Excerpt from Universal Technological Dictionary, or Familiar Explanation of the Terms Used in All Arts and Sciences, Vol. 1 of 2: Containing Definitions Drawn From the Original Writers, and Illustrated by Plates, Diagrams, Cuts, &C

As this work differs in many material points from anything which has hitherto been ofi'ered to the public, a few observations may be deemed necessary to explain the views of the Compiler with regard to his plan, and the execution of it.

To present the curious reader with a clue for understanding every subject which may incidentally comebefore his notice was one, of his primary objects;.and, next to this, he proposed. To himself to furnish the inquirer with the means of extending his knowledge as far as he pleased. For the attainment. Of the first object, he has made his, selection of words as copious as possible; and, at the same time, by consulting brevity in his definitions, has endeavoured to keep the work within a convenient size. In the catalogue of words there may possibly be some so obsolete, or grown out of use, and others so modem, or come so little into use, that they may. Rarely, if ever, be called for by any class of readers: but, as they occur in the writings of those who have acquired an authority or a name, the Compiler did not feel himself justified in rejecting such words, according to his own private opinion. But, in regard, to the extent of the definitions and explanations to be given under each head, he had no other mle to follow than his own judgment. Considering himself In the character of a general reader, he looked upon every thing that was necessary to illustrate the meaning and application of technical terms as essential to be admitted into this work; and, on the otfi'erhand, whatever did not immediately answer this end, he regarded as irrelevant. The only deviation frew thisiplaiiv m1. Be found under the Synopses of the Sciences, where, to preserve a connection between the entrant parts of any science, something more than the simple terminology has been occasionally Introduced.

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