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What do we mean by definition ?

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Edited by Hede Maria Cavell, Monday, 22 Nov 2021, 12:21
The meaning of  definition for me, has been  the meaning of a  word.   This is what l had been taught at school and that  is what l had passed on to my children when assisting with homework. However looking behind the word l wondered how we define this word in society.
What does it actually mean when it comes to the world of work and and when it comes to laws legislation what does the word mean to us ? Do we look at how definitions are used ?
 The definitions of words are used to suit the requirements  of one group or another so how does this effect our expectations when it comes to defining words within the global world ?
When it comes to the world stage there will always be a conflict due the various definitions used to suit each party.  One example is the agreements made by  U.N.Human Rights. How can we  define  words and  put them  into context in agreements  so all countries can agree and comply globally without changing the definitions and wording the minute they return to their own countries ? Is it  an issue with translating words and definitions ?
What is the point of these well intentioned agreements?
I can only assume  and believe it  is Hope.

Definitionn.pronunciation: 

Brit. Hear pronunciation/ˌdɛfᵻˈnɪʃn/U.S. Hear pronunciation/ˌdɛfəˈnɪʃən/

Forms:  α. Middle English–1500s diffinicioun, etc. (with usual interchange of i and y), Middle English–1500s diffinition, etc., 1500s Scottish diffinitioun; β. Middle English–1500s defi-, 1500s defynicion(e, 1500s– definition.

Frequency (in current use): 

Etymology: < Old French de-def-diffinicion (also definison ), < Latin dēfīnītiōn-em (also in manuscripts diff- ), noun of action < dēfīnīre : see define v. Compare Provençal diff-deffinicio, Spanish definicion, Italian difinizio

 1. The setting of bounds or limits; limitation, restriction. ObsoleteRare

 2. The action of determining a controversy or question at issue; determination, decision; spec. a formal decision or pronouncement of an ecclesiastical authority. Obsolete except in specific use.

 3. Logic, etc. The action of defining, or stating exactly what a thing is, or what a word means.

4. A precise statement of the essential nature of a thing; a statement or form of words by which anything is defined.

a.        A declaration or formal explanation of the signification of a word or phrase. [Not recognized by Johnson.]

b.       definition in use: a definition which does not provide an equivalent for the expression to be defined, but instead replaces the whole context in which that expression occurs by an equivalent not containing that expression; a contextual definition (cf. contextual adj. b).

 5.  a. The action of making definite; the condition of being made, or of being definite, in visual form or outline; distinctness; spec. the defining power of a lens or optical instrument, i.e., its capacity to render an object or image distinct to the eye.

b. gen. Definiteness, precision, exactitude. Rare.

c.       The degree of distinctness of the details in a photograph, film, television picture, etc.; so high-definitionlow-definition, used to designate television systems using different numbers of scanning lines.

d.       6. In combinations.

 Home : Oxford English Dictionary (oed.com)







 



    
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