SEDL / STP / STP806-EB / STP30133S



Terminology and the Well-Formed Definition

Strehlow, RA
Research staff, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak,


Pages: 11    Published: Jan 1983


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Abstract

A classification of definitions is developed, incorporating the concept of the well-formed definition. The classification is discussed with emphasis on its usefulness in the process of writing definitions. The well-formed definition (one that is brief, clear, and generally useful) is a concept that provides an analytical capability to distinguish between definitions and descriptions. If even one of the three characteristics of brevity, clarity, or general usefulness is absent, a definition is better considered a description.


Keywords:
terminology, orismology, nomenclature, definitions, well-formed definitions, descriptions, analytic descriptions, significance, semantics

Paper ID: STP30133S
Committee/Subcommittee: E02.13
DOI: 10.1520/STP30133S
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