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definition

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Acronyms, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.03 sec.
def·i·ni·tion  (df-nshn)
n.
1.
a. A statement conveying fundamental character.
b. A statement of the meaning of a word, phrase, or term, as in a dictionary entry.
2. The act or process of stating a precise meaning or significance; formulation of a meaning.
3.
a. The act of making clear and distinct: a definition of one's intentions.
b. The state of being closely outlined or determined: "With the drizzle, the trees in the little clearing had lost definition" Anthony Hyde.
c. A determination of outline, extent, or limits: the definition of a President's authority.
4.
a. The clarity of detail in an optically produced image, such as a photograph, effected by a combination of resolution and contrast.
b. The degree of clarity with which a televised image or broadcast signal is received.

[Middle English diffinicioun, from Old French definition, from Latin dfnti, dfntin-, from dfntus, past participle of dfnre, to define; see define.]

defi·nition·al adj.

definition
Noun
1. a statement of the meaning of a word or phrase
2. a description of the essential qualities of something
3. the quality of being clear and distinct
4. sharpness of outline
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.definitiondefinition - a concise explanation of the meaning of a word or phrase or symbol
explanation, account - a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.; "the explanation was very simple"; "I expected a brief account"
contextual definition - a definition in which the term is used by embedding it in a larger expression containing its explanation; "a contextual definition of `legal duty' might be `X has a legal duty to do Y means that X is required to do Y by a contract relationship that would be upheld in a court of law'"
dictionary definition - a definition that reports the standard uses of a word or phrase or symbol
explicit definition - a definition that gives an exact equivalent of the term defined
ostensive definition - a definition that points out or exhibits instances of the term defined
recursive definition - (mathematics) a definition of a function from which values of the function can be calculated in a finite number of steps
redefinition - the act of giving a new definition; "words like `conservative' require periodic redefinition"; "she provided a redefinition of his duties"
stipulative definition - a definition that is stipulated by someone and that is not a standard usage
2.definition - clarity of outline; "exercise had given his muscles superior definition"
distinctness, sharpness - the quality of being sharp and clear

definition
Translations

definition [dɛfɪˈnɪʃən] ndefinición f
definition [dɛfɪˈnɪʃən] ndéfinition f (= clearness); netteté f
definition [dɛfɪˈnɪʃən] define n (of word) → Definition f;
(of photograph etc) → Schärfe f
definition [dɛfɪˈnɪʃən] ndefinizione f

definition define

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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
Things are said to be named 'equivocally' when, though they have a common name, the definition corresponding with the name differs for each.
Socrates reminds Meno that this is only an enumeration of the virtues and not a definition of the notion which is common to them all.
Here is one definition from a popular dictionary: 'Any instrument or organization by which power is applied and made effective, or a desired effect produced.
 
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