Johnson's Dictionary Online
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Site features, announcements, vocabulary, observations-- from the team of the NEH-funded Johnson's Dictionary Online. RT does not imply endorsement. Also on 🧵. johnsonsdictionaryonline.com
Lead. n.s. [læd, Saxon.] Guidance; first place: a low despicable word.
Yorkshire takes the lead of the other countries.
Herring.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/lead_ns...
Yorkshire takes the lead of the other countries.
Herring.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/lead_ns...
November 25, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Lead. n.s. [læd, Saxon.] Guidance; first place: a low despicable word.
Yorkshire takes the lead of the other countries.
Herring.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/lead_ns...
Yorkshire takes the lead of the other countries.
Herring.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/lead_ns...
Reposted by Johnson's Dictionary Online
Yesterday's (2025-11-20) was:
I never desire to converse with a man who has written more than he has read.
— Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)
Dr Johnson's 1755 dictionary was the pre-eminent English dictionary until the completion of the OED in 1928
Today is Friday Book Club ▶️ gridogram.com
#IndieGame
I never desire to converse with a man who has written more than he has read.
— Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)
Dr Johnson's 1755 dictionary was the pre-eminent English dictionary until the completion of the OED in 1928
Today is Friday Book Club ▶️ gridogram.com
#IndieGame
November 21, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Yesterday's (2025-11-20) was:
I never desire to converse with a man who has written more than he has read.
— Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)
Dr Johnson's 1755 dictionary was the pre-eminent English dictionary until the completion of the OED in 1928
Today is Friday Book Club ▶️ gridogram.com
#IndieGame
I never desire to converse with a man who has written more than he has read.
— Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)
Dr Johnson's 1755 dictionary was the pre-eminent English dictionary until the completion of the OED in 1928
Today is Friday Book Club ▶️ gridogram.com
#IndieGame
Pre'gnantly. adv. [from pregnant.]
1. Fruitfully.
2. Fully; plainly; clearly.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/pregnan...
1. Fruitfully.
2. Fully; plainly; clearly.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/pregnan...
November 21, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Pre'gnantly. adv. [from pregnant.]
1. Fruitfully.
2. Fully; plainly; clearly.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/pregnan...
1. Fruitfully.
2. Fully; plainly; clearly.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/pregnan...
Enumera'tion. n.s. [enumeratio, Latin.] The act of numbering or counting over; number told out.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/enumera...
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/enumera...
November 20, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Enumera'tion. n.s. [enumeratio, Latin.] The act of numbering or counting over; number told out.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/enumera...
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/enumera...
Slop. n.s. [from the verb.] Mean and vile liquor of any kind. Generally some nauseous or useless medicinal liquor.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/slop_ns...
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/slop_ns...
November 19, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Slop. n.s. [from the verb.] Mean and vile liquor of any kind. Generally some nauseous or useless medicinal liquor.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/slop_ns...
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/slop_ns...
Co'ckpit. n.s. [cock and pit.]
1. The area where cocks fight.
2. A place on the lower deck of a man of war, where are subdivisions for the purser, the surgeon, and his mates. Harris.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/cockpit...
1. The area where cocks fight.
2. A place on the lower deck of a man of war, where are subdivisions for the purser, the surgeon, and his mates. Harris.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/cockpit...
November 18, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Co'ckpit. n.s. [cock and pit.]
1. The area where cocks fight.
2. A place on the lower deck of a man of war, where are subdivisions for the purser, the surgeon, and his mates. Harris.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/cockpit...
1. The area where cocks fight.
2. A place on the lower deck of a man of war, where are subdivisions for the purser, the surgeon, and his mates. Harris.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/cockpit...
A'sinine. adj. [from asinus, Lat.] Belonging to an ass.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/asinine...
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/asinine...
November 17, 2025 at 2:45 PM
A'sinine. adj. [from asinus, Lat.] Belonging to an ass.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/asinine...
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/asinine...
Reposted by Johnson's Dictionary Online
We are thrilled to announce that our NEW Large Language Model will be released on 11.18.25.
October 1, 2025 at 2:38 PM
We are thrilled to announce that our NEW Large Language Model will be released on 11.18.25.
