Here’s a detailed explanation of the five types of definitions, along with examples

and analysis to help deepen your understanding.

Types and Purposes of Definitions

1. Stipulative Definitions

A stipulative definition is used when a new word is introduced or when an existing

word is given a new meaning for the first time. It does not report an already
established meaning but assigns a meaning arbitrarily.

Purpose of Stipulative Definitions:

 To create new words for newly discovered phenomena.

 To provide shorthand expressions for complex ideas.
 To establish secret codes for military, scientific, or organizational use.

Examples of Stipulative Definitions:

 The term “tigon” was created to define the offspring of a male tiger and a female lion.
Similarly, “liger” refers to the offspring of a male lion and a female tiger.
 The phrase “Operation Desert Storm” was used as a code name for the U.S. military
campaign in Iraq.
 In medical research, a new disease could be given a name (e.g., COVID-19, which stands for
Coronavirus Disease 2019).

Key Characteristics:

 Stipulative definitions cannot be true or false because they are arbitrary.

 They do not provide new factual information; instead, they introduce a new term for
convenience.
 Stipulative definitions can be misused in verbal disputes if one assumes others use a word in
the same way they do.

2. Lexical Definitions

A lexical definition reports the commonly accepted meaning of a word as used in a

particular language. This is the type of definition found in dictionaries.

Purpose of Lexical Definitions:

 To provide the standard meaning of words.

 To eliminate ambiguity by listing different meanings of a word.
 To ensure clear communication by establishing a shared understanding.

Examples of Lexical Definitions:

  “Bank” can mean:

o A financial institution (e.g., "I deposited money in the bank").

o The side of a river (e.g., "The boat reached the river bank").
o A place to store something (e.g., "A blood bank stores blood for medical use").

 “Light” can mean:

o Not heavy (e.g., "This bag is light").

o A source of illumination (e.g., "Turn on the light").
o A pale color (e.g., "She wore a light blue dress").

Key Characteristics:

 Lexical definitions can be true or false, depending on whether they accurately reflect
common usage.
 They help distinguish multiple meanings of words.
 They are essential for avoiding confusion in communication.

3. Précising Definitions

A précising definition is used to make a vague word more precise. This type of
definition is often used in laws, policies, and scientific contexts where exact
meanings are required.

Purpose of Précising Definitions:

 To reduce vagueness and clarify meaning.

 To set clear boundaries for legal, medical, or scientific terms.
 To ensure fairness and accuracy in decision-making.

Examples of Précising Definitions:

 “Poor” might be defined as:

o “Having an annual income of less than $4,000 and a net worth of less than $20,000.”

 “Vehicle” in a legal context might include bicycles, motorcycles, and cars, but exclude
skateboards.
 “Moment of Death” in medicine is precisely defined as the moment the brain stops
functioning (as measured by an EEG).

Key Characteristics:

 Unlike stipulative definitions, précising definitions are not arbitrary; they must be
reasonable and context-appropriate.
 They help avoid disputes in courtrooms, policies, and scientific research.
 They clarify boundaries to ensure fair treatment (e.g., legal definitions of "citizen" or
"disability").
4. Theoretical Definitions

A theoretical definition assigns meaning to a term by explaining a theory behind it.

This type of definition goes beyond just giving meaning—it suggests how something
should be understood in a theoretical framework.

Purpose of Theoretical Definitions:

 To provide a scientific or philosophical framework for understanding a concept.

 To introduce a new perspective on a phenomenon.
 To guide further research and investigation.

Examples of Theoretical Definitions:

 Heat is defined in physics as “the energy associated with the random motion of molecules.”
This definition is based on the kinetic theory of heat.
 Force in Newtonian mechanics is defined as “mass times acceleration (F = ma).”
 Good in utilitarian ethics is defined by John Stuart Mill as “the greatest happiness for the
greatest number.”

Key Characteristics:

 Theoretical definitions cannot be true or false—they are accepted or rejected based on how
useful they are.
 They shape entire scientific theories and philosophical systems.
 They are important in developing new knowledge and guiding research.

5. Persuasive Definitions

A persuasive definition is designed to influence the emotions or opinions of an

audience. It uses emotionally charged language to create a positive or negative
association with a concept.

Purpose of Persuasive Definitions:

 To influence public opinion in political, ethical, or ideological debates.

 To frame an issue in a way that supports a particular viewpoint.
 To evoke strong emotions such as anger, sympathy, or pride.

Examples of Persuasive Definitions:

 “Abortion”

o Negative: “The ruthless murder of innocent human beings.”

o Positive: “A safe and established surgical procedure that relieves a woman of an
unwanted burden.”

 “Taxation”

o Positive: “The process by which society supports public goods and services.”
 o Negative: “A scheme where bureaucrats steal money from hardworking citizens.”

Key Characteristics:

 Persuasive definitions are often biased and designed to evoke emotional reactions.
 They are commonly used in politics, advertising, and propaganda.
 They do not focus on accuracy but rather on shaping public perception.

