structural description (SD)

A term used in (especially classical) TRANSFORMATIONAL GRAMMAR to refer to an analysis of a TERMINAL STRING in terms of a labelled BRACKETING. In transformational analysis, the SD identifies the input to a transformational RULE: it specifies which PHRASE-MARKERS are to be affected by the rule, i.e. which will ‘satisfy’ or ‘meet’ the CONDITIONS of the rule. The terms structural analysis and structure index are also used.