illation

n : the reasoning involved in making a logical judgment on the

basis of circumstantial evidence and prior conclusions

rather than on the basis of direct observation [syn: {inference}]

relation

1. A subset of the {product} of two sets, R : A

x B. If (a, b) is an element of R then we write a R b,

meaning a is related to b by R. A relation may be:

{reflexive} (a R a), {symmetric} (a R b ◦> b R a),

{transitive} (a R b & b R c ◦> a R c), {antisymmetric} (a R b

& b R a ◦> a ◦ b) or {total} (a R b or b R a).

See {equivalence relation}, {partial ordering}, {pre-order},

{total ordering}.

2. A {table} in a {relational database}.

(1995-02-28)