484 Mr. Pickering on the present state of the English language 
(for Feb. 1809) it is again used. In Rees’ Cyclopedia, art, GLANVILL, it is 
said—* he took his first degree in the year 1655, and removing te Lincoln 
college he graduated master of arts in 1658,” &c. In the same work, art. 
Maenot, (which etree to be written by Dr. J. E. Smith, President of the 
Ts a Se ee 8 4 
ys) “ wherever Magnol graduated,” &c. The 
Eclectic Reviewers wi use it—“ We think dissenters, merely as such, 
should not be deprived of the privilege of studying and graduating at the 
English universities, kc. Eclect, Rev. ba 1811, p. 295. Johnson has the 
word as a verb active only. 
GRAIN. See Corn. 
GRAND. Much used in conversation, for very goad, excellent, fine, kc. Ex. 
This is grand news; he isa grand fellow ; this is a grand day. New 
England 
GUBERNATORIAL ; “ relating to a governor.” Webst. Ex. At the late 
gubernatorial election ; that is, at the late election of governor. 
To GUESS; to imagine, suppose, believe, think, fancy. Wew England. 
This is one of the most common words in our yocabulary ; and, from its fre- 
quent recurrence, bas boce, pate sie of more ridicule than any of 2 
our words. A late English tr: s amuses himself with the use 
of it in the country-towns of New England: “ Instead of imagining, sup- 
posing, or believing, as we do, they always guess at every thing. ‘I guess 
as how, Jonathan, it’s not so could as yeasterday.’? ‘Why I guess, Nathan, 
that the wind has changed.’” Laméert’s Travels, vol. ii. p. 506. 
It is well known to be an old English word, and is still sometimes, 
‘though rarely, used in England, very much as it is here. An intel- 
ligent friend informs me, that he has heard it used by people of Kent, in 
England, just as it is in New England. 
GUMPTION. A low word, which is sometimes heard in conversation here, 
and signifies understanding or capacity, as it does in some parts of England, 
where it is a provincial word. Grose, under the word gawm, has this ex- 
planation—« Gawm ; to understand. I dunna gawm ye; I don’t understand 
“you. Hence gawmtion, or gumftion, understanding. North.” Prov. Gloss 
See the word Docity. 
To GUN; to shoot. Ex, I am going a-gunning. New England. 
