# Terminology **Meta-Universe Specification** **Document ID:** MU-V2-FOUND-003 **Title:** Formal Terminology **Document Class:** Normative **Version:** 2.0 (Draft) **Status:** Working Draft **Normative References:** Meta-Universe Constitution (MUC) **Informative References:** Glossary.md, Definitions.md **Copyright:** © Orkestron.AI **License:** Apache-2.0 --- # 1. Purpose This document establishes the normative terminology used throughout the Meta-Universe standards. A shared vocabulary is essential for semantic interoperability. Every normative specification in the Meta-Universe family SHALL use the terminology defined in this document unless an explicit extension defines additional terms. --- # 1a. Role of This Document Terminology is the **normative dictionary** of the Meta-Universe ecosystem. It holds short, strict, technology-independent definitions that other documents cite by reference. When a normative specification uses a defined term, that term carries the meaning fixed here, and nothing more. Three foundation documents address vocabulary, and their roles SHALL NOT be conflated: - **Terminology.md** (this document, Normative) — short, strict definitions that establish the official meaning of each concept. It is the authority cited by other specifications. - **Glossary.md** (Informative) — encyclopedic, human-oriented explanations with intuition and examples. It explains concepts; it does not define them normatively. - **Definitions.md** (Normative, constitutional) — the constitutional interpretation of selected terms when applying the Meta-Universe Constitution (MUC). It governs interpretation in governance, conformance and dispute resolution. Where a term is interpreted differently for constitutional purposes, the entry in Definitions.md applies within the scope of constitutional interpretation, while this document remains the general dictionary for the ecosystem. --- # 2. Terminology Principles The Meta-Universe terminology SHALL be: - unambiguous; - technology independent; - semantically precise; - reusable across domains; - stable across versions whenever practical. Definitions describe semantic meaning rather than implementation. --- # 3. Core Terms ## Universe The highest-level autonomous semantic environment with its own governance, identity authority and semantic sovereignty. --- ## Dimension A logical partition within a Universe representing an independent semantic space. --- ## Namespace A uniquely identified semantic domain inside a Dimension. In Meta-Universe v2, **Namespace replaces the former Galaxy concept** while preserving its original semantic role. --- ## Meta-Object The authoritative semantic representation of a real-world or conceptual entity. A Meta-Object owns its canonical identity and semantic lifecycle. --- ## Canonical Identity The globally stable identifier representing a Meta-Object across all federated Universes. --- ## Local Identity An identifier valid only inside one implementation or Universe. --- ## Identity Binding A governed association between a Canonical Identity and one or more Local Identities. --- ## Relationship A semantically meaningful association between Meta-Objects. --- ## Event An immutable record describing something that has occurred in the semantic world. Events explain semantic evolution. --- ## Projection A context-specific representation of a Meta-Object prepared for a particular audience or purpose. A Projection never becomes the authoritative source. --- ## Context The semantic conditions under which knowledge is interpreted. Context may include purpose, audience, assumptions, visibility and temporal scope. --- ## Semantic Contract An explicit agreement governing semantic interaction, disclosure and responsibilities. --- ## Semantic Mapping A formal correspondence between concepts belonging to different Meta-Models. --- ## Federation A governed collaboration between sovereign Universes that preserves ownership, identity and semantic autonomy. --- ## Federation Profile A reusable set of rules describing how federation is performed for a particular domain or scenario. --- ## Meta-Model A formal semantic description of a domain including its Objects, Relationships, Events, Contexts and Projections. --- ## Domain Meta-Model A Meta-Model describing one bounded semantic domain. --- ## Semantic Package A reusable collection of related semantic artifacts. --- ## Provenance Documented origin and lineage of semantic knowledge. --- ## Traceability The ability to explain how semantic artifacts, decisions and versions are related over time. --- ## Conformance The degree to which an artifact satisfies the requirements of a Meta-Universe specification. --- ## Validation The process of verifying semantic correctness and standards compliance. --- ## Governance The policies, authorities and processes responsible for maintaining semantic integrity. --- ## Trust The justified confidence that another participant may perform a specific semantic interaction for a declared purpose. Trust is broader than authentication. --- ## Sovereignty The right of a Universe to govern its own semantic knowledge independently. --- ## Discovery The process of locating Meta-Models, capabilities, repositories or federation participants. --- ## Registry A catalog of published semantic metadata that enables discovery without transferring ownership. --- ## Compatibility The declared ability of two artifacts to interoperate under specified conditions. --- ## Certification An evidence-based assessment of conformance performed according to a published certification process. --- ## AI Agent An autonomous software participant capable of reasoning over Meta-Models, participating in federation and producing traceable semantic outcomes. --- # 4. Normative Language The keywords SHALL, SHALL NOT, SHOULD, SHOULD NOT and MAY are interpreted according to RFC 2119. --- # 5. Evolution of Terminology New terms SHOULD: - extend rather than redefine; - preserve backward understanding; - avoid unnecessary synonyms. Deprecated terms SHOULD remain documented for historical reference. --- # Final Statement A shared terminology is the foundation of semantic interoperability. By defining stable, precise and implementation-independent concepts, the Meta-Universe enables organizations, AI agents and standards to communicate using a common semantic language that remains understandable and evolvable across domains, technologies and future generations of the ecosystem.