’This indeed a word, and it’s not impossible that it might be what ygert intended. But I think it’s much more likely that it was meant to be “obviate”.
Huh. My copy of the OED agrees with Merriam-Webster (and everything I can find online) that there’s no real word between “obliterative” and “oblivion”. What edition are you referencing?
Anyway, “obviate the need for” is such a common phrasing that I don’t feel terribly unjustified in my presumption. I suppose that’s for ygert to decide, though.
I am using the Windows Second Edition release from 2009. Screenshot of the ‘obliviate’ entry I was quoting, which certainly does not say anything about it not existing prior to Rowling: http://i.imgur.com/PFADb.png
Now I’m not sure if you’re serious. The last quote is from the mid-1800s, and the usage is synonymous with “forget” so it wouldn’t make sense in ygert’s context anyway.
So? I use words as rare as that all the time, and it could be an independent invention.
the usage is synonymous with “forget” so it wouldn’t make sense in ygert’s context anyway.
Committing government to oblivion as useless and a waste fits in nicely with quotes 2 and 3.
So to sum up: the word ‘obliviate’ exists before Rowling and you were wrong about it not being a real world; then, you were wrong about it not being in the OED; now, you are wrong that it does not fit the usage; and you are still trying to correct me!
You well deserve your username—the first half anyway.
Your HPMoR-trained spellchecker has led you wrong, friend.
The Oxford English Dictionary on ‘obliviate’ (v.):
3 cited examples similar to ygert’s usage. Go get yourself a real dictionary before you presume to correct other people.
’This indeed a word, and it’s not impossible that it might be what ygert intended. But I think it’s much more likely that it was meant to be “obviate”.
Huh. My copy of the OED agrees with Merriam-Webster (and everything I can find online) that there’s no real word between “obliterative” and “oblivion”. What edition are you referencing?
Anyway, “obviate the need for” is such a common phrasing that I don’t feel terribly unjustified in my presumption. I suppose that’s for ygert to decide, though.
I am using the Windows Second Edition release from 2009. Screenshot of the ‘obliviate’ entry I was quoting, which certainly does not say anything about it not existing prior to Rowling: http://i.imgur.com/PFADb.png
Now I’m not sure if you’re serious. The last quote is from the mid-1800s, and the usage is synonymous with “forget” so it wouldn’t make sense in ygert’s context anyway.
So? I use words as rare as that all the time, and it could be an independent invention.
Committing government to oblivion as useless and a waste fits in nicely with quotes 2 and 3.
So to sum up: the word ‘obliviate’ exists before Rowling and you were wrong about it not being a real world; then, you were wrong about it not being in the OED; now, you are wrong that it does not fit the usage; and you are still trying to correct me!
You well deserve your username—the first half anyway.