

266 , On Definitions. 



a b K cos. (nt + 



hence we have by (6) u= - sin. nr — - cos. nt - ^ 



Kfsin. (nt+e) . . 



^ ) (e), in a similar way if r=K sin. (nt-\-e) we shal 



a b Ksin. (ntf + e) Kt cos. (nt+e) 

 get ti= - sin. nt- - cos. nf - ^ 3 + ^ , (/) 



(/) 



form 







terms by changing a and b accordingly ; see Mec. Gel., Vol. i, p. 241 . 





Note.— Wh 



or 



of the squares, &c. of the disturbing masses m', ra", &c. are rejected ; the meanin 

 is, that quantities which depend on the squares, products, &c. of the masses are 

 rejected. 



Art. V. — On Definitions; by Rev. D. Wilkie, of Quebec. 



No. II. 



Having proceeded thus far to trace analytically, to the best of my 

 ability, the natural process of the mind, in settling the terms neces- 

 sarily required for carrying on social intercourse, I shall next pro- 

 ceed, as well as I can, to illustrate synthetically, the use that is made 

 of definitions, by the greatest improvers of human knowledge, in lay- 

 ing the foundations of the various sciences of which they treat. The 

 fiction of the two persons meeting in ignorance of each other's Ian- 

 guage, may now be laid aside. We proceed to consider the general 

 practice of philosophical inquirers. 



The use, then, of a definition, is to give such a verbal description 

 of the object or objects, implied in any term, as shall enable us to 

 distinguish it from every other term, so that there can no longer ex- 

 ist any doubt, or ambiguity, or uncertainty, as to its meaning. The 

 definition further enables us to ascertain and enumerate all the indi- 

 vidual objects which this class comprehends; and, further, to trace 

 the various and sometimes very numerous consequences, to which 

 the property thus ascribed to the object may lead. The definition, 

 as I observed, is effected by a verbal description, and not by the in- 

 spection of the object, as in the former case, nor by reasoning from 

 causes to effects, or from effects to cause, as in another case already 

 alluded to. 