Fi'reship. n.s. [fire and ship.] A ship filled with combustible matter to fire the vessels of the enemy.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/fireshi...
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/fireshi...
November 14, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Fi'reship. n.s. [fire and ship.] A ship filled with combustible matter to fire the vessels of the enemy.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/fireshi...
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/fireshi...
Fra'udulence.
Fra'udulency. n.s. [fraudulentia, Latin.] Deceitfulness; trickishness; proneness to artifice.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/fraudul...
Fra'udulency. n.s. [fraudulentia, Latin.] Deceitfulness; trickishness; proneness to artifice.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/fraudul...
November 13, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Fra'udulence.
Fra'udulency. n.s. [fraudulentia, Latin.] Deceitfulness; trickishness; proneness to artifice.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/fraudul...
Fra'udulency. n.s. [fraudulentia, Latin.] Deceitfulness; trickishness; proneness to artifice.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/fraudul...
"Call it the paradox of the modern dictionary. We’re in a golden age for the study and appreciation of words ... But these advances are also strangling the business of the dictionary. "
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
Is This the End of the Dictionary?
Obsolete (adj.): no longer in use or no longer useful
www.theatlantic.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:15 PM
"Call it the paradox of the modern dictionary. We’re in a golden age for the study and appreciation of words ... But these advances are also strangling the business of the dictionary. "
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
Ha'ndvice. n.s. [hand and vice.] A vice to hold small work in.
Moxon’s Mech. Exer.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/handvic...
Moxon’s Mech. Exer.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/handvic...
November 11, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Ha'ndvice. n.s. [hand and vice.] A vice to hold small work in.
Moxon’s Mech. Exer.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/handvic...
Moxon’s Mech. Exer.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/handvic...
Ru'bricated. adj. [from rubrica, Lat.] Smeared with red.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1773/rubrica...
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1773/rubrica...
November 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Ru'bricated. adj. [from rubrica, Lat.] Smeared with red.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1773/rubrica...
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1773/rubrica...
Pi'cklock. n.s. [pick and lock.]
1. An instrument by which locks are opened without the key.
2. The person who picks locks.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1773/pickloc...
1. An instrument by which locks are opened without the key.
2. The person who picks locks.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1773/pickloc...
November 6, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Pi'cklock. n.s. [pick and lock.]
1. An instrument by which locks are opened without the key.
2. The person who picks locks.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1773/pickloc...
1. An instrument by which locks are opened without the key.
2. The person who picks locks.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1773/pickloc...
This conversation...looks at Samuel Johnson as the cathartic figure whose lexicographic work shaped modern English dictionaries.
lithub.com/how-to-build...
lithub.com/how-to-build...
How to Build a Dictionary: On the Hard Art of Popular Lexicography
At the end of the first quarter of the twenty-first century, about 400 million people are native English speakers. With those for whom English is a second language, the number reaches far above: betw…
lithub.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:05 PM
This conversation...looks at Samuel Johnson as the cathartic figure whose lexicographic work shaped modern English dictionaries.
lithub.com/how-to-build...
lithub.com/how-to-build...
To Gargari'ze. v.a. [γαϱγαϱίζω; gargariser, French.] To wash the mouth with medicated liquors.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1773/gargari...
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1773/gargari...
November 4, 2025 at 4:05 PM
To Gargari'ze. v.a. [γαϱγαϱίζω; gargariser, French.] To wash the mouth with medicated liquors.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1773/gargari...
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1773/gargari...
Ma'nnikin. n.s.
[man and klein, German.]
A little man; a dwarf.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1773/manniki...
[man and klein, German.]
A little man; a dwarf.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1773/manniki...
November 3, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Ma'nnikin. n.s.
[man and klein, German.]
A little man; a dwarf.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1773/manniki...
[man and klein, German.]
A little man; a dwarf.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1773/manniki...
Reposted by Johnson's Dictionary Online
GHOST. n.s. [gast, Saxon.]
1. The soul of man.
2. A spirit appearing after death.
In 1762, the Cock Lane Ghost supposedly haunted a young girl in London. Even Dr Johnson investigated—but was it a restless spirit or something more mysterious?👻
www.drjohnsonshouse.org/post/the-coc...
