DEFINITE

definite

(adjective) known for certain; “it is definite that they have won”

definite

(adjective) precise; explicit and clearly defined; “I want a definite answer”; “a definite statement of the terms of the will”; “a definite amount”; “definite restrictions on the sale of alcohol”; “the wedding date is now definite”; “a definite drop in attendance”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adjective

definite (comparative more definite, superlative most definite)

Having distinct limits.

Free from any doubt.

Synonym: unquestionable

Determined; resolved; decided.

(linguistics) Designating an identified or immediately identifiable person or thing, or group of persons or things

Antonyms

• indefinite

Noun

definite (plural definites)

(grammar) A word or phrase that designates a specified or identified person or entity.

(obsolete) Anything that is defined or determined.

Source: Wiktionary


Def"i*nite, a. Etym: [L. definitis, p. p. of definire: cf. F. défini. See Define.]

1. Having certain or distinct; determinate in extent or greatness; limited; fixed; as, definite dimensions; a definite measure; a definite period or interval. Elements combine in definite proportions. Whewell.

2. Having certain limits in signification; determinate; certain; precise; fixed; exact; clear; as, a definite word, term, or expression.

3. Determined; resolved. [Obs.] Shak.

4. Serving to define or restrict; limiting; determining; as, the definite article. Definite article (Gram.), the article the, which is used to designate a particular person or thing, or a particular class of persons or things; -- also called a definitive. See Definitive, n.

– Definite inflorescence. (Bot.) See Determinate inflorescence, under Determinate.

– Law of definite proportions (Chem.), the essential law of chemical combination that every definite compound always contains the same elements in the same proportions by weight; and, if two or more elements form more than one compound with each other, the relative proportions of each are fixed. Compare Law of multiple proportions, under Multiple.

Def"i*nite, n.

Definition: A thing defined or determined. [Obs.]

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

27 November 2024

NAUSEATING

(adjective) causing or able to cause nausea; “a nauseating smell”; “nauseous offal”; “a sickening stench”


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Coffee Trivia

An article published in Harvard Men’s Health Watch in 2012 shows heavy coffee drinkers live longer. The researchers examined data from 400,000 people and found out that men who drank six or more coffee cups per day had a 10% lower death rate.

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