CHAPTEE V. 



ON THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE VARIATIONS IN 

 THE MEANING OF TERMS. 



1. IT is not only in the mode which has now been 

 pointed out, namely by gradual inattention to a portion of 

 the ideas conveyed, that words in common use are liable to 

 shift their connotation. The truth is, that the connotation of 

 such words is perpetually varying ; as might be expected from 

 the manner in which words in common use acquire their con- 

 notation. A technical term, invented for purposes of art or 

 science, has, from the first, the connotation given to it by its 

 inventor ; but a name which is in every one's mouth before any 

 one thinks of defining it, derives its connotation only from the 

 circumstances which are habitually brought to mind when it is 

 pronounced. Among these circumstances, the properties com- 

 mon to the things denoted by the name, have naturally a 

 principal place ; and would have the sole place, if language 

 were regulated by convention rather than by custom and acci- 

 dent. But besides these common properties, which if they 

 exist are certainly present whenever the name is employed, 

 any other circumstance may casually be found along with it, 

 so frequently as to become associated with it in the same 

 manner, and as strongly, as the common properties themselves. 

 In proportion as this association forms itself, people give up 

 using the name in cases in which those casual circumstances 

 do not exist. They prefer using some other name, or the 

 same name with some adjunct, rather than employ an expres- 

 sion which will call up an idea they do not want to excite. The 

 circumstance originally casual, thus becomes regularly a part 

 of the connotation of the word. 



