 an
abstract relation -- the relation that three things a, b, and c stand in
when a gives b to c.  You distinguish between, say, the redness of this
apple (i.e., an instance of redness) and redness per se, don't you?
Same distinction applies with giving, don't you think?

&gt; &gt; &gt;    This is principally to minimise structural constraints where
&gt; &gt; &gt;    all places in a relation must be filled, when some are not
&gt; &gt; &gt;    known.
&gt; &gt;
&gt; &gt; This makes no sense to me whatever.
&g