Determinate - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Determinate means having a fixed or definite limit, extent, or nature. It is often used to describe something that is clearly defined, settled, or conclusive, such as a determinate answer or a determinate period of time.
Definition:
Having exact limits or fixed outcomes; clearly defined or settled.
Synonyms:
definite, fixed, settled, conclusive, decisive
Part of Speech:
adjective
Antonyms:
indeterminate, uncertain, vague
Common Collocations:
determinate sentence, determinate growth, determinate structure
Derivatives:
determinately, determinateness
Usage Tips:
Use "determinate" to describe something with clear boundaries or a fixed outcome, often in legal or scientific contexts.
Common Phrases:
determinate sentence in law, determinate growth in plants
Etymology:
From Latin "determinatus," past participle of "determinare," meaning to limit or fix boundaries.
Examples:
- 1. The judge issued a determinate sentence of five years.
- 2. The plant exhibited determinate growth, stopping at a certain height.
- 3. Her answer was clear and determinate, leaving no room for doubt.
- 4. The contract included a determinate timeline for project completion.