The Universal Etymological English Dictionary, Vol. 2: Containing an Additional Collection of Words (Not in the First Volume) With Their Explications and Etymologies From the Ancient British, Teutonic

First published in 1721, Nathan Bailey's An Universal Etymological English Dictionary stands as a landmark in the history of the English language. This comprehensive work quickly became the most widely used English dictionary of the eighteenth century, preceding and influencing later significant lexicographical efforts, including Samuel Johnson's dictionary. Its enduring popularity is evidenced by its numerous re-editions, reaching its 30th by 1802.

Bailey's dictionary was among the first to systematically include words in common usage, moving beyond mere "hard words" to offer a broader view of the English lexicon. It provided etymologies, tracing words from various source languages such as British, Saxon, Danish, Norman French, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. Beyond definitions, it encompassed an array of technical terms from arts and sciences, legal phrases, proper names, county dialects, and even a collection of common proverbs. A 1727 supplementary volume further innovated by being the first dictionary to mark accents for pronunciation. This work offers a direct insight into the English language as it was understood and codified in the early 18th century, making it a foundational text for understanding linguistic development.