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Watt

(wŏt), James 1736-1819.

British engineer whose innovations, such as the condensing engine (1769) and the centrifugal governor (1788), greatly increased the efficiency and practicality of steam power.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

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The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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