Definition

Definition, the process by which we determine the common qualities of the objects belonging to any given class, so as to distinguish effectively that class from other classes. Regarding the class as a species, we give the proximate genus and the difference; genus here denoting the distinctive qualities belonging to all of the genus, while the difference marks out the part of the genus in question. A good definition should state the essential attributes of the species defined, without containing the name itself, and should be exactly equal in denotation with it.