bound variable

bound variable

[¦bau̇nd ′ver·ē·ə·bəl] (mathematics) In logic, a variable that occurs within the scope of a quantifier, and cannot be replaced by a constant.

bound variable

(1)A bound variable or formal argument in a functiondefinition is replaced by the actual argument when thefunction is applied. In the lambda abstraction

\\ x . M

x is the bound variable. However, x is a free variable ofthe term M when M is considered on its own. M is the scopeof the binding of x.

bound variable

(2)In logic a bound variable is a quantified variable. Seequantifier.