In the above paragraphs a distinction is implied between Singular and Distributive Universals; but, technically, every term, whether subject or predicate, when taken in its full denotation (or universally), is said to be ‘distributed,’ although this word, in its ordinary sense, would be directly applicable only to general terms.  In the above examples, then, ‘Queen,’ ‘Black Watch,’ ‘apes,’ and ‘truth’ are all distributed terms.  Indeed, a simple definition of the Universal Proposition is ‘one whose subject is distributed.’

A Particular Proposition is one that has a general term for its subject, whilst its predicate is not affirmed or denied of everything the subject denotes; in other words, it is one whose subject is not distributed:  as Some lions inhabit Africa.

In ordinary discourse it is not always explicitly stated whether predication is universal or particular; it would be very natural to say Lions inhabit Africa, leaving it, as far as the words go, uncertain whether we mean all or some lions.  Propositions whose quantity is thus left indefinite are technically called ‘preindesignate,’ their quantity not being stated or designated by any introductory expression; whilst propositions whose quantity is expressed, as All foundling-hospitals have a high death-rate, or Some wine is made from grapes, are said to be ‘predesignate.’  Now, the rule is that preindesignate propositions are, for logical purposes, to be treated as particular; since it is an obvious precaution of the science of proof, in any practical application, not to go beyond the evidence.  Still, the rule may be relaxed if the universal quantity of a preindesignate proposition is well known or admitted, as in Planets shine with reflected light—­understood of the planets of our solar system at the present time.  Again, such a proposition as Man is the paragon of animals is not a preindesignate, but an abstract proposition; the subject being elliptical for Man according to his proper nature; and the translation of it into a predesignate proposition is not All men are paragons; nor can Some men be sufficient, since an abstract can only be adequately rendered by a distributed term; but we must say, All men who approach the ideal.  Universal real propositions, true without qualification, are very scarce; and we often substitute for them general propositions, saying perhaps—­generally, though not universally, S is P.  Such general propositions are, in strictness, particular; and the logical rules concerning universals cannot be applied to them without careful scrutiny of the facts.

The marks or predesignations of Quantity commonly used in Logic are:  for Universals, All, Any, Every, Whatever (in the negative No or No one, see next Sec.); for Particulars, Some.