definite clause

English

Noun

definite clause (plural definite clauses)

1. (logic) A Horn clause with exactly one positive literal.

   The clauses $\neg p\vee q$, $\neg p\vee \neg q\vee r$, and $\neg p\vee \neg q\vee \neg r\vee s$ are examples of definite clauses. At least in classical logic these would be equivalent to the formulae $p\rightarrow q$, $(p\wedge q)\rightarrow r$, and $(p\wedge q\wedge r)\rightarrow s$, respectively.