2.5.3. Stability of the Concept-Term Link

Besides being recognized by the same set of semantic features and by its definition, a specialized concept is also recognized by the stability of its association with the term or terms used to designate it. In turn, a term may be recognized as such by virtue of its stable pairing with the same set of semantic features that distinguish the concept from others. This stability is sometimes called "degree of lexicalization" and sometimes "degree of terminologicalness". The lack of such stability leads to "cognitive fuzziness", as in polysemy and synonymy.

Some neologisms created as terminological phrases have a lesser degree of lexicalization than others (e.g. Fr. assurance contre tous les risques vs. assurance tous-risques.)

Concept-term stability is preserved in the single-concept principle for recording terminological data. That is, each record deals with only one concept, and all information about a concept is dealt with on one record. This does not preclude the mention of proscribed terms and improper usages that create confusion between the concept in question and other concepts.