The term ‘Defining’ means to fix or lay down clearly and definitely; specify distinctly. It is something that explain what a term means. Definition is a technique of the expositive and descriptive discourse. According to its Latin etymology, it means to put limits. According to the Cambridge International Dictionary of English, a definition is ‘a statement that explains the meaning of a word or phrase’ and also ‘a description of the features and limits of something’.
Consequently one can have at least two universally recognised forms of defining something: (1) by explaining its meaning and (ii) by describing its features and limits. In general, to define something one needs to name it, classify it, and state its most important characteristics.
Defining concrete terms is usually relatively easy. Such concrete terms can usually be defined in the following ways:
Concept + is a + form of + class + which + special feature
Class + who, which + special feature(s) is + called, known as (etc.) + concept
The first definition structure is known as formal definition and the second one as naming definition. Defining abstract concepts (words such as truth, beauty and justice) is harder than defining concrete objects. Often such concepts cannot be adequately defined in a simple, one-sentence definition.
