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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
def·i·ni·tion    Audio Help   [def-uh-nish-uhn] Pronunciation Key
–noun
1.the act of defining or making definite, distinct, or clear.
2.the formal statement of the meaning or significance of a word, phrase, etc.
3.the condition of being definite, distinct, or clearly outlined.
4.Optics. sharpness of the image formed by an optical system.
5.Radio and Television. the accuracy of sound or picture reproduction.

[Origin: 1350–1400; ME diffinicioun < OF diffinition < L défīnītiōn- (s. of défīnītiō), equiv. to défīnīt(us) (see definite) + -iōn- -ion]

def·i·ni·tion·al, adjective
def·i·ni·tion·al·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
definition

To learn more about definition visit Britannica.com

© 2008 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
def·i·ni·tion    Audio Help   (děf'ə-nĭsh'ən)  Pronunciation Key 
n.  
    1. A statement conveying fundamental character.
    2. A statement of the meaning of a word, phrase, or term, as in a dictionary entry.
    3. The act of making clear and distinct: a definition of one's intentions.
    4. The state of being closely outlined or determined: "With the drizzle, the trees in the little clearing had lost definition" (Anthony Hyde).
    5. A determination of outline, extent, or limits: the definition of a President's authority.
    6. The clarity of detail in an optically produced image, such as a photograph, effected by a combination of resolution and contrast.
    7. The degree of clarity with which a televised image or broadcast signal is received.
  1. The act or process of stating a precise meaning or significance; formulation of a meaning.
    1. The act of making clear and distinct: a definition of one's intentions.
    2. The state of being closely outlined or determined: "With the drizzle, the trees in the little clearing had lost definition" (Anthony Hyde).
    3. A determination of outline, extent, or limits: the definition of a President's authority.
    4. The clarity of detail in an optically produced image, such as a photograph, effected by a combination of resolution and contrast.
    5. The degree of clarity with which a televised image or broadcast signal is received.
    1. The clarity of detail in an optically produced image, such as a photograph, effected by a combination of resolution and contrast.
    2. The degree of clarity with which a televised image or broadcast signal is received.


[Middle English diffinicioun, from Old French definition, from Latin dēfīnītiō, dēfīnītiōn-, from dēfīnītus, past participle of dēfīnīre, to define; see define.]

def'i·ni'tion·al adj.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
definition

noun
1. a concise explanation of the meaning of a word or phrase or symbol 
2. clarity of outline; "exercise had given his muscles superior definition" 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary (Beta Version) - Cite This Source - Share This
definition [defiˈniʃən] noun
an explanation of the exact meaning of a word or phrase
Example: Is that definition accurate?
Arabic: تَعْريف
Chinese (Simplified): 定义
Chinese (Traditional): 定義
Czech: definice
Danish: definition
Dutch: definitie
Estonian: määratlus
Finnish: määritelmä
French: définition
German: die Erklärung, die Definition
Greek: ορισμός
Hungarian: meghatározás, értelmezés, definíció
Icelandic: skilgreining
Indonesian: pemerian
Italian: definizione
Japanese: 定義
Korean: 정의, 뜻풀이
Latvian: definīcija
Lithuanian: apibrėžimas
Norwegian: definisjon
Polish: definicja
Portuguese (Brazil): definição
Portuguese (Portugal): definição
Romanian: definiţie
Russian: дефиниция
Slovak: definícia
Slovenian: razlaga
Spanish: definición
Swedish: definition
Turkish: tanım(lama)
See also: define

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary (Beta Version), © 2000-2006 K Dictionaries Ltd.
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Main Entry: def·i·ni·tion
Pronunciation: "def-&-'nish-&n
Function: noun
: the action or the power of making definite and clear <the definition of a microscope lens>

Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Definition

Def`i*ni"tion\, n. [L. definitio: cf. F. d['e]finition.]

1. The act of defining; determination of the limits; as, a telescope accurate in definition.

2. Act of ascertaining and explaining the signification; a description of a thing by its properties; an explanation of the meaning of a word or term; as, the definition of "circle;" the definition of "wit;" an exact definition; a loose definition.

Definition being nothing but making another understand by words what the term defined stands for. --Locke.

3. Description; sort. [R.] "A new creature of another definition." --Jer. Taylor.

4. (Logic) An exact enunciation of the constituents which make up the logical essence.

5. (Opt.) Distinctness or clearness, as of an image formed by an optical instrument; precision in detail.

Syn: Definition, Explanation, Description.

Usage: A definition is designed to settle a thing in its compass and extent; an explanation is intended to remove some obscurity or misunderstanding, and is therefore more extended and minute; a description enters into striking particulars with a view to interest or impress by graphic effect. It is not therefore true, though often said, that description is only an extended definition. "Logicians distinguish definitions into essential and accidental. An essential definition states what are regarded as the constituent parts of the essence of that which is to be defined; and an accidental definition lays down what are regarded as circumstances belonging to it, viz., properties or accidents, such as causes, effects, etc." --Whately.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Definition

Def`i*ni"tion\, n. [L. definitio: cf. F. d['e]finition.]

1. The act of defining; determination of the limits; as, a telescope accurate in definition.

2. Act of ascertaining and explaining the signification; a description of a thing by its properties; an explanation of the meaning of a word or term; as, the definition of "circle;" the definition of "wit;" an exact definition; a loose definition.

Definition being nothing but making another understand by words what the term defined stands for. --Locke.

3. Description; sort. [R.] "A new creature of another definition." --Jer. Taylor.

4. (Logic) An exact enunciation of the constituents which make up the logical essence.

5. (Opt.) Distinctness or clearness, as of an image formed by an optical instrument; precision in detail.

Syn: Definition, Explanation, Description.

Usage: A definition is designed to settle a thing in its compass and extent; an explanation is intended to remove some obscurity or misunderstanding, and is therefore more extended and minute; a description enters into striking particulars with a view to interest or impress by graphic effect. It is not therefore true, though often said, that description is only an extended definition. "Logicians distinguish definitions into essential and accidental. An essential definition states what are regarded as the constituent parts of the essence of that which is to be defined; and an accidental definition lays down what are regarded as circumstances belonging to it, viz., properties or accidents, such as causes, effects, etc." --Whately.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Definition

De*scrip"tion\, n. [F. description, L. descriptio. See Describe.]

1. The act of describing; a delineation by marks or signs.

2. A sketch or account of anything in words; a portraiture or representation in language; an enumeration of the essential qualities of a thing or species.

Milton has descriptions of morning. --D. Webster.

3. A class to which a certain representation is applicable; kind; sort.

A difference . . . between them and another description of public creditors. --A. Hamilton.

The plates were all of the meanest description. --Macaulay.

Syn: Account; definition; recital; relation; detail; narrative; narration; explanation; delineation; representation; kind; sort. See Definition.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Definition

Ex`pla*na"tion\, n. [L. explanatio: cf. OF. esplanation.]

1. The act of explaining, expounding, or interpreting; the act of clearing from obscurity and making intelligible; as, the explanation of a passage in Scripture, or of a contract or treaty.

2. That which explains or makes clear; as, a satisfactory explanation.

3. The meaning attributed to anything by one who explains it; definition; interpretation; sense.

Different explanations [of the Trinity]. --Bp. Burnet.

4. A mutual exposition of terms, meaning, or motives, with a view to adjust a misunderstanding, and reconcile differences; reconciliation; agreement; as, to come to an explanation.

Syn: Definition; description; explication; exposition; interpretation; detail. See Definition.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.

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