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CHAPTER V. 



ON THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE VARIA- 

 TIONS 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 connotation. 

 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 common 

 to the things denoted by the name, have naturally a 

 principal place; and would have the sole place, if lan- 

 guage were regulated by convention rather than by 

 custom and accident. But besides these common 

 properties, which if they exist are necessarily present 

 whenever the name is applied, 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 cir- 

 cumstances do not exist. They prefer using some 

 other name, or the same name with some adjunct, 

 rather than employ an expression which will necessa- 



