Essential definition

al-ḥadd

الحَدّ

An essential definition (ḥadd) defines a thing through its essential parts; the complete form (ḥadd tāmm) joins the proximate genus and the differentia.

Draft · awaiting review

Explanation

The complete essential definition of human is “rational animal”.

The incomplete form (ḥadd nāqiṣ) uses the differentia alone, or the differentia with a remote genus, such as “rational body”.

Also written as: hadd, had, real definition, ḥadd tāmm.

Examples

الإِنْسَانُ حَيَوَانٌ نَاطِقٌA human is a rational animal

Related terms

Descriptive definition
Genus
Differentia

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