Understanding Extensional Definitions
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Gabriel TafallaUnderstanding Extensional Definitions
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Gabriel Tafalla Definition
Is a statement of the meaning of a term
(a word, phrase or other set of
symbols) Definitions can be classified into
two large categories, Intentional
definition (which try to give the essence of a
term) and extensional definition (which
proceed by listing the objects that a term
descries). Another important category of
definitions is the class of ostensive definition,
which convey the meaning of a term by
pointing out examples. A term may have many
different senses and multiple meanings, and
thus require multiple definitions.
A definition essay goes beyond just a
dictionary definition of a word. Usually a
word or concept can be defined in just one
sentence. A definition essay, however, needs
to be several paragraphs. Therefore, the
definition must be extended to include
examples, details, personal experience,
description, causes, effects, analysis, etc.
Example of Definition
Essay
Student
The word “student” is common not only in English,
but also in Afrikaans, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Latin, Lower Sorbian, Norwegian
Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk, Polish, Romanian, Serbo-Croatian, Swedish, and
Tatar. As you can see, this word has a rich history all over the world. For the
purpose of this essay, however, we will focus on its English definitions,
etymology and concepts aligned with it. Let us say that we will become a student
of the word “student.”
Oxford Dictionary is usually the go-to resource for definitions. Therefore, let us
look at what this esteemed dictionary says about “student.” As a noun, it
means, “A person who is studying at a university or other place of higher
education,” with some variations such as “A school pupil” and “A person who
takes an interest in a particular subject” (Oxford Dictionaries). As a modifier,
the word is “Denoting someone who is studying in order to enter a particular
profession” (Oxford Dictionaries). As you might have noticed, the term is
broad, and becoming a student is a rather easy thing to do. All we need to do is
say that we are studying a certain subject.
Now, we will start digging into how the word was formed. It all began with the
Latin word students, which was a present participle of the word studier (to
study). This term eventually moved onto Old French in the form of student,
which literally means “student” in the way we know it now. So, basically, it
began as a present participle, and became a noun all of its own (Wiktionary).
The term “student” has been notoriously hard to define even though it is such a
commonly used word. This is because no one can actually master a subject, so
we are continuously students. We cannot reach the limit of any subject, as
knowledge is not only expanding, but it is also seemingly infinite—even
computers cannot process all the information available at any present time.
This means we can never claim to be outside of “student hood,” despite our
accolades, degrees, and status within a certain discipline. This makes even the
most highly recognized person within a particular field a student. They are on
equal terms with people learning within educational institutions. However, it
may be said they have achieved a certain level of knowledge—though mastery
cannot be accurately claimed. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Do you know
the secret of the true scholar? In every man there is something wherein I may
learn of him; and in that I am his pupil.”