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> Looking at Google hits, I don't believe "cross-section" has
> established itself as a verb outside of jargon and informal speech, so
> I would not use it in writing intended for publication. To me it looks
> semi-literate.
>
> You can find a lot of dubious jargon and neologisms in online
> dictionaries.
I don't get your objection.
I've seen "section" as a verb for many years. Readily understood when used that way. It's no great leap to the more descriptive "cross-section" as a verb. Differentiates that instance of "sectioning" something from "transverse-sectioning" it.
Yes, yes. A neologism. But it seems useful to me and not obscure. Don't most neologisms that ... ahem... transition ... (ok, ok, "make the transition") to standard usage get across that chasm by virtue of their obvious-to-some-large-number-of-people utility? Isn't that what's going on here?
I'm a defender of the language, but I resist changes that are just stupid or exceptionally ugly - mostly the ones resulting from somebody (often a news-reader) mis-hearing something, then mis-speaking what they heard, and the sheep absorb it and re-exude it until it sticks. That kind of stuff makes my skin crawl and often creates a net reduction in the usefulness of our beloved language. But a neologism that appears to carry some utility and is not at all obscure? Don't see the need to fight that.
- Kevin
(PS: Despite a little obvious chain-yanking there, I'm actually serious about the general point. Would like to hear expanded arguments from the other side to clarify the position.)The information contained in this electronic mail transmission
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