But the whole difficulty may be avoided by making it a rule to translate, for logical purposes, all abstract into the corresponding general terms.
Sec.4.If we ask how the connotation of a term is to be known, the answer depends upon how it is used.

If used scientifically, its connotation is determined by, and is the same as, its definition; and the definition is determined by examining the things to be denoted, as we shall see in chap.xxii.If the same word is used as a term in different sciences, as 'property' in Law and in Logic, it will be differently defined by them, and will have, in each use, a correspondingly different connotation.

But terms used in popular discourse should, as far as possible, have their connotations determined by classical usage, i.e., by the sense in which they are used by writers and speakers who are acknowledged masters of the language, such as Dryden and Burke.

In this case the classical connotation determines the definition; so that to define terms thus used is nothing else than to analyse their accepted meanings.
It must not, however, be supposed that in popular use the connotation of any word is invariable.

Logicians have attempted to classify terms into Univocal (having only one meaning) and AEquivocal (or ambiguous); and no doubt some words (like 'civil,' 'natural,' 'proud,' 'liberal,' 'humorous') are more manifestly liable to ambiguous use than some others.