, 
q.d.  a Wolf-Catcher. Isleb. 
writes it Hulfong, and de­
rives it from the Teut. Hulf, 
or the AS. Ulph, help, and 
Gang, to go. 

Wolfred, an Arch-Bishop of 
Canterbury, in the year 816. 
either from the AS. Ulph, 
Aid, and Redan, to give 
counsel, q.d.  He that assi­
steth others with his Advice; 
or from the AS. Wulf, a 
Wolf, and the same Redan, 
q.d.  one that instils into 
others cruel, and Wolf-like 
designs. 

Wolver Hampton, in Staff. 
heretofore Vlfraneshamp­
ton, or Wulfraneshampton, 
from Wulfruna a Pious Wo­
man, that built an Abby 
there. 

Woodreeve, a Sirname; from 
the AS. Wude Gnefa, a 
Wood Grave; see Reeve in 
its place, and Wood and 
Grave in the Com. Names. 

Woodstock, in Oxfordsh. from 
the AS. Wude, a Wood, and 
Stoc, for Stop, a place; or 
from Stocce, the Stock of 
a tree. 

Worcester, a City, and Bishop's 
See, in the AS. Wegeorna­
ceaster, and Wire-cea­
ster, which comes from 
Wire, a Forest, and ceas­
ter, a Town, in the Lat. 
Barb. it is called Wigornia; ei­
ther from the Wiccii, a People 
that once lived here; or from 
the said Wegeorna-ceaster. 

Worsted, a Town in Norfolk, 
from whence Wool spun 
there is also called Worsted, 
as Callico from the City Ca­
lecutt, where the best of this 
sort of Cloth is or was made; 
Worsted may be drawn 
from the AS. Worð, a 
 

 
Hall or Village, and Steda, 
or Sted, a Place.  

Wray, a Sirname; not unlike­
ly from the AS. Wreon, 
to cover, or from Wræc, 
Wræce, Wreck of the Sea, 
the first of the name having 
been cast upon some un­
known shore, and so might 
acquire his Name. 

Wrexham, in Denb. in the AS. 
Writtlesham, perhaps 
from the AS. Wriðels, 
Wreaths, or any thing that 
goes round, and Ham, a 
Village. 

Wroxeter, and Wreckceter, in 
Shropsh. from the AS. Wre­
cen-ceaster. Neun. calls it 
Caer Vruach, and Ptolem. Vi­
roconium. It was formerly the 
chief City of the Cornarii. 

Wulfhad, Son to Wulpher King 
of the Mercii, from the AS. 
Wulf, a Wolf, and Hade, 
a Kind; or rather q. Wul­
pherhade, i.e.  of the Kind or 
Nature of Wulpher, his 
Father. 

Wulphelm, Arch-Bishop of 
Canterb. about the year 930. 
from the AS. Ulph, help, and 
Helm, an Helmet, (i.e.) a 
Protectour. 

Wulpet, in Suff. that is to say, 
a Pit of Wolves, from Wolf, 
and Pit; which see in the 
Com. Names. 

Wulpher, King of the Merdii, 
Founder of the Minster of 
Peterborough, now a Cathe­
dral Church, from the AS. 
Ulpher, an Helper; see Help 
in the Com. Names; or from 
Ulph, help, and Here, an 
Army. 

Wulphric, formerly Vlpheric, 
saith Verstegan, from the AS. 
Ulph, help, and Ric, rich, q.d.  
Rich in Help. 

Wulphstan, and Wulfstan, a 
Christ. Name; from the AS. 
Ulph, aid, and the AS. Su­
perl. Term. Stan, q.d.  one 
that assisteth greatly, in the 
highest degree. 
 
 

 
Y 

YAle, a Tract of Land in 
Denb. perhaps so call'd 
from the River A­
lan.  

Yanesbury in Wiltsh. remarka­
ble for a Trench and Wall of 
Roman Workmanship, which 
Vespasian perhaps cast up, or 
built: for Yanes may be a 
Corruption of Vespasian, q. 
Vespasian's-bury. 

