Terms used in METEOR metadata are explained and defined with glossary items. They are used to define terms in any metadata item where there might be confusion about the meaning. In most cases, glossary items are used so it is not necessary to repeatedly explain what a term means in a specific context. This means glossary items are developed as part of the metadata development process. They are not dictionary definitions, but are very contextual.
For example, the definitions of Analgesia during birth event and Anaesthesia during birth event are very specific for the perinatal field. They define the difference between analgesia (pain relief) and anaesthesia (absence of sensation) during birth. These definitions have been created as part of the perinatal data standards, and are included in such metadata items as the value domains Type of labour analgesia administered code N[N] and Type of birth anaesthesia administered code N[N].
