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definitional

definitional

4 6.6
About the meaning of a word or idea
  • adjective
  • /ˌdɛfɪˈnɪʃənl/
translation icon : definitorio
  • For Chief Justice Roberts, the answer lay in the ACA's definitional section.
  • definitional issues
  • definitional problems
  • definitional clarity

I reject it because it's definitional to a philosopher not to take anything for granted.

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Examples

  • The definitional aspect of the term is crucial for understanding its proper use.

  • Before proceeding, some definitional clarification may prove helpful.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Specific guidelines were followed when determining whether students' definitional answers were correct.

    Academic text (2015)
  • If our positions depend upon the use of such terms, it is important to resolve these definitional issues.

    Academic text (1992)
  • The field may someday come to a consensus on this thorny definitional issue.

    Academic text (2000)
  • When discussing a word, it's important to clarify its definitional meaning to avoid confusion.

  • The teacher emphasized the definitional characteristics of the concept during the lesson.

Synonyms

semantic
vsdefinitional
24 6.7

About the meaning of words and sentences

is about a word or concept's exact dictionary meaning
denotative
vsdefinitional
7.5

A basic, exact meaning of a word without feelings or personal ideas

covers meaning more broadly, including implied senses

Surface Forms

definitional positive

Morphology

definitional = definition (transparent) = define + tion + al

The adjective is formed in a regular and easily interpretable way from 'definition' plus '-al'.

Etymology

Definitional comes from the old Latin verb definire, built on finis which means 'end' or 'limit', and it shares the same root as define and definition. So, something definitional is about the set 'limits' or the exact meaning of a word or idea.