The Language of Argument

3 0 4

C H A P T E R 1 4 ■ F a l l a c i e s o f A m b i g u i t y

Look up lexical or dictionary definitions for the following words. (For fun, you

might try to guess the meanings of these words before you look them up, as in

the game “Balderdash.”)

1. jejune


2. ketone


3. fluvial


4. xebec


5. plangent

Exercise v

1. Give a stipulative definition for the word “klurg.”


2. Stipulate a word to stand for the chunks of ice that form under car fenders
   in winter.


3. Describe something that does not have a common name, for which it
   would be useful to stipulate a name. Explain how the name would be
   useful.

Exercise vI

Give precising definitions for the following words. In each case, supply a

context that gives your precising definition a point.

1. book


2. alcoholic beverage


3. crime


4. warm


5. fast

Exercise vII

Give disambiguating definitions for the following words. In each case, supply

a context in which your definition might be needed to avoid confusion.

1. run


2. pen


3. game


4. painting


5. fast

Exercise vIII

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