What is the definition of definition?

Question

Does a definition need to provide a unique or near-unique description or can non-unique descriptions also be categorized as definitions?

For example:

Is the statement "An apple is a fruit" a definition of apple?

Is the statement "A car is something that gets people from place to place" a definition of car?

Are these simply descriptions (or categorizations) of the objects in question or are they also poor definitions?

keshlam · Accepted Answer

A definition asserts the meaning of a word. Preferably, it asserts a meaning clearly enough that you can distinguish when that word would and would not apply.

"An apple is a fruit" could be called a very poor definition if you wanted to stretch the term.

"An apple is the round fruit of a tree belonging to the rose family" is better but doesn't reliably distinguish between apples and pears.

"Apple (noun): (1) the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree, Malus domestica, of the rose family. (2) the apple tree" has enough detail to be useful.

Edwin Ashworth · Answer

One analysis of different types of definition given for lexemes / polysemes by lexicographers is presented by Howard Jackson in Lexicography: An Introduction.

One principle put forward is that 'different forms of definition are
  appropriate to different types of word [eg aardvark; to] [Zgusta,
  1971].
  
  Another is that 'apt wording' should be found to construct a 'telling
  definition'.

An example of a 'good' definition given is the one from NODE:

'a solid-hoofed plant-eating domesticated mammal with a flowing mane
  and tail, used for riding, racing, and to carry and pull loads'

You can work out the word being defined.

But with 'a fruit'?

progheadlines · Answer

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

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

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.

Description; sort. [R.] "A new creature of another

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

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

source : Definition of definition wordigg

What is the definition of definition?

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