Linguistique

4to, title (slightly foxed) and following leaf "to the Reader" a little frayed on outer corners but not touching the text, [4], 96, 87-102, 101-172 pp., contemporary calf, covers detached. John Skene's dictionary, published in 1597, was the first Scottish attempt to define the language of the law. In his opening statement to the reader he modestly admitted his errors and ignorance, and complained that his subject was "one mater nought pleasand in itselfe, nor treated be others of before."*****The dictionary is dense and verbosely worded, and with its arcane spellings and inconsistently formed sentences, it makes some definitions nearly unreadable. He defined many words that are now completely obsolete, of Latin or French origin, giving brief etymological information.****Despite these kinds of archaic forms, many definitions still very clearly describe the meanings of important words and concepts. The dictionary did in fact prompt other Scottish writers to improve upon it, as Skene wished. Skene's dictionary was an invaluable contribution to the literature of Scotland and Scottish law. Wing, C7681: Sweet and Maxwell, 11, (49).