Yarborough, a Sirname; from 
the obsolete word Gerber, 
i.e.  one that binds new 
mown Grass in bundles; this 
from the Fr. Gerbe, or the 
Teut. Garbe, a Sheaf, whence 
the Fr. Gerber, and Teut. 
Garben to bind up in 
Sheaves; or it may be 
drawn from the Teut. Ger­
ber, a Fellmonger. 

Yare, a River in Norfolk, in 
the C. Br. Guern, which like­
wise is taken for an Eldar-­
Tree, perhaps from the great 
abundance of such Trees; Or 
from the AS. Gar, the an­
cient Name thereof. 

Yarmouth, a famous Harbour 
in Norfolk, (i.e.) the Mouth 
of the River Yare, which in 
the AS. is written Jer, and 
Gar. 

Yarrow, in the Bishopr. of 
Durham, memorable for the 
Birth of Beda, formerly called 
Girwy, and Girway lond, 
which in the AS. implieth, 
a Fenny Land, from Gyras, 
Geres, Fenns, or Ger, 
Mud. 

Yates, a Sirname, from Yate, 
for Gate; which see in the 
Com. Names. 

Ybell, a Welsh Christ. Name; 
by corruption from the Gr. 
Eubulus.  

Yedburgh, in Scotland, upon 
the Confluence of the Ri­
vers Yed, and Tefie. 

Yelverton, a Sirname; perhaps 
from the AS. Culfre, a 
Culver, and Tun, a Town; 
q. Culver-town. 

York, the next City in esteem 
to London, in England; in the 
AS. Euer ric, and Eofer­
wic; In the time of the Ro­
mans it was called Eboracum 
or Eburacum, from the River 
Vre or Vrus, now called 
Owse, which washeth it; as 
the Euberones and Eureux, 
that are nigh the River Ourt. 
It is a place memorable for 
 


the Death of two Emperours 
Severus, and Constantius Chlo­
rus, as also for the Nativity of 
Constantine the Great.  

Ystwich, in Card. perhaps from 
the C. Br. Ystwith, bound up, 
from the barrenness of the 
Land, which giveth but small 
increase. 

Ythell, a Welsh Christ. Name; 
a Contract of the Gr. Eutha­
lius.  

Yutland, in the Teut. Iut­
land; a part of Cimb. 
Chersonesus, q.d.  the Gothick 
Land, or the Land of the 
Goths. 
 

Z 
ZEaland, in the Belg. 
Zeeland, and See­
land, a Province both 
of the Netherlands, 
and Daneland, the one was 
the Seat of the ancient Co­
dani, the other of the Mat­
tiaci, q.d.  in Eng. Sea Land, 
so called from its Situation; 
because the Sea formerly 
washed it on both sides. 

Zouch, a Sirname, (i. e.) de 
la Zouche; the Fr. Zouche, 
denotes a Trunk of a Tree. 

Zutphen, a Town and Coun­
try in the Netherlands, q.d.  
Southfen; see South, 
and Fen in the Common 
Names. 

Zuyder Zee, between Zea­
land, and Holland, (q.d. ) 
in English the Southern-­
Sea, that is with respect to 
Holland, which it washeth 
on the South side; see 
South, and Sea, in the 
Com. Names. 
 
 
 

 
 


Proper Names of Men and Women now 
commonly used, coming from the Hebrew, Greek, 
and Latin, truly derived, with the Signification 
of the Name in the Original; together with the 
Name, as 'tis both in Hebrew and Greek in their 
respective Characters; very useful for Young 
Scholars.


A 
AAron, the same in all Languages: In the Hebr. אַהֲהן 
which comes from the root הַן a Mountain. In the Gr. 
Ἀαρὼν, Lat. Aaron. By interpretation, belonging to the 
Mountains. 

Abel, the same in all Languages. Hebr. הָבֶל, Gr. Ἄβελ, Lat. 
Abel. By interpretation, Vanity. 

Abraham, the same in all Languages. Hebr. אָברָהַם, which 
is derived from אָב, father, and רָם, high, God himself ad­
ding the letter ה, that the name should signifie a Multitude, he 
having promis'd to Abraham a numerous issue. Gr. Ἀβραὰμ, 
Lat. Abraham, or Abrahamus; q.d.  renown'd or honoured Father. 

