Crabbed and obscure definitions are of no use beyond a narrow circle of students, of whom probably every one has a pet one of his own.

Summary

This quote suggests that complicated and confusing definitions hold little value outside of a small group of individuals, who might have their own preferred definitions. It implies that such convoluted definitions do not contribute much to the broader understanding or knowledge, as they are not easily accessible or widely understood. Instead, it indicates the importance of clear and widely understood definitions that can be beneficial to a larger audience.

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