Difini

Difini is a term used in collaborative knowledge projects to denote a standard unit of definitional content within glossaries and ontologies. A difini entry typically records a term, a concise definition, an example of usage, and optional notes or cross-references. The format is designed to be machine-readable and human-friendly, allowing editors to assemble interoperable vocabularies across domains.

The name is a portmanteau of define and infinity, signaling the goal of creating extendable definitions. The term was proposed in the Lexiconary collaborative editing platform in 2016 by a group of editors seeking to harmonize glossary entries across languages.

In usage, a difini entry begins with the term name, followed by a short, precise definition that avoids circularity. This is usually accompanied by an illustrative sentence or two, demonstrating typical usage. Optional fields may include part of speech, domain, related terms, and a confidence rating. When multiple senses exist, each sense is captured as a separate difini with its own definition and examples.

Difini entries are used in online encyclopedias, multilingual glossaries, and ontology projects to support search, cross-linking, and semantic querying. Critics warn that over-structuring definitions can impede nuanced meaning, while proponents argue that standardized entries improve clarity and interoperability.