Technical definition

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A technical definition is a definition in technical communication describing or explaining technical terminology. Technical definitions are used to introduce the vocabulary which makes communication in a particular field succinct and unambiguous. (For example, the illiac crest from medical terminology is the top ridge of the hip bone. (See illium.))

Contents

[edit] Types of technical definitions

There are three main types of technical definitions. [1]

  1. Parenthetical definitions
  2. Sentence definitions
  3. Extended definitions

[edit] Parenthetical definitions

Parenthetical definition are used to introduce words by using a synonym or short description immediately after the word. The synonym or description usually delimited by parenthesis (hence the definition) or commas.

[edit] Examples

Aniline, a benzene ring with an amine group, is a versatile chemical used in many organic syntheses.

The genus Helogale (dwarf mongooses) contains two species.

[edit] Sentence definitions

These definitions generally appear in three different places: with in the text, in margin notes, or in a glossary. Regardless of position in the document, most sentence definitions follow the basic form of term, category, and distinguishing features.

[edit] Examples

A major scale is a diatonic scale which has the semitone interval pattern 2-2-1-2-2-2-1.

  • term: major scale
  • category: diatonic scales
  • distinguishing features: semitone interval pattern 2-2-1-2-2-2-1

In mathematics, an abelian group is a group which is commutative.

  • term: abelian group
  • category: mathematical groups
  • distinguishing features: commutative

[edit] Extended definitions

When a term needs to be explained in great detail and precision, an extended definition is used. They can range in size from a few sentences to many pages. Shorter ones are usually found in the text, and lengthy definitions are placed in a glossary.

[edit] Examples

Encyclopaedias are full of extended definitions. Most of the pages on Wikipedia are extended definitions, and you are reading one right now.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Johnson-Sheehan, R: "Technical Communication Today", pages 507-522. Pearson Longman, 2007