Adam, the same in all Languages: In the Hebr. אָדַם, from 
the root אָדַם, he was asham'd. Gr. Ἀδὰμ, Lat. Adam or 
Adamus. It signifies originally, shame. 

Æneas, the same with the Lat. Æneas, which comes immediately 
from the Gr. Ἀινέας, which again may be deriv'd ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀίνου, 
i.e.  from praise, q.d.  praise worthy, or commendable. 

Agar or Hagar, from the Hebr. הָגָר, which comes from the 
Verb גור, to go on pilgrimage, to fly. Gr. Ἄγαρ, Lat. Hagar. By 
interpretation, a Stranger, Traveller, or Pilgrim. 

Alexander, from the Lat. Alexander, this immediately from the 
Gr. Ἀλέξανδρος, which is drawn from ἀλέξω to help, and ἀν­
δρὸς the Gen. of ἀνὲρ, a man; q.d.  a manly or valiant helper or 
assistant. 

Amon; in the Hebr. אָמון, Gr. Ἀμὼν, Lat. Amon, all the same, 
derived more immediately from the Root אָמַן, which in Ni­
phal signifies, to be true or faithful. 
 

 
Amos; In Hebr. אָמוץ, Gr. Ἀμὼς, Lat. Amos, all the same; 
It signifies originally stout or strong אָמץ, robustus fuit is the 
radix of it. 

Andrew, derived from the Greek Ἀνδρ#x1F73;ας, or the Lat. Andreas, 
which is again drawn ἀπὸ τοῶ ἀνδρὸς, κατ' ἐξοχὴν, for his 
Courage and Manliness. 
 

B 
BAptist, a Christen-Name of a Man; from the Gr. Βάπτιστα, 
or the Lat. Baptista, i.e.  a Baptizen, perhaps the first 
among the Greeks that used that Office, they call'd Bap­
tist, which might afterwards by common use grow into 
a Proper Name; as we often find Names deriv'd from Office: 
for instance Usher, which before was Noel, by being Gentle­
man Usher to King John, took his Name with his Office. John 
the Baptist. 

Barbara, a Womans Christen-Name; from the Lat. Barbara.  

Barnabas, In the Syriack ברנבא Barnaba, Gr. Βαρνάβας, Lat. 
Barnabas, derived from the Syr. בַר bar, a Son, and נביִא 
nabi, comfort, q.d.  the Son of Consolation; for so he is call'd in 
Act. 4.36. ὑιὸς παρακλήσεως, one main gift of a Prophet being 
placed in Consolation and Exhortation. 

Bartholomew, in the Syr. ברת׳למי Bartholomai, derived from 
בר bar, a Son, ת׳לֶה, thole, hanging or leaning downward, and 
מים Majim, waters: q.d.  the Son of a Water-drawer: Gr. 
Βαρθολομαῖος, Lat. Bartholomaeus.  

Benedict, a Womans Christen-Name; from the Lat. Benedicta idem. It signifies, she is blessed. 

Benjamin, of an Hebr. original, from בֶן ben, a Son, and יֽמין 
jamin, the right hand. q.d.  the Son of my right hand, i.e.  as dear 
to me as my right hand. Gr. Βενιαμὶν, Lat. Benjamin, all 
the same. 

Bennet, a Man's Name, from the Lat. Benedictus, i.e.  he is blessed. 

Bettrice, or Beatrice, the Name of a Woman; from the Lat. 
Beatrix, She that Blesseth, a woman Blesser. 
 

C 
CÆsar; from the Gr. Καῖσαρ, or the Lat. Cæsar, these from 
the Lat. cæsaries, that is, hair, wherewith he was born: 
or à cæsiis oculis, from his Gray Eyes: But most probably à cæso matris utero, from his Mothers Belly being cut 
before she could be deliver'd of him. 
 

 
Charity, from the Lat. Charitas, this from the Gr. Χάρις, id. 

