Page:Ralcy H. Bell - The Mystery of Words (1924).pdf/165

 in a specific phrase-sense, they lose all individual meaning by taking on only the signification acquired through association of idea. In time these words, even when appearing outside their habitual places, carry the associated meaning. This is well-shown in many negative and interrogative phrases. All this is evident in the various tongues when carefully studied. The inference is that this method of association follows a psychologic law.

The same principle holds good in all compound words which, by virtue of their unity of meaning, become in function merely single signs of speech. They are so interdependent that they necessarily coalesce in meaning. This psychic rule makes for simplicity of image and clearness of presentation; if it were otherwise, there would be mental confusion instead of clarity, crowded instead of consecutive thought. Regardless of the number and complexity of factors which stimulate the mind, conception requires consecutive simplicity of idea.