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definition Definition

defi·ni·tion (def′ə nis̸h′ən)

noun

  1. a defining or being defined
  2. a statement of what a thing is
  3. a statement of the meaning as of a word or phrase
    1. a putting or being in clear, sharp outline
    2. a making or being definite, explicit, and clear
  5. the power of a lens to show (an object) in clear, sharp outline
  6. the degree of distinctness of a photograph, etc.
  7. the clearness with which recorded or broadcast sounds or televised images are reproduced; absence of fuzziness

Etymology: ME diffinicioun < OFr definicion & ML diffinitio, both < L definitio

definition Related Forms

def′i·ni′·tional adjective

definition Synonyms

definition

n.

  1. Expressed meaning of a term

    meaning, explanation, description, signification, denotation, diagnosis, analogue, synonym, exposition, elucidation, rendering, drift, sense, referent, interpretation, formalization, explication, clue, individuation, exemplification, annotation, gloss, cue, key, translation, comment, paraphrase, clarification, rendition, rationale, commentary, formal statement of meaning, dictionary meaning, representation, characterization, recursive definition, expounding; see also description 1, explanation 1, 2, meaning.

    Antonyms nonsense*, absurdity*, error. *

  2. The process or result of making limits clear

    delineation, determination, demarcation, distinctness, sharpness, clarity, encompassment, circumscription, outline, boundary, outlining, surveying; see also clarity.

    Antonyms confusion*, muddling, mixing.

definition Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • terrorism: That is why it is so disappointing that the United Nations was unable to agree a definition of terrorism earlier this month.
  • disability: The definition of disability relates to disability where mobility is reduced or people who use the national blind scheme for accessing free travel.
  • term: Concerns with the Large Exposure Regime have been prompted by a changed definition of the term " exposure " .
  • harassment: This is the definition of harassment which is contained in the SDA from 1 October 2005.

Converse of object

  • agree: There is no agreed definition of the precautionary principle.
  • amend: The amended definition of " designate " also applies to the designation of states or regions under the PCT.
  • extend: One writer has had the idea of extending the definition of Murdos throughout the British Isles.
  • accept: The State Standard is the most commonly accepted definition of poverty.

Preposition: in

glossary: Key terms are linked to definitions in an accompanying glossary.

Adjective modifier

  • precise: The precise definition of the star allocation system varies according to the type of accommodation.
  • broad: The last two perspectives below work from this broader definition.
  • narrow: He argued that a much narrower definition of money was required.
  • ostensive: In this muddle he continues to ask, how can an ostensive definition teach the meaning of a term?
  • strict: In November 2001 a judicial review ruled that creating cloned human embryos lay outwith the strict definition of embryos in the Act.
  • statutory: There is no statutory definition of the term for the purposes of inheritance tax.

Noun used with modifier

  • dictionary: To which sense in the above standard dictionary definition is his closest?
  • macro: However, often the postscript produced by applications has a lot of unoptimised header macro definition which can lead to enormous files.
  • glossary: Alternatively, all glossary definitions can be seen on the ' Glossary ' page in the ' Resources ' section.
  • virus: The new versions have facilities that greatly ease the task of updating the virus definitions on a regular basis.
  • mchb: Able to pool mchb definition of quot table slightly more for the american.