Excerpt from Phonetic Attraction: Thesis Submitted to the University of London, by R. J. Lloyd, M.A., Candidate for the Degree of Doctor of Literature, 1888

The most cursory comparison of the life-histories of various words reveals the fact that some words adhere to their original meaning with a vastly greater tenacity than others and a further examination leads us to recognize readily two or three leading causes which contribute, by the degree of their presence or absence, to render that tenacity greater or less.

First among such causes must be placed precision of meaning and frequency of use. These, taken jointly, form the strongest possible bond by which words and meanings can be held firmly each to each. When both are present in a sufficient degree, all other causes, both friendly and hostile, maybe safely left out of the account, except of course, the inevitable sweep of phonetic variation and decay.

Take for instance, in any language, the numerals and the pronouns. These both combine in the highest degree the essential attributes of exactness and frequency. They are in capable either of shading off into a series of adjacent meanings, or of being transplanted into distant fields by metaphorical uses. And we find in them accordingly a phenomenal longevity of form and stability of meaning, insomuch that they often remain as the landmarks of relationship between languages which have otherwise drifted apart in almost every particular.

About the Publisher

Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com

This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.