DEFINITION • FREE-TRANSLATOR.COM • Definition of Definition

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

/dˌɛfənˈɪʃən/ Listen

noun

Definition n.

1.

The act of defining; determination of the limits; as, a telescope accurate in definition.

2.

Act of ascertaining and explaining the signification; a description of a thing by its properties; an explanation of the meaning of a word or term; as, the definition of "circle;" the definition of "wit;" an exact definition; a loose definition. "Definition being nothing but making another understand by words what the term defined stands for."

3.

Description; sort. (R.) "A new creature of another definition."

4.

(Logic) An exact enunciation of the constituents which make up the logical essence.

5.

(Opt.) Distinctness or clearness, as of an image formed by an optical instrument; precision in detail.

Synonyms: Definition, Explanation, Description. A definition is designed to settle a thing in its compass and extent; an explanation is intended to remove some obscurity or misunderstanding, and is therefore more extended and minute; a description enters into striking particulars with a view to interest or impress by graphic effect. It is not therefore true, though often said, that description is only an extended definition. "Logicians distinguish definitions into essential and accidental. An essential definition states what are regarded as the constituent parts of the essence of that which is to be defined; and an accidental definition lays down what are regarded as circumstances belonging to it, viz., properties or accidents, such as causes, effects, etc."

See images of 'Definition'

Etymology of 'Definition'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |

"Definition" Quotes from Famous Books

... courageous who remains at his post.' But some nations fight flying, after the manner of Aeneas in Homer; or as the heavy-armed Spartans also did at the battle of Plataea. (2) Socrates wants a more general definition, not only of military courage, but of courage of all sorts, tried both amid pleasures and pains. Laches replies that this universal courage is endurance. But courage is a good thing, and mere endurance may be hurtful and injurious. Therefore (3) the element of intelligence must be added. ...

— Laches • Plato

... Definition and Boundaries.—For reasons which depend mainly on the distribution of animal life, I consider the Malay Archipelago to include the Malay Peninsula as far as Tenasserim and the Nicobar Islands on the west, the Philippines on the north, and the Solomon Islands, beyond ...

— The Malay Archipelago - Volume I. (of II.) • Alfred Russel Wallace

... the worst show that life is present. Intermitting pulses are dangerous. David and Peter had an intermitting pulse, in reference to this fear-(Bunyan on the Fear of God, vol. 1, pp. 487, 489). [298] Mark well Christian's definition of "fear." It is one of those precious passages in which our author gives us the subject matter of a whole treatise in a few short and plain sentences. Treasure it up in your heart, and often ponder it there. It will prove, ...

— The Works of John Bunyan • John Bunyan

... us as we top the last rise to the Aghil Pass. Across the deep valley is arrayed in bold and jagged outline a series of pinnacles of ice glistening in the brilliant sunshine, showing up in clearest definition against the intense blue sky, and rising abruptly and incredibly high above the rock-bound Oprang River. They are the mighty peaks which group around K2—the noblest cluster in the ...

— The Heart of Nature - or, The Quest for Natural Beauty • Francis Younghusband

... [inept at definition] It's a—well, it's a copper's nark, as you might say. What else would you call it? ...

— Pygmalion • George Bernard Shaw

Copyright © 2026 Free-Translator.com