given

[Victor Steinbok]

I see it as simply a variant of a pseudo-mathematical expression for
"knowing that". Given this interpretation, ... ;-)

     VS-)

On 3/14/2013 7:29 PM, ADSGarson O'Toole wrote:
> JL wrote:
>> Isn't this a weird (or at least very recent) use of "given"?
>>   http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/ncv/case-def.html<http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/ncv/case-def.html>
>>
>> "The efficiency of person-to-person transmission of novel coronavirus is
>> not well characterized but appears to be low, given the small number of
>> confirmed cases since the discovery of the virus."
>>
>> It seems to mean "if one takes cautiously or skeptically into account" or
>> something. But to me, "given" means more like "because of." (OED isn't much
>> help on this.)
> In the sentence above I would interpret [given] to mean [when you take
> into account]. The author is indicating that "the small number of
> confirmed cases since the discovery of the virus" does provide
> evidence that "efficiency of person-to-person transmission" is low.
>
> This use of the word "given" is natural within my idiolect (or
> whatever the appropriate linguistic term is for my individual use of
> language).
>
> Garson

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