SENSE denotes the or, more often, a particular meaning....--Merriam Collegiate

I had to read it over 10 times before I abandoned the idea it might be a typo. I would have written, "...or, more often, a, ..." or "(or, more often, a)..."

Tell the truth now, didn't my middle "or" throw you for just an instant

This message has been edited. Last edited by: dalehileman,

It threw me for more than an instance. I think one possibility is "the, or more often, a particular meaning". As long as it is clear that "or more often" is a parenthetical statement, it is a matter of choice.

SENSE denotes the or, more often, a particular meaning....--Merriam Collegiate

Not that I don't believe you, Dale, but could you provide the edition number of said dictionary. I'd like to check for myself what it says before I deliver judgment.

[Added dropped pronoun.]

This message has been edited. Last edited by: zmježd,

quote:

SENSE denotes the or, more often, a particular meaning....--Merriam Collegiate

I'd have written it:

SENSE denotes a (or sometimes the) particular meaning....--Merriam Collegiate

zm: Merriam Collegiate 1973

Rich: Better yet