definingdefinition

Definingdefinition is a coined term used to describe a meta-definition: a definition that specifies how definitions should be formed or judged. The term is not widely standardized in formal literature, but it appears in discussions of definition theory to refer to a framework for evaluating definitions rather than to name a particular term.

Its purpose is to guide the construction of precise, non-circular, and informative definitions. A definingdefinition may articulate criteria such as clarity, the separation of essential and accidental features, and the appropriate balance between generality and specificity. It may also state whether a definition should provide necessary and sufficient conditions or allow a more flexible, operational standard for practical use.

Core features typically associated with a definingdefinition include non-circularity, verifiability, explicit scope, and usefulness. It often recommends including examples and non-examples to illustrate boundaries and warns against defining with the very term to be defined.

Relation to other types: A definingdefinition is distinct from lexical definitions, stipulative definitions, or precising definitions. Instead, it concerns the normative criteria by which these and other definitions should be judged, serving as a meta-guide for definition theory.

Limitations: Like other meta-criteria, disagreements about aims, theory choice, or application domain can limit the usefulness of a given definingdefinition. It is best viewed as a theoretical tool for clarifying standards rather than a universal, practice-transcending rule.