Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Definitive

De-fin′i-tive

,
Adj.
[L.
definitivus
: cf. F.
définitif
.]
1.
Determinate; positive; final; conclusive; unconditional; express.
A strict and
definitive
truth.
Sir T. Browne.
Some
definitive
. . . scheme of reconciliation.
Prescott.
2.
Limiting; determining;
as, a
definitive
word
.
3.
Determined; resolved.
[Obs.]
Shak.

De-fin′i-tive

,
Noun.
(Gram.)
A word used to define or limit the extent of the signification of a common noun, such as the definite article, and some pronouns.
☞ Definitives . . . are commonly called by grammarians articles. . . . They are of two kinds, either those properly and strictly so called, or else pronominal articles, such as this, that, any, other, some, all, no, none, etc.
Harris (Hermes).

Webster 1828 Edition

Definitive

DEFINITIVE

,
Adj.
1.
Limiting the extent; determinate; positive; express; as a definitive term.
2.
Limiting; ending; determining; final; opposed to conditional, provisional, or interlocutory; as a definitive sentence or decree.

DEFINITIVE

,
Noun.
In grammar, an adjective used to define or limit the extent of the signification of an appelative or common noun. Such are the Latin hic, ille, ipse; the, this and that, in English; le, la, les, in French; il, la, lo in Italian. Thus tree is an appellative or common noun; the tree, this tree, that tree, designate a particular tree, determinate or known. Homo signifies man; hic homo, ille homo, a particular man, &c. But in some languages, the definitives have lost their original use, in a great degree; as in the Greek and French. Thus La force de la vertu, must be rendered in English, the force of virtue, not the force of the virtue. The first la is a definitive; the last has no definitive effect.

Definition 2024

definitive

definitive

See also: définitive

English

Adjective

definitive ‎(comparative more definitive, superlative most definitive)

  1. explicitly defined
  2. conclusive or decisive
  3. definite, authoritative and complete
    • Sir Thomas Browne
      A strict and definitive truth.
    • Prescott
      Some definitive […] scheme of reconciliation.
  4. Limiting; determining.
    a definitive word
  5. (philately) general, not issued for commemorative purposes
  6. (obsolete) Determined; resolved.

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

definitive ‎(plural definitives)

  1. (grammar) a word, such as a definite article or demonstrative pronoun, that defines or limits something
  2. (philately) an ordinary postage stamp that is part of a series of all denominations or is reprinted as needed to meet demand

Translations

Esperanto

Adverb

definitive

  1. definitively

German

Adjective

definitive

  1. inflected form of definitiv

Italian

Adjective

definitive

  1. feminine plural of definitivo

Anagrams

Latin

Adjective

dēfīnītīve

  1. vocative masculine singular of dēfīnītīvus

References

Etymology

From Middle French définitif

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /dɪˈfɪn.ɪt.ɪv/

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