---
slug: "Termdrift"
name: "Termdrift"
type: "Reasoning"
layer: "Mind"
ref: "Termdrift#18ef"
sema_id: "sema:Termdrift#mh:SHA-256:18efdce0460f0047859b5fe8ac23c3da6c03a245cfb3710245c4affc036cc5f0"
tags: ["Mind","Reasoning"]
updated: 2026-11-11
mindscape: "bootstrap"
index_url: https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/index.json
url: https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/Termdrift/
related: ["Interpret","Meaningpause","Lucence"]
---

# Termdrift

Track a key term's meaning through an explanation, and flag where the meaning shifts

Layer: Mind · Category: Reasoning

## Mechanism

In an explanation, argument or plan, each key term's meaning at first use is recorded, and later uses are checked against it, each use being an [Interpret](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/Interpret.md)ation in its own context. Where the meaning shifts, the shift is flagged and either made explicit or the term is split into two.

## Invariants

- Each key term's first meaning is recorded.
- A later use with a different meaning is flagged and either made explicit or given a separate term.

## Failure modes

- Equivocation: a conclusion depends on a term meaning one thing in a premise and another in the conclusion.
- Term freeze: legitimate refinement of a term is blocked as drift.

## Builds on

- [Interpret](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/Interpret.md) (Mind; References)

## Used by

—

## Identity

- Sema ID: `sema:Termdrift#mh:SHA-256:18efdce0460f0047859b5fe8ac23c3da6c03a245cfb3710245c4affc036cc5f0`
- Ref: `Termdrift#18ef`

## Links

- [Pattern page](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/Termdrift/)
- [View in the interactive graph](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/#Termdrift)
- [JSON](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/Termdrift.json)
- [Index of all patterns](https://mindscape.pages.dev/bootstrap/index.json)