Originally Posted by Mxfrank

One of the things I've learned from these inane rants is that the various dictionaries in general use are very out of date. So he's using Black's Law 6th edition, published thirty five years ago. But even that doesn't tell you how weak an authority he's relying on.

It's difficult and expensive to compile a dictionary, and not at all profitable. So most publishers don't start from zero. They begin with something that was published so long ago that it's in public domain, and apply updates to the extent that they have available money and manpower. I learned this in trying to find an official definition for "subsidy" after one of these rants. It turns out that the definition in almost all dictionaries has been the same, word for word, since Daniel Webster compiled it in the 19th century.

If you use something like "dictionary.com" or "merriamwebster.com", what you're actually looking at is a definition that was last considered in 1911 or so.If you buy a dictionary with cash money, you'll get the same 1911 definitions, somewhat augmented. Since resources are limited, most publishers have to devote their limited talent pool to writing definitions for an endless stream of tech neologisms...words like "blockchain", submersible", and "ozempic". So you may have to search long and hard for a modern definition for an older word. A definition which reflects the last two centuries of common usage, jurisprudence and legislation.

It may be centuries before another generation comes along with a deep interest in lexicography. For our culture, that moment came and went more than a hundred years ago. Meanwhile, we have to recognize that "look it up in the dictionary" is a reference to fading authority. Something that perhaps starts a discussion rather than ends an argument. And unfortunately, there's a class of people who trade off these anachronisms.

Originally Posted by davidmash

It was the war of northern aggression. Go ahead and say it. We wont think any less of you.

Originally Posted by Dubyagee

Report the posts and contact a mod

Originally Posted by Dubyagee

You think this thread was an appropriate place to derail with personal beliefs? The OP was passing on information that could help someone in a similar situation. Not discuss the definition of what a license is.

Originally Posted by Dubyagee

You need a hat with a landing strip on it. The point buzzed your tower.