Genus–differentia definition
type of intensional definition, and it is composed of two parts (genus (or family) and differentia)
A genus–differentia definition is a type of intensional definition, and it is composed of two parts:
a genus (or family): An existing definition that serves as a portion of the new definition; all definitions with the same genus are considered members of that genus.
the differentia: The portion of the definition that is not provided by the genus.
For example, consider these two definitions:
a triangle: A plane figure that has 3 straight bounding sides.
a quadrilateral: A plane figure that has 4 straight bounding sides.
Those definitions can be expressed as one genus and two differentiae:
one genus:
the genus for both a triangle and a quadrilateral: "A plane figure"
two differentiae:
the differentia for a triangle: "that has 3 straight bounding sides."
the differentia for a quadrilateral: "that has 4 straight bounding sides."
The use of a genus (Greek: genos) and a differentia (Greek: diaphora) in constructing a definition goes back at least as far as Aristotle (384–322 BCE). Furthermore, a genus may fulfill certain characteristics (described below) that qualify it to be referred to as a species, a term derived from the Greek word eidos, which means "form" in Plato's dialogues but should be taken to mean "species" in Aristotle's corpus.
Differentiation and abstraction
The process of producing new definitions by extending existing definitions is commonly known as differentiation (and also as derivation). The reverse process, by which just part of an existing definition is used itself as a new definition, is called abstraction; the new definition is called an abstraction and it is said to have been abstracted away from the existing definition.
For instance, consider the following:
a square: a quadrilateral that has interior angles which are all right angles, and that has bounding sides which all have the same length.
A part of that definition may be singled out (using parentheses here):
a square: (a quadrilateral that has interior angles which are all right angles), and that has bounding sides which all have the same length.
This brief starts where responsible research should: with the source description of “Genus–differentia definition” as type of intensional definition, and it is composed of two parts (genus (or family) and differentia). Everything that follows is an evidence route, not borrowed authority.
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The subject matters to the science & nature register because the source frames it as type of intensional definition, and it is composed of two parts (genus (or family) and differentia). Its deeper value depends on whether names, dates, institutions and citations support that framing.
Datasets, specimens, observations and peer-reviewed methods provide the appropriate test for the technical claims summarized here. The source revision retrieved here is dated Sep 8, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q488677. None of the 0 selected statements returned an explicit reference.
Scientific names, classifications and consensus can change while older terminology persists in catalogues and historical literature. The source lead contains qualifying language; that uncertainty should survive quotation, summary and reuse. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
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