DENOTATION (from

See also:

• LAT

Lat. denotare, to

See also:

• MARK
• MARK, CARL (1858– )
• MARK, GOSPEL OF ST
• MARK, ST

mark out, specify)  , in logic, a technical term used strictly as the correlative of Con-notation, to describe one of the two functions of a concrete term . The concrete term " connotes " attributes and " denotes " all the individuals which, as possessing these attributes, constitute the genus or species described by the term . Thus " cricketer " denotes the individuals who play cricket, and connotes the qualities or characteristics by which these individuals are marked . In this sense, in which it was first used by J . S . Mill, Denotation is equivalent to Extension, and Connotation to Intension . It is clear that when the given term is qualified by a limiting adjective the Denotation or Extension diminishes, while the Connotation or Intension increases; e.g. a generic term like " flower " has a larger Extension, and a smaller Intension than " rose " rose " than " moss-rose." In more general language Denotation is used loosely for that which is meant or indicated by a word, phrase, sentence or even an action . Thus a proper name or even an abstract term is said to have Denotation .