---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The word 'definition' has come to have a…"
description: "\"The word 'definition' has come to have a dangerously reassuring sound, owing no doubt to its frequent occurrence in logical and mathematical writings.\"..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5c/willard-van-orman-quine-10137_dangerously_the-word-definition-has-come-to-have-a-d_447309.jpg"
---

#  The word 'definition' has come to have a dangerously…

![“The word 'definition' has come to have a dangerously reassuring sound, owing no doubt to its frequent occurrence in logical and mathematical writings.” quote by Willard Van Orman Quine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5c/willard-van-orman-quine-10137_dangerously_the-word-definition-has-come-to-have-a-d_447309.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5c/willard-van-orman-quine-10137_dangerously_the-word-definition-has-come-to-have-a-d_447309.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5c/willard-van-orman-quine-10137_dangerously_the-word-definition-has-come-to-have-a-d_447309.jpg)

> “The word 'definition' has come to have a dangerously reassuring sound, owing no doubt to its frequent occurrence in logical and mathematical writings.”

[Willard Van Orman Quine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willard-van-orman-quine/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The term 'definition' sounds safe because it appears often in formal logic and math, but this can mask its ambiguous nature.

**In simple terms:** 'Definition' feels reassuring due to frequent use in logic, yet it can be misleading.

Key Takeaway

Question the certainty of definitions in complex contexts.

Themes

epistemology language philosophy

Mood

analytical inquisitive skeptical

Type

philosophical educational

When to use this quote

- academic writing
- legal contracts
- software documentation
- education curricula

Key Concepts

semantic ambiguity formal logic

Questions to Reflect On

- When do definitions limit understanding?
- How can we balance precision with flexibility?

A Different Perspective

Overreliance on definitions can stifle creative thinking.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Reassuring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reassuring/) [Sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sound/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/)

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