DEFINITION

A definition is a statement which explains what a thing is. It is a statement that answers the question What is this thing?

 In giving the definition of the term, it is presupposed that the comprehension of the term is understood, because the definition is based on its comprehension.

 A real definition is one which explains and reveals the complete nature of a thing or object. However, this is quite impossible since, we do not usually have a full grasp of the nature of things. It therefore explains the normal acceptance of a simple description as definition of an object.

ETYMOLOGY of DEFINITION

The term DEFINITION came from the Latin word:

DEFINIRE meaning to lay down

Thus, etymologically, to define means:

to lay down the markers or limits

 Real Definition Definition is a conceptual manifestation either of the meaning of the term or of the formal features of an object.

Kinds of Definition
1. Nominal

a. Synonym 2. Real

b. Etymology

a. Essential 3. Popular
4. Scientific

b. Descriptive

1. Nominal

A definition that simply explains the meaning of a term or word. It may be the root word or an equivalent term An equivalent term or word, e.g., joy means happiness; President means the Chief.

a. Synonym

b. Etymology The origin or root of the word, e.g. Biology came from the words bio meaning life and logos meaning study, thus biology means study of life.

2. Real

A definition that explains what a thing or subject is. It explains the nature of the object by giving its essential features or by simply describing the object. Explains the very nature of the object by giving its proximate genus and specific difference. The proximate genus consists of the essential elements w/c makes the object or individual similar to others. The specific difference is the distinctive elements w/c distinguishes it from others.

a. Essential

b. Descriptive Explains what a thing or object is by giving the positive but non-essential features of the object. Sometimes it is difficult to give the essential features of objects or things, this explains the general acceptance of a simple description of its characteristics.
Descriptive definition is further subdivided into three:
Distinctive - w/c explains an object or thing by giving the set of distinctive characteristics of an object or external features; Genetic - w/c explains an object by giving its origin or process of production; and Causal - w/c explains a thing or object by giving its efficient cause.

3. Popular

A definition that is based on the common knowledge or idea of people about a thing or object. Example: An airplane is a flying machine used for transportation.

4. Scientific

Definitions that are usually technical descriptions of the terms In the field of of medicine and physical science, terms and objects or instruments, body parts and diseases are given scientific definitions.

Rules of Definition:
1. The definition must be clearer than the term that is being defined.

The purpose of the definition is to explain and must, therefore be easy to understand. It must not contain terms which will only make it less intelligible.

 2. The definition must not contain the term being defined.

The definition must use other terms in defining. It is supposed to explain a particular term and is not supposed to use the same term in the explanation.

 3. The definition must be convertible with the term being defined.

The purpose of this rule is to make sure that the definition is equal in extension with the term being defined. The definition must not be too narrow nor too broad. If the term and the definition are equal in extension, then, they are convertible.

4. The definition must not be negative but positive whenever possible.

The definition is supposed to explain what a term or object is, and not, what it is not. Only when a term is negative should the definition be negative.

 EXERCISE: Determine the type of the following definitions. 1. The term telephone came from two terms, tele which means distant or afar and phonere which means sound. 2. A substance is any being which exists in itself so that it does not need a subject in which to inhere. 3. A thermometer is an instrument designed to measure the temperature. 4. Table salt is a chemical compound produced through the combination of sodium and chlorine. 5. Love in Philosophy is the inclination or movement of an appetite towards what is apprehended as good for an individual nature.

6. Justice is a cardinal virtue which inclines the will to render unto each person whatever is his due.

7. Man is a talking being. 8. A plant is a non-sensible organism. 9. Maternal means motherly 10. Corazon Aquino is the former President of the Republic of the Philippines and the widow of the late former senator Benigno Aquino, Jr.

 Determine which rules of definition are violated by the following: 1. A calculator is an instrument that calculates. 2. An ornament is something not necessary for practical use. 3. A telescope is an optical instrument which makes far objects look near. 4. Satisfaction is the state of not having an unfulfilled desire.

5. Confession is the act of confessing to a priest.

6. A law is a legal enactment. 7. A genuine democracy is the opposite of communism.

8. Honesty is the habitual absence of the intent to decieve. 9. A test is what a student answers to test his intellectual capacity. 10. Typhoid fever is a bacterial disease marked by fever, diarrhea, prostration and intestinal inflammation.