Principles for Definitions

1. Provide all (Nonroot) Terms with Definitions!

Always provide all (nonroot) terms with definitions.

2. Use Aristotelian Definitions.

An Aristotelian definition is built like that:

'S' is a 'G' that 'Ds',

where 'S' (species) ist the term to be defined and 'G' (genus) is the direct parent term of 'S' in the ontology. 'D' (differencia) is the specification, which makes a certain member of 'G' an 'S' (difference to other children of 'G').

For example a definition for wind turbine which may be an immediate child of generator: 'A wind energy converting unit ('S') is a power generating unit ('G') that uses wind energy ('D').'

3. Use Simple Terms.

Use simpler terms than the term you are defining. This improves the intelligibility of the definition.