C6. Writing Good Definitions

This lesson provides a detailed guide on writing good definitions for dictionary entries in FLEx. Here’s a summary:

Objective:

• Learn how to discover word meanings and write clear, precise definitions.

• Understand the difference between a definition and a gloss.

• Apply semantic principles to enhance dictionary definitions.

Key Topics:

1. Definition vs. Gloss

• Gloss: A short translation equivalent (e.g., "tree" for a word meaning "oak").

• Definition: A complete explanation of a word's meaning, often including a generic term and modifiers.

2. Importance of Good Definitions

• Helps users understand words accurately.

• Avoids overly broad or overly specific meanings.

• Balances clarity and detail.

3. Semantic Concepts for Writing Definitions

• Referent vs. Sense: The real-world object vs. the abstract meaning.

• Denotation vs. Connotation: Literal meaning vs. cultural/emotional associations.

• Collocation: Words that naturally occur together (e.g., "blond hair").

• Synonym & Antonym: Words with similar or opposite meanings.

• Hypernym & Hyponym: Broad vs. specific terms (e.g., "dog" is a hyponym of "animal").

• Semantic Roles: Identifying who/what performs or receives an action (e.g., agent, patient, instrument).

4. Finding Word Meanings

• Analyze written texts for usage patterns.

• Observe oral communication and ask native speakers.

• Study collocations, grammatical roles, and semantic networks.

5. Writing a Strong Definition

• Analytic Definition: Includes a generic term and a modifying phrase.

  • Example: clap – "to strike the palms of the hands together, as in applauding."

• Comprehensive Definition: Adds supplemental information for clarity.

• Best Practices:

  • Start with a good gloss.

  • Use the same part of speech (e.g., noun for noun, verb for verb).

  • Maintain consistent definition style across related words.

  • Use positive wording (avoid defining words by what they are not).

6. Adding Supplemental Information

• Cultural context: If a term has a specific cultural meaning (e.g., "mock spear for training children in battle").

• Usage context: Identifies archaic, slang, or regional words.

• Consequences & Effects: Some words imply results (e.g., explode – "to cause rapid nuclear fusion with destructive force").

7. Avoiding Common Mistakes

• Too Broad: Definition lacks specificity (e.g., carry instead of carry on one’s head).

• Too Narrow: Excludes valid meanings (e.g., kick with the right foot when the left is also possible).

• Overly Technical: Uses complex words unfamiliar to the user.

• Circular Definitions: Avoid defining words with themselves (e.g., sugar – "a sweet substance"; sweet – "having the taste of sugar").

Completion:

• Includes interactive exercises and a quiz (80% passing score).

• Further reading and backup reminders are provided.

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com