Now that our oldest is nearing the end of highschool, we have finally invested in a proper dictionary: Noah Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language.

It seemed every word we wanted to look up in our Collins Canadian English Dictionary was either missing, or had an unsatisfactory definition. As a comparison between the two dictionaries, consider the word ‘marriage.’

Collins’: marriage n = matrimony (formal), wedlock (formal) Related Words adjs: conjugal, connubial, marital, nuptial

Websters 1828: MAR’RIAGE, noun [Latin mas, maris.]

The act of uniting a man and woman for life; wedlock; the legal union of a man and woman for life. Marriage is a contract both civil and religious, by which the parties engage to live together in mutual affection and fidelity, till death shall separate them. Marriage was instituted by God himself for the purpose of preventing the promiscuous intercourse of the sexes, for promoting domestic felicity, and for securing the maintenance and education of children.

Marriage is honorable in all and the bed undefiled. Hebrews 13:4

A feast made on the occasion of a marriage.

The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king, who made a marriage for his son. Matthew 22:2.

In a scriptural sense, the union between Christ and his church by the covenant of grace. Revelation 19:7.

Nearly every definition is like this, with the precision and detail of Noah Webster far exceeding every other dictionary we have compared it to.

Precision in language is essential to clear communication, advancement in society, and sharing the Gospel. I’m sorry we waited so long to add this resource to our homeschool!

Replete with Scriptural definitions and examples, Webster’s efforts to preserve the integrity of the English language is available in this heirloom quality, hardcover volume for 26% off.

I hope you can take advantage of it, and leave this treasure for generations to come!