Language and Definition

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Language and Definition

• A definition states the meaning of a word.
• The word being defined is the definiendum and the
  definition is the definiens.
• Numerous types of definitions exist, and defining
  a word can mean a variety of things.

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Definitions

• Are definitions a help or a hindrance in
  understanding our world?
• One school of thought maintains that by defining
  things we separate then into discrete parts when
  in fact the world is continuous, a seamless
  cloth.
• The idea is that when we define an object we
  artificially snip off pieces from the endlessness
  of reality in order to make it manageable, but
  something of the objects essence becomes lost
  when we try to harness it by forcing it into the
  limits of a definition.
• H.G. Wells once remarked, The forceps of our
  minds are clumsy forceps and crush the truth a
  little in taking hold of it.

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Definitions II

• However, we do know that to think without
  language is extremely difficult, but with a set
  of defined words we can conceive and imagine
  things almost without limits.
• Overall, definitions enrich our understanding.

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Stipulative Definitions

• Stipulative definitions - to introduce unusual or
  unfamiliar words, to coin new words, or to
  introduce a new meaning to a familiar word.
• Stipulative definitions come in two varieties,
  arbitrary and restrictive.
• In the arbitrary type people stipulate that, for
  their purposes, an invented word will henceforth
  carry a particular meaning.
• For example, Sigmund Freud invented three terms
  to stand for the fundamental energy systems of
  the psyche The id represents primal upsurging
  desires the ego means control by rationality
  and realism and the superego means the
  internalized social rules, manifested chiefly in
  the form of conscience.

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Stipulative Definitions II

• In the category of arbitrary stipulative
  definitions are also acronyms, or words formed
  from the initial letters of a phrase.
• We speak, for example, of NASA, National
  Aeronautics and Space Administration or NASCAR,
  National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing.
• Many words begin as acronyms, and if they become
  assimilated into the culture, the original words
  that made them up are lost.

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Stipulative Definitions III

• The second type of stipulative definition is a
  restricting one whereby a person proposes to use
  an ordinary word in a special, limited, or
  precise sense.
• For example, a legislator may say, My bill
  proposes aid for the poor, and by poor I mean
  those with family incomes below 6,000 per year.

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Stipulative Definitions IV

• Since all stipulative definitions are
  forewarnings and statements of intent, we can
  never accuse them of being false they are, after
  all, simply proposals. But we can criticize them
  for being illegitimate. That is, if someone
  offers a definition that we cannot accept
  psychologically, a definition that tries to
  persuade us to accept a peculiar point of view,
  then it can be criticized as unacceptable.
• For example, Fork an instrument used chiefly
  for putting dead animals into the mouth. -
  Ambrose Bierce

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Reportive Definitions

• Reportive definitions in this kind of
  definition a description is offered of the
  conventional meaning of a word, and if the
  description does not match the actual way that
  the word is used, then the definition is
  incorrect.
• Depending on the accuracy of the survey of the
  usage, the definition is either true or false.
• A reportive definition gives an explanation of
  the general meaning a word carries for a group of
  language users.

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Reportive Definitions II

• Sometimes this type of definition is called
  lexical because it is the lexicographers or
  dictionary - makers definition .
• Although lexicographers usually report how a word
  is used, sometimes they take on the role of an
  authority and tell us how a word should be used.
  This legislative function of dictionaries is more
  prevalent in countries such as France or Germany
  where there is greater sensitivity to the
  corruption of language. In the United States we
  are more interested in the dynamic growth of
  English than in its purity. That is why we
  accept idiomatic expressions and slang so
  readily when street language becomes prevalent
  enough, it is incorporated into the dictionary as
  common usage.

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Reportive Definitions III

• Although reportive definitions are usually
  descriptions of how words are currently used,
  sometimes they will include former usages as
  explanations of a words historical meaning.
  These past or archaic senses can provide
  background interest and shed light on a words
  present meaning, however, one should not assume
  that the original meaning of a word is its real
  meaning.
• For example, cunning once meant clever, and a
  flasher was a brilliant person.
• Reportive definitions, then, are accounts of the
  established usage of words, and all dictionary
  definitions are of this type. Depending on how
  accurately they reflect actual usage, they can be
  said to have correct or incorrect definitions.

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Synonyms

• Synonyms constitute a third type of definition,
  and here another word is offered that has
  approximately the same meaning as the first.
• For example, to define honesty we could list
  truthfulness, frankness or candor for humorous
  we could list funny, comical, or amusing. Of
  course, the synonym must be a word that is
  understood, otherwise the meaning of the original
  word will not be clarified. Thus the
  effectiveness of a synonym definition depends on
  the readers stock in trade the larger his or
  her vocabulary, the more effective the synonym is
  likely to be in explaining the meaning of a word.
  

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Synonyms II

• In such definitions the word that is presented as
  synonymous should be as close as possible in
  meaning to the word that we are trying to define.
  No two words will have identical meanings, of
  course, otherwise they would be the same word and
  one would drop out of the language as
  superfluous.

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Synonyms III

• Thesauruses specialize in listing synonyms, and
  there are dictionaries of antonyms, words with
  opposite meanings, as well. Any words listed as
  synonymous would have roughly the same meaning,
  and they will range from close approximations to
  words with fairly remote connections.
• For example, if we are looking for synonyms for
  dog we might find listed pooch and mutt.
  Likewise, synonym definitions for female,
  depending on the context might include woman,
  lady, dame , chick, and so forth. From
  the array of choices we must select the synonym
  that best expresses what we wish to convey,
  because the intension, extension, and connotation
  are all different.

