Definitorius

Definitorius is a neologistic term used in philosophy of language and lexicography to describe a mode of definition that aims to fix the meaning of a term by specifying a precise set of criteria. A definitorius definition seeks to establish necessary and, when possible, sufficient conditions for membership in a term’s extension, thereby constraining its use to a determinate class of objects or ideas. This approach contrasts with methods that rely mainly on use, ostension, or illustrative examples.

The term is not tied to a single founder or school and remains a conceptual tool in contemporary discussions. It functions as a label for analyses that treat definitions as authoritative criteria for reference rather than as mere descriptions of current usage. In practice, definitorius approaches are often invoked in debates about how dictionaries should capture essence versus usage, and in semantic theories that model meaning as a product of explicit criteria.

Applications and examples are typically hypothetical. For instance, a definitorius attempt to define “planet” would specify a set of necessary and sufficient conditions that distinguish planets from stars, asteroids, and other celestial bodies. In real-world contexts, however, researchers frequently encounter vagueness, context-dependence, and historical change, which can limit the feasibility of fixed criteria.

Critics argue that many terms resist final characterization and that overly rigid definitions may be circular, unverifiable, or poorly aligned with natural language practices. Definitorius remains a topic of theoretical exploration rather than an established standard.

See also: definitions, definitional theory, analytic philosophy, concept analysis, lexicography, ostension.