| The English language is dynamic. One of its strengths is that it's not static. It's an amalgamation of several other languages, thus it wasn't "pure" to begin with. Old words take on new meanings probably more often than new words are invented, but if used in the proper context, still retain their original meanings.
Look at how many meanings the word "drive" has. Only by the context can you tell how I'm using it.
"My drive failed, which gives me the drive to drive to the store for a new one." Hard drives are new, but in context you know if I mean to pilot a vehicle or to develop motivation, both older meanings. |