definite English · revision 39601

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1530, J. Palsgrave, Lesclarcissement de la langue francoyse|origins=la fīnis}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * UK: /ˈdɛfɪnɪt/^(Wiktionary)

+ * US: /ˈdɛfɪnɪt/, /ˈdɛfənɪt/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|dēfīnītus|t=defined, bounded, limited, precise]], the past participle of [[m|la|dēfīniō|t=to limit, determine, explain]],^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(ODE 2010) from [[m|la|dē-|t=completely]] and [[m|la|fīniō|t=to bound, limit]], from [[m|la|fīnis|t=boundary, end]],^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966) the source also of [[define]] and [[finish]].^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2024) The American Heritage Dictionary gives a Middle English form [[m|enm|diffinite|t=defined]].^(AHD 2024) The OED compares obsolete [[frm|définit]], recorded in 1504.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ As a noun, something definite, especially a definite tense in grammar: 1530, in Palsgrave's ''Lesclarcissement de la langue francoyse''.^(OED 2026) As an adjective, having fixed limits, exact: 1553, in Thomas Wilson's ''Arte of Rhetorique''.^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024) Etymonline dates the adjective "fixed, certain, precise" to about 1500 and "having fixed limits" to the 1550s;^(Etymonline) Dictionary.com gives 1520–30 and Collins the 15th century.^(Dictionary.com 2016)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Shakespeare applied the word to people, in ''Cymbeline'' (a1616): "Ideots, in this case of favour, would Be wisely definite".^(OED 2026)^(Johnson 1755) Johnson (1755) defined it as certain, limited, bounded, and exact, precise, and recorded a noun meaning a thing explained or defined, which is now obsolete.^(Johnson 1755)^(OED 2026) From 1728 grammarians called the article ''the'' definite (Etymonline: 1727),^(OED 2026)^(Etymonline) and used ''definite'' for the inflections of adjectives that follow it in German and early English (1874).^(OED 2026) Botany took it up for an inflorescence whose main axis ends in the first flower to open (1876) and for flower parts of fixed number (1839),^(OED 2026) and philosophy for Bertrand Russell's definite descriptions (1911).^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * about 1500 – fixed, certain, precise, in Etymonline's dating.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1530 – noun, a definite tense.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1553 – having fixed limits; exact.^(OED 2026)^(MWU 2024)

+ * a1616 – of a person, decided in opinion.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1728 – (grammar) the definite article.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1839 – (botany) of flower parts, of fixed number.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1876 – (botany) of an inflorescence, ending in a flower.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1911 – (philosophy) a definite description.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Clearly defined, exact and free of doubt: ''We need a definite answer by Friday.''^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+ # Having fixed or precise limits: ''a definite period''.^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+ # Known for certain; sure, or (of a person) sure and firm in opinion.^(Collins 2023)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Clear and unmistakable: ''a definite improvement''.^(MWU 2024)

+ # (grammar) Of an [[article]] or other word, pointing out a particular, known individual, as ''the'' does in English.^(SOED 2002)^(OED 2026)

+ # (botany) Of growth or an [[inflorescence]], with the main stem ending in a flower; of flower parts, fixed in number.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 2026)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # (grammar) A definite verb form or a noun denoting a definite thing.^(MWU 2024)^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[definitely]]

+ * [[definiteness]]

+ * [[definitize]]

+ * [[definitude]]

+ * [[nondefinite]]

+ * [[semidefinite]]

+ * [[undefinite]]

+ * [[definite article]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[define]]

+ * [[definitive]]

+ * [[indefinite]]

+ * [[definition]]

+ * [[finite]]

+ * [[infinite]]

+ * [[finish]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Etymonline distinguishes ''definite'', clear and precise, from ''definitive'', having the character of finality, and Dictionary.com also treats the pair as easily confused.^(Etymonline)^(Dictionary.com 2016)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}