IV 
PREFACE. 
to us till we learn that Cicero, by his raillery and sarcasm, made his enemy Vatinius the object of 
such hatred, that odium Vatinianum became a by-word. Examples of this kind might be multiplied 
almost without number. It has not been attempted, of course, to introduce all, or nearly all, t le 
proper names which could be found in the circle of Roman authors, but chiefly such as are of 
frequent occurrence, or are marked by some peculiarity, which has been the occasion of derivatives 
being formed from them. The admirable compilations of Forcellini and Scheller have afforded all 
that was necessary in this respect 
As to the significations of words, it is hoped that, both on the score of exactness and copious¬ 
ness, the present work will not prove unworthy of regard. The various meanings of the words 
are generally illustrated by a number of examples, which, in their turn, are also frequently trans¬ 
lated Thou-h here some diversity will be observed in different parts of the work, yet it is believed 
that, even in those parts least fully illustrated by examples, nothing important has been omitted. 
The intention has been, in all cases, to give every meaning which a word could be found to.bear, 
and to distinguish, as carefully as might be, its various shades and modifications. Here, too, it wi 
be seen that the particles have not been neglected, which, though not usually esteemed of so great 
moment, are certainly worthy of care and study, as being, if not the bone and sinew, certainly the 
joints of language. It is hoped, too, that the strong temptation which is offered to form new English 
words after the Latin, has not often been yielded to, but rather that a large store of good Eng is 1 
words and idioms will not be found wanting. Much care has been devoted to the correct interpre¬ 
tation of the names of animals and vegetables; in which point, the dictionary of Lunemann has 
been of great use. . 
This work is also intended as a Gradus. The quantity of the syllables, so far as it could be ascer¬ 
tained, has been marked. As a general rule, a vowel before a mute and liquid m the succeeding 
syllable has been regarded as common, and marked accordingly (0, when an instance could be foum 
where it was used short, or when its vowel was clearly short by nature. Hence it may have inp- 
pened that some syllables have received the common mark, which are in actual use only long or 
short, but which by analogy are common. Thus the word hydrus never, perhaps, has the penult 
actually short; but, as the v in Wo» ? is naturally short, and the y in hydropicus is found short it has 
the common mark. Where so many syllables have been marked, several typographical and othei 
errors must undoubtedly have crept in. It is hoped they are few. . 
Something remains to be said in relation to the derivation of words. This has been given in 
those cases where a sure or probable one suggested itself. Some derivations from old Greek roots 
may appear rather forced, but it should be remembered that the element which is common to the 
two languages was probably derived from a common stock, and not drawn by one from the other; 
so that we should expect to find the languages more akin in their roots than in their derived worts. 
Where no satisfactory or probable root could be found, the etymology has been left uncertain. 
In the arrangement of the meanings of words, Scheller and Lunemann have generally been moie 
closely followed than Forcellini. They possess a manifest advantage, in a work of this kind an 
size in bringing the phrases and idioms, which are given under a word, each into the place wine 1 
its signification points out, and in incorporating the participles with the verbs to which they belong. 
It is proper to state, that some portions of the work are nearly a translation of Lunemann. 
As to the labor of such a work, no one can form an adequate notion, without having actua } 
been employed upon a similar undertaking. More than two years have elapsed since the prepara¬ 
tion and nearly two since the printing was first commenced. During the whole of this period, at 
least one, and, for a short time, three persons, besides the editor, were employed at once m prepar¬ 
ing the work for the press. Mr. T. G. Bradford, well known as a thorough and accurate scholar, 
prepared a small part of the original copy; Mr. W. Pirscher, a German by birth, also a critica 
and diligent scholar, prepared a still larger portion ; and Mr. II. W. Torrf.y, to whose unwearie 
industry and critical accuracy a large share of the merit of the work, if any there be, is to be 1 
attributed, has devoted much of his time from the very commencement of the undeita ing. 
