The closest you are likely to come is Johnson's Dictionary of the English
Language from 1755. It was British, but held sway in America until Noah
Webster published his Compendious Dictionary of the English Language in
1806.
In 1755 Johnson defines impious as:
Irreligious; wicked; profane; without reverence of religion.
[11 quotes from various writers showing usage then follow the definition]
Johnson's was revised in 1765 and 1771, but I don't have access to those
editions.
For what it's worth, Webster gave the following definition of impious in his
larger An American Dictionary of the English language in 1828:
1. Irreverent toward the Supreme Being; wanting in veneration for God, and
his authority; irreligious; profane. The scoffer at God and his authority is
impious. The profane swearer is impious.
[Quote from Addison omitted]
2. Irreverent towards God; proceeding from or manifesting a contempt for the
Supreme Being; tending to dishonor God or his laws, and bring them into
contempt; as an impious deed; impious language; impious writings.
I hope this helps.
--Paul
Paul D. Healey
Saint Paul, MN
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-law-lib@ucdavis.edu [mailto:owner-law-lib@ucdavis.edu]On
> Behalf Of Perkins, John
> Sent: Monday, June 12, 2000 1:04 PM
> To: 'Law-Lib'
> Cc: Deathe, Frances; Gibson, Michael
> Subject: 1789 definition of "impious"
>
>
> I looking for the definition of "impious" around the year 1789 in
> an English
> or less likely an American dictionary. The closest on campus is 1898.
>
> FYI, "impious" was used by Madison.
>
> John M. Perkins
> Oklahoma City University School of Law Library
> (405)557-6030; (405)521-5172(fax)
> jperkins@okcu.edu
>
>
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