definite description
Britishnoun
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a description that is modified by the definite article or a possessive, such as the woman in white or Rosemary's baby
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a similar plural expression, such as the kings of Scotland
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A definite description is a way of analyzing names and object terms for the purpose of making them more like predicates.
From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022
In a sense, this process of disambiguating the reference for the name “Kevin” is a process of seeking a more definite description to supplement the proper name.
From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022
Into what definite description can these words be translated, and for what definite facts do they stand?
From Varieties of Religious Experience, a Study in Human Nature by James, William
Each purchaser was to receive with his deed a definite description of his holding.
From Union and Democracy by Johnson, Allen
Thus "a man" is an ambiguous description, and "the man with the iron mask" is a definite description.
From Mysticism and Logic and Other Essays by Russell, Bertrand
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.