A Glossary; Or Collection of Words, Phrases, Names and Allusions to Customs, Proverbs which Have Been Thought to Require Illustration in the Works of English Authors. New Ed. with Additions by James O. Halliwell and Thomas Wright

Originally published in 1822 by Robert Nares, archdeacon of Stafford, this glossary was conceived as an essential reference tool for scholars navigating the complexities of Elizabethan and Jacobean literature. Nares sought to provide historical and linguistic context for the archaic language, regional dialects, and obscure cultural allusions found in the plays of Shakespeare and his contemporaries, which had become increasingly difficult for 19th-century readers to decode without scholarly guidance.

The updated edition featuring James O. Halliwell and Thomas Wright, both distinguished antiquarians and editors of their time, significantly expanded the original scope. By incorporating new research and refinements, Halliwell and Wright ensured the text remained a definitive resource for Victorian-era philologists. Their collaboration is noted for successfully preserving Nares's original mission while integrating the era's growing expertise in medieval and Renaissance texts, eventually cementing the volume's reputation as a staple reference work in English literary studies.