A growing assortment of words and definitions used in the Early Modern era. See the Guide for more information.
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Word
Definition
Jonathan
(1) An instrument for lighting pipes (19th century) . (2) A stand for holding toast and the like, with legs, but also hooks, so that it may be hung on a grate. (3) Brother Jonathan, the United States collectively, as John Bull for England; or a representative citizen. Said to be Washington's appellation (recalling the BIBLE: SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL, i) for Jonathan Trumbull, Governor of Connecticut. James Russell Lowell in THE BIGLOW PAPERS (1848) contrasted the English and the American: To move John you must make your fulcrum of solid beef and pudding; an abstract idea will do for Jonathan. Now Brother Jonathan has given way to Uncle Sam.
Longanimity
Forbearance, long-suffering. Common, especially In religious use (the longanimity of God) from the 15th to the 18th century. In a TRACT of 1724, Warburton exclaims: Constancy is a word too weak to express so extraordinary a behavior, 'twas patience, 'twas longanimity. Even more of a lay application appeared In THE SPECTATOR of 11 January, 1890: His longanimity under the foolishness of the young woman is really marvellous.James Russell Lowell misused the word, as though it meant long-drawn, In THE BIGLOW PAPERS (1861) and in CAMBRIDGE THIRTY YEARS AGO (1854) : He is expected to ask a blessing and return thanks at the dinner, a function which he performs with centenarian longanimity.
