openengineer/rfc/rfc-0004.md

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RFC-0004: Vocabulary

Status: Proposed Phase: The Bedrock Phase

Abstract

This RFC formalizes Open Engineer's core vocabulary as a defined, versioned glossary with one authoritative location.

Motivation

Engineers across disciplines share an informal conceptual vocabulary. Without formal definitions, terms are used inconsistently, leading to ambiguity. A standard requires precise, non-redundant terminology.

Observation

During development, the same concept was sometimes described with different words in different documents, creating the potential for silent divergence.

Engineering Principle

Every canonical term has one definition, located in one authoritative document (OE-0002). All other documents reference OE-0002; they do not redefine terms.

Reasoning

A shared vocabulary is the foundation of a shared standard. Formal definitions eliminate ambiguity and create a reliable foundation for all subsequent work.

Relationship to Existing Concepts

Vocabulary is defined in OE-0002. Term consistency is enforced by the No Duplication editorial principle (reference/editorial-principles.md, Section 7) and the Enduring Concept test (Section 5).