Development by definition

Frequently in conversation we must stop to ask, "What do you mean by that?", because in some cases our failure to comprehend just one particular item may lead to total misunderstanding. Suppose in a paper you refer to a new law as a piece of "liberal legislation"; if you and your readers do not share the same definition of "liberal", your remark may be completely misinterpreted. Definition of terms is often essential to meaningful communication.

Sometimes a dictionary definition or a one- or two-sentence explanation is all a term needs. Often, however, you will find it necessary to provide an extended definition -that is, a longer, more detailed explanation that thoroughly defines the subject. Essays of extended definitions are quite common; think for instance on the arguments on abortion that define "life" in a variety of ways. Essays of extended definition are usually written for one or more of the following reasons:

  • to provide an interpretation of a vague, controversial, or misunderstood term (e.g. euthanasia)
  • to explain an abstract term or concept (e.g. moral, symbolism, ...)
  • to define a new or unusual term, found in the jargon of a particular field of study (e.g. objective correlative)

Definitions may simply be short, parenthetical additions to a sentence or perhaps a larger part of a paper. The extent of the definition depends on the purpose of the paper, the level of familiarity your audience has with the subject, and the extent to which there is an agreed upon definition of the concept. Some common ways to define include the following.

Short definitions

Short definitions or glosses that give information about a term in a word or phrase and are place within either parentheses or commas in a sentence; phrasal definitions signaled by such devices as e.g., or, or i.e., or phrases such as known as, defined as, and called.

  • to name: the verb name itself is rare and seems restricted to a focus on the name itself
This species, named Ascochyta mycoparasitica, was found in Californian rice fields.
  • to denote: the verb denote is quite common, but seems largely restricted to matters of notation.

Any vector in this paper, denoted by a bold letter, will be ...

  • to call: only use call for introducing new conceptual information.
This new method, called activity-based costing, or simply ABC, has indicated that...
  • to define as: the phrase define as is widely used and often represents a safe option, especially in more elaborate explanationsand for terms or concepts that can be defined in more than one way.
For the purposes of this study, fast food is defined as food sold by a franchised restaurant chain offering both dining and take-out facilities with no "table" service (e.g. McDonald's).
  • known as: avoid the phrase known as, as it is not very common in academic writing.
  • e.g.,: pay attention to punctuation here!
It should be noted that cell phones are not necessarily the same as car phones, i.e., devices intended for permanent installation in the vehicle and which may have separate handset/dial units.

Sentence definitions

Sentence definitions are brief and somewhat similar to a dictionary definition and can take many different forms. They may be signalled by a single verb phrase or may be expressed using a class term and restrictive clause. Some verb phrases that can be used to define include refer to as, is/are known as, and is/are defined as.

Dental erosion is defined as a progressive loss of hard dental tissues by a chemical process without bacterial action. (single verb phrase)

A solar cell is a device which converts the energy of sunlight into electric energy. (restrictive relative clause)

It is common in academic writing to reduce sente definitions; there are actually two ways of doing so. One involves a simple deletion, while the other involves a change in word form or an entire word.

Deletions

You may reduce the restrictive relative if ...

  • ... the relative clause consists only of the relative pronoun, the verb to be, and one or more prepositional phrases.
A wharf is a structure that is along a waterfront providing a place for ships to load and unload passengers or cargo.
A wharf is a structure along a waterfront providing a place for ships to load and unload passengers or cargo.
  • ... the relative clause consists of a passive verb plus some additional information.
A theater is a building that has been specifically designed for dramatic performances.
A theater is a building specifically designed for dramatic performances.
  • ... the relative clause contains the relative pronoun, an adjective ending in -ble, and additional information.
A robot is a multiprogrammable device which is capable of performing the work of a human.
A robot is a multiprogrammable device capable of performing the work of a human.

Change in word or word form

You may reduce the relative if ...

  • ... the relative clause contains the verb have. In this case, the relative pronoun and have can both be dropped and replaced by with.
A parliament is a national governing body which has the highest level of legislative power within a state.
A parliament is a national governing body with the highest level of legislative power within a state.
  • ... the relative clause contains an active state verb (a verb that expresses a state or unchanging condition). The relative pronoun is dropped and the verb changed to the -ing form. Exceptions to this are to be and have.
A moon is a natural satellite which orbits around a planet.
A moon is a natural satellite orbiting around a planet.

It is also important to note that a relative clause containing a modal auxiliary cannot be reduced! Notice also that in a full relative clause, the relative pronoun can be preceded by a preposition. The relative pronoun which must be used in this type of restrictive relative clause. This construction is common in formal academic writing. These clauses cannot be reduced.

A foundation is a base on which a structure can be built.

Finally, whereby is commonly used in formal writing instead of by which, by means of which, and through which.

Collective bargaining is a process whereby employers agree to discuss work-related issues with employee representatives.

Extended definitions

Extended definitions are longer and more detailed than definitions found in dictionaries. An extended definition usually begins with a general, one-sentence definition and then becomes more specific as additional details are provided. There may be a need to focus on such aspects as components, types, applications, history, or examples. An extended definition may also include information regarding operation principles or causes and effects.

Lateralization is a developmental process during which the two sidesof the brain become specialized for different functions. As a child develops, the two sides of the brain become asymmetric in that each side controls different abilities. Language, for instance, is controlled by the left side of the brain, and certain types of pattern recognition by the right. However, there is some disagreement as to when this specialization is complete. Some researchers believe the process is not complete until puberty, while others maintain that the brain is lateralized by age five. 

Competing definitions

Sometimes a definition of a term or concept is not fixed. There may be a lack of agreement as to a precise definitio, or perhaps there are competing perspectives. If competing definitions exist for a term that you will be using, a good strategy when writing is to acknowledge some of the different definitions, but then make clear to your reader the definitions you will adopt.

For centuries, scholars have attempted to define, explain, and theorize nationalism. Despite their efforts, it seems there is little agreement on the definition of this concept among researchers.

Here are some skeletal phrases that you could use to present the definition that you have chosen.

While debate exists regarding a precise definition of ..., the stance adopted in this paper is that ...

For the purpose of this paper, ... refers to / is defined as / is considered to be ...

Here we define ... as ...

In this paper I have adopted [author's] definition of ...

This paper follows [author's] definition of ...