1. A variable referred to in a function, which is not an
We say x is bound in M and free in T. If T contains a subterm
x . U then x is rebound in this term. This nested, inner
binding of x is said to "shadow" the outer binding.
Occurrences of x in U are free occurrences of the new x.
Variables bound at the top level of a program are technically
free variables within the terms to which they are bound but
are often treated specially because they can be compiled as
fixed addresses. Similarly, an identifier bound to a
recursive function is also technically a free variable within
its own body but is treated specially.
2. In
logic, a variable which is not quantified (see