The phrase "record lows" is often used in weather reporting to describe abnormally cold temperatures. The first word, "record," is spelled with the stress on the first syllable, /ˈrɛkərd/. The second word, "lows," is spelled with the stress on the second syllable, /loʊz/, and is a plural noun referencing the multiple instances of the temperature being unusually low. Together, they form a compound noun phrase that accurately describes the severity of the cold weather condition.
Record lows refer to the lowest level or point ever reached or recorded for a particular variable or criterion. This term is predominantly used in the context of weather, finance, and statistics. In the field of weather, record lows indicate the lowest temperature ever measured at a specific location within a given time period. These extreme temperatures can be historically valuable, providing insight into climatic patterns and trends. Analysts and meteorologists often monitor record lows to gauge the severity of cold weather events, as well as to compare current conditions with past extremes.
In finance, record lows refer to the lowest historic levels or benchmarks achieved by various financial indicators or instruments, such as interest rates, bond yields, stock market indices, or currency exchange rates. These lows are essential for assessing market performance, identifying trends, and making informed investment decisions. Record lows can indicate economic downturns, deflation, or unusual market conditions.
In statistics, particularly when analyzing data sets, record lows pertain to the smallest measurement ever observed or documented for a specific variable. These extreme values can help researchers identify outliers, understand the distribution of data, and establish reference points for future analysis. Researchers often calculate measures such as record low mean, median, or range to accurately describe the data set and draw meaningful conclusions.
Overall, record lows signify the historically lowest values achieved by a particular metric or measure and play a crucial role in various fields for comparison, analysis, and forecasting.
The word "record lows" is a combination of two separate words with distinct etymologies: "record" and "lows".
1. "Record": The word "record" comes from the Latin word "recordari", which means "to call to mind, recollect". It was formed from the Latin prefix "re-" (meaning "again") and the verb "cor", which means "heart". Therefore, "record" originally had the notion of "recollecting from the heart". Over time, "record" started referring to written accounts or documents made to preserve information, and eventually evolved to its current meaning of an official or historical account of an event or achievement. In the context of "record lows", it refers to documented or officially registered extreme low temperatures.