> If the subject is "continents," then six would be "several." However, if one is talking about grains of sand on a beach, then I'll grant that six is only "a few." Or is there anyone here who wants to argue that six grains of sand on an entire beach constitutes "several?" ;-}

Well, if you get those grains of sand in your eye, they become "several" pretty quick, even if you're on the beach.

Trav"I had sand all over, even several grains in my eyes."holt.