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1Adnan Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

What is the purpose of the phrase after colon in definitions?

http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/offensive

“causing someone to feel hurt, angry, or upset : rude or insulting”

This is the definition of ‘offensive’. Why there is two parts? Is “rude or insulting” interchangeable to “causing someone to feel hurt, angry, or upset” or it is there to clarify the meaning more? I want to know the purpose of it.
  

Top answer

Yes, it is there it clarify and refine the meaning. Dictionary entries tend to give multiple and overlapping definitions in an effort to cover the range of synonymy or nuance that a word might have.

  • Yes, it is there it clarify and refine the meaning.
  • Dictionary entries tend to give multiple and overlapping definitions in an effort to cover the range of synonymy or nuance that a word might have.
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2 Answers
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Yes, it is there it clarify and refine the meaning. Dictionary entries tend to give multiple and overlapping definitions in an effort to cover the range of synonymy or nuance that a word might have.
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Thanks Mister Micawber.

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