348 LOGIC: OR TOE RIGHT GEE OF REASON. bear a grudge, to bear fruit, ex to bear children, the word bear is used in very different senses : and so is the word get, when we say, to get money, to get in, to get off, to get ready, to get a stomach, and to get a cold, &c. There is also a great deal of ambiguity in many of the English particles ; as but, before, beside, wit /r, without, that, then, there, for, forth, above, about, &c. of which grammars and dictionaries will sufficiently inform us. SECT. VII. Various Kinds of equivocal Words. It would be endless to run through all the varieties of words and terms, which have different senses applied to them ; I shall only mention therefore a few of the most remarkable and most useful distinctions among them. ist, The first division of equivocal words lets us know that some are equivocal only in their sound or pronunciation, others are equivocal only in writing, and others, both in writing and in sound. Words equivocal in sound only, are such as these ; the rein of a bridle, which liath the same sound with the reign of a king, or a shower of rain: but all three have different letters, and dis.. tinct spelling. So might or strength, is equivocal in sound, but differs in writing front mite, a little animal, or a small piece of money. And the verb to write, has the same sound with wright a workman, right or equity, and rite or ceremony; but it is spelled very differently in them all. Words equivocal in writing only are such as these; to tear to pieces, has the same spelling with a tear: to lead, or guide, has the same letters as lead, the metal : and a bowl for recreation, is written the same way as a bowl for drinking : but the pronun- ciation for all these is different. But those words which are most commonly and justly called equivocal, are such as are both written and pronounced the same way, and yet have different senses or ideas belonging to them; such are all the instances which were given in the pre- ceding section. Among the words which are equivocal in sound only and not in writing, there is a large field for persons who delight ii jests and puns, in riddles and quibbles, to sport themselves. This sort of words is also used by wanton persons to convey lewd ideas, under the covert of expressions capable of a chaste meaning, which are called double entendres ; or when persons speak falsehood with a design to deceive, under the covert of truth. Though it must be confessed, that all sorts of equivocal words yield sufficient matter for such purposes. There are many cases also, wherein an equivocal word is
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