intensional
UK[ɪnˈtɛnʃ(ə)nəl]US[ɪnˈtɛnʃ(ə)nəl]
adj
Relating to the internal content or meaning of a concept, rather than the objects it refers to in the real world.
adj
In logic and philosophy, concerned with the sense or connotation of a term, as opposed to its extension (the set of things it denotes).
Morpheme Breakdown
in
tens
ion
al
in
in
tens
stretch
ion
al
adjective suffix
Etymology
The word 'intensional' is a modern philosophical term coined in the early 20th century, derived from the noun 'intension'. 'Intension' itself originates from the Latin 'intendere', meaning "to stretch toward, aim at, or direct one's attention to", composed of 'in-' (toward) and 'tendere' (to stretch). This etymological journey from the physical act of "stretching toward" a target evolved into the abstract notion of the "internal content" or meaning one directs one's mind toward. In logic, it was formed as a direct contrast to 'extensional', shifting the focus from outward reference ('extension') to inward conceptual content ('intension'), with the '-al' suffix marking its adjectival form.
Analysis
Structure: in (in) + tens (stretch) + ion + al (adjective suffix)
- in: Latin origin, meaning "in, into, towards". In this word, it functions as an intensifying prefix.
- tens: Latin origin, from the root of 'tendere' (to stretch). It forms the core semantic base.
- ion: Latin suffix forming nouns of action or state.
- al: Latin suffix forming adjectives meaning "of, relating to".
Examples
The debate focused on the intensional meaning of the word "game," rather than listing all games.
In intensional contexts, two words with the same reference, like "morning star" and "evening star," may not be interchangeable.
Philosophers distinguish between extensional and intensional definitions of a concept.