Definitorisch

Definitorisch is an adjective used in philosophy, linguistics, and logic to describe matters pertaining to definitions or the act of defining. It characterizes statements, analyses, or approaches that aim to specify the sense, boundaries, or essential features of a term rather than report empirical facts. In scholarly contexts, definitorische considerations help distinguish how a term is used from what the term refers to in the world.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from Latin definitorius, from definire, to set boundaries, and entered German with the -isch suffix. In discussions of semantics, the term frequently appears in phrases like definitorische Definitionen or definitorische Aussagen, to mark content that is about meaning rather than observation or experience.

Practice and types: Definitorische statements present the meaning of a term by specifying necessary and sufficient conditions, essential features, or stipulations. They can be analytic (true by virtue of meaning) or stipulative (introducing a new usage). By contrast, empirical statements describe how things are in the world, while explanatory statements discuss why phenomena occur or how they relate to underlying causes.

Examples: “A triangle is a polygon with exactly three straight sides” is a definitional claim about the meaning of triangle. Another is “A bachelor is an unmarried man.” In practice, definitorische formulations can be revised when usage changes, but they remain central to dictionaries, glossaries, and formal theories of language.