The definition of definition is definition.
While that’s true, a definition is not a repeat of its subject. A definition is
the way of defining a word, a phrase, or a symbol in a clear, logical, and
precise format. To define means to explain, describe, and clarify in the
context of definition. In the 14th century came the first use of the
word definition. The word originated from the Middle French word definicion,
which meant to define a boundary either physically or as in making decisions–the
boundary of ideas. The Latin word
definitio, to limit, also played a part in coining the word definition. Later in
the late 14th century, the meaning of “essential nature” was
discovered. It wasn’t until 1550 when the word definition had its connection to
words, representing the meaning of words.
In 1889, another definition of definition was inserted, meaning the
sharpness of an image. This meaning is now used in modern technology,
determining the pixel density of a computer screen.
Other than the
meaning of words, definition can also mean the act of defining/describing. For
example in the sentence “Fred’s political power is past definition,” the “past
definition” means Fred’s political power is inconceivably large. Definition also
has the definition of outline, limits, and boundary. Such as in the example
“the definition of Fred’s power…”
Usually, the definition of a word
or phrase is presented in a gloss, located alphabetically in a dictionary.
Since the goal in a definition is to present the explanation as clearly as
possible, the words used to describe the subject is usually commonly used and
easy to understand. However, not all words in English are easy to explain,
therefore cross-referencing between the definition and the definition of a word
in the definition is usually required. Interestingly enough, if one look upon
this system philosophically, he or she may discover the limitation of this
system, especially since the English language is composed of a limited number
of words. For example, let the letter A to Z represent every word in English, If
the definition of A is B, and the definition of B is C, this method would soon reach
an end. That is of course unless the definition of Z is A, and the system
cycles, which is precisely how the modern lexicons operate. Nonetheless, this
cycling of definition does produce what is called a circular definition. To
give a simple demonstration,
lemon: The fruit of a lemon tree.
lemon tree: Tree which produces lemon
If one understood neither lemon nor the lemon tree, both of
its definitions are useless as they cycle back to one another. Thus this
condition becomes an infinite regress. The only way out of the loop is for the
person to have an existing understanding of one of the terms initially, or
another non-recursive definition. In conclusion, definitions must be clear,
descriptive, and non-recursive for it to be understood by the widest audience,
which is its original intent.
a common joke in dictionaries defining the word recursive
definition. Dictionary.com.
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition.
HarperCollins Publishers. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/definition
(accessed: November 20, 2012).
definition. Dictionary.com.
Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper, Historian. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/definition
(accessed: November 20, 2012).
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