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Teresa Edgerton · 3rd December 2007, 07:42 AM

Thank you, Hilarious Joke, but it's not really my own definition, you know. I'm going by the dictionary and by the historical use of the term.

* * * * *

And here is the point that I should have made earlier, and will make now in an attempt to drag this thread back on topic:

Within his or her invented world the writer can call anything he or she chooses "magic," and for that world it will be the proper term.

But for purposes of discussion, if we are ever to arrive at any understanding, we can't just invent our own definitions for words, or say what we think they mean, or would like them to mean, or what our favorite authors use them to mean. If we are going to have any sort of dialogue, and not bog ourselves down in endless confusion, we have to use definitions that are available to everyone: and so far as I know, no one has come up with a better way of doing this than opening up a dictionary and using what one finds there.

3rd December 2007, 07:42 AM	#63 (permalink)
Teresa Edgerton Ink-stained Wretch Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: California Posts: 4,617	Re: Must fantasy include magic Thank you, Hilarious Joke, but it's not really my own definition, you know. I'm going by the dictionary and by the historical use of the term. * * * * * And here is the point that I should have made earlier, and will make now in an attempt to drag this thread back on topic: Within his or her invented world the writer can call anything he or she chooses "magic," and for that world it will be the proper term. But for purposes of discussion, if we are ever to arrive at any understanding, we can't just invent our own definitions for words, or say what we think they mean, or would like them to mean, or what our favorite authors use them to mean. If we are going to have any sort of dialogue, and not bog ourselves down in endless confusion, we have to use definitions that are available to everyone: and so far as I know, no one has come up with a better way of doing this than opening up a dictionary and using what one finds there.