Catharine, the Name of a Woman, from the Gr. Καθαρίνα, so 
call'd q. Κάθαρος, i.e.  pure or chast. 

Christian, from the Lat. Christiana, i.e.  belonging to Christ. 

Christopher, from the Gr. Χριστοφόροσ, which is again derived 
from Χριστὸς, Christ, and Φέρω, to suffer or endure; q.d.  I bear 
Christ, according to the Fable of St. Christopher's, carrying 
Christ on his back through the Sea. He Preached the Gospel 
in Lycia, and was Beheaded under Dioclesian the Emperor. 

Chrysostom, from the Gr. Χρυσόστομοσ, or the Lat. Chrysostomus; 
which are deriv'd from Χρύσος, golden, and Στόμα, a mouth, 
q. d. golden mouth, so call'd, κατ' ἐξοχὴν, for his extraordinary 
Eloquence. He was Bishop of Constantinople in the year 401. 

Cicely, a Womans Name, from the Lat. Cæcelia.  

Clare, a Womans Name, from the Lat. Clara, clear. 

Clemens, a Roman Name, signifying one mild and benign; from 
Κλέος, glory, and Μένος, εος, τὸ, the mind; Clemency being 
truly the glory of the mind. Gr. Κλήμης, ηντος. 

Cornelius, derived to us from the Lat. Cornelius, which may 
come from the Lat. Cornu, a horn; or more likely q. Κερήλιος, 
i.e.  Κέρας τοῦ ἡλίου, a beam of the Son. 
 

D 
DAniel, from the Hebr. דָּנִיאֵל, which is again com­
pounded of דָּן, or דּנִי, a Judge, (which comes of 
דָּנִי, to judge) and אֵל, God; q.d.  the judge 
of God. In Gr. Δανιὲλ, in Lat. Daniel.  

David, from the Hebr. דָוִיד, which comes from the Root דּוד 
dodh, beloved, q.d.  beloved of God. Gr. Δαβὶδ, Lat. David.  

Denis or Dennis, the Proper Name both of a Man and Wo­
man; from the Gr. Διονύσιος, or Διονυσία, q. d. belonging to 
Bacehus; these from Διόνυσος Bacchus, which is again derived 
from Dia, one of the Islands of the Cyclades, consecrated to 
him after his Marriage with Ariadne, and the City Nysas where­
in he reign'd; Or from Du or Dy, i.e.  Lord, and Nysa by a Meta­
thesis for Sina, q.d.  Lord of Sina, says Lloyd. 

Deodate, a Man's Name; from the Lat. Deodatus, i.e.  given of 
God, or given to God. 

Dorcas, a Womans Name; from the Gr. Δορκὰς, άδος, ἡ. It 
signifies originally a wood or wild Goat. 

Dorothy, a Womans Name; from the Gr. Δωρόθεα, which is again 
derived from δῷρον, a gift, and Θεὰ a Goddess; q.d.  the gift 
of a Goddess. 
 

 

 
E 
ELeazar, a Man's Name, from the Hebr. אֶלְיעֶיֶר Eliezer; 
this again from אֵל God, and עֶוֶר help; q.d.  the help 
of God; or rather God of help, or help from God. Gr. 
Ἐλεάζαρ, Lat. Eleazar, id. 

Elisabeth, a Womans Name, from the Hebr. אֱלישֵבַע Elische­
bah; this again from אֵל God, and שָבַע in Niphal, he hath 
sworn; q.d.  God hath sworn. Gr. Ἐλισάβετ, Lat. Elizabetha, 
Eliza, or Elisabet. id. 

Enos, a Man's Name; from the Hebr. אֱנושׁ a Man, which comes 
from the root אָבַשׁ to be sick; for man is infirm and subject 
to many Diseases. Gr. Ἐνὼς, Lat. Enos, id. 

Ephraim, a Man's Name; from the Hebr. אֶפְרַיִם id. It sig­
nifies in the original unfruitful. Gr. Ἐφραὶμ, Lat. Ephraim, or 
Ephraimus.  