Summary Table: Types of Definitions

Type of
Purpose Example
Definition
Introduce a new word or "Tigon" = offspring of a male
Stipulative
assign a new meaning tiger and a female lion
Report common usage; "Bank" = financial
Lexical
found in dictionaries institution OR side of a river
Reduce vagueness and "Poor" = earning less than
Précising
clarify meaning $4,000 per year
Assign meaning based "Heat" = energy from
Theoretical
on a theory molecular motion
Influence emotions and "Taxation" = "Bureaucratic
Persuasive
opinions theft" or "Public welfare"

Final Thoughts
Each type of definition serves a different purpose:

 Stipulative definitions help create new terms.

 Lexical definitions ensure clear communication.
 Précising definitions clarify vague concepts.
 Theoretical definitions establish scientific or philosophical ideas.
 Persuasive definitions are used for influence and rhetoric.

Would you like MCQs based on this explanation? 😊

Extensional (Denotative)
Definitional Techniques
Introduction
An extensional definition assigns meaning to a term by specifying the actual members
of the class it denotes. This method contrasts with intensional definitions, which
define a term by describing its essential characteristics. Extensional definitions are
particularly useful for clarifying meaning through direct reference.

There are three primary methods of extensional definition:

1. Demonstrative (Ostensive) Definitions

2. Enumerative Definitions
3. Definition by Subclass

1. Demonstrative (Ostensive) Definitions

Definition and Explanation

A demonstrative (or ostensive) definition assigns meaning by physically indicating

the objects that belong to the category defined. This is one of the simplest and most
primitive forms of definition, relying on pointing or gestures to specify meaning.

Examples:
 "Chair" means this and this and this (while pointing to different chairs).
 "Sun" means that (pointing to the sun in the sky).
 "Dog" means this (pointing at a nearby dog).

Limitations:
 Dependency on availability: The objects being defined must be physically present for
reference. For example, defining "sun" at night would be impossible.
 Potential for misinterpretation: If all demonstrated chairs are wooden, a learner might
wrongly assume that "chair" specifically means "wooden chair."
 Gesture as a part of definition: Since gestures play a role, these definitions require
contextual understanding, much like sign language.

2. Enumerative Definitions
Definition and Explanation

An enumerative definition assigns meaning by listing individual members of the class

the term denotes. It can be either complete or partial:

 Complete Enumeration: Lists all members of the category.

 Partial Enumeration: Lists only some members of the category.

Examples:
  "Actor" means a person such as Abebe Balicha, Samson Taddesse, or Mahder Assefa (partial
enumeration).
 "The planets of the Solar System" means Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn,
Uranus, and Neptune (complete enumeration).

Limitations:
 Incomplete lists: Many categories cannot be fully enumerated (e.g., all actors in the world
cannot be listed).
 Misinterpretation risk: If only famous actors are listed, one might assume "actor" means
"famous person" rather than "anyone who acts."

3. Definition by Subclass
Definition and Explanation

A definition by subclass assigns meaning by specifying broader categories or

subcategories within the class denoted by the term. Like enumerative definitions, it
can be complete or partial.

Examples:
 Partial Definition: "Tree" means oak, pine, elm, spruce, maple, and the like.
 Complete Definition: "Fictional work" means a poem, a play, a novel, or a short story.

Limitations:
 Difficulties in complete subclass definition: Many concepts have too many subcategories to
list them all.
 Risk of incorrect generalization: If the only trees listed are firmly rooted in the ground,
someone might wrongly infer that all trees must be permanently fixed in one place.

Applications of Extensional Definitions

Extensional definitions are primarily used for:

 Lexical Definitions: Used in dictionaries to define words by listing members or subcategories.

 Stipulative Definitions: Used when coining new terms (e.g., "John, Mary, and Billy will be
called 'Buccaneers.'")
 Teaching and Communication: Effective for language instruction, particularly for non-verbal
learners.

However, extensional definitions are unsuitable for precising definitions, which aim
to clarify vague terms. Since precising definitions require explaining the meaning
(intension), simply listing examples does not sufficiently resolve ambiguity.
Limitations of Extensional Definitions
1. Lack of Intensional Meaning: Extensional definitions specify members of a class but do not
explain their defining characteristics. This can lead to confusion about what unites the listed
items.
2. Ambiguity and Misinterpretation:

o If all chairs shown are wooden, one might wrongly assume "chair" means "wooden
chair."
o If only famous actors are listed, one might assume "actor" means "famous person."
o If tree subclasses are named (oak, pine, etc.), someone might believe that "tree"
necessarily means "firmly planted in the ground," excluding floating trees (e.g.,
mangroves).

In summary, while extensional definitions can be useful for illustrating meaning, they
do not fully capture the essential nature of a concept. Understanding both extensional
and intensional definitions is crucial for precise and effective communication.

You're right! I’ll now provide a detailed analysis of intensional (connotative)

definitional techniques, including their relation to types of definitions such as
stipulative, lexical, précising, theoretical, and persuasive definitions.

