Generic relation
Semantic relation between two concepts where the intension of one of the concepts includes that of the other concepts and at least one additional delimiting characteristic is added. It is one kind hierarchical subordinate relation:
A is kind of B
A is "specific of" B
A is subordinate to B
A is narrower than B
B is "generic of" A
B is broader than A
Generic relation is also termed:
"is a" relation, denotes what class an object is a member of. For example, "CAR - is a - VEHICLE" and "CHICKEN - is a - BIRD". It can be thought of as being a shorthand for "is a kind/type of".
hyponymous relationships (hyponym-hyperonym),
a hierarchical relation (among other forms of hierarchical relations)
When all the relationships in a system are generic, is the system a taxonomy.
Literature:
Chaffin, R., Herrmann, D. J. & Winston, M. (1988). An empirical taxonomy of part-whole relations: Effects of part-whole type on relation identification. Language and Cognitive Processes, 3(1). 17-48.
Cruse, D. A. (2002). Hyponymy and its varities. IN: Green, R.; Bean, C. A. & Myaeng, S. H. (Eds.). (2002). The semantics of relationships. An interdisciplinary perspective. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers. (Pp. 3-21).
Michel, D. (1997). Appendix B: Taxonomy of Subject Relationships. IN: ALA. American Library Association. ALCTS. Association for Library Collections & Technical Services. Final Report to the ALCTS/CCS Subject Analysis Committee. Subcommittee on Subject Relationships/Reference Structures. http://www.ala.org/ala/alctscontent/catalogingsection/catcommittees/subjectanalysis/subjectrelations/finalreport.htm
Michel, D. (1999). Appendix B: Taxonomy of Subject Relationships. Part 1 (Direct link):
See also: Hierarchy
Birger Hjørland
Last edited: 15-07-2007