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intension

/ɪnˈtɛnʃən/
/ɪnˈtɛnʃən/
IPA guide

Other forms: intensions

Intension sounds like "intention," and it's just one letter off, but it means something else. It's a term used in logic and linguistics to refer to the concept that a word evokes.

Intension is a common misspelling of intention, but the two words shouldn't be confused. If you're talking about an aim or purpose, then you want intention. Intension with an "s" should only be used in technical discussions about the meaning of language, or semantics. The intension of the word "dog" is the whole concept of dog-ness that the word brings to mind.

Definitions of intension
  1. noun
    what you must know in order to determine the reference of an expression
    synonyms: connotation
    see moresee less
    type of:
    import, meaning, significance, signification
    the message that is intended or expressed or signified
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