Definition:Assignment for Structure/Term

Definition
Let $\mathcal L_1$ be language of predicate logic.

Let $\mathrm{VAR}$ be the collection of variables of $\mathcal L_1$.

Let $\mathcal A$ be an $\mathcal L_1$-structure on a set $A$. Let $\tau$ be a term of $\mathcal L_1$.

Denote with $V \left({\tau}\right)$ the variables which occur in $\tau$.

An assignment for $\tau$ in $\mathcal A$ is a mapping $\sigma$ with codomain $A$, whose domain is subject to the following condition:


 * $V \left({\tau}\right) \subseteq \operatorname{dom} \left({\sigma}\right) \subseteq \mathrm{VAR}$

That is, the domain of $\sigma$ contains only variables, and at least those which occur in $\tau$.

Also see

 * Definition:Assignment for Formula