recursive definition
- noun
- /rɪˈkɜːrsɪv ˌdɛfɪˈnɪʃən/
- Specialized
:
definición recursiva
- To explain the concept clearly, the textbook provided a recursive definition for factorial, where n! is defined as n * (n-1)!.
Examples
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A recursive definition is often used in mathematics to define sequences, where the next term depends on previous terms.
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In computer science, a recursive definition helps programmers understand functions that call themselves.
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And so that definition of depth is a good definition, as is any definition based on the recursive definition of the set M.
Synonyms
4
8.9
A way to solve a problem by repeating a step on a smaller copy of it
How Complex
- Specialized
- Specialized
343
4.9
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'recursive' means referring to itself and 'definition' is a statement that explains something, so a 'recursive definition' is simply a definition that defines in terms of itself. This pattern is a standard compositional technical phrase (common in math/CS and paralleled in other languages), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would understand the basic meaning.
Etymology
The term recursive definition comes from the idea of the word recursive meaning 'pointing back to itself', like dolls inside dolls or a mirror showing itself. So a recursive definition is a 'definition' that explains something 'in terms of itself' and lets you find values 'step by step'.