A midget in glasses, was SHIP Banter and SHIP subjects

[Erica <cymru1ca@yahoo.ca>]

No: HPFGUIDX 50951

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Jim Ferer <jferer at y...>" 
<jferer at y...> wrote:
> Erica:"I believe that 'of mean stature' implies that Harry is 'of
> average height' (ie. neither *tall* nor *short*) for his age group"
> 
> This is from the Encarta dictionary for "mean" when used _as an
> adjective_:
> 
> shabby: shabby and poor-looking. [example]'streets full of small 
mean
> houses'
> 
> "Mean" in the sense of average (the point where half of the sample
> universe is above and half below) is not used as an adjective in my
> experience, and it's not listed in the Encarta dictionary as an 
adjective.
> 
> Sybil thinks Harry is a unlucky, tragic runt.
> 
> Jim Ferer, who agrees Harry is unlucky if he has to go to 
Trelawney's
> class


mean(3) adj. 

Occupying a middle or intermediate position between two extremes. 
Intermediate in size, extent, quality, time, or degree; medium.

Being of middle age and a mean stature. --Sir. P. Sidney.

" While the British were tall by European standards in 
1800, from the late eighteenth century to the middle of the 
nineteenth century the trend in average height was downward, 
suggesting a biological counterpart to the Kuznets' curve. At least 
some groups in the United States, Australia, and Germany also 
experienced declines in mean stature. "
 
Erica