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Show MEANING OF WORDS. The word "watch" was originally used as a term of endearment, similar to "darling." The word "wench" formerly was not used in the low and vulgar acceptation that it now is. "Damsel" was the appellation of young ladies of quality, and "Dame" a title of distinction. "Knave" once signified a servant. "Varlet" was formerly used in the same sense as valet. On the other hand, the word "companion," instead of being the honorable synonym of associate meant the same as "fellow." "Villain" was a bondman. "Pedant," a schoolmaster. Many words have deteriorated, and gained a sinister meaning at first foreign to them. The word "cunning" for example, formerly meant nothing sinister or underhanded. "Demure" is another of this class. It was used by earlier writers without the insinuation which is now almost latent in it, that the external shows of modesty and sobriety rest on no corresponding realities. "Explode" formerly meant to drive off the stage with loud clappings of the hands, but gradually became exaggerated to its present signification. "Facetious," too, originally meant urbane, but now has so degenerated as to have acquired the sense of buffoonery. "Indolence" originally signified freedom from passion or pain, but now implies a condition of languid non-exertion. "Insolent" was once only "unusual." "Gossip" was a sponsor at baptisms. A poet is a person who writes poetry, and according to the good old custom, a proser was a person who wrote prose, and simply the antithesis of poet. The word has now a sadly different signification. |