definite

From Latin dēfīnītus, past participle of dēfīniō, whence also English define.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈdɛfɪnɪt/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈdɛfɪnɪt/, /ˈdɛfənɪt/, /ˈdɛfənət/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

definite (comparative more definite, superlative most definite)

1. Having distinct limits.

   definite dimensions; a definite measure; a definite period or interval

   • 1837, William Whewell, chapter 8, in History of the Inductive Sciences‎, volume 3, book 14, London: John W. Parker, page 145:

     […] elements combine in definite proportions […]

2. Free from any doubt.

   Synonym: unquestionable

   definite knowledge

3. Determined; resolved; decided.
   • 1611 April (first recorded performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Cymbeline”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene vi]:

     […] idiots in this case of favour would
     Be wisely definite

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

   the definite article

• indefinite

• define
• definitive
• indefinite

definite (plural definites)

1. (grammar) A word or phrase that designates a specified or identified person or entity.
2. (obsolete) Anything that is defined or determined.

• IPA^(key): /de.fiˈni.te/
• Rhymes: -ite
• Hyphenation: de‧fi‧nì‧te

definite

1. inflection of definire:
   1. second-person plural present indicative
   2. second-person plural imperative

definite

1. feminine plural of definito

dēfīnīte

1. second-person plural present active imperative of dēfīniō

dēfīnītē (comparative dēfīnītius, superlative dēfīnītissimē)

1. precisely, distinctly, clearly, explicitly

• “definite”, in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers

definite

1. second-person singular voseo imperative of definir combined with te