Emend Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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emend

[ษชหˆmษ›nd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

text correction

To emend is to correct or amend a text. This term is often used in the context of editing books, manuscripts, or academic papers. An emendation is a revision made to improve accuracy or clarity. The process of emending may involve correcting typographical errors, grammatical mistakes, or even altering content for factual correctness. Emending a document can significantly enhance its quality and readability.

Synonyms

amend, correct, edit, improve, revise.

Examples of usage

  • The editor had to emend several passages in the manuscript.
  • Before publication, the team will emend the report for any mistakes.
  • Scholars often emend ancient texts to reflect modern understanding.
  • The proofreader's job is to emend errors found in the document.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Literature

  • Editing for errors is crucial in publishing, where emending a manuscript can significantly enhance its quality.
  • Many famous authors, including Mark Twain and Virginia Woolf, famously revised their works multiple times before publication.
  • Peer review in academia often involves a rigorous emendation process to ensure research accuracy.

Education

  • Teachers often encourage students to emend their essays to improve clarity and coherence, fostering better writing skills.
  • Feedback given in writing workshops typically involves emending drafts, focusing on grammar, style, and substance.

Technology

  • With the rise of digital editing tools, emending text has become quicker, allowing for instant corrections in documents.
  • Version control systems in programming enable developers to emend their code efficiently, facilitating collaboration.

Cultural Perspectives

  • In many cultures, storytelling traditions involve emending oral narratives over generations for accuracy or entertainment.
  • Literary criticism often revolves around identifying necessary emendations to restore original meanings of classic texts.

Origin of 'emend'

Main points about word origin

  • Originates from the Latin word 'emendare,' meaning 'to correct' or 'to free from fault.'
  • The prefix 'e-' means 'out of' or 'from,' while 'mend' relates to fixing or repairing.

The word 'emend' originates from the Latin 'emendare', which means 'to correct' or 'to improve'. This Latin term is a combination of 'e-' (a variant of 'ex-', meaning 'out of) and 'menda' (meaning 'blemish' or 'fault'). The usage of 'emend' in English can be traced back to the late 17th century, and it primarily appeared in academic and editorial contexts. Over the years, the term has maintained its association with the revision process in literature and scholarship. As technology has advanced, the notion of emending has extended into digital formats, where software tools assist in identifying and correcting errors in texts. Thus, 'emend' continues to play a crucial role in the production of accurate and polished written material.


Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,248 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.