Eve, a Womans Name, originally from the Hebr. חַוָה Chava, 
so call'd because she was the Mother of all Living. Gr. Ἐνα, 
Lat. Eva, id. 
 

F 
FElix, a Man's Name; from the Lat. Felix happy: It answers 
the Gr. Macarius. 
 

G 
GAbriel, the Name of a Man; from the Hebr. גַבְרִיאֵל 
id. which is again derived from the Root גָבַר to pre­
vail, and אֵל God, q.d.  to prevail with God: Or q. 
אֵל גֶבֶר, i.e.  the man of God. Gr. Γαβριὲλ, Lat. Gabriel, id. 

George, the Name of a Man; from the Gr. Γεόργιος, and this 
from γῆ, the Earth, and ὀργίζομαι, to incite or stir up; q.d.  
a Ploughman or Tiller of the Ground. In Lat. Georgius.  

Gregory, a Man's Name; from the Gr. Γρηγόριος, which may 
possibly be drawn from γρηγορ#x1F73;ω to watch, q.d.  watchful, as was 
Gregory the Great, being almost in continual study. 
 

H 
HIerom or Ierom, the Name of a Man; from the Gr. Ἱερόνυμος, 
and this again possibly, from ἵεος holy, and νόμος a Law. 
 
 

 
I 
IAcob, a Man's Name; originally in the Hebr. call'd 
יַעֲקוב jahakobh; from the Root עָקֵב the heel; so call'd, 
because being twin-brother to Esau, he held him by the 
heel with his hand in the Birth, which Hieroglyphick 
was afterwards verify'd in his supplanting his Brother, and 
getting the Blessing and Inheritance for himself. 

Iames, the same with Iacob above. 

Ieremy, a Man's Name; from the Hebr. יִרְמְיָהויִרְמְיָהו, compounded 
of יָרִים to exalt, and יְהוָה Jehovah, the Lord; q.d.  one 
that will magnifie the Lord. Gr. Ἱερεμίας, Lat. Jeremias, id. 

Iob, the Name of a Man; from the Hebr. אִיוב Ijob, this from 
the Root אָיַב to indure injuries, or, suffer affronts, q.d.  patient. 
Gr. Ἰὼβ, Lat. Job, or Jobus, id.  

Iohn, a Man's Name; originally in the Hebr. it was יְהוׄחָנָן, 
Jehochanan, or יוחָנָן Jochanan, compounded of יְהוָה jehovah, the Name of God Almighty, and חֶן grace, which is again de­
rived from חָנָן he hath been gracious; by interpretation as a­
bove it signifies, the grace of God. Gr. Ἰωσίας, Lat. Jo­
hannes, id. 

Ionas or Ionah, the Name of a Man. Hebr. יונָה Jonah (which 
also signifies a Dove or Pidgeon), derived from the Root יָנָה 
janah, he or it oppressed or afflicted; for a Dove through its 
harmlesness becomes a prey to the more Ravenous Fowls that 
with strength oppress it. Jonah signifies a Dove-like temper of 
mind. Gr. Ἰωνᾶς, Lat. Jonas, id. 

Ioseph, a Man's Name; from the Hebr. יוסף id. this from 
the Root יָסַף, he hath added. It signifies, he doth, or may add, 
pursuant to his Mother Rachel's desiring God to give her more 
Sons. Gr. Ἰωσὴφ, Lat. Josephus, id. 

Iosias, a Man's Name; from the Hebr. יאשִׁיָהוּ, Ioschijahu, 
which is again derived from אֵשׁ, fire, and יְהוָה Jehovah, 
Lord; q.d.  the fire of the Lord. Gr. Ἰωσίας, Lat. Josias, id. 

Isaac, a Man's Name; from the Hebr. יִצְחַק, id. this from the 
Root צָחַק, he laughed; the word Isaac in the Original signi­
fies, he shall, or, he will laugh. Gr. Ἰσαὰκ, Lat. Isaacus or 
Isaac, id. 
 
 

 
L 
LEttice, a Womans Name; from the Lat. Lætitia, which 
signifies Joy, Gladness, or Glee. 

