subjective intension: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2formal, academic
Quick answer
What does “subjective intension” mean?
The total set of properties, characteristics, or internal content that a person consciously associates with a concept or term in their own mind.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The total set of properties, characteristics, or internal content that a person consciously associates with a concept or term in their own mind.
In philosophy and linguistics, the personal, psychological understanding of a concept's meaning, as opposed to its objective or socially shared definition (objective intension) or its extension (the set of things it refers to).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage; the term is equally technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Highly academic; carries strong connotations of philosophical or psychological discourse.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language; used almost exclusively in specialised academic texts.
Grammar
How to Use “subjective intension” in a Sentence
The subjective intension of XX's subjective intensionto have a different subjective intension for YVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “subjective intension” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- None. The term is a noun phrase.
American English
- None. The term is a noun phrase.
adverb
British English
- None.
American English
- None.
adjective
British English
- None. 'Subjective' is used adjectivally within the noun phrase.
American English
- None. 'Subjective' is used adjectivally within the noun phrase.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in philosophy, semantics, cognitive psychology to discuss individual conceptual understanding.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Precise term for the internal, mental content associated with a concept by a specific individual.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “subjective intension”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “subjective intension”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “subjective intension”
- Confusing 'intension' (with an 's') with 'intention' (with a 't').
- Using it in non-academic contexts.
- Treating it as synonymous with 'subjective opinion'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Related but not identical. Connotation often refers to emotional/cultural associations, while subjective intension is the complete set of properties an individual mentally associates with a concept's meaning.
Primarily in philosophy of language, philosophy of mind, formal semantics, and cognitive science.
Intension is the meaning or conceptual content (e.g., the properties of a 'unicorn'), while extension is the set of objects it refers to in the world (e.g., the actual unicorns, which is an empty set). Subjective intension is the personal version of this meaning.
It would be highly unusual and likely confusing. In everyday contexts, phrases like 'personal understanding' or 'what I mean by it' are more appropriate.
The total set of properties, characteristics, or internal content that a person consciously associates with a concept or term in their own mind.
Subjective intension is usually formal, academic in register.
Subjective intension: in British English it is pronounced /səbˈdʒɛktɪv ɪnˈtɛnʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /səbˈdʒɛktɪv ɪnˈtɛnʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SUBJECTIVE = personal, internal viewpoint; INTENSION = internal content/meaning (spelled with an 's', not 't' like extension). It's the meaning 'inside' your mind.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEANING IS A CONTAINER (The intension is the contents held within the mind).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the best antonym for 'subjective intension'?