Sign-In
Cart
The First Meaning: A Dictionary of Original Words and Their Earliest Meanings
Paperback
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Sep 4 2026
Pages: 336
Weight: 0.99
Height: 0.70 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
Every word has a beginning. And behind that beginning is a story.
The First Meaning takes you beneath the definitions we use today and back toward the roots of language itself.
Across 5,000 entries, discover how familiar words began, what they once meant, where they came from, and how centuries of history, culture, migration, belief, and human experience transformed them into the words we know today.
Why did some words once mean almost the opposite of what they mean now? Why are words such as capacity, capture, and capable connected? How did ancient Greek, Latin, Old English, French, Germanic languages, and other linguistic traditions continue to shape modern English?
Rather than simply defining words, this book reveals the ideas hidden inside them.
Some origins are surprising. Some are strange. Some reveal forgotten ways of thinking about intelligence, money, power, character, work, relationships, society, and life itself.
Whether you are a writer, student, teacher, lifelong learner, trivia lover, history enthusiast, or simply someone who has ever wondered Where did that word come from?, The First Meaning gives you thousands of opportunities to see ordinary language in an entirely new way.
Words change. Their histories remain.
Open the book anywhere, choose a word, and discover what it meant before it became what it means today.
Also from
Washington, Chris
The Complete HVAC Manual: The Ultimate Resource For Residential & Commercial Systems
Washington, Chris
Paperback
Meditate To Be Limitless: Your meditation starter kit to a more successful and powerful version of yourself
Washington, Chris
Paperback
The Hvac Sales Blueprint: How to earn trust, close more deals, and increase your income without pressure
Washington, Chris
Paperback
The Greatness Code: Principles to Build Wealth, Confidence, Influence, and a Life Without Limits
Washington, Chris
Paperback
Business Mastery: The Elite Guide to Sales, Success, Marketing, and Implementation
Washington, Chris
Paperback
Also in
Gifts & Stationery General
This Earthly Globe: A Venetian Geographer and the Quest to Map the World
Andrea Di Robilant
Paperback
Where to Find It in the Bible: The Ultimate Resource for Quick-And-Easy Biblical Reference
Anderson, Ken
Paperback
The Official Pumpkin Spice Café Cookbook: 60 Delicious Dream Harbor Recipes
Gilmore, Laurie
Thomas, Heather
Hardcover
Flow Hive's Book of Bees and Beekeeping: Protect, Enjoy, Harvest
Anderson, Cedar
Anderson, Stuart
Hardcover
Brain Games - Sticker by Number: Snoopy (Officially Licensed Peanuts Product)
Publications International Ltd
New Seasons
Brain Games
Paperback
The Investor's Odyssey: Resisting the Sirens and Playing the Long Game
Mayer, Christopher W.
Hardcover
Once Upon a Cookbook: A Treasury of Recipes Inspired by Timeless Children's Books
Taylor, Bryton
Hardcover
3-Color Botanical Cyanotype Kit: Beginner-Friendly Solar Printing Kit for DIY Nature Art
Rafferty, Sarah Bourne
Hardcover
Brain Games - Sticker by Number: Flowers & Nature Stained Glass (28 Images to Sticker)
Brain Games
New Seasons
Publications International Ltd
Paperback
Book Club Bar: Literary-Inspired Drink Recipes for Your Next Great Read
Neary, Erin
Esten, Nat
Hardcover
Learning Japanese Hiragana and Katakana: A Workbook for Self-Study
Takagaki, Tetsuo
Henshall, Kenneth G.
Paperback
The Catholic Bible Companion 73 Books: Finally Understand All of Scripture and See Christ on Every Page
Somerwell Press
Sheen James, Bishop Fulton
Paperback
Tesla & The Cabbage Patch Kids: Exploring the lost Empire of Tartaria and the Reset of 1776
Anderson, Guy Peter
Paperback
Rebecca Yarros's Fourth Wing: I Survived Threshing Stickers - Sticker Set of 4
Out of Print
Paperback
Brain Games - Sticker by Number - Vintage: Animals (28 Images to Sticker)
New Seasons
Brain Games
Publications International Ltd
Paperback
Brain Games - Sticker by Number: Cozy Capybaras: Includes a Foil Sticker Sheet to Complete Each Image!
Publications International Ltd
New Seasons
Brain Games
Paperback
Brain Games - Sticker by Number: Gilded Gardens (24 Images to Sticker): Includes 2 Foil Sticker Sheets to Complete Each Image!
New Seasons
Brain Games
Publications International Ltd
Paperback
The Three Books of Enoch, Plus the Enoch Portions of the Book of Jasher
Ben Elisha, Ishmael
Paperback
After Dinner Amusements: Truth or Dare for Couples: 50 Questions and Challenges
Chronicle Books
Other
Brain Games - Sticker by Number: Enchanted Wonders (36 Images to Sticker): Includes Foil Stickers!
New Seasons
Brain Games
Publications International Ltd
Paperback
Brain Games - Sticker by Number: Be Calm (28 Images to Sticker)
New Seasons
Brain Games
Publications International Ltd
Paperback
Brain Games - Search and Sticker: Animals (for Kids Ages 3-6)
Publications International Ltd
Little Grasshopper Books
Paperback
Brain Games - Sticker by Number: Whimsical World (24 Images to Sticker): Includes 2 Foil Sticker Sheets to Complete Each Image!
Publications International Ltd
New Seasons
Brain Games
Paperback
Brain Games - To Go - 3-In-1: Word Search, Sudoku, Crosswords
Publications International Ltd
Brain Games
Paperback