Love, a Womans Name; 'tis of an English Original , and 
render'd in Lat. by Amorea. 

Lucrece, a Womans Name; derived from the Lat. Lucretia, which 
was the Name of the Roman Dame, that for the Rape com­
mitted upon her by Sixtus Tarquinius, stabb'd her self in the 
presence of her Husband, Father, and others. 

Lucy, a Womans Name; from the Lat. Lucia, which may again 
be derived from the Lat. Luceo, to shine; or from Lux, light. 

Luke, a Man's Name; from the Gr. Λουκᾶς, which is the same 
with Lucius of the Roman's, that is so call'd à Luce, from the 
Light, this Name being usually given such as were born just as 
the Sun rises. 
 

M 
MAgdalen or Maudlin, a Womans Name; in the Syr. 
מַגדְּלֶיחָא Magdeletha, that is, florid, crescent or 
magnificent; this from the Root גָדַל, he was great 
or increased: Some say that Mary Magdalen was so call'd from 
Magdala, the name of the Village where she lived. Gr. Μαγδα­
ληνὴ, Lat. Magdalene, id. 

Margaret or Marget, a Womans Name; from the Gr. Μαργα­
ρίτης, or the Lat. Margarita, a Pearl. 

Mark, the Name of a Man; from the Lat. Marcus, which name 
among the Romans was usually given to such as were born in 
the Month of March; though some, without any ground (it 
being purely a Roman Name) go about to draw it from the 
Hebr. מָרַק Marak, he polish'd or beautify'd. 

Martha, a Womans Name; It seems to be so call'd from the 
Hebr. מָרָה, bitterness. Gr. Μαρθὰ, Lat. Martha, id. 

Mary, a Womans Name; originally מריָם Mirjam. Gr. Μα­
ριάμ; from the Root מָרַר, he was sad, whence מָרָה she 
was sad. Now in the Gr. Μαρία, and Lat. Maria, id. 

Matthew, a Man's Name; in the Syr. מַתַּי Matthai, from the 
Root נָתַן he hath given, whence מַתָן a gift; so that it is so 
call'd quasi Deo datus, i.e.  given of God. Gr. Ματθαῖος, Lat. 
Matthæus, id. 
 

 
Michael, a Man's Name; from the Hebr. מִיכָאֵל, which is 
compounded of מְי, who, the Adverb of Similitude כ, and 
לאֵ God; q.d.  who is like God? Gr. Μιχαὴλ, Lat. Michael id. 

Moses, a Man's Name; originally in the Hebr. call'd משֶׁה, 
Mosche, i.e.  drawn out, the first of the Name being drawn out 
of the water by Pharaoh's Daughter. Gr. Μωσῆς, Lat. Moses, 
or Moyses, id. 
 

N 
NAthan, a Man's Name; from the Hebr. נָתָן, which origi­
nally signifies, he gave. Gr. Ναθὰν, Lat. Nathan, id. 

Nathanael, a Man's Name; the same in the Hebr. 
compounded of נָתָן, he gave, and אֵל, God, q.d.  God gave 
him. It answers the Gr. Θεόδωρος. Gr. Ναθαναὴλ, Lat. 
Nathanaël, id. 

Nicholas, a Man's Name; from the Gr. Νικόλαος, which is 
again derived from Νῖκος, εος, τὸ, victory, and Λαὸς, the Peo­
ple, q.d.  a subduer or tamer of the People. Lat. Nicholaus.  
 

O 
OLiver, a Man's Name; in Lat. Olivarius; perhaps from 
the Lat. Oliva; or the Eng. Olive.  
 

P 
PAul, first Saul, whence by the Hebr. call'd שָׁאוּל 
Schaul, which comes from the Root. שָׁאַל he begg'd; 
(as a Prisoner for Life;) and the word being of a Latin 
original, is by interpretation Pusillus, a Dastard or Coward. Gr. 
Παῦλος, Lat. Paulus, id. 

