Each statement contains a definition. Classify each definition as formal or informal.
1. The statement was gratuitous or unnecessary.
2. His ambivalence, or inability to decide, displeased the gods.
3. An amulet is an item or piece of jewelry worn by a person to enhance his
capabilities or to protect him from evil forces.
4. This piece of ancient literature resembles an elegy, a mournful poem.
5. Shamash was the Babylonian god of justice, counterpart of Sumerian God
Utu.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Answer:
1. The statement was gratuitous or unnecessary.
- informal definition
2. His ambivalence, or inability to decide, displeased the gods.
- informal definition
3. An amulet is an item or piece of jewelry worn by a person to enhance his
capabilities or to protect him from evil forces.
- formal definition
4. This piece of ancient literature resembles an elegy, a mournful poem.
- informal definition
5. Shamash was the Babylonian god of justice, counterpart of Sumerian God Utu.
- formal definition
Explanation:
To identify if a definition is formal or informal, first we need to know what is a definition. A definition is an expression of meaning or significance of a word or a phrase. These meaning can often be found in dictionaries.
In differentiating a formal definition from an informal one, we must understand that a formal definition contains the term to be defined, the class of object or concept that the term belongs to, and the differentiating characteristics that distinguishes it from the other class.
Ex. Biology (term) is a branch of scientific study (class) primarily concerned with the study of living organisms (differentiating characteristics).
Informal definitions, on the other hand, uses known words or examples to explain an unknown term. These definitions may be synonyms or antonyms introduced by or, in other words, or like.
Ex. Freedom, also referred to as liberty or independence, is a state people reach when they are free to think and do whatever they please.
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