Definition: Clarifying Terms


Four Questions:

1. What is the term to be defined?

2. Who is the intended audience for the writing?

3. What is the purpose for the intended definition?

4. What is the sentence definition of this term?(Term, Class, and Distinguishing Characteristics)


Three Techniques for Defining Terms:

1. Definition By Synonym – using a word or phrase that has the same meaning.


1. Definition By Synonym – using a word or phrase that has the same meaning.

Example:

He is a polymath, which means he is a person of great learning in several fields of study.

Term

synonym



2. Definition By Category – determine a larger group to which the term belongs.


2. Definition by Category - determine a larger group to which the term belongs.

Example:

A savant is an educated person who is well versed in literature or science.

Detail

CategoryTerm



3. Definition by Negation – explain what the term does not mean. You can then include a sentence explaining what it does mean.


Three Techniques for Defining Terms:3. Definition by Negation

Example:

“Minnesota Nice” is not the act of being neighborly; it is acting of being friendly while harboring passive aggressive contempt for others.

TermWhat it is not

What it is


Basic Dictionary Meaning: quoting a dictionary’s definition, this also includes the word’s history (i.e. its etymology)

Example:Marriage:1. the social institution under which a man and woman establish their decision

to live as husband and wife by legal commitments, religious ceremonies, etc.

[Middle English mariage, from Old French, from marier, to marry.]


Example:

American:

1. a native or inhabitant of the United States

2. the English language as used in the United States

3. a native or inhabitant of a North American or Central American or South American country


Example:

Hunger (noun):1.a compelling need or desire for food. 2.the painful sensation or state of weakness caused by

the need of food: to collapse from hunger. 3.a shortage of food; famine. 4.a strong or compelling desire or craving: hunger for

power. –verb (used without object)


Depending totally on

dictionary definitions

can be a trip down the

proverbial rabbit hole.

For instance. . .


Example:

Obscene (noun):

1. offensive to morality or decency; indecent; depraved.


Example:

Morality (noun):

1. conformity to the rules of right conduct; moral or virtuous conduct.


Example:

Decency (noun):

1. conformity to the recognized standard of propriety, good taste, modesty, etc. .


Example:

Depraved (adj.):

1. corrupt, wicked, or perverted.


Example:

Right (adj.):

1. in accordance with what is good, proper, or just.


Example:

Moral (adj.):

1. of, pertaining to, or concerned with the principles or rules of right conduct or the distinction between right and wrong; ethical


Etymology: word history; origin


Example:

Malarian. Infectious disease characterized by chills and fever and caused by the bite of an infected anopheles mosquito.


Malaria

Medieval Italian: mal (=bad) + aria (=air)

Definition

Neologism

“New”

From the Greek word “logos,” which means “word”

A distinctive system


Example:

Bonwifery (n)French : bon = good

Old English: wīf = woman


Reading Assignment:

Read the essay “On Genius” in The Writer’s World, pgs. 169-170.

Definition: Clarifying Terms

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