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WILLIAMS & ROGERS SERIES

SEVENTY LESSONS

IN

SPELLING

REVISED

A COMPLETE COLLECTION OF DIFFICULT COMMON
WORDS, WITH PRONUNCIATIONS

AND DEFINITIONS

COMPILED BY

A. S. OSBORN AND J. E. KING

NEW YORK: CINCINNATI: CHICAGO
AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY

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PREFACE.

The following collection of words has been arranged for use as a text-book on the subject of spelling. The words have been selected with great care, two considerations having been constantly kept in view; first, that the word be in common use, and second, that it be one liable to be misspelled. No word has been selected simply because it is difficult. The spelling of English words is, at best, so arbitrary and inconsistent, that learning to spell only those words which occur in every day life is a task of sufficient difficulty, without studying the curiosities of the language. Words of unsettled orthography have been omitted, except those of special importance, in which cases both forms are given. Rules for spelling have also been purposely omitted, as they are generally more a hindrance than a help in learning to spell.

The importance of the subject need not be urged; it may be said, however, that although spelling is only a small part of a complete education, it is of primary importance. Some learn spelling with much more difficulty than others, but it must be learned. Notoriously poor spellers almost invariably claim that it is not natural for them to spell, and this very idea is the principal cause of their deficiency; for they offer this as an excuse for all errors, and, therefore, never correct their mistakes. Suggestions regarding the use of the book will be found in the introduction.

INTRODUCTION.

The following suggestions regarding the study of spell. ing and the manner of using this book are offered, with the hope that they may make the subject more interesting and the book more useful.

Spelling Blanks.-The lessons should be written in books prepared for the purpose, with blank spaces for rewriting all misspelled words. A convenient form of book is one made with twenty-five lines on a page. A lesson may then be written on the left side of two opposite pages, leaving the right side of each page blank for corrections. The misspelled words can then be rewritten directly opposite where they were first written. It is im portant that great care should be taken in making corrections, and misspelled words should not only be written correctly, opposite where they were first written, but should also all be written in one place, under the heading "Misspelled Words."

Definitions. An accurate understanding of the meaning of words, and the ability to use the right word readily at all times, is one of the rarest of accomplishments. To assist in attaining this desirable end, it is evident that, advanced pupils at least, should study not only the spelling

or forms of words, but also the words themselves, their real significance and application. It is certainly an absurd waste of time and labor for advanced pupils to study the spelling of words, without having any knowledge of their meaning or use.

The use made of the definitions on the following pages will, of necessity, vary in different schools, but the importance of understanding the meaning of every word in the lesson should be impressed on the mind of the pupil.

Pronunciation.—Another very important branch of the study of words is pronunciation. Many words are misunderstood, misapplied and misspelled through a lack of a knowledge of their proper pronunciation.

It has not been thought necessary to indicate the pronunciation of every word, further than the accent, but all words liable to be mispronounced are respelled phonetically. Pupils should be instructed to observe carefully the pronunciation of every word in studying the lesson. A good way to increase the interest in the subject is to call on one or more of the class each day to pronounce the difficult words in the next advance lesson. Particular care should be taken that the words be pronounced correctly in giving the lesson.

Dividing Words into Syllables.-There is a great difference of opinion among scholars, writers, and lexicographers regarding the proper syllabication of a great many words. In the revision of this work the Standard Dictionary has been followed in this regard, as we believe more thought has been given by the editors of the Standard to scientific syllabication than is shown by any other dictionary extant.

Capital Letters.-The rules for the use of capital letters should be thoroughly learned by every pupil.

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