Definition (general)/Definition: Difference between revisions
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A statement of what something is. It commonly has the form <nowiki>[Name] is a [Category] that [Point of Difference]</nowiki> | A statement of what something is. It commonly has the form <nowiki>[Name] is a [Category] that [Point of Difference]</nowiki>. This form enables a person to learn new [[knowledge]] by building on what's already [[understanding|understood]]. For example, the ''definition'' of a [[horse]] might be as follows: A '''horse''' (name) is an '''animal''' (known category) that '''has four legs and mane and runs fast''' (point of difference -- how a horse is ''different'' from other animals). So a person who knows what an ''animal'' is, but doesn't understand what a ''horse'' is, can add to his or her knowledge in this way. In a [[science|scientific]] sense, a definition is a [[description]] which is [[validity|valid]] under precisely stated [[condition]]s. | ||
Latest revision as of 10:03, 9 April 2010
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Definition (general) [r]: A statement of what something is. It commonly has the form [Name] is a [Category] that [Point of Difference]. This form enables a person to learn new knowledge by building on what's already understood. For example, the definition of a horse might be as follows: A horse (name) is an animal (known category) that has four legs and mane and runs fast (point of difference -- how a horse is different from other animals). So a person who knows what an animal is, but doesn't understand what a horse is, can add to his or her knowledge in this way. In a scientific sense, a definition is a description which is valid under precisely stated conditions.