8 More Constructions

Let L be a language, M an L-structure. Fix a collection (Mi)iI of substructures of M. Let N=iIMi, and assume N is non-empty.

Then we have a canonical L-structure, with universe N and interpretiation:

Note N is also a substructure.

Definition 8.1 (Generated by). Given an L-structure M, a non-empty AM, the substructure generated by A is the intersection of all substructures containing A.

Definition 8.2 (Chain, Elementary chain). Let α be a limit ordinal.

A collection (Mi)i<α of L-structures is a chain if MiMj (substructure) for all i<j, and is an elementary chain if MiMj for all i<j.

If (Mi)i<α is a chain then i<αMj is a well-defined L-structure.