definible

Definible is a neologism used in discussions of language, logic, and information science to denote the quality of being capable of being defined within a specific linguistic or formal framework. The term is typically treated as near-synonymous with definable, with emphasis on the process of providing a precise description within a chosen system.

Scope and usage: A concept, term, or object is definible when there exists a finite description, formula, or criterion within the framework that uniquely characterizes it among the set of possibilities. Definibility is inherently contextual, depending on the language, predicates, and assumptions adopted by the analyst or model.

Examples: In geometry, a circle is definible by the equation x^2+y^2=r^2; by contrast, the colloquial notion of happiness can be argued not to be easily definible in ordinary language. In database design, a definible key is one that can be identified by a unique constraint.

Relationship and debates: Some scholars reserve 'definible' for borderline cases where a precise definition is contingent or subject to revision, while others treat it as a straightforward synonym of definable. Critics note that definibility is not an absolute property but a function of chosen criteria, languages, and inference rules.

See also definability, definable set, and definable predicate; additional terms depend on the domain of application, such as philosophy, linguistics, or computer science.