quantifier

2 definitions found

quantifier - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  quantifier
      n 1: (logic) a word (such as `some' or `all' or `no') that binds
           the variables in a logical proposition [syn: quantifier,
           logical quantifier]
      2: (grammar) a word that expresses a quantity (as `fifteen' or
         `many')

quantifier - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  quantifier
  existential quantifier
  universal quantifier
  
     <logic> An operator in predicate logic specifying for which
     values of a variable a formula is true.  Universally
     quantified means "for all values" (written with an inverted A,
     LaTeX \forall) and existentially quantified means "there
     exists some value" (written with a reversed E, LaTeX
     \exists).  To be unambiguous, the set to which the values of
     the variable belong should be specified, though this is often
     omitted when it is clear from the context (the "universe of
     discourse").  E.g.
  
     	Forall x . P(x)  <=>  not (Exists x . not P(x))
  
     meaning that any x (in some unspecified set) has property P
     which is equivalent to saying that there does not exist any x
     which does not have the property.
  
     If a variable is not quantified then it is a free variable.
     In logic programming this usually means that it is actually
     universally quantified.
  
     See also first order logic.
  
     (2002-05-21)