Clipping and Inheritance in CSS2

Some properties can be specified relative to an inherited value (e.g. 
font-weight bolder or lighter). Should the new value be clipped (if this
is necessary) before or after it is passed on to children? It is easier to
clip first, but I think that this is the less intuitive interpretation.
That is, I would expect, for example,

font-weight

900             {bolder} {bolder} {lighter}

800  start here                             {lighter}

rather than

900             {bolder} {bolder}

800  start here                   {lighter}

700                                         {lighter}


Tim Bagot