in|def´i|nite|ness

in|def´i|nite|ness
in|def|i|nite «ihn DEHF uh niht», adjective.
1. not clearly defined; not precise; vague: »

“Maybe” is a very indefinite answer.

SYNONYM(S): obscure, ambiguous, equivocal, inexact.
2. not limited: »

We have an indefinite time to finish this work.

3. Grammar. not specifying precisely. An indefinite adjective, pronoun, etc., does not refer to a specific person, thing, time, etc. Some, many, and few are often indefinite pronouns. Abbr: indef.
4. Botany. a) very numerous; not easily counted: »

indefinite stamens.

b) (of an inflorescence) indeterminate.
╂[< Latin indēfīnītus < in- not + dēfīnīre to limit. Compare etym. under define.]
–in|def´i|nite|ly, adverb.
–in|def´i|nite|ness, noun.

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • def´i|nite|ness — def|i|nite «DEHF uh niht», adjective. 1. clear or exact; precise; not vague: »definite proof. Say “Yes” or “No,” or give me some definite answer. SYNONYM(S): explicit, positive. 2. having settled limits; limited; restricted. 3 …   Useful english dictionary

  • def|i|nite — «DEHF uh niht», adjective. 1. clear or exact; precise; not vague: »definite proof. Say “Yes” or “No,” or give me some definite answer. SYNONYM(S): explicit, positive. 2. having settled limits; limited; restricted. 3 …   Useful english dictionary

  • in|def´i|nite|ly — in|def|i|nite «ihn DEHF uh niht», adjective. 1. not clearly defined; not precise; vague: »“Maybe” is a very indefinite answer. SYNONYM(S): obscure, ambiguous, equivocal, inexact. 2. not limited: »We have an indefinite time to finish this work. 3 …   Useful english dictionary

  • in|def|i|nite — «ihn DEHF uh niht», adjective. 1. not clearly defined; not precise; vague: »“Maybe” is a very indefinite answer. SYNONYM(S): obscure, ambiguous, equivocal, inexact. 2. not limited: »We have an indefinite time to finish this work. 3. Grammar. not… …   Useful english dictionary

  • ness — ness·ber·ry; ness·ler·iza·tion; ness·ler·ize; ness·ler s; new·fan·gled·ness; new·ness; news·i·ness; nice·ness; nig·gard·li·ness; nig·gard·ness; nigh·ness; nip·pi·ness; no·ble·ness; nois·i·ness; non·cha·lant·ness; north·er·li·ness; north·ness;… …   English syllables

  • nite — ace·to·ar·se·nite; ac·o·nite; ac·ro·ster·nite; ac·ti·no·cri·nite; al·go·do·nite; alu·mi·nite; al·u·nite; am·ba·to·ar·i·nite; am·blyg·o·nite; am·phi·bich·nite; an·de·si·nite; an·ti·mo·nite; aph·a·nite; arag·o·nite; ar·ca·nite; ar·den·nite;… …   English syllables

  • def — ab·u·def·duf; def·ae·cate; def·a·ma·tion; def·e·ca·tion; def·e·ca·tor; def·e·da·tion; def·er·ence; def·er·en·ti·al·i·ty; def·i·nite·ly; def·i·nite·ness; def·i·ni·tion; def·i·ni·tion·al; def·i·ni·tize; def·i·ni·tor; def·la·grate; def·la·gra·tion;… …   English syllables

  • definite — def•i•nite [[t]ˈdɛf ə nɪt[/t]] adj. 1) clearly defined or determined; precise 2) having fixed limits 3) positive; certain 4) gram. cv defining; limiting 5) bot (of an inflorescence) determinate • Etymology: 1520–30; < L dēfīnītus limited,… …   From formal English to slang

  • definiteness — def·i·nite·ness …   English syllables

  • indefiniteness — in·def·i·nite·ness …   English syllables

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