recursive definition

American  

noun

Logic.

1. a definition consisting of a set of rules such that by repeated application of the rules the meaning of the definiendum is uniquely determined in terms of ideas that are already familiar.

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Etymology

Origin of recursive definition

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

It sounds like a recursive definition but it does settle down.

From Nature

This is achieved by means of a recursive definition facility based on a skeleton compiler with a small set of logical capabilities.

From Project Gutenberg