Full Idea
In modern analytic philosophy we find that, as a result of sustained empiricist critique, the idea of real definition has been more or less given up (unless it be taken to be vestigially present in the notion of a sortal).
Gist of Idea
Modern philosophy has largely abandoned real definitions, apart from sortals
Source
Kit Fine (Essence and Modality [1994], p. 3)
Book Reference
-: 'Philosophical Perspectives' [-], p.3
A Reaction
The account of essences as falling under sortals (roughly, categorising terms) is associated with David Wiggins. Kit Fine is in the business of reviving Aristotelian real definitions, as are fans of scientific essentialism (see under 'Nature').