2. OBJECTIVES
At the end of this presentation, the participants will be able to
• grasp the concept of definition
• comprehend the terms ‘definiendum’ and ‘definiens’
• learn the different types of definition
• distinguish between the types of definition
3. DEFINITION
• A definition is a statement that gives the meaning of a term.
• Definitions are helpful in eliminating verbal disputes and
misunderstandings.
• Definitions can serve a variety of different functions (e.g., to enhance
precision and clarity).
4. DEFINITION
• Before we discuss the types of definition, we must know that
definitions are definitions of symbols (not of objects).
• This is because only symbols have the meanings that definition may
explain. (Book Pg No. 83)
• For example, we can define the word ‘chair’ because it has meaning;
but a chair itself we cannot define.
5. DEFINIENDUM
• In any definition, the word or symbol being defined is called definiendum.
• The definiendum is the term to be defined.
• For example, we define the word ‘bachelor’ to mean ‘an unmarried man’.
The word "bachelor" is the definiendum.
6. DEFINIENS
• In any definition, a symbol or group of symbols that is said to have the same
meaning as the definiendum is called definiens.
• In simpler terms, the definiens is the definition of definiendum. It is used to
explain the meaning of the definiendum.
• For example, we define the word ‘bachelor’ to mean ‘an unmarried man’.
The words ‘ an unmarried man’ is the definiens.
8. STIPULATIVE DEFINITION
• A definition which introduces a new meaning to an already existing word or , for
a new made up word.
• A stipulative definition does not report the meanings of words as they are
actually used.
• It is neither true nor false.
• Definitions of this sort are sometimes called nominal.
9. STIPULATIVE DEFINITION
The word ‘selfie’ has been invented in order to signify a photograph that one has
taken of oneself.
Suppose that another living creature was found in another planet. Surely there is no
word in our language to signify such creature. We then have to stipulate that the
creature shall be known by this or that particular name. Doing this means making a
stipulative definition.
There are different ways of indicating that we are stipulating a meaning. For example,
we say ‘Let us define X as …..’
10. LEXICAL DEFINITION
• A lexical definition simply reports the way in which a term is already used
within a language community.
• A definition that reports the meaning that the definiendum already has is
called a lexical definition.
• The definiendum of a lexical definition has a prior and independent meaning.
11. LEXICAL DEFINITION
• The goal here is to inform someone else of the accepted meaning of the term, so the
definition is more or less accurate depending upon the accuracy with which it captures
the usage.
• It also serves the purpose of eliminating ambiguity.
• For example
‘River’ - large natural channel of water: a natural stream of water that flows through
land and empties into a body of water such as an ocean or lake.
12. PRECISING DEFINITION
• A definition devised to eliminate ambiguity or vagueness by describing a
concept more precisely.
• The purpose of a precising definition is to reduce the vagueness of a word.
• A term is ambiguous or vague in a given context when it has more than one
distinct meaning and the context does not make clear which meaning is
intended.
13. PRECISING DEFINITION
• There are terms in our language which must have precise definitions
because some future action are based on our knowledge of them.
• Other examples which need precising definitions are legal terms like
“theft”, “murder”, “private property”, “rights”, and “sovereignty” since
the definition sets the condition of understanding laws.
14. THEORETICAL DEFINITION
• A theoretical definition involves the theory of the subject rather than
practical application.
• Theoretical definitions attempt to define an object according to its
true nature, and not necessarily according to the way the word is used
by a community of users.
15. THEORETICAL DEFINITION
• These definitions are most commonly used in science and psychology.
• Take, for instance, the definition of table salt as sodium chloride. For
those acquainted with the principles of chemistry, this definition is the
best one, for it reveals the real nature of salt.
16. PERSUASIVE DEFINITION
• A definition formulated and used to resolve a dispute by influencing attitudes or
stirring emotions, often replying upon the use of emotive language.
• Persuasive definition incites either favorable or unfavorable responses to the word
so defined.
• It is mostly used in political argument.
17. PERSUASIVE DEFINITION
For example
Democracy is a government of the weak, inferior race.
Democracy is a government of the people by the people for the
people.
Persuasive is not really concerned with revealing the true nature of
the concept defined but of influencing attitude by using phrases that
appeal to one’s emotion.
18. ACTIVITY
• Identify the types of definition in the following examples:
1. The prefix ‘yocto’ is equals to a trillionth of a trillionth.
2. A dictator is one who achieves greatness by violence in the political
sphere.
3. Love is only an illusion on people who do not know the difference
between reality and fantasy.
19. HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
• Identify the types of definition in the following examples:
1. Light is electromagnetic energy (of a certain range of wavelengths).
2. One horsepower is defined as ‘the power needed to raise a weight of 550 pounds by
one foot in one second’.
3. Capitalism is defined as ‘freedom in the economic sphere’.
4. The word ‘laptop’ had no meaning before computers were made.
