This book is based on lectures given at Cambridge during the last few years and is primarily addressed to students. I have indeed hoped that others also might find it of interest but I must warn them what it is not. It is not an essay in the higher linguistics. The ultimate nature of language and the theory of meaning are not here my concern. The point ofview is merely lexical and historical. My words are studied as an aid to more accurate reading and chosen for the light they throw on ideas and senti¬ ments. The notes on some common types of semantic change given in the first chapter are a rough and ready attempt at practical guidance; if any deeper issues arc raised by implication, this was not my intention.C. S. L.CAMBRIDGEJune 1959