different constructions in which the same word occurs (e. g. അലങ്കരിക്ക), its various applications (e. g. അടങ്ങുക), allusions to the traditions and superstitions of the people (അട്ട, അരണ), standing phrases (അടക്കം, അവസ്ഥ) and proverbial expressions (അട്ടം, അതിബുദ്ധി, അത്യാശ, അൻപു, അമ്പാഴം, അശ്വിനി, അള), these points have been especially considered in selecting the illustrations. The Compounds and Derivatives are arranged under each leading word in alphabetical order, but are not treated at the length that appeared necessary in the case of the parent words.
9. The orthography of each word is fixed at the head of the article which treats of it, but in the illustrations deviations are allowed, when they exhibit a current pronunciation (f.i. അടെപ്പു, അടപ്പു), or are borne out by the constant usage of some locality or caste (അമൃതു, അമരേത്തു), or when, as in the case of the numerous Tadbhavams, it is caused by the inequalities of the Sanscrit and Dravidian alphabets (f.i. അത്തം, അത്തി).
10. It cannot be expected that the work should be compressed within the same compass as the Rev. Mr. Bailey's Dictionary. Not that the latter will always be found the more concise of the two. It is one of the chief defects of that, otherwise valuable, work, that it does not discriminate between Malayalam and Sanscrit terms and leaves the student completely in the dark, both as regards the etymology and the proportional importance of words. For it concedes to unknown and useless words (f.i. അജശൃംഗി, അമൃണാളം) as well as to those that are comparatively unimportant (as ഇതി, ച) more space, than to words of the genuine native stock that occur frequently in idioms of daily current use (f.i. അടുക്കുന്നു, അല്ല). In consequence it will be found, that the Sanscrit part of the present work (see for instance the compounds with അനു-അപ-അഭി— ) occupies less space than was the case in the former Dictionary and this without any detriment to the subject matter. For the progress made in the study of Sanscrit subsequent to the appearance of Dr. Wilson's Dictionary (on which the Sanscrit portion of Mr. Bailey's work is based) has enabled the writer to throw new light even on this part of his task.
