An American Dictionary of the English Language

Chauncey A. Goodrich & Noah Porter, eds

An American Dictionary of the English Language

Springfield, MA

G. & C. Merriam Co.

1864

Royal quarto ed. 

This dictionary, called “Webster-Mahn,” was in its day the best ever produced. (Worcester’s book held that title for only four years!) The definitions were rigorous, and the fanciful etymologies were at last retrenched. Noah Porter engaged Professor C.A.F. Mahn of Berlin to rewrite the etymologies from scratch. It was a decisive move by Merriam to triumph over Worcester, who had only one more year to live. With this book, the Webster line came to vanquish the Worcester line. 

Ex coll. Karolyne & Bryan A. Garner. HHD no. 80