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Afewminuteslate Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
What does the word "for" means here (difficult question)?
Other remedies included one coxcomb,
some goose fat mixed with some honey, the salted flesh of a rabid dog, some maggots
from the carcass of a rabid dog, etc.; and as many remedies existed for the
local application of 'preventers', or for mixing them in drinks or food
Definition 1. used to indicate the purpose, aim, or destination of an action.
Example He was heading for the door ; They worked for reform.
Definition 2. used to indicate receipt or benefit.
Example help for the needy.
Definition 3. as the result of.
Example payment for work.
Definition 4. used to show duration or continuance.
Example We walked for an hour.
Definition 5. with respect to.
Example too cold for June.
Definition 6. in order to do or obtain.
Example We are going for lunch.
Definition 7. on behalf of.
Example Who will speak for me?
Crossref. Syn. in favor of
Definition 8. in favor of.
Example I'm all for you.
Crossref. Syn. in favor of
Definition 9. in exchange for.
Example a dime for the pen.
Definition 10. in spite of; notwithstanding.
Example She is very attractive for all her joking.
Definition 11. by reason of; because of.
Example They clapped for joy.
Definition 12. indicating.
Example This is the symbol for infinity.
some goose fat mixed with some honey, the salted flesh of a rabid dog, some maggots
from the carcass of a rabid dog, etc.; and as many remedies existed for the
local application of 'preventers', or for mixing them in drinks or food
Definition 1. used to indicate the purpose, aim, or destination of an action.
Example He was heading for the door ; They worked for reform.
Definition 2. used to indicate receipt or benefit.
Example help for the needy.
Definition 3. as the result of.
Example payment for work.
Definition 4. used to show duration or continuance.
Example We walked for an hour.
Definition 5. with respect to.
Example too cold for June.
Definition 6. in order to do or obtain.
Example We are going for lunch.
Definition 7. on behalf of.
Example Who will speak for me?
Crossref. Syn. in favor of
Definition 8. in favor of.
Example I'm all for you.
Crossref. Syn. in favor of
Definition 9. in exchange for.
Example a dime for the pen.
Definition 10. in spite of; notwithstanding.
Example She is very attractive for all her joking.
Definition 11. by reason of; because of.
Example They clapped for joy.
Definition 12. indicating.
Example This is the symbol for infinity.
Top answer
used to indicate the purpose, aim
- used to indicate the purpose, aim
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14 Answers
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Perhaps I'm being slow, but I don't find the last part of the sentence at all easy to disentangle. I'm assuming that "preventers" are remedies (of some type), and that "them" is intended to refer to "preventers". In other words, these "preventers" could be applied locally (by smearing them on the appropriate part of the body, I suppose), or could be mixed in drinks or food.
If thi
If thi
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Thank you for agreeing!! I also thought preventers were remedies...
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One widespread myth was that rabies was caused by a small 'worm' at the base
of the tongue. A contemporary poet of Ovid (1st century BC), Grattius Falistcus,
knew about the mythical origin of the sublingual 'lyssa' of rabid dogs that Pliny
popularized; they believed that extracting the worms completely cured the dog.
And as a preventive, this worm was also thought to possess magic
of the tongue. A contemporary poet of Ovid (1st century BC), Grattius Falistcus,
knew about the mythical origin of the sublingual 'lyssa' of rabid dogs that Pliny
popularized; they believed that extracting the worms completely cured the dog.
And as a preventive, this worm was also thought to possess magic
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The goal of the curative method is to apply medicine locally or mix them in drinks or food. I think the sentence makes sense. He meant remedies as a method here, but earlier he meant them as medicine.
Does that make sense?
Does that make sense?
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afewminuteslateTo me, no. I don't see how to read "remedies" as meaning "methods".
The goal of the curative method is to apply medicine locally or mix them in drinks or food. I think the sentence makes sense. He meant remedies as a method here, but earlier he meant them as medicine.
Does that make sense?
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http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=remedy*1+0&dict=A
a substance or method for curing an illness, or a way of dealing with a problem or difficulty
Other dictionaries tend to define it as "something for curing an illness". I think that's my best explan
a substance or method for curing an illness, or a way of dealing with a problem or difficulty
Other dictionaries tend to define it as "something for curing an illness". I think that's my best explan
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FWIW, I looked at the sentence again, but -- although I suppose the general meaning can be gleaned -- I still can't figure out how "remedies existed for the local application of 'preventers'" strictly makes sense, assuming we're right that a "preventer" is a type of medicine. Fine-tuning the general "goal/purpose/aim" meaning of "for" (deciding whether it's an ultimate or intermediate goal, for e
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But if you replace "remedies" with "curative method" wouldn't it make sense? I mean "remedies" can either be curative methods or medicines; therefore he can refer to them as "remedies".
Can you tell me exactly why you think it doesn't make sense? Maybe we may end up reaching the same conclusion.
Can you tell me exactly why you think it doesn't make sense? Maybe we may end up reaching the same conclusion.
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