Dictionaries of English Synonyms in the Meiji Era<BR><BR>

�@�@It was not until the middle of the Meiji era that a dictionary of English synonyms was first published in Japan. It was compiled on the basis of dictionaries of synonyms by G. Crabb and G. Graham. Crabb's dictionary was the most popular not only in Britain but also in America. Yet it was difficult for Japanese learners to understand, because it comprised the description of etymology and the quotations from classical writers. On the other hand, Graham's dictionary, which was edited for British students, had some features which enabled even Japanese students to recognize the differences of each pair of English synonyms with ease. 
�@�@Some dictionaries of English synonyms published in the last ten years of the Meiji era were translations of British ones. Others were compiled from the viewpoint of Japanese studying English. Their ingenious authors took into consideration trouble spots for Japanese students or linguistic interference by the Japanese language.