categorical

views updated May 18 2018

cat·e·go·ri·cal / ˌkatəˈgôrikəl/ • adj. unambiguously explicit and direct: a categorical assurance.DERIVATIVES: cat·e·gor·ic adj.cat·e·gor·i·cal·ly / -ik(ə)lē/ adv.

Categorical

views updated Jun 08 2018

CATEGORICAL

That which is unqualified or unconditional.

A categorical imperative is a rule, command, or moral obligation that is absolutely and universally binding.

Categorical is also used to describe programs limited to or designed for certain classes of people. Categorical assistance plans are social welfare programs extending benefits to members of a particular group, such as Aid to the Elderly, Aid to the Blind, or Aid to Families with Dependent Children.

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