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contextual definition

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Definition of contextual definition

: a definition in which the meaning of a word, expression, or symbol is partly or wholly determined by defining the meaning of a larger expression containing the definiendum (as a definition of legal right by the statement "X has a legal right to y=X has a claim upon somebody for possession of y which the courts will sustain") —contrasted with explicit definition — compare recursive definition

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Dictionary Entries Near contextual definition

context-free

contextual definition

contextualism

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Cite this Entry

“Contextual definition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contextual%20definition. Accessed 25 May. 2022.

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