Peter, a Man's Name; from the Gr. Πέτρος, this again from 
the Gr. Πέτρα, a Rock; for that our Saviour said to the blessed 
Apostle of that Name (he being before call'd Cephas) On this 
Rock will I build my Church, i.e.  on Peter. Lat. Petrus, id. 

Philip, a Man's Name; from the Gr. Φίλιππος, and this again 
from Φίλος, a lover, and ἵππος, a Horse; q. d. warlike, one 
that delights in Horses. Lat. Philippus, id. 

Priscilla, a Womans Name; of a Latin Original, and may 
seem to come from prisca, ancient, this being a Diminutive there­
of. Gr. Πρίσκιλλα, id.

 

 
 R 
RAchel, a Womans Name; from the Hebr. רָחֵל, which 
originally signifies, a she-Lamb. Gr. Ῥαχὴλ, Lat. 
Rachel, id. 

Rebecca, a Womans Name; originally רִבְקָא Ribhka, which 
comes from the old Root, now out of use, רְבק, of which 
comes מַרְבֵּק bloody, or fatted, or pamper'd, as a Calf for 
the Shambles. Gr. Ῥεβέκκα, Lat. Rebecca, id. 

Ruben, a Man's Name; from the Hebr. רְאוּבֵן Reubhen, i e. 
the Son of Vision. Gr. Ῥουβὴν, Lat. Ruben, id. 
 

S 
SAmuel, a Man's Name; in Hebr. שְׁמוּאלשְׁמוּאל Schemuel, 
i. e. heard of God; from the Root שָׁמַע, he heard, 
and אֵלאֵל God; for that his Father Elcana begg'd the 
first of that Name of God. Gr. Σαμουὴλ, Lat. Samuel, id. 

Sarah, a Womans Name; from the Hebr. שָׂרָה Sara, which 
signifies as much as Lady or Princess. Gr. Σάῤῥα, Lat. Sara, id. 

Simon, a Man's Name; from the Hebr. שִׂמַע, he hath heard; 
which implies Obedience. Gr. Σίμων. Lat. Simon, id. 

Stephen, a Man's Name; from the Gr. Στέφανος, which is again 
derived from στέφω, whence στεφανόω, to crown with a Garland, &c. 
It signifies a Crown or Garland. Lat. Stephanus, id. 

Susan or Susanna, a Womans Name; possibly from the Hebr. 
Noun שׁוּשָׁן, a Lily, it being certainly of an Hebr. Original. 
Gr. Σουσάννα, Lat. Susanna, id. 
 

T 
THeodore, a Man's Name; from the Gr. Θεόδωρος, which 
is derived from Θεὸς, God, and δῶρον, a Gift; q.d.  
the gift of God. Lat. Theodorus, id. 

Theophilus, a Man's Name; from the Gr. Θεόφιλος, 
which comes again from Θεὸς, and φίλω, I love; q.d.  beloved 
of God; or a Lover of God. Lat. Theophilus, id. 

Thomas, a Man's Name; originally in the Syr. call'd תִּאימו 
Thaumo, in Hebr. תָאׄם i.e.  twofold: for this reason Tho­
mas was call'd Δίδυμος, of two hearts, because of his doubting; 
he would believe, and he would not. Gr. Θωμᾶς, Lat. Thomas 
or Thoma, id. 
 

 
Timothy, a Man's Name; from the Gr. Τιμόθεος, and this a­
gain from τιμάω, to honour, and Θε#x1F79;ς, God; q.d.  a Worshipper 
or Honourer of God. Lat. Timotheus, id. 
 

V 
VIncent, a Man's Name; from the Lat. Vincentius, this 
from vinco, to overcome; or from vincio, to bind. 

Vrsula, a Womans Name; from the Lat. Ursula, which 
originally sign. the little Bear, a Constellation so call'd. 
 

Z 
ZAchary, a Man's Name; in the Hebr. it was call'd 
וְכַרְיָה Secharja, which sign. the memory of the Lord. 
Gr. Ζαχαρίας, Lat. Zacharias.  
 

Observe that most, if not all, Proper 
Names of Men and Women, not found 
in this Appendix, occurr in the prece­
ding Etymology of Proper Names. 

FINIS.