Wordsworth Dictionary of Phrase and FableThe Wordsworth Dictionary of Phrase and Fable explains the origins of the familiar and the unfamiliar in everyday speech and literature, including the colloquial and the proverbial, and embracing archaeology, history, religion, the arts, science, mythology and characters from fiction. This valuable dictionary, which revises and updates the original work of Dr. Ebenezer Cobham Brewer, encompasses material from all over the English speaking world and cites many equivalents from other European countries. The inclusion of quotations which accompany and illustrate many of the entries adds hugely to the value of this legendary work of reference. |
Common terms and phrases
17th century Absalom and Achitophel allusion ancient applied arms battle bell Ben Jonson Bible bird Bishop blue Cæsar called century Charlemagne Charles Christian Church cock colour common corruption court cross crown daughter dead death devil drink Duke Earl Emperor England English fable Faerie Queene famous father formerly France French giant give gold Greek Greek mythology hand head heaven hence Henry Henry IV Henry VIII Holy honour horse Hudibras John Julius Cæsar King King Arthur knight lady land Latin legend lived London Lord means ment mythology name given O.Fr one's originally Paradise Lost person phrase play poem poet Pope Prince proverb reign Roman says Scandinavian mythology Scotland Shakespeare ship slang Spenser stone story supposed sword tale term thing thou tion wife word Zeus