Question 1

As a lexical definition, the definition "'Hoe' means a tool used for gardening" may be criticized as:
A) Being obscure.
B) Failing to indicate the context to which the definiens pertains.
C) Being ambiguous.
D) Being affective.
E) Being too broad.

Accepted Answer

The answer of As a lexical definition, the definition "'Hoe'...

Question 2

As a lexical definition, Ambrose Bierce's definition "Politician: An eel in the fundamental mud upon which the superstructure of organized society is reared" may be criticized as:
A) Being obscure.
B) Being too narrow.
C) Being figurative.
D) Being too broad.
E) Being negative.

Accepted Answer

Bierce's definition is figurative, comparing politicians to eels in the mud. It is not meant to be taken literally or narrowly defined. It is also not necessarily negative, as it could be seen as a commentary on the essential role of politicians in society.

Question 3

In the definition "'Plebiscite' means a direct vote of all the members of an electorate on an important public question," the species term is:
A) Question.
B) Plebiscite.
C) Vote.
D) A direct vote of all the members of an electorate on an important public question.
E) Direct.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the definition "'Plebiscite' means a direct...

Question 4

The definition "'Official' means a person appointed or elected to office" is an example of:
A) A precising definition.
B) A synonymous definition.
C) A stipulative definition.
D) A definition by subclass.
E) A definition by genus and difference.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The definition "'Official' means a person appointed...

Question 5

As a lexical definition, the definition "'Bees wax' means the natural ester formed from hexacosanoic acid and triacontanol" may be criticized as:
A) Being ambiguous.
B) Being vague.
C) Being too broad.
D) Being obscure.
E) Being too narrow.

Accepted Answer

The definition is criticized as being obscure because it uses highly technical terms (hexacosanoic acid and triacontanol) that are not easily understood by the general public.

Question 6

As a lexical definition, the definition "'Modest' means not being immodest" may be criticized as:
A) Being negative.
B) Being too broad.
C) Failing to indicate the context to which the definiens pertains.
D) Being too narrow.
E) Being vague.

Accepted Answer

The answer of As a lexical definition, the definition "'Modest'...

Question 7

As a lexical definition, the definition "'Seditious' means given to sedition" may be criticized as:
A) Failing to convey the essential meaning of the word being defined.
B) Being circular.
C) Being too broad.
D) Being ambiguous.
E) Being vague.

Accepted Answer

The definition is circular because it defines 'seditious' using the word 'sedition.' It does not provide any clarification on the meaning of 'sedition' or give any context for the usage of 'seditious.' It simply repeats the root word as the definition, making it circular.

Question 8

The definition "'Cyberomeo' means a guy who arranges sexual encounters on the Internet" is an example of:
A) A personal definition.
B) A demonstrative definition.
C) A lexical definition.
D) A stipulative definition.
E) An operational definition.

Accepted Answer

This definition is stipulative because it is creating a new meaning for the word "Cyberomeo" that is not commonly accepted or found in dictionaries.

Question 9

The definition "'Covenant' means agreement" is an example of:
A) A synonymous definition.
B) An ostensive definition.
C) A legal definition.
D) An etymological definition.
E) A precising definition.

Accepted Answer

A synonymous definition provides a word or phrase that has the same or nearly the same meaning as the term being defined. In this case, "covenant" is defined as "agreement," which is a synonym.

Question 10

The definition "'Furniture' means tables, chairs, couches, beds, credenzas, and so on" is an example of:
A) A definition by genus and difference.
B) A definition by subclass.
C) An enumerative definition.
D) A demonstrative definition.
E) A synonymous definition.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The definition "'Furniture' means tables, chairs, couches,...

Question 11

As a lexical definition, the definition "'Hourglass' means a device consisting of two conically shaped chambers containing sand and connected at their apexes" may be criticized as:
A) Failing to convey the essential meaning of the word being defined.
B) Being figurative.
C) Being vague.
D) Being ambiguous.
E) Failing to indicate the context to which the definiens pertains.

Accepted Answer

While the definition accurately describes an hourglass, it does not convey the essential meaning of the word "hourglass." This definition only describes what an hourglass physically looks like, but it does not explain the purpose or function of an hourglass. A better definition would include its use as a timekeeping device.

Question 12

The definition "'Noisy' means, in relation to a factory, having an average sound level of 87 decibels or greater" is an example of:
A) An operational definition.
B) A lexical definition.
C) An industrial definition.
D) A definition by genus and difference.
E) A precising definition.

Accepted Answer

This definition clarifies the meaning of "noisy" in a specific context (a factory) by providing a precise measurement (87 decibels or greater), making it a precising definition. It narrows down the general understanding of "noisy" to a specific, measurable criterion for a particular application.

Question 13

The definition "'Neoconservative' means a political ideologue committed to massive federal deficits, proactive wars, environmental destruction, and special benefits for the wealthiest citizens" is an example of:
A) A lexical definition.
B) A stipulative definition.
C) A theoretical definition.
D) A persuasive definition.
E) A political definition.

