Intension

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Intension \In*ten"sion\, n. [L. intensio: cf. F. intension. See
     {Intend}, and cf. {Intention}.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. A straining, stretching, or bending; the state of being
        strained; as, the intension of a musical string.
        [1913 Webster]


  
     2. Increase of power or energy of any quality or thing;
        intenseness; fervency. --Jer. Taylor.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Sounds . . . likewise do rise and fall with the
              intension or remission of the wind.   --Bacon.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Logic & Metaph.) The collective attributes, qualities, or
        marks that make up a complex general notion; the
        comprehension, content, or connotation; -- opposed to
        {extension}, {extent}, or {sphere}.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              This law is, that the intension of our knowledge is
              in the inverse ratio of its extension. --Sir W.
                                                    Hamilton.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  intension
       n : what you must know in order to determine the reference of an
           expression [syn: {connotation}]