把意思劃清界線
三個意思都從「畫界線」這個核心長出來：先是替字詞劃出意思的界線（定義），再到「照這條界線本來就該如此」（by definition），最後到「邊界本身有多清楚」（清晰度）。
dictionary definition · noun · B2
A group of words that explains exactly what a word, phrase, or idea means.
定義 / 解釋
核心畫面
Picture drawing a clear boundary line around a meaning: putting down exactly where an idea begins and ends, so it's marked off from everything else and its edges are sharp. That act of bounding — 'this, and not that' — is the core the whole word grows from.
可以想成：替一個意思畫一圈清楚的界線，明確標出這個概念從哪裡開始、到哪裡結束，把它和其他東西分開，邊界乾乾淨淨。核心…更多收起
可以想成：替一個意思畫一圈清楚的界線，明確標出這個概念從哪裡開始、到哪裡結束，把它和其他東西分開，邊界乾乾淨淨。核心畫面比較像這個「畫界、框住」的動作——就是這個，不是那個——整個字都從這裡長出來。From the word’s history
'Definition' traces to Latin 'definire' = de- (completely) + finire (to bound), from 'finis' meaning 'boundary, limit, end' (the same root behind finish, final, finite). So at root a definition literally 'bounds off' a meaning — draws the border of what a word covers, which is exactly the core image.
definition 來自拉丁文 definire，拆開是 de-（完全地）＋ finire（劃定界線），而 finire 又源自 finis「邊界、界限、盡頭」——finish、final、finite 都是同一個字根。所以「下定義」字面上就是把一個意思「圈起界線」，畫出這個字管到哪裡，正好對上核心的畫界畫面。
Online Etymology Dictionary (etymonline.com): definition/define < Latin definire, de- + finire < finis 'boundary, end'
One branch
原始詞典資料14 筆記錄
以下是外部詞典記錄的用法，原文照列，我們還沒有寫成教學內容。上面的說明才是我們自己寫的；有些用法可能上面已經講過了。
definitionnoun/ˌdɛf.ɪˈnɪʃ.ən/
- 1
human-scienceslexicographylinguisticsA statement of the meaning of a word, word group, sign, or symbol; especially, a dictionary definition.
- Your definition of "elephant" needs to be more precise than "a big animal with large ears".
- DEFINITIONS mean nothing unless the concept in the mind of the men who makes the definition is the same as that in the mind of the man who hears it.
- 2
A clear instance conforming to the dictionary or textbook definition.
- Baroque is a good game, but only for a very narrow subset of the gaming audience. It is the very definition of a niche title.
- Comedy Bang! Bang! It’s silly, it spoofy – it’s the very definition of a hidden gem
- 3
A statement expressing the essential nature of something; formulation.
- 4
The action or process of defining.
- 5
The act of defining; determination of the limits.
- 6
A product of defining.
- 7
The action or power of describing, explaining, or making definite and clear.
- Her comic genius is beyond definition.
- 8
Clarity of visual presentation, distinctness of outline or detail.
- The definition of a telescope.
- Improve the definition of an image.
另外 6 個記錄的用法
- 9
Clarity, especially of musical sound in reproduction.
- 10
Sharp demarcation of outlines or limits.
- A jacket with distinct waist definition.
- 11
bodybuildinghobbieslifestyleThe degree to which individual muscles are distinct on the body.
- 12
computingengineeringmathematicsA statement which provides a previous declaration with a value or body of a subroutine (in the case of function).
- 13
mathematicssciencesA statement that establishes the referent of a term or notation.
- 14
The part of a cryptic clue which defines but does not indicate the solution.
- However, some clues include words that do not form part of the wordplay or the definition.
資料來源：英文維基詞典 English Wiktionary（CC BY-SA 4.0）。 原文照列，未經改寫。