1. The soul of man.
2. A spirit appearing after death.
In 1762, the Cock Lane Ghost supposedly haunted a young girl in London. Even Dr Johnson investigated—but was it a restless spirit or something more mysterious?👻
www.drjohnsonshouse.org/post/the-coc...
October 31, 2025 at 9:33 AM
GHOST. n.s. [gast, Saxon.]
1. The soul of man.
2. A spirit appearing after death.
In 1762, the Cock Lane Ghost supposedly haunted a young girl in London. Even Dr Johnson investigated—but was it a restless spirit or something more mysterious?👻
www.drjohnsonshouse.org/post/the-coc...
1. The soul of man.
2. A spirit appearing after death.
In 1762, the Cock Lane Ghost supposedly haunted a young girl in London. Even Dr Johnson investigated—but was it a restless spirit or something more mysterious?👻
www.drjohnsonshouse.org/post/the-coc...
Reposted by Johnson's Dictionary Online
The historic Dr Johnson’s House in the City, home to the famous dictionary writer, is to start opening on Sundays for a few months to make it easier to visit at weekends.
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/sun...
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/sun...
Sundays with Dr Johnson: Historic house opens for weekend visitors
The historic Dr Johnson’s House in the City, home to the famous dictionary writer, is to start opening on Sundays for a few months to make it easier to visit at weekends.
www.ianvisits.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 1:50 PM
The historic Dr Johnson’s House in the City, home to the famous dictionary writer, is to start opening on Sundays for a few months to make it easier to visit at weekends.
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/sun...
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/sun...
Jack with a Lantern. An ignis fatuus.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/jack_wi...
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/jack_wi...
October 31, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Jack with a Lantern. An ignis fatuus.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/jack_wi...
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/jack_wi...
Seafa'rer. n.s. [sea and fare.] A traveller by sea; a mariner.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/seafare...
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/seafare...
October 30, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Seafa'rer. n.s. [sea and fare.] A traveller by sea; a mariner.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/seafare...
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/seafare...
Newfa'ngledness.
Newfan'gleness. n.s. [from newfangled.] Vain and foolish love of novelty.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/newfang...
Newfan'gleness. n.s. [from newfangled.] Vain and foolish love of novelty.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/newfang...
October 29, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Newfa'ngledness.
Newfan'gleness. n.s. [from newfangled.] Vain and foolish love of novelty.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/newfang...
Newfan'gleness. n.s. [from newfangled.] Vain and foolish love of novelty.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/newfang...
Unco'nquerable. adj. Not to be subdued; insuperable; not to be overcome; invincible.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/unconqu...
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/unconqu...
October 28, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Unco'nquerable. adj. Not to be subdued; insuperable; not to be overcome; invincible.
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/unconqu...
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1755/unconqu...
Check out the September 2025 issue of the Johnsonian News Letter, featuring a guide to searching the Johnson’s Dictionary Online website, an article on Johnson’s interactions with fair sex during his 1773 tour of Scotland, and more.
johnsoniannewsletter.org/archive/
johnsoniannewsletter.org/archive/
October 27, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Check out the September 2025 issue of the Johnsonian News Letter, featuring a guide to searching the Johnson’s Dictionary Online website, an article on Johnson’s interactions with fair sex during his 1773 tour of Scotland, and more.
johnsoniannewsletter.org/archive/
johnsoniannewsletter.org/archive/
Today in words you might not expect to find in an 18th century dictionary: "Jogger, n.s. [from jog.] One who moves heavily and dully.
They, with their fellow joggers of the plough. - Dryden."
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1773/jogger_ns
They, with their fellow joggers of the plough. - Dryden."
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1773/jogger_ns
October 27, 2025 at 4:13 AM
Today in words you might not expect to find in an 18th century dictionary: "Jogger, n.s. [from jog.] One who moves heavily and dully.
They, with their fellow joggers of the plough. - Dryden."
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1773/jogger_ns
They, with their fellow joggers of the plough. - Dryden."
johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/1773/jogger_ns