[HPforGrownups] Re: SHIP: Banter and other SHIP subjects

[Shaun Hately]

No: HPFGUIDX 50963

On 29 Jan 2003 at 2:33, Jim Ferer jferer at yahoo.com wrote:

> "Mean" in the mathematical/statistical sense (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.

"Mean stature" is a phrase which is quite commonly used to describe people of 'average 
size' in academic documents. It has that precise meaning.

That doesn't mean it has to be the meaning Prof Trelawney was using by any means, 
but it is not at all uncommon to encounter it as an adjective in this sense.

http://www.unc.edu/depts/ecology/winterweb/pse/wp06/wp06_table3_12.html is one 
such example of an academic useage.


 
Yours Without Wax, Dreadnought
Shaun Hately |webpage: http://www.alphalink.com.au/~drednort/thelab.html
(ISTJ)       |email: drednort at alphalink.com.au | ICQ: 6898200
"You know the very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in
common. They don't alter their views to fit the facts. They alter
the facts to fit the views. Which can be uncomfortable if you happen
to be one of the facts that need altering." The Doctor - Doctor Who:
The Face of Evil | Where am I: Frankston, Victoria, Australia