definition

名词 definition:

1. a concise explanation of the meaning of a word or phrase or symbol
2. clarity of outline

1. The book attempts a definition of his role in world politics.
   该书要阐明的是他在世界政局中的作用。
2. To give a definition of a word is more difficult than to give an illustration of its use.
   给一个词下定义要比举例说明它的用法困难。
3. The photo lacks definition.
   这张照片不够清晰。

def.i.ni.tion

n.Abbr. def.（名词）缩写 def.

A statement conveying fundamental character.
定义：表达基本特征的说明
A statement of the meaning of a word, phrase, or term, as in a dictionary entry.
释义：对单词、短语或术语的意义的说明，如字典的词条中的解释
The act or process of stating a precise meaning or significance; formulation of a meaning.
解释：对意思或意义的精确表达或表达的过程；对意思确切的阐述

The act of making clear and distinct:
清晰：使…清楚明晰的行为：
例句：
a definition of one`s intentions.
意图的清楚表达

The state of being closely outlined or determined:
轮廓清晰：指轮廓非常分明的状态：
例句：
.With the drizzle, the trees in the little clearing had lost definition.(Anthony Hyde)
.绵绵细雨中，那片小空地上的树木都分辨不出轮廓了.(安东尼·海德)

A determination of outline, extent, or limits:
规定：对要点、范围或界限的确定：
例句：
the definition of a President`s authority.
对总统权力的界定

The clarity of detail in an optically produced image, such as a photograph, effected by a combination of resolution and contrast.
清晰，分解：在视觉产生的意象中，枝节部分清楚明晰是由分解和对比相结合造成的，如照片
The degree of clarity with which a televised image or broadcast signal is received.
清晰度，分解力：接收到电视传播图象或广播信号的清晰程度

来源：
Middle English diffinicioun
中古英语 diffinicioun
from Old French definition
源自 古法语 definition
from Latin dôfonotiô- dôfonotiôn-
源自 拉丁语 dôfonotiô- dôfonotiôn-
from dôfonotus [past participle of] dôfonore [to define] * see define
源自 dôfonotus [] dôfonore的过去分词 [限定] *参见 define

【引伸】
def.ini.tional
adj.（形容词）