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Excerpt from The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section I, J, K, and L, by Project Gutenberg
Water, cream, custard, etc., sweetened, flavored, and artificially
frozen.Any substance having the appearance of ice; as, camphor ice.
Anchor ice, ice which sometimes forms about stones and other objects at
the bottom of running or other water, and is thus attached or anchored
to the ground. -- Bay ice, ice formed in bays, fiords, etc., often in
extensive fields which drift out to sea. -- Ground ice, anchor ice. --
Ice age (Geol.), the glacial epoch or period. See under Glacial. -- Ice
anchor (Naut.), a grapnel for mooring a vessel to a field of ice. Kane.
-- Ice blink [Dan. iisblink], a streak of whiteness of the horizon,
caused by the reflection of light from ice not yet in sight. -- Ice
boat. (a) A boat fitted with skates or runners, and propelled on ice by
sails; an ice yacht. (b) A strong steamboat for breaking a channel
through ice. -- Ice box or chest, a box for holding ice; a box in which
things are kept cool by means of ice; a refrigerator. -- Ice brook, a
brook or stream as cold as ice. [Poetic] Shak. -- Ice cream [for iced
cream], cream, milk, or custard, sweetened, flavored, and frozen. --
Ice field, an extensive sheet of ice. -- Ice float, Ice floe, a sheet
of floating ice similar to an ice field, but smaller. -- Ice foot,
shore ice in Arctic regions; an ice belt. Kane. -- Ice house, a
close-covered pit or building for storing ice. -- Ice machine
(Physics), a machine for making ice artificially, as by the production
of a low temperature through the sudden expansion of a gas or vapor, or
the rapid evaporation of a volatile liquid. -- Ice master. See Ice
pilot (below). -- Ice pack, an irregular mass of broken and drifting
ice. -- Ice paper, a transparent film of gelatin for copying or
reproducing; papier glacé. -- Ice petrel (Zoöl.), a shearwater
(Puffinus gelidus) of the Antarctic seas, abundant among floating ice.
-- Ice pick, a sharp instrument for breaking ice into small pieces. --
Ice pilot, a pilot who has charge of a vessel where the course is
obstructed by ice, as in polar seas; -- called also ice master. -- Ice
pitcher, a pitcher adapted for ice water. -- Ice plow, a large tool for
grooving and cutting ice. -- Ice sludge, bay ice broken small by the
wind or waves; sludge. -- Ice spar (Min.), a variety of feldspar, the
crystals of which are very clear like ice; rhyacolite. -- Ice tongs,
large iron nippers for handling ice. -- Ice water. (a) Water cooled by
ice. (b) Water formed by the melting of ice. -- Ice yacht. See Ice boat
(above). -- To break the ice. See under Break. -- Water ice, a
confection consisting of water sweetened, flavored, and frozen.
Explanation
This excerpt is from The Gutenberg Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary (a digitized version of Noah Webster’s 1913 Unabridged Dictionary), specifically the entries under "Ice." While it may seem like a dry, encyclopedic listing, the passage is rich in historical, scientific, and cultural significance, offering insights into 19th- and early 20th-century terminology, technology, and environmental understanding. Below is a detailed breakdown of the text, focusing on its content, themes, literary devices (though minimal in a dictionary), and broader implications.
1. Context of the Source
Noah Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary (first published in 1828, with later editions like the 1913 version here) was a monumental work aiming to standardize American English. This excerpt reflects the scientific, nautical, and everyday knowledge of the time, particularly regarding ice—a substance critical to trade, exploration, and domestic life before modern refrigeration. The entries also reveal historical technologies (e.g., ice machines, ice yachts) and environmental observations (e.g., ice ages, Arctic phenomena) that were cutting-edge in the 19th century.
The Project Gutenberg version digitizes this text, preserving it as a historical artifact. The entries are descriptive rather than narrative, but they collectively paint a picture of how ice was perceived, utilized, and studied.
2. Themes in the Excerpt
While not a literary work, the excerpt touches on several themes:
A. Human Ingenuity and Technology
Many entries highlight how humans interacted with, harnessed, or combated ice:
- Ice machines: Early refrigeration technology using gas expansion or evaporation (a precursor to modern fridges).
- Ice boats/yachts: Vessels adapted for ice travel, showing innovation in polar exploration and recreation.
- Ice plows/tongs: Tools for harvesting ice, a major industry before artificial cooling (ice was cut from lakes in winter and stored in ice houses for summer use).
- Ice pilots/masters: Specialized navigators for icy waters, reflecting the dangers of Arctic/antarctic voyages (e.g., Kane’s expeditions).
B. Natural Phenomena and Environmental Science
The entries document observations of ice in nature, some of which were still being scientifically categorized:
- Anchor ice/ground ice: Ice forming on riverbeds, a hazard for ships.
- Ice age (glacial epoch): A geological term acknowledging Earth’s past climate shifts (a relatively new concept in the 19th century).
- Ice blink: A navigational phenomenon where ice reflects light before it’s visible, crucial for polar explorers.
- Ice petrel: A bird adapted to Antarctic ice, showing early zoological classification.
