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Then follows the accidental or consequential signification, in which ground implies any thing that lies under another; as, he laid colours upon a rough ground. The silk had blue flowers on a red ground.
Then the remoter or metaphorical signification; the ground of his opinion was a false computation. The ground of his work was his father's manuscript.
After having gone through the natural and figurative senses, it will be proper to subjoin the poetical sense of each word, where it differs from that which is in common use; as, wanton applied to any thing of which the motion is irregular without terror, as
In wanton ringlets curl'd her hair.
To the poetical sense may succeed the familiar; as of toast, used to imply the person whose health is drunk.
The wise man's passion, and the vain man's toast.
Pope.
The familiar may be followed by the burlesque; as of mellow, applied to good fellowship,
In all thy humours whether grave, or mellow.
Addison.
