birding-aus

Defining Endemics

To: "birding aus" <>
Subject: Defining Endemics
From: "Reid" <>
Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2002 10:19:29 +1100
If I can insert another two cents worth, it is this - do not treat ANY
definition as absolute immutable truth.  This is something I learnt when
training as a librarian.

Ever wondered why dictionaries give slightly different meaning or emphasis
to the definition of a word?  That is because once a meaning has been
published in a dictionary, then that meaning is copyright of the publisher.
Dictionary compilers are allowed use a certain percentage (I forget exactly
what amount) of common definitions of particular words, but they cannot copy
unchanged the majority of definitions - they must perforce make up their
own.

So do not be surprised if different meanings are given by different
dictionaries.

Ralph Reid
Sydney

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