25 JANUARY 1902, Page 14

The monthly instalment of The Oxford English Dictionary (Clarendon Press,

5s.) is a double section, forming part of Vol. VI., and containing words from "Lap—Leisurely." Among these are to be found "Latin" and "Law," no insignificant portion of the language in themselves. The derivations are, as usual, and even more than usually, interesting. " Laudanum," for inskance, is a word which would puzzle most people. Paracelsus gave the name to a drug which was really opium concealed under a fanciful selection of costly ingredients, gold leaf and peach among them. " Lavender" is dissociated from the common notion of " lavo " (to wash), as an adjunct of the laundry, the suggested derivation being from timers, " to have a livid or bluish tint," as if tiveriduLa.