Definitional Item

A Definitional Item is an explicit referencer that denotes a meaning relation between a definiendum (term) and the referent(s) it implies.

• AKA: Definientes, Definiens.
• Context:
  • It is a Meaning Representation.
  • It can (typically) have a Definitional Item Headword (definiendum).
  • It must have a Definitional Item Definition (definientes).
  • It can apply to some Domain.
  • It can be used by an Intelligent Agent to operate in a Domain.
  • It can range from being a Precise Definitional Item to being an Ambiguous Definitional Item.
  • It can range from being a Formal Definition; to being a Semi-Formal Definition; to being an Informal Definition.
  • It can range from being an Extensional Definition to being an Intensional Definition.
  • It can be:
    • an Analytical Definition, e.g. “X is a type of Y that has property Z".
    • a Definition by Example, e.g. “Y and Z are types of X".
    • a Definition by Synonym, e.g. “X means the same thing as Y"
    • an Explanatory Definition.
    • a Persuasive Definition.
    • a Precising Definition.
    • a Stipulative Definition.
    • a Rhetorical Definition, e.g. “An X is a good-for-nothing Y who is more concerned about W than Z. Did I persuade you?".
  • It can have a Connotation for an Agent that differs from the Connotation experienced by another Agent.
  • It can be created by a Definer during a Definition Creation Task.
  • …
• Example(s):
  • a Linguistic Definition, such as a Word Definition or a Technical Term Definition.
  • a Mathematical Definition, such as a Mathematical Formula.
  • Analytical Definitions.
    • “An X is a type of Y that has property Z and is used in domain D to achieve effect E."
    • “A household is two or more persons related by birth, marriate or adoption who reside together in a household.”
    • “A marriage is an institutional arrangement between persons who recognize each other as intimate partners. They are 1) socially legitimate sexual unions; "An X is a type of Y that can reach L₂ from L₁ after time period P as the result of cause C.”
    • Logic Definition.
      • (∀ (f s1 s2) (if (function0 f s1 s2)(domain s1 f))), a Formal Definition of “domain”.
      • (Parent(x,y) ∧ Parent(y,z) ∧ person(x) ∧ person(y) ∧ person(z)) → Grandparent(x,y), a Definite Clause.
    • Mathematical Definition.
      • e=mc².
      • f=ma.
  • Definition by Examples:
    • “Y and Z are types of X”.
    • “mice and people are mammals but ants and fishes are not' is an example of a definition-by-example.”
  • Definition by Synonym.
    • “X is the same as Y and Z but used in context T"
    • “A lawyer is an attorney”.
• See: Gloss, Dictionary, Definiendum.

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References

2009

• http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/definition
  • Noun
    • 1. (semantics) A statement of the meaning of a word or word group or a sign or symbol (dictionary definitions).
    • 2. A statement expressing the essential nature of something.
    • 3. The action or process of defining.
    • 4. The act of defining; determination of the limits.
    • 5. A product of defining.
    • 6. The action or power of describing, explaining, or making definite and clear. Her comic genius is beyond definition.
    • 7. Clarity of visual presentation, distinctness of outline or detail. The definition of a telescope. Improve the definition of an image.
    • 8. Clarity, especially of musical sound in reproduction.
    • 9. Sharp demarcation of outlines or limits. A jacket with distinct waist definition.
    • 10. (bodybuilding) The degree to which individual muscles are distinct on the body.
• http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/definiens
  • Noun definiens (plural definientia)
    • 1. (semantics) That which defines the definiendum in a definition.

• http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/007312625x/student_view0/chapter2/
  • QUOTE: Definitions serve a number of purposes, but they almost always aim at the general purpose of facilitating understanding.
    • 1. Stipulative definitions assign a meaning to a word: “We will call those data that help predict the economy's future 'leading indicators.'"
    • 2. Explanatory definitions illustrate the implications of an already known but difficult concept: "Every use of the word 'beauty' implies some suitability to a purpose."
    • 3. Precising definitions narrow down the meaning of a potentially unclear term: "By 'walking' we will specifically mean 'moving under one's own power while keeping at least one foot on the ground.'"
    • 4. Persuasive definitions aim at influencing their audience: "That word 'casualties' refers to our sons and daughters killed in battle."
  • QUOTE: Different structures of definitions can achieve these purposes.
    • 1. One may define by example, naming representative members of a group: "Ants are typical insects."
    • 2. One may define by synonym, substituting a word or phrase with the same meaning: "'Ophidophobia' is the fear of snakes."
    • 3. One may define by analysis: "Precipitation is water that reaches the earth's surface from the atmosphere as the result of meteorological causes."

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