Credit Min An – CC0
Concise Oxford Dictionary (1911 rev. 1929 corr. 1931)
Since the above is my reference, as a writer, does that mean I’m out of date? Using old words? Or, at least, old meanings? For instance, I’ve been wanting to use the word “sensible,” as in can be sensed, but I’m afraid of confusing people. Maybe I should just do the sensible thing and forget about it. But my Concise Oxford has “Perceptible by the senses” as its first definition of “sensible.” I guess I could go for it. But it’s a mistake to do anything that might cause your readers to stumble. That’s like Basic Writing Rules for Beginners, isn’t it?
What would you do?
rjb
Sensible: To me means the correct pathway or correct direction, the way with the least amount of trouble or difficulties.
It is sensible to drive in the left lane when driving in England. After all, the steering wheel is on the right side of the vehicle.
That’s about the fourth meaning in my dictionary. – of good sense, reasonable, judicious, moderate, practical.
The shift of meaning is very real. If you decide to use “sensible” to mean “can be sensed”, you will need to provide surrounding context. It would be the sensible (practical) thing to do.
I see what you did there, Algot.-) It was sensible.
I don’t know if it’s worth the effort and clutter of surrounding context just to use the word that way. I’m pretty sure that must be another of the basic writing rules for beginners. Don’t clutter up your prose.