output (n.)

A use of the general sense of this term in GENERATIVE GRAMMAR to refer to a SENTENCE which is produced after the application of a RULE or set of rules. It contrasts with INPUT, which refers to the linguistic construct which triggers the application of a rule.

In OPTIMALITY THEORY, an output is the optimal REPRESENTATION of an INPUT form, following the application of the mechanisms of the theory. It corresponds most closely to what people actually say.

output–output constraints In OPTIMALITY THEORY, a set of CONSTRAINTS which mandate PARADIGMATIC uniformity, penalizing related forms that differ in their PHONOLOGICAL properties.