definition

definition
definitional, adj.definitionally, adv.
/def'euh nish"euhn/, n.
1. the act of defining or making definite, distinct, or clear.
2. the formal statement of the meaning or significance of a word, phrase, etc.
3. the condition of being definite, distinct, or clearly outlined.
4. Optics. sharpness of the image formed by an optical system.
5. Radio and Television. the accuracy of sound or picture reproduction.
[1350-1400; ME diffinicioun < OF diffinition < L definition- (s. of definitio), equiv. to definit(us) (see DEFINITE) + -ion- -ION]

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In philosophy, the specification of the meaning of an expression relative to a language.

Definitions may be classified as lexical, ostensive, and stipulative. Lexical definition specifies the meaning of an expression by stating it in terms of other expressions whose meaning is assumed to be known (e.g., a ewe is a female sheep). Ostensive definition specifies the meaning of an expression by pointing to examples of things to which the expression applies (e.g., green is the color of grass, limes, lily pads, and emeralds). Stipulative definition assigns a new meaning to an expression (or a meaning to a new expression); the expression defined (definiendum) may either be a new expression that is being introduced into the language for the first time, or an expression that is already current.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Synonyms:
(of the meaning), / (by a statement of characteristic properties) / ,


Look at other dictionaries:

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  • Definition — Def i*ni tion, n. [L. definitio: cf. F. d[ e]finition.] 1. The act of defining; determination of the limits; as, a telescope accurate in definition. [1913 Webster] 2. Act of ascertaining and explaining the signification; a description of a thing… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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  • définition — DÉFINITION. sub. fém. Explication de la nature d une chose par son genre, et par sa différence. Définition juste, exacte. Définition claire, nette, obscure, imparfaite. Les règles de ladéfinition. [b]f♛/b] On appelle Définition de mots, Celle qui …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798

  • definition — Definition. subst. fem. Explication de la nature d une chose, par son genre & sa difference. Definition juste, exacte. definition, claire, nette, obscure, imparfaite. les regles de la definition. Il sign. aussi, Decision, Reiglement. Avant la… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

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  • definition — I noun clarification, decipherment, decoding, delimitation, delineation, demarcation, description, elucidation, equivalent meaning, exact meaning, exact statement, explanation, explication, expressed meaning, formulation, identification,… …   Law dictionary

  • Definition — (v. lat.), 1) eigentliche Begrenzung; bes. 2) (Log.), Erklärung, die Angabe des Gattungsbegriffes u. der wesentlichen od. Hauptmerkmale eines Dings, wodurch der Begriff in bestimmte Grenzen eingeschlossen (definirt) wird. Die D en sind Verbal od …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

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