Analytic Definition
Definition:
An analytic definition is a description of the range of reference of a lexical unit. This description is made up of a:
- generic term identifying the broad category to which it belongs, and
- modifying word or phrase which specifies its obligatory components of meaning, thus
- restricting it to include only the appropriate referents, and
- distinguishing it from similar senses and words.
Discussion:
The obligatory components that are specified in an analytic definition are also referred to as core, central, criterial, or diagnostic by semanticists and lexicographers.
Examples:
- doctor—"a person licensed to practice medicine"
- eat—"to take into the body, through the mouth, something which may be thought of as food"
NonExamples:
- doctor—"physician; surgeon"
- eat—"consume; devour"
Defining a lexical unit using a synonym or generic term alone is not sufficient to distinguish it from similar words.
See Also:
This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library. Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003.