R-principle

proper noun

In the neo-Gricean semantics and pragmatics of Laurence R. Horn: a reformulation of Paul Grice's maxim of relation combined with the second submaxim of quantity and the third and fourth submaxims of manner, stating: "Say no more than you must (given Q)", and implying that there is no reason to make a stronger statement if the extra information can be contributed by implicature.

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Meanings

proper nounthe R-principle
  1. In the neo-Gricean semantics and pragmatics of Laurence R. Horn: a reformulation of Paul Grice's maxim of relation combined with the second submaxim of quantity and the third and fourth submaxims of manner, stating: "Say no more than you must (given Q)", and implying that there is no reason to make a stronger statement if the extra information can be contributed by implicature.

Origin

R stands for relation.

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Cite this entry
APA

R-principle. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/R-principle

MLA

“R-principle.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/R-principle. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “R-principle,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/R-principle.

Source: R-principle on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.