# Definitions

**Meta-Universe Specification**

**Document ID:** MU-V2-CONST-005  
**Title:** Normative Definitions  
**Document Class:** Normative  
**Version:** 2.0 (Draft)  
**Status:** Working Draft  
**Normative References:** Meta-Universe Constitution (MUC)  
**Informative References:** ../00-foundation/Terminology.md, ../00-foundation/Glossary.md  
**Copyright:** © Orkestron.AI  
**License:** Apache-2.0

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# 1. Purpose

This document defines the constitutional meaning of key concepts used by the Meta-Universe standards.

Unlike the Foundation Terminology, which establishes a common vocabulary, this specification defines how those concepts SHALL be interpreted when applying the Meta-Universe Constitution (MUC).

These definitions are normative for constitutional interpretation.

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# 1a. The Three-Level Definition Model

The Meta-Universe distinguishes **three levels of definition**, each with a different authority and purpose. They are analogous to the layers of a legal system:

- **Terminology.md** — the **ecosystem dictionary**. It fixes the general meaning of each word, like a dictionary that says what a term means across the whole ecosystem.
- **Definitions.md** (this document) — the **constitutional interpretation**. It states how selected terms acquire legal force when the Meta-Universe Constitution (MUC) is applied, like a constitution that gives words binding effect in governance, conformance and dispute resolution.
- **Glossary.md** — the **explanation and examples**. It illustrates concepts in plain language, like legal commentary that shows how the rules apply in practice.

The legal analogy holds throughout: the dictionary tells you what a word *means*, the constitution tells you what a word *does* when the law is applied, and the commentary tells you how it *works* in real cases. Where these layers appear to differ, this document governs for constitutional purposes (see Section 4), Terminology governs general usage, and the Glossary is never binding.

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# 2. Scope

This document applies to:

- constitutional interpretation;
- governance decisions;
- conformance assessment;
- federation agreements;
- dispute resolution.

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# 3. Constitutional Definitions

## Constitutional Principle

A rule that SHALL remain valid across all future versions of the Meta-Universe unless explicitly superseded through the constitutional change process.

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## Semantic Sovereignty

The exclusive authority of a Universe to govern its own semantic knowledge, identities and policies.

Sovereignty SHALL NOT be transferred implicitly through federation.

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## Constitutional Authority

The organization or community responsible for maintaining a published Meta-Universe specification.

Authority governs the specification, not all implementations.

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## Conforming Artifact

Any repository, Meta-Model, implementation or semantic asset that satisfies the declared requirements of the applicable Meta-Universe standards.

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## Canonical Truth

The authoritative semantic representation maintained by the owning Universe.

Projections SHALL NOT replace canonical truth.

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## Federation Agreement

A governed relationship established under MUFP between two or more sovereign Universes.

Participation SHALL remain voluntary.

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## Purpose

The explicitly declared reason for requesting, processing or disclosing semantic knowledge.

Purpose SHALL precede knowledge disclosure.

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## Consent

Authorization granted by the responsible authority to disclose semantic knowledge under defined conditions.

Consent MAY be delegated according to governance policies.

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## Disclosure

The controlled release of semantic knowledge through governed Projections.

Disclosure SHALL follow applicable Contracts.

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## Constitutional Compatibility

The ability of an artifact to satisfy the mandatory principles established by MUC.

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## Traceable Decision

A decision whose origin, rationale and governing evidence can be reconstructed.

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## Historical Integrity

The property that historical semantic facts remain preserved and explainable over time.

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# 4. Normative Interpretation

When ambiguity exists:

1. The Constitution takes precedence.
2. Constitutional Definitions take precedence over informative guidance.
3. Normative specifications take precedence over examples.
4. Informative documents SHALL NOT redefine constitutional concepts.

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# 5. Evolution

Definitions SHOULD evolve conservatively.

Existing meanings SHALL NOT be redefined incompatibly without a new major constitutional version.

Deprecated definitions SHOULD remain documented for historical interpretation.

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# 6. Relationship to Other Documents

This specification complements:

- Terminology.md — common vocabulary;
- Meta-Universe Constitution.md — constitutional principles;
- Conformance.md — conformance requirements;
- Governance.md — governance processes.

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# Final Statement

Normative Definitions establish the constitutional interpretation of the Meta-Universe standards.

By providing stable meanings for foundational constitutional concepts, this document ensures consistent governance, conformance assessment and federation across independently evolving repositories, organizations and AI-native semantic ecosystems.