DEFINITION are definitions of symbols (not of objects), because only symbols have the

meanings that definition may explain; it expresses what the thing is; states the meaning of a
term

Definiendum the symbol being defined

Definiens symbol or group of symbols used to explain the meaning of the definiendum

Definiendum is the term to be defined, while definiens is the definition of it.

KINDS OF DEFINITION

Stipulative a definition that has a meaning that is deliberately assigned to some

symbol; sometimes called nominal; a meaning is assigned to a term (and hence which
cannot be true or false)

May simply be convenient, one word may stand for many words in a message

May protect secrecy, if the sender and the receiver are the only persons who
understand the stipulation
May advance economy of expression
In science, to mean what has been meant by a long sequence of familiar word,
thus saving time and increasing clarity
a definition as a result of deliberately assigning a meaning
It is used to assign a new meaning to a term, whether or not the term has already
got a meaning

A stipulative definition is a proposal (or a resolution or a request or an instruction) to

use definiendum to mean what is meant by the definiens. Such definition is therefore
directive rather than informative.

OMG oh my gosh
murder the premeditated killing of a human being

Lexical or Real which report the meaning that the term already has (and hence can
be true or false). That report may be correct, or incorrect and therefore it is clear that a
lexical definition may be either true or false.

When the purpose of the definition is to explain that use, or to eliminate ambiguity, the
definition is lexical.

bird means any warm-blooded vertebrate with feathers is true

alienate to convey or transfer

Real definition to indicate that the definiendum really does have the meaning
identified.
 In essence, it may be true or false, in the sense that they may be true to actual usage, or
may fail to be true to it.

Precising which aim to eliminate vagueness or ambiguity

Ambiguous when it has more than one distinct meaning and the context does not
make clear which meaning is intended.

Vague when there are borderline cases to which the term might or might not apply.

Borderline cases can be resolved only by going beyond the report of normal usage with
the definition given.

It differs from stipulative definitions in that its definiendum is not a new term, but one
whose usage is known, although unhappily vague. In constructing a prcising definition,
therefore, we are not free to assign to the definiendum any meaning we please.

Obligation under the Civil Code, is the juridical necessity to give, to do or not
to do.

Marriage - is a special contract of permanent union between a man and a

woman entered into in accordance with law for the establishment of conjugal and
family life.

Theoretical aim is to encapsulate our understanding of some intellectual sphere;

products of our comprehensive understanding in some sphere.

evolution of man man came from apes

overweight - having a body mass index over 27 for women and 28 for men

Persuasive aims to influence conduct; a definition put forward to resolve a dispute by

influencing attitudes or stirring emotions

fetus unborn person

abortion murder of a fetus