Evidence for DECIMATE ('one in ten')

[Arnold M. Zwicky]

On Jan 7, 2008, at 9:59 AM, Ron Butters wrote:

> Obviously, then, there is ample evidence for the continud meaning
> "To kill,
> destroy, or remove one in
> every ten of" in the work of such people as Richard Grant White and
> those who
> agree with him.

not really.  i haven't seen a single instance of "decimate" *used* in
this sense in the work of Richard Grant White or any other
commentator.  we get opinions, not actual uses; it's all theoretical.

arnold

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