Lexical definitions are related to the manner of using a word in a language, and they are considered as the most commonly used definitions of a word. As we know that grammar is the most significant aspect of any language; so it is important that appropriate lexical definitions have to follow the standards and rules of grammar of a particular language. The definitions must be such that they would be able to give the essential and most appropriate meaning of the word to be defined. Moreover, the definitions must not be too broad in meaning or too narrow in meaning (Hurley, 2014).
A lexical definition must not be such that a word is defined in terms of itself, i.e. it must not show circularity. The problem of circularity may become more obvious when pairs of words are defined in terms of each other such as “science” and “scientists.” On a further note, a definition must be affirmative. However, if the meanings are inherently negative, then a definition could be in terms of negative sense (Hurley, 2014).
One of the most important rules is that a lexical definition has to avoid obscure, figurative, ambiguous, or vague language. An obscure language refers to the hidden meanings as a result of inappropriate language. Figurative language refers to the metaphors or meanings that develop imagination rather than showing appropriate meanings of the word. Ambiguous language refers to the indistinct interpretation of meanings. Vague language refers to the blurred or imprecise meanings (Hurley, 2014).
The definitions have to consider the context, so that the meanings of the words would clearly be defined according to that context. Last but not the least; a lexical definition has to avoid playing with the emotions of others and hurt their feelings (Hurley, 2014).
References
Hurley, P. J. (2014). A Concise Introduction to Logic: Cengage Learning.
