Definitions

=Definitions (Glossary of Terms) (GWU EMSE 216-8000)=

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""A **definition**(≝) is a passage that explains the meaning of a term (a word, phrase or other set of symbols), or a type of thing. ([|Wikipedia])

There is more than one kind of definition. > "An //extensional definition//, also called a //denotative// definition, of a concept or term specifies its //extension//. It is a list naming every object that is a member of a specific set. > ([|Wikipedia])
 * "The use of the term in a simple example may suffice."
 * "By contrast, a dictionary (lexical) definition has additional details, typically including an etymology showing snapshots of the earlier meanings and the parent language." [[|Lexical Definition]]
 * "A definition may be //descriptive// of the general use meaning," ([|Wikipedia]) "reporting actual usage within speakers of a language, and changes with changing usage of the term"
 * Or "//prescriptive//, which would be to stick with a version regarded as "correct", regardless of drift in accepted meaning." ([|Wikipedia])
 * "or //stipulative//] of the speaker's immediate intentional meaning"
 * "A **stipulative definition**is a type of definition in which a new or currently-existing term is given a specific meaning for the purposes of argument or discussion in a given context. When the term already exists, this definition may, but does not necessarily, contradict the dictionary (lexical) definition of the term. Because of this, a stipulative definition cannot be "correct" or "incorrect"; it can only differ from other definitions, but it can be useful for its intended purpose." "Stipulative definitions of existing terms are useful in making theoretical arguments, or stating specific cases." ([|Wikipedia]) "
 * "A **//precising definition//** extends the descriptive dictionary definition (lexical definition) of a term for a specific purpose by including additional criteria that narrow down the set of things meeting the definition." ([|Wikipedia]) "Precising definitions are generally used in contexts where vagueness is unacceptable." ([|Wikipedia]) A **precising definition** may be an operational definition, but not necesarily (TBD)
 * "**Theoretical definitions** are special cases of stipulative or precising definition, distinguished by their attempt to establish the use of this term within the context of a broader intellectual framework." (Kemerling 2001)
 * "Charles_Stevenson|C.L. Stevenson] has identified //persuasive definition]]// as a form of stipulative definition which purports to describe the "true" or "commonly accepted" meaning of a term, while in reality stipulating an altered use, perhaps as an argument for some specific view."
 * "An **intensional definition** also called a //coactive// definition, specifies the necessary and sufficient conditions for a thing being a member of a specific set. Any definition that attempts to set out the essence of something, such as that by genus and differentia, is an intensional definition.
 * An **//enumerative definition//** of a concept or term is an //extensional definition// that gives an explicit and exhaustive listing of all the objects that fall under the concept or term in question. Enumerative definitions are only possible for finite sets and only practical for relatively small sets."
 * "A denotative definition tries to identify the extension of the term in question."
 * In fact, some philosophers have held that the most primitive denotative definitions in any language involve than pointing at a single example to which the term properly applies. ([|Kemerling 2001])
 * "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)." (//[|Encyclopædia Britannica Online]//)
 * ** Operational definition ** (EMSE pefers TBD) "An **operational definition**, also called **functional definition**,[ defines something (e.g. a variable, term, or object) in terms of the specific process or set of validation tests used to determine its presence and quantity." ([|Wikipedia 2012])
 * "A connotative definition tries to identify the intension of a term by providing a synonymous linguistic expression or an operational procedure for determining the applicability of the term." ([|Kemerling 2001])

"A **definition** (≝) is a passage that explains the meaning of a term (a word, phrase or other set of symbols), or a type of thing. The term to be defined is the //definiendum//. A term may have many different senses or meanings. For each such specific sense, a //definiens// is a cluster of words that defines that term. A chief difficulty in managing definition is the need to use other terms that are already understood or whose definitions are easily obtainable. The use of the term in a simple example may suffice. By contrast, a dictionary definition has additional details, typically including an etymology showing snapshots of the earlier meanings and the parent language.

"Like other words, the term //definition// has subtly different meanings in different contexts. A definition may be //descriptive// of the general use meaning, or //stipulative// of the speaker's immediate intentional meaning. For example, in formal languages like mathematics, a 'stipulative' definition guides a specific discussion. A descriptive definition can be shown to be "right" or "wrong" by comparison to general usage, but a stipulative definition can only be disproved by showing a logical contradiction. "A //precising definition// extends the descriptive dictionary definition (lexical definition) of a term for a specific purpose by including additional criteria that narrow down the set of things meeting the definition.

"C.L. Stevenson has identified //persuasive definition// as a form of stipulative definition which purports to describe the "true" or "commonly accepted" meaning of a term, while in reality stipulating an altered use, perhaps as an argument for some specific view." ([|Wikipedia])

"A precising definition is intended to make a vague word more precise so that the word's meaning is not left to the interpretation of the reader or listener. Here is an example:

//"From a class syllabus:// "Class participation" means attending class, listening attentively, answering and asking questions, and participating in class discussions. This is similar to a stipulative definition, but differs in that a stipulative definition may contradict the lexical definition, while a precising definition does not." ([|Wikipedia])


 * Exercises**


 * Sources**
 * Definition. (2012, June 26). In //Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia//. Retrieved 18:07, June 28, 2012, from []
 * Lexical definition. (2012, June 10). In //Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia//. Retrieved 18:23, June 28, 2012, from []
 * Stipulative definition. (2011, November 13). In //Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia//. Retrieved 18:27, June 28, 2012, from []
 * Precising definition. (2011, August 18). In //Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia//. Retrieved 18:24, June 28, 2012, from []
 * [|Definition and Meaning], a very short introduction by Garth Kemerling (2001).
 * Operational definition. (2012, March 22). In //Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia//. Retrieved 16:00, June 11, 2012, from []
 * //Encyclopædia Britannica Online//, s. v. "definition," accessed July 08, 2012, [].

Contributors: Sisson