categorematic

[ kat-i-gawr-uh-mat-ik, -gor- ]

adjective

1. Traditional Logic. of or relating to a word having independent meaning so that it can be used as a term in a proposition.
2. Contemporary Logic. of or relating to a word or symbol having an independent meaning apart from the context of other words or symbols.

Word History and Origins

Origin of categorematic¹

1820–30; < Greek katēgorēmat-, stem of katēgorēma predicate (in logic), accusation, charge (equivalent to katēgorē-, variant stem of katēgoreîn to predicate, prove ( category ) + -ma noun suffix) + -ic

Example Sentences

A nice point is whether the Adjective is categorematic or syncategorematic.

From Project Gutenberg

In the proposition, 'Of' was used more indefinitely three hundred years ago than it is now, 'of' is categorematic.

From Project Gutenberg

There is a sense in which every word may become categorematic, namely, when it is used simply as a word, to the neglect of its proper meaning.

From Project Gutenberg

On the other hand, all substantives may be used categorematically; and the same self-sufficiency is usually recognised in adjectives and participles.

From Project Gutenberg

Verbs also are categorematic, but only in three of their moods, the Indicative, the Infinitive, and the Potential.

From Project Gutenberg