Definition:Definition
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Definition
A definition lays down the meaning of a concept.
It is a statement which tells the reader what something is.
It can be understood as an equation in (usually) natural language.
Some authors distinguish between particular types of definition, particularly of symbols:
Stipulative Definition
A stipulative definition is a definition which defines how to interpret the meaning of a symbol.
It stipulates, or lays down, the meaning of a symbol in terms of previously defined symbols or concepts.
Ostensive Definition
An ostensive definition is a definition which shows what a symbol is, rather than use words to explain what it is or what it does.
As an example of an ostensive definition, we offer up:
- The symbol used for a stipulative definition is:
- $\text {(the symbol being defined)} \ := \ \text {(the meaning of that symbol)}$
Alternatively:
- The symbol used for a stipulative definition is:
- $\text {(the symbol being defined)} \ \stackrel {\mathbf {def}} {=\!=} \ \text {(the meaning of that symbol)}$
... although this latter construct is deprecated through being old-fashioned and awkward to reproduce.
Also see
You can't get much more circular than defining the definition of definition.
Sources
- E.J. Lemmon: Beginning Logic (1965): $\S 1.4, \ \S 2.1$
