Circular Definition: A definition that includes the term being defined (or its cognate) in the definition.

Contextual Definition: A definition that conveys the meaning by using the word in a standard context and by providing a different sentence with the same meaning but without the word.

Definition by Synonym: Defining a word by providing a precise synonym.

Descriptive Function of Language: Language's use to convey factual information.  

Directive Function of Language: Language's use to command others to do something or to provide advice.

Emotive Function of Language: Language's use to express feelings or emotions.

Essentialist Definition: A definition that attempts to report the real nature of what is being defined.

Evaluative Function of Language: Language's use to make value judgments—to evaluate things.

Evocative Function of Language: Language's use to evoke feelings or emotions in an audience.

Genus-Species Definition: A definition that mentions a larger category (a genus) to which that kind of thing belongs, and then specifies what makes that particular kind (that species) different from the other species in that genus.

Idea Theory of Meaning: The view that the meaning of a word consists of the idea or mental image that is associated with the word.

Meaning as Use: The approach that explains meaning of linguistic items—primarily sentences, but, derivatively, words—in terms of their use.

Operational Definition: A definition made by specifying a rule or operation.  

Ostensive Definition: A definition that conveys the meaning by giving examples.

Performative Use of Language: Language's use to perform actions, such as can be performed merely by saying a sentence; for example, when one says "I hereby promise / find the accused guilty / christen this boat / resign."

Persuasive Use of Language: Language's use to persuade people to accept something or to act in a certain way.

Recreational Use of Language: Language's use merely to amuse ourselves and others: puns, word-games, songs, etc.

Reference of a Word: The class of things to which the word refers (also known as its denotation or extension).

Reference Theory of Meaning: The view that the meaning of a word consists in what it refers to.

Reportive Definition: A definition intended to convey the information needed to use a word correctly in its standard use.

Sense of a Word: What we understand when we understand a word's meaning (also known as its connotation or intension).  

Stipulative Definition: A definition that creates a new precise meaning.


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