IT. An Essay upon the Utility of defining Synonymous 

 Terms in all Languages j with Illujkrations by Examples 

 from the Latin. By John Hill, LL. D. F. R. S. Edin. and 

 Profejfor of Humanity in the Univerfity of Edinburgh, 



[Read by the Author, Feb. 18. 1788.] 



WORDS that are precifely equivalent are rarely, if at all, 

 to be met with in any language. Thofe properly called 

 fynonymous, exhibit one leading circumftance in which they all 

 agree, and one or more acceflbry circumftances in which they 

 differ. When the point of their general coincidence, and the 

 grounds of their particular diverfities, are clearly afcertained, 

 it is then in the power of the writer to ufe them with propriety. 

 By the amftance of the grammarian, he knows which to adopt 

 and which to reject, and can reconcile embellifhment with ac- 

 curacy and precifiom 



The excellence of any language may in a great meafure be 

 judged of, by the number of fynonymous terms that belong to 

 it. A multiplicity of them, under fkilful management, creates 

 no hurtful redundancy. On the contrary, it enables every au- 

 thor of tafte to exhibit his thoughts with energy and luflre. 

 For the mod delicate variety of fhades in thought, he is fur- 

 nifhed with a correfponding variety in expreflion ; and the lan- 

 guage in which he conveys his idea, becomes a complete pic- 

 ture of the idea itfelf. 



The author of this eflay is abundantly fenfible, that though 

 the Latin tongue prefents many clafles of fynonymous terms, 



yet 



