Synonyms Discriminated. A Complete Catalogue of Synonymous Words in the English Language, With Descriptions of Their Various Shades of Meaning, and Illustrations of Their Usages and Specialities
Charles John Smith
Published by Bell & Daldy: London 1871
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Synonyms Discriminated: A Complete Catalogue of Synonymous Words in the English Language by Charles John Smith is a comprehensive and finely reasoned study of English vocabulary, designed to clarify the subtle distinctions between words of similar meaning. Drawing upon literary examples and grammatical analysis, Smith explores the shades of nuance that separate synonyms—revealing how tone, context, and precision shape effective expression. Each entry demonstrates not only the linguistic difference but also the moral and emotional colour that particular word choices convey, making it both a dictionary and a guide to refined thought and style.
Published in 1871 by Bell & Daldy of London, this work represents one of the most ambitious Victorian efforts to codify and illuminate the living texture of the English language. It reflects a period when philology and literature were closely allied, and when mastery of diction was seen as a hallmark of education and intellect. This enduring reference would appeal to scholars of language, editors, and collectors of Victorian lexicography who appreciate the elegance and rigour of 19th-century linguistic scholarship."