Accepted Answer

This definition is persuasive because it presents a negative view of neoconservatives by using loaded language such as "massive federal deficits," "proactive wars," and "special benefits for the wealthiest citizens." This definition is not neutral and is trying to sway the reader's opinion rather than inform them.

Question 14

As a lexical definition, Edgar Shoaff's definition "Advertising is the art of making whole lies out of half truths" may be criticized as:
A) Being negative.
B) Being too narrow.
C) Being figurative.
D) Being affective.
E) Being too broad.

Accepted Answer

The answer of As a lexical definition, Edgar Shoaff's definition...

Question 15

As a lexical definition, the definition "'Art' is what separates man from beast" may be criticized as:
A) Being circular.
B) Being vague.
C) Being ambiguous.
D) Being figurative.
E) Being negative.

Accepted Answer

The definition is vague as it does not provide a clear, specific description of what art is. It also includes a subjective judgment about the difference between humans and animals, which may not be universally agreed upon.

Question 16

In the definition "'Directory' means a book containing an alphabetical index of the names and addresses of persons in an area" the genus term is:
A) Names and addresses of persons in an area.
B) Book.
C) Alphabetical index.
D) Directory.
E) Names and addresses.

Accepted Answer

The genus term is the broad category or class that the specific object or concept belongs to. In this definition, the genus term is "book," as a directory is a type of book. The other terms in the definition - names and addresses, alphabetical index, directory, and names and addresses - are all specific characteristics or components of the directory, but they are not the broader category that the directory fits into.

Question 17

In the definition "'Factory' means a building containing facilities for the manufacture of goods" the difference words are:
A) Manufacture, goods.
B) Manufacture of goods.
C) Building containing facilities for the manufacture of goods.
D) Factory, building.
E) Containing facilities for the manufacture of goods.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the definition "'Factory' means a building...

Question 18

As a lexical definition, the definition "'Necklace' means a piece of gold jewelry worn around the neck" may be criticized as:
A) Being obscure.
B) Being affective.
C) Being too broad.
D) Being circular.
E) Being too narrow.

Accepted Answer

This definition is too narrow because necklaces can be made of materials other than gold and can include more than just jewelry items.

Question 19

The definition "A frying pan is 'hot' if and only if it sizzles when you drip a tiny bit of water into it" is an example of:
A) A persuasive definition.
B) A culinary definition.
C) An operational definition.
D) A demonstrative definition.
E) A theoretical definition.

Accepted Answer

This definition is an operational definition because it provides a specific procedure for determining whether a frying pan is "hot" or not. It outlines the action that needs to be taken to make a determination, rather than persuading or arguing for a particular definition, presenting a theory or demonstrating a particular concept.

Question 20

The definition "'Star' means a cosmic body that emits electromagnetic radiation as a result of thermo-nuclear fusion deep within its interior" is an example of:
A) A theoretical definition.
B) A demonstrative definition.
C) A persuasive definition.
D) An astronomical definition.
E) An operational definition.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The definition "'Star' means a cosmic body...

Quiz 2: Language: Meaning and Definition

As a lexical definition, the definition "'Hoe' means a tool used for gardening" may be criticized as:

As a lexical definition, Ambrose Bierce's definition "Politician: An eel in the fundamental mud upon which the superstructure of organized society is reared" may be criticized as:

In the definition "'Plebiscite' means a direct vote of all the members of an electorate on an important public question," the species term is:

The definition "'Official' means a person appointed or elected to office" is an example of:

As a lexical definition, the definition "'Bees wax' means the natural ester formed from hexacosanoic acid and triacontanol" may be criticized as:

As a lexical definition, the definition "'Modest' means not being immodest" may be criticized as:

As a lexical definition, the definition "'Seditious' means given to sedition" may be criticized as:

The definition "'Cyberomeo' means a guy who arranges sexual encounters on the Internet" is an example of:

The definition "'Covenant' means agreement" is an example of:

The definition "'Furniture' means tables, chairs, couches, beds, credenzas, and so on" is an example of:

As a lexical definition, the definition "'Hourglass' means a device consisting of two conically shaped chambers containing sand and connected at their apexes" may be criticized as:

The definition "'Noisy' means, in relation to a factory, having an average sound level of 87 decibels or greater" is an example of:

The definition "'Neoconservative' means a political ideologue committed to massive federal deficits, proactive wars, environmental destruction, and special benefits for the wealthiest citizens" is an example of:

As a lexical definition, Edgar Shoaff's definition "Advertising is the art of making whole lies out of half truths" may be criticized as:

As a lexical definition, the definition "'Art' is what separates man from beast" may be criticized as:

In the definition "'Directory' means a book containing an alphabetical index of the names and addresses of persons in an area" the genus term is:

In the definition "'Factory' means a building containing facilities for the manufacture of goods" the difference words are:

As a lexical definition, the definition "'Necklace' means a piece of gold jewelry worn around the neck" may be criticized as:

The definition "A frying pan is 'hot' if and only if it sizzles when you drip a tiny bit of water into it" is an example of:

The definition "'Star' means a cosmic body that emits electromagnetic radiation as a result of thermo-nuclear fusion deep within its interior" is an example of: