study 6: definition by method with Examples
While denotative definitions name the members or objects, of a term or class, a designative definition’s definiens consists of the essential characteristics or the necessary and sufficient attributes of the definiendum, the term being defined.
Designative definitions, in turn, divide into synonymous and analytic types. Synonymous definitions are familiar to anyone acquainted with a standard dictionary. Synonymous definitions have not only the same designation but also the same denotation (if any). Analytic definitions not only designate, but provide an analysis of the definiendum in the definiens.
The following are classified as analytic: (1) definitions by genus and difference, (2) causal definitions, (3) genetic definitions, (4) functional definitions, (5) analogical definitions, (6) antonymous definitions, and (7) operational definitions. Descriptions of the analytic class of definitions follow with examples. Analytic definitions have played an important role in research and philosophical discussion.
TYPE |
ANALYTIC |
EXAMPLE |
Genus & |
Subsumes the definiendum as species under
its genus; specifies difference between it and other species in the genus. |
Triangle =df “a polygon
having three sides.” (Also known as connotative definition.) |
Genetic |
Definiens describes the origin or
development of the definiendum. |
Niece =df “the
daughter of one’s sister or brother.” |
Causal |
Definiens provides the cause(s) of the
definiendum. |
Red
Shift =df “the systematic movement toward longer wave lengths in the
spectra of light caused by the star moving away.” |
Functional |
Definiens describes the purpose(s) or
function(s) of the definiendum. |
Ornament =df “anything
serving to adorn, decorate, or embellish.” |
Analogical |
Definiens describes similarities and
differences of two or more things one of which is the definiendum. |
Lyre =df “a small
stringed instrument similar to a harp used by the ancient Greeks to accompany
singers and reciters.” |
Antonymous |
Definiens describes the definiendum in
terms of opposition between the two. |
Fair-minded =df “free from
bias or prejudice.” |
Operational |
Definiens describes the set of procedures,
or public and repeatable steps or methods, for correct application of the
definiendum. |
Acid =df “a substance
that will turn blue litmus paper red when brought into contact with it.” |