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To: editor-surveyor
The Webster's Unabridged is an authority on how words are used in common language, not an authority on how words should be used in a science context. Perhaps you should give up this 'argument by dictionary' before you put your foot in it.

To put it more simply, the Dictionary reflects the language, the language does not reflect the dictionary. Words in common usage seldom reflect their technical usage.

Anyone with even a small understanding of Evolution and its relation to genetics would understand that de-evolution, or devolution as some say, would take a reversal in the sequence of mutations and selection that occurred in the originating evolutionary path. De-evolution is used in common language by those with little understanding.

45 posted on 02/15/2006 4:22:30 PM PST by b_sharp (Science adjusts theories to fit evidence, creationism distorts evidence to fit the Bible.)
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To: b_sharp
re: The Webster's Unabridged is an authority on how words are used in common language, not an authority on how words should be used in a science context. Perhaps you should give up this 'argument by dictionary' before you put your foot in it.)))

Bossy, bossy.

Just because you can put together a list of definitions (that nobody reads) doesn't mean you've set the terms. Common usage will prevail.

46 posted on 02/15/2006 4:34:35 PM PST by Mamzelle (toadying to the GM?)
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To: b_sharp
Road signs in Arkansas and Mississippi:
"BRIGE MAY ICE IN COLD WEATHER"
116 posted on 02/16/2006 6:54:29 AM PST by Eric in the Ozarks (BTUs are my Beat.)
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