Metonymic and Holonymic roles and Emergent Properties in the SNOMED CT Ontology

Patrick, J.

This paper discusses the manner in which SNOMED CT (SCT) has confused the metonymic role of some class labels as holonyms and has inappropriately assigned property inheritance down a holonymic chain due to its transitiveness. The notion of emergent properties is introduced as the only form of property that can exist on a holonym and its use in a hypernymic inheritance hierarchy is discussed. The consequences of this modelling approach for SCT are discussed and the use of metonymic substitution for holonyms at the point of care is presented as a source of confusion for causing the modelling of inheritance in holonymic hierarchies for clinical care. The mathematical modelling of the metonymic substitution is discussed but left as future work.

Cite as: Patrick, J. (2006). Metonymic and Holonymic roles and Emergent Properties in the SNOMED CT Ontology. In Proc. Second Australasian Ontology Workshop (AOW 2006), Hobart, Australia. CRPIT, 72. Orgun, M. A. and Meyer, T., Eds. ACS. 61-67.

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