A theory of the lexicographic definition should be supported by three parameters: (1) a taxonomy of explanatory paraphrases, (2) a syntactic pattern, and (3) a semantic model. This paper deals with the third parameter. The study aims at analyzing the application of truth-conditional semantics to the writing of lexicographic definitions, in order to: (a) evaluate the contributions of this theoretical model to the elucidation of the meaning of lexical units, and (b) determine its limitations in relation to the writing of explanatory paraphrases.
Lexicography; Lexicographic definition; Truth-conditional semantics