5. As part of the definition of the term defined.
Alike trifling it is to predicate any other part of the definition of
the term defined, or to affirm any one of the simple ideas of a complex one of the name of the whole complex
idea; as, "All gold is fusible." For fusibility being one of the simple ideas that goes to the making up the complex
one the sound gold stands for, what can it be but playing with sounds, to affirm that of the name gold, which is
comprehended in its received signification? It would be thought little better than ridiculous to affirm gravely, as a
truth of moment, that gold is yellow; and I see not how it is any jot more material to say it is fusible, unless that
quality be left out of the complex idea, of which the sound gold is the mark in ordinary speech. What instruction
can it carry with it, to tell one that which he hath been told already, or he is supposed to know before? For I am
supposed to know the signification of the word another uses to me, or else he is to tell me. And if I know that the
name gold stands for this complex idea of body, yellow, heavy, fusible, malleable, it will not much instruct me to
put it solemnly afterwards in a proposition, and gravely say, all gold is fusible. Such propositions can only serve
to show the disingenuity of one who will go from the definition of his own terms, by reminding him sometimes of
it; but carry no knowledge with them, but of the signification of words, however certain they be.
