ADYTUM, Adytum, a secret or retired Place in the Pagan Temple where Oracles were given, and into which none but the Priests were admitted. See TEMPLE, ORACLE, etc. AE, or A, a Diphthong, or double Vowel, borrowed from the Greeks and Latins. See DIPHTHONG.
Authors are by no means agreed as to the Use of the AE.—Some, out of regard to Etymology, insist on its being retained in all Words, particularly Technical ones, borrowed from those Languages; while others, from a Consideration that it is no proper Diphthong in our Language, its Sound being no other than that of the simple e; contend that it ought to be entirely disused, except in Words which retain their Latin and Greek form in everything else.
For our own part, till the Point is a little better settled, we must be contented to steer a kind of middle, or neutral Course; conforming ourselves to Custom as nearly as may be. —Such Articles, therefore, as are omitted under A, the Reader will find under AE.
