intension and extension

logic and semantics

Also known as: comprehension, connotation

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Related Topics:: meaning; term; intensional logic

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intension and extension, in logic, correlative words that indicate the reference of a term or concept: “intension” indicates the internal content of a term or concept that constitutes its formal definition; and “extension” indicates its range of applicability by naming the particular objects that it denotes. For instance, the intension of “ship” as a substantive is “vehicle for conveyance on water,” whereas its extension embraces such things as cargo ships, passenger ships, battleships, and sailing ships. The distinction between intension and extension is not the same as that between connotation and denotation.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Adam Augustyn.