Defininition

Defininition is not a standard term in most reference works and is typically a misspelling of the word definition. A definition is a statement that explains the meaning of a word or concept by specifying its essential properties and distinguishing it from other terms. Definitions are used to inform, clarify, and classify language, ideas, and objects in everyday discourse, scholarship, and formal systems.

Etymology and scope: The word comes from the Latin definitio, meaning a setting of bounds or determination, via Old French and other intermediaries. Definitions aim to convey a precise sense, not just a casual description, and they can vary in form depending on the field or purpose.

Types of definitions: Lexical definitions describe how a term is used in a language (for example, “bachelor: an unmarried man”). Stipulative definitions assign a new or particular meaning for a term within a specific context. Precising definitions reduce vagueness in a given domain. Theoretical definitions explain the essence of a concept in terms of underlying properties or relations rather than usage.

Structure and quality: Traditional definitions often employ genus and differentia, naming a broad category (genus) and then specifying what distinguishes the term in question (differentia). Good definitions avoid circularity, excessive breadth or narrowness, and ambiguity. They should be informative, unambiguous, and testable against usage and observation.

Applications and limits: Definitions are central in mathematics, logic, science, law, and philosophy, but no single definition may capture every nuance of a term across all contexts. Some terms resist precise definition due to evolving usage or conceptual complexity.