Defining definitions

Webster's 1828 Dictionary

DEFINING, ppr. Determining the limits; ascertaining the extent; explaining the meaning; describing the properties.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: any process serving to define the shape of something [syn: shaping, defining]

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Define De*fine", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defined; p. pr. & vb. n. Defining.] [OE. definer, usually, to end, to finish, F. d['e]finir to define, L. definire to limit, define; de- + finire to limit, end, finis boundary, limit, end. See Final, Finish.] 1. To fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination; to end. ``To define controversies.'' --Barrow. 2. To determine or clearly exhibit the boundaries of; to mark the limits of; as, to define the extent of a kingdom or country. 3. To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly; as, the defining power of an optical instrument. Rings . . . very distinct and well defined. --Sir I. Newton. 4. To determine the precise signification of; to fix the meaning of; to describe accurately; to explain; to expound or interpret; as, to define a word, a phrase, or a scientific term. They define virtue to be life ordered according to nature. --Robynson (More's Utopia).

Moby Thesaurus

categorical, characteristic, classificational, classificatory, confining, definitive, denominative, differential, distinctive, divisional, divisionary, exclusive, limitary, limitative, limiting, ordinal, particular, peculiar, restricting, restrictive, special, specific, subdivisional, taxonomic, typal, typical