1. What is an Intensional Definition?

An intensional definition assigns meaning to a term by specifying the qualities or

attributes that the term connotes. It does not list examples (as an extensional
definition does) but rather describes the essential characteristics of the concept.

There are four main strategies used for intensional definitions:

1. Synonymous Definitions
2. Etymological Definitions
3. Operational Definitions
4. Definition by Genus and Difference

2. The Four Intensional Definitional

Techniques
1) Synonymous Definition

A synonymous definition assigns meaning by providing a single word (a synonym)

that has the same connotation as the word being defined.

Example:
  "Physician" means doctor.
 "Observe" means see.

This method is concise and effective when a perfect synonym exists. However, it
has limitations:

 Some words have no exact synonyms (e.g., "wisdom" is not exactly the same as
"knowledge," "understanding," or "sense").
 It does not add new information beyond what the synonym provides.

Relation to Types of Definitions:

 Lexical definitions commonly use synonymous definitions since they explain words as they
are currently used in language.
 Synonymous definitions cannot create stipulative definitions (which introduce new
meanings), as they rely on existing meanings.
 They also cannot create précising, theoretical, or persuasive definitions because they do not
refine, analyze, or argue for a meaning.

2) Etymological Definition

An etymological definition explains a word by tracing its historical origin in its own
or other languages.

Examples:

 "License" comes from Latin licere, meaning to be permitted.

 "Principle" comes from Latin principium, meaning beginning or source.
 "Polygon" (Greek: poly = many, gonos = angle) helps understand related words like
polygamy (poly = many, gamos = marriage).

Why are Etymological Definitions Important?

1. They reveal the root meaning, helping to understand all related meanings.
2. They connect words to other words, aiding in vocabulary expansion.

Relation to Types of Definitions:

 Lexical definitions often include etymological explanations, as dictionaries use them to

show word origins.
 Theoretical definitions can use etymology to provide deeper insight into abstract terms.
 Etymological definitions are rarely used for stipulative, précising, or persuasive definitions,
as they focus on history rather than setting precise or persuasive meanings.

3) Operational Definition

An operational definition assigns meaning by specifying a measurable or

observable procedure that determines when the term applies.
Examples:

 "Harder than" means that one substance scratches another when rubbed together.
 "Acid" means a solution that turns litmus paper red.

Characteristics:

 Tied to empirical reality: It connects abstract terms to specific, testable conditions.

 Common in science: Used to define scientific and technical terms (e.g., "temperature" is
defined operationally by how a thermometer responds).
 Limited scope: Cannot define abstract concepts like "love," "respect," or "freedom" using
strict operations.

Relation to Types of Definitions:

 Operational definitions are crucial for stipulative definitions, as they establish new
measurable criteria.
 They are also useful for lexical and précising definitions, especially in scientific contexts.
 However, they are weak for theoretical and persuasive definitions, as they do not explain
deeper meanings or argue for a particular interpretation.

4) Definition by Genus and Difference

This is the most precise and widely used technique. It defines a word by identifying:

1. A genus (a general class it belongs to).

2. A specific difference (a characteristic that distinguishes it from other species within the
genus).

Example:

Differen
Species Genus
ce
"Ice" Frozen Water
"Daught Offsprin
Female
er" g
"Husban
Married Man
d"

Why is This Method So Effective?

 It clarifies meanings precisely by using hierarchical classification.

 It applies to almost all types of definitions, including stipulative, lexical, and theoretical
definitions.

Relation to Types of Definitions:

 Lexical definitions are often structured using genus and difference because dictionaries
need clear distinctions.
  Stipulative definitions can also be created this way, especially in technical contexts (e.g.,
defining new scientific terms).
 Précising definitions refine a meaning by specifying a particular difference.
 Theoretical definitions rely on this technique to analyze concepts systematically.
 Persuasive definitions sometimes use genus and difference to shape opinions (e.g., defining
"democracy" as "a system ensuring true freedom and equality").

3. How These Techniques Relate to

Definition Types
Synonym Etymologi Genus &
Definition Type Operational
ous cal Difference
Stipulative
(introduces new ❌ ❌ ✅ ✅
meaning)
Lexical (standard
✅ (scientific
dictionary ✅ ✅ ✅
terms)
meaning)
Précising (makes
meaning more ❌ ❌ ✅ ✅
exact)
Theoretical
(explains deeper ❌ ✅ ❌ ✅
concepts)
Persuasive
(influences ❌ ❌ ❌ ✅
opinion)

4. Conclusion: Choosing the Right

Definitional Technique
 Synonymous definitions are best for simple lexical definitions but lack depth.
 Etymological definitions are helpful for understanding word origins but are not precise.
 Operational definitions are useful in science and measurement but not for abstract
concepts.
 Definition by genus and difference is the most universally applicable and can be used to
construct all types of definitions.

If you want precise and effective definitions, definition by genus and difference is
the best technique to use. However, if you need a scientific definition, an
operational definition may be more appropriate. Synonymous and etymological
definitions work best for general vocabulary learning.
Let me know if you need more examples or
clarifications! 😊