John Walker

“ Nares, Mr. Smith, Mr. Perry, Barclay, and Entick, give both these words the short sound. As the word zealous may either come from the Latin zelus, (or rather zelosus,) or be a formative of our own from zeal, as villanous, libellous, etc. from villain, libel, etc. analogy might very allowably be pleaded for the long sound of the diphthong; and if custom were less decided, I should certainly give my vote for it; but as propriety of pronunciation may be called a compound ratio of usage and analogy, the short sound must in this case be called the proper one.—See Knowledge, and Principles, No. ”

“ A figure in grammar, when a verb agreeing with divers nouns, or an adjective with divers substantives, is referred to one expressly, and to the other by supplement, as, Lust overcame shame, Boldness fear, and Madness reason. ”

“ The point overhead opposite the nadir.
☞ I never once called in doubt the pronunciation of this word, till I was told that mathematicians generally made the first syllable short. Upon consulting our orthöepists, I find all who have the word, and who give the quantity of the vowels, make the e long, except Entick. ”