(2014-03-27, 23:52)furii Wrote: (2014-03-27, 21:38)DerekCuster Wrote: Oxford English states abandoned as having many meaning, one of which is to "cease to support" but not indefinitely. So "kind of" and the quotes are incredibly important there... Indicate that while not semantically abandoned, it's kind of abandoned right now.
We can argue semantics all day, interpretation is a very personal thing, but as far as the use of my words, I stand by them as abandoned by definition does not mean indefinitely, and "kind of" abandoned emphasises that point even more 
i don't have the OED on hand so i can't tell if you're joking or not. but three separate dictionaries i do have access to have these definitions:
Quote:to leave completely and finally; forsake utterly; desert: to abandon one's farm; to abandon a child; to abandon a sinking ship.
Quote:give up completely (a course of action, a practice, or a way of thinking).
Quote:To give up absolutely; to forsake entirely; to renounce
utterly; to relinquish all connection with or concern on;
to desert, as a person to whom one owes allegiance or
fidelity; to quit; to surrender.
so either you're full of it or the OED has a vastly different definition from everyone else.
As you are quoting the free dictionary etc, I suggest you understand semantics before you continue with this. You really should let it go, as every post makes you seem very unreasonable. I'm going to assume you understand that a words meaning can change dramatically when used as a noun/verb/formal/informal and the English language caters for all (most) of these circumstances.
This is why English is one of the most difficult languages to learn.
A words meaning is defined by its context, if you don't understand this, then this discussion is fruitless. You can see here some examples of the word "abandoned" used informally from one of the sites you quoted. They show the use of the word and it's context.
http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dicti...sh/abandon
You can find many more examples by searching Oxford English and reading the myriad ways in which a word can be used.
You must account for it's context. There are many examples and I encourage you to explore them. It's a beautiful language, it evolves daily and it will never bore you.
The great thing about context, is how it changes the meaning of a word dramatically, a great example of this is the word "cnut" you can see that I have intentionally spelt the word incorrectly intentionally. This word is universally accepted as the worst of all the swear words, it's almost always an insulting and offensive word, it's meaning is not one of flattery! ... Except, for example, in (some parts) of Scotland, where your best Friends are greeted as "Awe-rite ya Cnut"
you are calling them a Cnut, but you mean this affectionately. This is why arguing over semantics online is seen as ridiculous, because we are from different countries, back grounds, have different standards, accents, localisms etc. I explained my meaning, it's used in a similar manner on the websites you quoted, it's acceptable, semantically and grammatically sound. So settle down
You see, context is everything, and again, I stand by the use of the words "kind of abandoned" as it is "kind of" abandoned, not exactly abandoned... But something similar, not exactly, not forever, but "kind of" similar.
That my friend, is the difference, and my word does it matter!
Now, I will no longer spoil this thread with our discussion on the words used. I will look forward to an update from JM in the near future instead.
Good day
Before you jump in and attack the structure, spelling etc of my post. Please note the day, time and understand this was written on an iPhone 4 with autocomplete and I dot care to go back an edit it as it's not that important to me
