definiens

American  

[dih-fin-ee-uhnz] / dɪˈfɪn i ənz /

noun

plural

definientia

1. something that defines, especially the defining part of a dictionary entry.

2. Logic. an expression in terms of which another may be adequately defined.

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definiens British  

/ dɪˈfɪnɪənz /

noun

1. the word or words used to define or give an account of the meaning of another word, as in a dictionary entry Compare definiendum

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Etymology

Origin of definiens

1870–75; < Latin dēfīniēns, present participle of dēfīnīre; see define

Explanation

Here is a definiens for definiens: the part of a dictionary or glossary entry that provides the meaning of a word. A dictionary entry usually has multiple parts, such as a pronunciation, part of speech, example sentences, and perhaps some engaging blurbs, etc. The word that is being defined is the definiendum, and the text that follows it to explain the word's meaning is the definiens. You can have more than one definiens per dictionary entry, as words often have many different meanings or shades of meaning.