C. Cultural and Domestic Life
Ice wasn’t just a natural feature but a commodity and luxury:
- Ice cream/water ice: Frozen desserts, originally elite treats (ice was expensive to harvest/store).
- Ice box/chest: The precursor to refrigerators, essential for food preservation.
- Ice pitcher: A household item for chilled water, reflecting Victorian-era dining customs.
D. Exploration and Danger
Terms like bay ice, ice pack, and ice sludge evoke the perils of sea travel in icy regions, where drifting ice could destroy ships (e.g., the Titanic in 1912, just a year before this dictionary’s edition). The inclusion of Kane’s terminology (Elisha Kent Kane, a 19th-century Arctic explorer) ties the entries to real expeditions.
3. Literary Devices and Style
Dictionaries are typically denotative (focusing on literal definitions), but this excerpt employs subtle rhetorical and stylistic elements:
A. Classification and Taxonomy
The entries use hierarchical organization, grouping terms by:
- Function (e.g., tools: ice pick, ice tongs, ice plow).
- Location (e.g., bay ice, ground ice, anchor ice).
- Scientific discipline (e.g., Ice age under geology, ice petrel under zoology).
This mirrors Linnaean classification and the Enlightenment-era drive to categorize the natural world.
B. Metaphor and Simile (Rare but Present)
- "Ice brook": Described as "a brook or stream as cold as ice" with the note [Poetic] Shak.—a rare literary flourish, referencing Shakespeare’s use of ice as a metaphor for coldness (e.g., "as cold as ice" in The Taming of the Shrew).
- "Ice spar": Compared to "very clear like ice"—a simile highlighting the mineral’s transparency.
C. Technical Jargon and Borrowed Terms
- Nautical terms (ice anchor, ice pilot) reflect maritime culture.
- Scientific terms (Ice age, ice machine) show the dictionary’s role in disseminating new knowledge.
- Foreign borrowings (Ice blink from Danish iisblink), indicating global exchange of ideas.
D. Historical Anachronisms
Some terms are obsolete or niche today:
- Papier glacé (ice paper): A now-antiquated term for gelatin-based copying paper.
- Ice yachts: Still exist but are no longer common.
- Ice houses: Replaced by electric refrigeration.
4. Significance of the Excerpt
A. Historical snapshot
The entries capture a pre-modern world where ice was:
- A resource (harvested, stored, traded).
- A hazard (to ships, explorers).
- A scientific mystery (glacial epochs, Arctic ecosystems).
They also reflect technological transitions—e.g., the shift from natural ice harvesting to artificial refrigeration.
B. Linguistic Evolution
Many terms here are no longer in common use (e.g., ice sludge), while others have expanded meanings (e.g., ice age now includes discussions of climate change). The dictionary thus serves as a record of linguistic change.
C. Cultural Attitudes Toward Nature
The entries reveal a utilitarian view of ice—something to be exploited (for cooling, transport) or conquered (by icebreakers, pilots). This contrasts with modern environmental perspectives that emphasize preservation (e.g., melting glaciers as a climate crisis).
D. Literary and Scientific Cross-Pollination
The inclusion of Shakespearean references (ice brook) and explorers’ terms (Kane’s ice foot) shows how literature, science, and practical knowledge intersected in the 19th century.
5. Key Takeaways from the Text Itself
Ice as a Multifaceted Concept: The excerpt treats ice as a physical substance (frozen water), a tool (ice plow), a hazard (ice pack), a delicacy (ice cream), and a scientific phenomenon (ice age). This polysemy (multiple meanings) reflects ice’s centrality in human life.
Precision in Definition: The dictionary distinguishes between similar terms:
- Ice field (large sheet) vs. ice float/floe (smaller, drifting).
- Ice water (cooled by ice) vs. ice water (melted ice). This taxonomic rigor was essential for clear communication in science and trade.
Implied Narratives: While not a story, the entries hint at human struggles and triumphs:
- The danger of anchor ice for ships.
- The ingenuity of ice machines replacing natural ice.
- The luxury of ice cream in a pre-refrigeration era.
Scientific Curiosity: Terms like ice blink and ice petrel show observational science in action—sailors and explorers documenting phenomena that later became subjects of study.
6. Modern Relevance
Today, this excerpt reads as a time capsule of:
- Climate history: The ice age entry is now part of urgent discussions about global warming.
- Technological progress: Ice machines evolved into refrigerators; ice yachts are now a niche sport.
- Cultural shifts: Ice cream is mass-produced; ice houses are obsolete.
It also invites reflection on how language preserves (or erases) knowledge. For example:
- Lost trades: Ice harvesting was a major industry; now, few know what an ice tong is.
- New threats: Bay ice and ice packs are now symbols of climate change, not just navigational challenges.
Conclusion
This dictionary excerpt, though seemingly mundane, is a microcosm of 19th-century knowledge, blending science, technology, culture, and language. It demonstrates how a single word—ice—can encompass geology, cuisine, exploration, and industry, while also revealing the limitations and biases of its time (e.g., the utilitarian view of nature). For modern readers, it’s a reminder of how dictionaries are not just reference tools but historical artifacts, capturing the way people understood and interacted with the world.
Would you like a deeper dive into any specific term or theme from the excerpt?