Denotation
Denotation
The subjects (i.e., those entities which possess attributes) of which a term may be predicated, e.g., the term “man” denotes Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, etc. (J. S. Mill) “Denotation” in this sense should be distinguished from “extension” in the sense in which that signifies the subclasses of the class determined by the term. The former indicates the various individual instances in which a common nature is manifested; the latter signifies the variety of kinds over which the predication of a term may extend. (H. W. B. Joseph.) — C.A.B.
In common usage, “‘denotation” has a less special meaning, denote being approximately synonymous with designate (q.v.). A proper name may be said to denote that of which it is a name. Or, e.g., in the equation 2 + 2=4, the sign + may be said to denote addition and the sign = to denote equality (even without necessarily intending to construe these signs as proper names).
Concerning Frege’s distinction between sense and denotation see the article Descriptions. — A.C.
Denotation is a semantical concept, see Semiotic 2. — R.C.