English term
address
What is the meaning of "address" in this context?
5 +7 | fix | JapanLegal |
4 +7 | examine/analyse | Martin Riordan |
definition | British Diana |
Feb 27, 2011 02:58: Travelin Ann changed "Term asked" from "address (here)" to "address"
Responses
fix
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Note added at 2 mins (2011-02-27 02:58:46 GMT)
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Other synonyms: "correct" & "deal with"
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Note added at 9 mins (2011-02-27 03:05:49 GMT)
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I would say that "address or apply oneself to something, direct one's efforts towards" is the applicable definition in this case. The idea is to address your efforts towards correcting the error(s).
Hope that helps!
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Note added at 2 days1 hr (2011-03-01 04:31:18 GMT)
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Just a note...I'm not suggesting in any way that the definition of "address" in a vacuum isn't sometimes different from what I've suggested. I think langclinic's question itself was a reflection of the variety of possible definitions, and of the ambiguity of the term. English speakers do not look up terms in dictionaries before selecting them, and dictionaries merely try to keep up with living usage. In this case, the dictionary definitions that Google provided were not nuanced enough to cover the meaning conveyed by the sentence, no matter how forcefully one might point to these definitions.
In my opinion, the only reasonable way to interpret the term in this context, where one is being asked to address the errors on an Internet form before the computer will allow that form to be submitted, would be as a synonym for "fix" or "correct." Here, fully "addressing the error" can only mean "making the error go away," which is another way to say "correcting the error." There is no in between, and the computer will not recognize you as having addressed the error unless you eliminate the error altogether.
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Note added at 2 days1 hr (2011-03-01 04:46:54 GMT)
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To those who are obsessed with dictionary definitions, my explanation actually does show up in the OED as definition #8 for "address": "To right what is wrong; to redress (wrongs), reform (abuses)."
Even if I hadn't found this definition, however, I would still insist that "address" is being used in this context as a synonym for "correct" or "fix." Clearly, the author is asking the reader to make the mistakes disappear.
Thanks for your prompt answer. I was also thinking about it.My dictionary has ten meanings of address in the sense of verb but it has not been mentioned anywhere ak to give a speech to put an address on (an envelope) direct a question at someone address or apply oneself to something, direct one's efforts towards something, such as a question greet, as with a prescribed form, title, or name Example: Call me Mister|She calls him by first name access or locate by address act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression Example: The course covered all of Western Civilization|The new book treats the history of China speak to someone adjust and aim (a golf ball) at in preparation of hitting That is why, I chose to ask it so as to be sure about it. Thanks again for the quick reply. |
examine/analyse
"address or apply oneself to something, direct one's efforts towards something, such as a question" (taken from the link below)
agree |
Tony M
1 hr
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Thanks!
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agree |
Sarah Bessioud
4 hrs
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Thank you!
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agree |
Joyce A
5 hrs
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Thank you!
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agree |
Shera Lyn Parpia
5 hrs
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Thanks!
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agree |
Thayenga
5 hrs
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Thank you!
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agree |
Donna Stevens
18 hrs
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Thanks!
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agree |
eski
1 day 8 hrs
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Thank you!
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Reference comments
definition
So it is halfway between the suggested answers "fix" and "examine", really.
neutral |
JapanLegal
: I think that in this context, it really means "fix." This looks like some kind of an Internet form, meaning that it's almost certainly black or white. Either you address the errors by correcting them or you can't submit the form.
6 mins
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Well, really you first address the errors, then you correct them. Of course it comes to the same thing in the end!
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neutral |
Martin Riordan
: Context: "...and try again." So the idea is to re-study the question "and try again". Diana's definition has no suggestion of "fixing" the question, just trying to get it right (and there´s no guarantee of that! :-).
17 hrs
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Quite! Although the inference of the source is that it may well be correct second time round ....
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agree |
784512 (X)
: It is more fix than examine, but it is indeed more than just fix. It does indeed mean to take that initial look to figure out how to solve something.
3 days 8 hrs
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Thank you, Rose!
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