British Synonymy: Or, an Attempt at Regulating the Choice of Words in Familiar Conversation, Volumes 1-2

This book is a pioneering study of synonymy, the phenomenon of having multiple words or expressions that convey the same or similar meanings. The author, Hester Lynch Piozzi, was a writer and patron of arts who published this work in 1794 as a contribution to the linguistic and cultural debates of her time. The book contains thousands of examples of synonyms and antonyms drawn from English literature and conversation, along with witty remarks, anecdotes, and observations on language and society. The book remains a classic in the field of lexicography and a valuable source of insight into the art of conversation.