EXERCISE VI. DEFINITION OF WORDS. Introductory Explanations. The processes described in preceding exercises, have prepared the student to trace the primary sense, or original meaning, of words, and thence to deduce their secondary sense, or current acceptation and actual use. There remains yet another step to be taken, to enable him to satisfy his own mind as to what, in any given case, is the precise import and full value of a word, as used by standard writers, or to aid him in deciding on what word he ought, in any instance, to employ as the exact expression of his own thought. This result is obtained by " defining" the particular word which is the subject of his inquiries; - or, rather, we should say, by defining the idea which he wishes to apprehend or to express. The signification (or sign-power) of a word, depends, as we have seen, on its derivation, but its present meaning and actual use, on the practice of reliable contemporary writers. When it becomes necessary to explain, or account for, the meaning, we have to go behind the forms of language, and define the idea itself, which the word represents. The correct and clear explanation of the meaning of a word, will, therefore, in some cases, depend on the accuracy of this mental process of defining. In such circumstances, we appeal to the decision of logic, the science which takes cognisance of the process of definition, as well as of all other forms of thought consisting in the systematic exercise of the reasoning faculty, and determines the applications of language to thought, by the decisions of judgment, as, in such cases, the ultimate authority. We do not, it is true, always need the aid of the strictly scientific process of formal definition, to render us competent to appreciate duly, or apply properly, the words of our own language; and it is not less true that we learn much of our language by rote, from merely observing the sense which others, in writing and speaking, give to the expressions which they use. But to the student of language this mere intuition is not a systematic or a satisfactory knowledge, such as education and discipline demand. He wishes often to know, and to know with definite certainty, why a given word expresses a given idea, and how far it is capable of suggesting the precise shade of meaning, which, in any case, is to be assigned to it. To satisfy his mind on these points, he must not only see into the signification of every syllable of the word, but must have an exact conception of the idea which is to be attached to it, that he may judge of the correctness of his apprehension of the thought expressed by another, or of the fitness of a given word to express the thought which he himself wishes to communicate. In these circumstances, the process of definition is the only sure guide to a decision which carries with it the certainty of demonstration. Definition, as "a logical description," is, simply, a process of classification, which presents the genus, or larger class, and the species, or smaller class, to which an object or an idea belongs. The word which denotes the larger class, is accordingly called the generic or general term, and that which denotes the smaller class, the specific or differential term. Expressed in the technical language of logic, definition is the statement of a subject by its generic term in con nection with its specific difference. Thus, in the proposition, or sentence, "Man is a reasoning animal", "man", the subject, is defined by the generic or general term, "animal", and the specific difference "reasoning." The idea of man is thus presented in its general form, or larger classification, by the word animal, the more "comprehensive" term, -in connection with the distinctive conception, or more limited classification, expressed by the word reasoning, a term extending to closer detail, and hence denominated, in logic, the more "extensive" term. The process of definition is sometimes employed to distinguish an individual from a species, or from a comparatively small class. Thus, in the sentence, "Cicero was an ambitious man," the differential word ambitious, distinguishes Cicero from other men. In the sentence," Cicero was an eloquent orator," the discriminative epithet distinguishes him from other orators merely. We may now return to the word instruction, which we have already analysed by derivation, so as to ascertain its true meaning and proper use. To define instruction, we should term it didactic information; -i. e. information given or received by the process of teaching. In this definition, the general term is information; the specific is didactic, or teaching. The plan of written exercises in definition would, consequently, be exemplified in the following form. EXERCISE. "INSTRUCTION." DEFINITION: Didactic information; or Information given or received by the process of teaching. — GENERAL TERM, Information; SPECIFIC, Teaching.* *The exercise in definition is designed for pupils more advanced than those supposed to be occupied with the preceding exercises only, and is meant to be limited to those words which the pupils of a given class might not otherwise so fully understand or appreciate. Suggestions to Students. On the importance of exact definition, as indispensable to clear thought and correct expression, it seems unnecessary to dwell, at great length. Definition, we see, leads to distinction; and distinction leads, in turn, to discrimination. Without these aids, our ideas would often have no distinctness of outline; our thoughts would consequently be obscure, and our expression vague and indefinite. The value of the practice of defining, as an intellectual discipline, is second to that of no other, in the training of the mind to strict accuracy in its modes and habits of action. It is, in fact, as has been mentioned, a purely logical process, which lies at the foundation of distinct perception, true judgment, and correct reasoning. As an exercise in language, it is of the utmost importance; since it is the only reliable means of attaining to precision, force, accuracy, or propriety of expression. Students of the highest standing in any seminary in which the study of the English language forms a part of the academic course, should make a daily practice of training themselves to exactness and promptness in defining; so as to become thoroughly prepared for the highest efforts of composition and of oratory. As a preparation for premeditated or extemporaneous speaking, such discipline is invaluable. It accustoms the mind to decide instantly, and with certainty, on the selection and application of terms, with reference to clear, correct, and impressive communication, and a ready command of appropriate language.* * Webster's Unabridged Dictionary excels in the fullness and exactness of its definitions, and the useful information in which it abounds. It will be found an excellent source from which to derive the requisite materials for constructing definitions in strict logical form. EXERCISE VII. SYNONYMS. Introductory Explanations.-The word synonyms is derived from two Greek words, meaning_common designation, or coïncidence of expression. It is applied to two or more words having the same, or nearly the same, signification. The careful study and strict analysis of language, however, teach us that no two words can be found, which have precisely an identical meaning. The very existence of two separate words, called synonymous, proves that one was not found sufficient, in all circumstances, to supply the place of the other; that there was a shade of diversity in objects, or in ideas, to express which there was needed another word than the one which we may suppose to have been first in use. Close examination, and a discriminating use of language, will always enable us, in such cases, to detect, under the general sameness, the specific difference; -just as, on our first introduction to a family of human beings, we may find difficulty in distinguishing the individuals who compose it, but, on more intimate acquaintance, we learn to trace their differences of form and features, and thus, ere long, easily recognise every member. By a similar act of discrimination, we trace distinctions in the sense of words, which, at first view, seem to have an absolute identity of meaning, and are, accordingly, classed as "synonyms." The numerous resemblances which exist among |