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Synonym IV

• Synonym definitions are also found very often in
  bilingual dictionaries when a word is translated
  from a foreign language to English and vice
  versa. If we consult a German-English dictionary
  for the meaning of die Uhr it will be translated
  as clock. Even here, however, a certain
  caution is necessary to ensure we have
  equivalencies. A clock in Germany can be what we
  would call a watch. If we take synonyms at face
  value, we might misconstrue the meaning because
  of cultural differences.
• Take a sentence or two in English and run it
  through a translator, such as http//babelfish.alt
  avista.com in German and Spanish and then back to
  English. How much has been lost in translation?

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Example Definitions

• Example definitions explain the meaning of a word
  by mentioning some instances of it. In terms of
  our discussion of extension, they explain a
  meaning by pointing out some of the members of
  the class. Once we know the range of things
  referred to by a term (assuming it is
  referential), then we have a clearer
  understanding of its meaning. For instance, an
  example definition of bird might include Robin,
  Oriole, Blue jay, and so forth.

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Example Definitions II

• Also covered by example definition are
  descriptions of the sort of experience that is
  involved. For example, we might explain the
  meaning of depressed as the feeling you get
  when youre alone after breaking up with someone
  youve been involved with for a long time. Its
  Saturday night, the telephone doesnt ring, no
  one knocks on the door, theres a party next
  door, and a blues song is playing on the radio.
  That is being depressed.
• We might define trusting as disclosing personal
  secrets, allowing oneself to be vulnerable.

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Ostensive definition

• Sometimes a description of the experience or a
  catalog of examples is not enough of an
  explanation, and we can only show the object,
  event, or characteristics to which a word
  applies. We have an ostensive definition.
• For instance, the best way to explain red is to
  hold up different red objects. To explain
  spicy we might have them taste a spicy food.
  Some things are first hand experiences, and no
  description of characteristics will convey the
  meaning adequately. A person blind from birth
  will never understand the word red except in
  the descriptive sense.

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Applications

• A stipulative definition should be used if we
  want to invent a word for something new or to
  warn someone that we are severely limiting the
  application of a word. We might use an arbitrary
  stipulative definition, for example, if we want
  to tell about some new psychological theory weve
  devised. We might say I am going to call the
  Pinnochio syndrome the feeling children have
  that whatever they do wrong will show on their
  faces. Or we might say By medicine I mean
  the cure of disease and the maintenance of health
  as practiced in Western Science I am not
  including faith healing or alternative medicine
  such as herbal treatment, meditation, massage, or
  acupuncture.

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Applications II

• A reportive definition that describes
  conventional usage is the most common definition
  used. In presenting some argument about the
  United States we might want to say, We are a
  republic, that is, we have a government in which
  citizens exercise power through voting and
  electing representatives responsible to them.

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Applications III

• We should use a synonym definition if we want to
  explain the meaning of a word in a way that is
  quick, direct, and easily grasped. As discussed,
  we must be reasonably sure that the word we offer
  as equivalent is something the reader or hearer
  is likely to know, otherwise it will leave her
  doubly mystified.
• Finally, it is sometimes most effective in
  defining a word to list some examples of the
  things the word includes.

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Avoiding Definition Mistakes

• In forming sound definitions, whether
  stipulative, reportive, synonym, or example,
  certain standards must be met. These standards
  make the definition reliable, keep it honest.
• Some standards have already been discussed that
  stipulative definitions must be psychologically
  acceptable and that reportive definitions must
  reflect conventional usage. However, there are
  additional criteria for acceptable definitions,
  and they are usually listed as pitfalls to avoid.

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Circularity

• Definitions should not be circular. A circular
  definition usually repeats the defined word in
  the definition. To define cookbook as a book
  used to cook is not very informative. A
  definitions is also circular when it defines two
  words in terms of each other. For example, A
  cause is that which produces an effect and An
  effect is that which results from a cause.
  These definitions are just going around in
  circles.

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Definitions that are too broad or too narrow.

• Another trap to avoid is having definitions that
  are too broad or too narrow. If our definition
  is unduly broad it will cover too much, failing
  to rule out things that are extraneous. If it is
  too narrow it will cover too little, excluding
  things that should be included within the term.
• For example, President Clintons definition may
  have been too narrow when he stated, referring to
  Monica Lewinsky, I did not have sexual relations
  with that woman as I interpret the term. On the
  other hand, to define music simply as sound
  would qualify the noise of jackhammers, sirens,
  and traffic as different kinds of music.

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Metaphorical definitions

• Metaphorical definitions should be avoided. In
  poetic discourse metaphors and similes, images
  and symbols, are the life blood of the art, but
  in formulating definitions, where clarity and
  directness are critical, such language should be
  avoided. It is unilluminating to define a
  saint as a dead sinner, revised and edited,
  or happiness as a warm puppy. To those
  familiar with these terms, the coloring adds
  interest, but it will not help anyone who is
  ignorant of the principle meaning. Such
  definitions might even mislead people, especially
  those learning English as a second language.

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Loaded Definitions

• Sometimes definitions are used for persuasive
  purposes and are charged with positive or
  negative emotions in such cases they are
  considered loaded. A loaded definition has an
  attitude it expresses a value judgment and is
  not just a neutral description of conventional
  meaning. Take the following examples of loaded
  definitions an intellectual is someone who
  knows everything except how to make money and
  immigrant is an unenlightened person who
  thinks one country is better than another.
  These definitions are funny, but should be
  avoided when we are seriously discussing issues.

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Importance of Definitions

• Providing good definitions may seem a trivial
  matter, but we need to be conscientious about
  them because they may be the basis of important
  decisions.
• For instance, it is crucial to determine the
  meaning of person in the abortion controversy.
  If someone is arrested for sale or possession of
  drugs the definitions of narcotic and
  controlled substance are crucial.