On Figurative Language 95 
figurative. This might be exemplified in 
numerous instances, but the selection of a few 
will perhaps sufficiently explain my position. 
The expression, I understand you, in its 
originally literal meaning, is disused, and that 
should be considered as its proper meaning 
in which it is commonly used; and if any 
person should now use it in the sense of 
L bear you, or I stand under you, it would 
plainly be considered as metaphorical. 
The word extravagant, must once, in its 
proper meaning, have signified smandering 
beyond the ordinary, or allowed limits. But 
having been long disused in this sense, its 
proper meaning now is, wasteful and immo- 
deraie in expence, &c. When, therefore, we 
say of a man that he is an extravagant liver, 
or extravagant eater, we use the word ina 
proper meaning ; but we should express our- 
selves in a manner highly figurative, however 
agreeably to the originally unfigurative mean- 
ing of the word, if we said that a prisoner is 
extravagant when he breaks his prison ; that 
a river is extravagant when it overflows its 
banks*; or a horse if he broke from his 
pasture. 
* 
———_ Vagus et sinistra 
Labitur ripa (Jove non probante) uxorius amnis.—Hor. 
é 
