Towards a common vocabulary for classification and definition

The cooperative development of classifications and definitions by parties interested in health care requires a coherent metaterminology. Besides the language of logic and set theory, the language of terminology seems useful in the pursuit of a methodological taxonomy. However, the standard vocabularies developed so far by terminologists have certain shortcomings. Some of them are discussed. Further developments are under way. The need to organize huge collections of knowledge in several disciplines will put pressure on the work of standardizing terminolo gists.