Define Define

What is the definition of definition?

What are the parameters of any given definition?

A technical definition of definition is "a statement of the exact meaning of a word, especially in a dictionary."

But what is meant by "exact"? In the process of describing the meaning of any word, the meaning of each word in that description should be understood. If every definition of every word, only uses more words, which are defined by more words, can any meaning of a word ever be definitively outlined "exactly"? 

For there to be a precise specification of a construct, each component of that construct must be specified, otherwise it is an estimate. If a definition is a construct of words, for it to be stated exactly, each word must be specified exactly. If each word is specified using another construct of more words, it seems the components can never be specified exactly. It seems an estimate is required.

Every word we use has to be estimated of its meaning, by any individual involved in the communication. This is a similar concept to "facts" as I described in my last post; Proven Fact. Since there is no 100% certainly correct knowledge, that which is a fact, can be determined to very high probability, especially with agreement and confirmation by others, but it still comes down to the best estimate of any individual, for whether it is correct. The same applies to the definition of any word. The meaning of a word, is ultimately a best estimate.

A technical definition describing the meaning of a word, can make an estimate more probable, as a system of coordination, intended to be a standard for common agreement. But even when it comes to technical definitions, there are often multiple sources, with different constructs, and each component of that construct, still needs another construct of it's own. In any scenario, the choice of source for a technical definition, can be debatable, making definitions even less distinct. In every day life, there is no specific source which must be used for more accurate estimation of a definition, so perhaps the best that can be done to increase probability of accuracy, is to come to an agreement on a source. This might be effective in contexts requiring higher accuracy of the meaning of words, but difficult to apply to general circumstances. 

Besides technical definitions, any individual can have their own definition of any word. This is likely to be applicable to common situations throughout life. Very few people have technical definitions memorised, so when it comes to practicality, any word which someone uses in typical life, would be referring to their subjective interpretation of the meaning of that word. The real intention of meaning of any word that someone uses, is subconscious memory most of the time. It's only if a definition is requested, that the person will then consciously access memories of the specifics involved in the meaning. 

It seems that even with a concept which is meant to be precisely accurate, such as a definition, it still turns out to be indistinct, and require subjective interpretation, to some degree. When the construct of a definition, is made from components which are only made from different combinations of of the same type of component, there ends up being no exact measurement of any components. With common use of words, using a highly varying individualized meaning, standardized descriptions of the constructs can help increase probability of accuracy. But ultimately, some degree of estimate of probability is utilized to define anything, including an attempt to Define Define.