One of the most common problems in argumentation is disagreeing over the meaning of a word. Many arguments are little more than misunderstanding what your opponent means. If we can avoid errors in definition we make the process of argumentation go much smoother.

A definition is simply the meaning we assign to a word-symbol. That is, when ordinary speakers of a language use a word there are rules to determine how the word is used. These 'rules' amount to the definition we assign to a particular word. Every definition has at least two parts:

1. The Two Parts of a Definition:
   1. Definiendum - the thing (i.e., the 'term') being defined

   2. Definiens - the linguistic expression (i.e., the definition itself) of the definition, the qualities or properties asserted of the term.

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      NOTE: Equivocation is a logical error that occurs when a term is used in an argument more than once but is attributed two distinct meanings with each usage.

      Man is a rational animal. T
      Susan is not a man. T
      Therefore, Susan is not rational. ?

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2. Types of Definitions

   1. Intensional - (connotation) assigns meaning by indicating the qualities of the term

   2. Extensional - (denotation) assigns meaning by indicating the members of the class of the definiendum

3. Ways of Defining Terms
   1. Stipulative - assigning or giving a meaning to a term for a specific context
      1. Demonstrative - (i.e., ostension) pointing to an object

      2. Extension/Enumeration - naming the members of a class

      3. Difference (i.e., negation) - listing what is not meant by a term; noting the distinctive characteristics of the term relative to what is not intended
         1. Genus - the meta or larger class of things
         2. Species - the smaller or subclass of things
   2. Lexical - The common meaning or usage of a term
      1. Synonymy - giving other words which have the same meaning

      2. Enumeration - listing the members of the class which the term denotes

      3. Etymology - assigning meaning by noting a term's linguistic ancestry.

   3. Theoretical - assigning meaning based on the theoretical framework the term denotes.

   4. (Precising - assigning a meaning in a legal or theoretical context in order to clarify the contextual meaning of a word.)

   5. Persuasive - assigning meaning using emotive language intended to create an emotional response toward the definiendum.

4. Problems with Definitions
   1. Vagueness - lack of precision (a fuzzy definition)
      1. Quantitative Vagueness - more precise numerical expression needed

      2. Task-Related Vagueness
         1. does it apply to a specific case
         2. further factual information is not helpful in determining

   2. Ambiguity - more than one meaning is possible; it is unclear which is intended by the context
      1. Referential Ambiguity - assuming the audience understands which of two possible references is meant.

      2. Grammatical Ambiguity:
         1. grammatical structure allows more than one interpretation
         2. context does not clarify the meaning