Blacks Law Dictionary and its 8 editions.

[vladmir]

Hi Guys, i wanted to ask a simple question which hopefully has a simple answer.
Suppose i have a definition for a word like 'person' in the first edition of Blacks Law Dictionary.
Then, if the meaning of the word 'person' is altered in the 8th edition, then does it negate the definition held in the first edition?

[tien an]

Very interesting point.

I don't know.

I'm interested to see answers though...

[yozhik]

Let me firstly state; I do not know.

However, in the spirit of open forum, I will offer an opinion. :)
For me, the evolution of a word does not change its meaning, but rather maps its most common use. The earlier definition is not so much wrong, as it is not as popular.

Maybe the later version of the definition has been altered to meet the "needs" of those who use it; that doesn't mean the roots of the word lose importance ... in fact, some could argue it gives the earlier definitions more impact due to an unsullied appearance.

A definition in an earlier edition will illustrate the word as it was used in that time. The more editions it is repeated in, the longer the usage.

Courts and legal argument come down to nothing more than probability of outcome based on weight of argument as measured by support of historical caselaw and relevance of citations. Basically it matters not what the current case is; it relies totally on precedent and how well it can be argued. Otherwise, you pray that the jury - if you have one - will use their right to call the law an ass and throw it out ... but as the judge does not appraise them of this option when directing the jury to come to a verdict of guilty or not guilty, the chances of this happening are very low.

If when arguing your case, you quote 2nd edition versus their use of 7th edition, one is not more or less correct; you are merely giving the source of your definition. A dictionary is, afterall, an opinion in writing, of the written word ... a fiction of a fiction.

:D


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[miked]

Hi Guys, i wanted to ask a simple question which hopefully has a simple answer.
Suppose i have a definition for a word like 'person' in the first edition of Blacks Law Dictionary.
Then, if the meaning of the word 'person' is altered in the 8th edition, then does it negate the definition held in the first edition?

Hi There

Its my belief that you will find the answers you are looking for here

http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/person

You need to look at every single word and punctuation used.

What you really should be asking is who decides on the definitions in Law Dictionaries and who has the right to change them?

Regards

Mike

[vladmir]

If when arguing your case, you quote 2nd edition versus their use of 7th edition, one is not more or less correct; you are merely giving the source of your definition. A dictionary is, afterall, an opinion in writing, of the written word ... a fiction of a fiction.
Thanks for the reply yozhik.
So, suppose someone is in court defending himself using a definition that has a specific tone that is in his benefit from a previous edition, then the validity of the definition cant be negated by later editions which have been cunningly altered?
Or it depends on the judge?
Or maybe if that guy is already in court, and has hired a lawyer, then he has already lost, as the whole thing is rigged?! :eek:

[informationx]

Hi Guys, i wanted to ask a simple question which hopefully has a simple answer.
Suppose i have a definition for a word like 'person' in the first edition of Blacks Law Dictionary.
Then, if the meaning of the word 'person' is altered in the 8th edition, then does it negate the definition held in the first edition?

My friend you could email blacks, ask them and see what they say. Thats what I do with things like this, I try and ask the people directly.

Bryan Garner is the editor of blacks, but no email is listed on the blacks website. He runs a website called lawprose and has an email contact there.

Ive emailed before using that mail, and got a response. So if you want try -

info@lawprose.org

Good luck.

Cheers. :D