*defin*

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Defined p. pr. & vb. n. Defining. ] [ OE. definer, usually, to end, to finish, F. définir to define, L. definire to limit, define; de- + finire to limit, end, finis boundary, limit, end. See Final, Finish. ] 1. To fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination; to end. “To define controversies.” Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To determine or clearly exhibit the boundaries of; to mark the limits of; as, to define the extent of a kingdom or country. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly; as, the defining power of an optical instrument. [ 1913 Webster ]

Rings . . . very distinct and well defined. Sir I. Newton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To determine the precise signification of; to fix the meaning of; to describe accurately; to explain; to expound or interpret; as, to define a word, a phrase, or a scientific term. [ 1913 Webster ]

They define virtue to be life ordered according to nature. Robynson (More's Utopia). [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To determine; to decide. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of defining; definition; description. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who defines or explains. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. definitis, p. p. of definire: cf. F. défini. See Define. ] 1. Having certain or distinct; determinate in extent or greatness; limited; fixed; as, definite dimensions; a definite measure; a definite period or interval. [ 1913 Webster ]

Elements combine in definite proportions. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Having certain limits in signification; determinate; certain; precise; fixed; exact; clear; as, a definite word, term, or expression. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Determined; resolved. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Serving to define or restrict; limiting; determining; as, the definite article. [ 1913 Webster ]

Definite article (Gram.), the article the, which is used to designate a particular person or thing, or a particular class of persons or things; -- also called a definitive. See Definitive, n. - -
Definite inflorescence. (Bot.) See Determinate inflorescence, under Determinate. --
Law of definite proportions (Chem.), the essential law of chemical combination that every definite compound always contains the same elements in the same proportions by weight; and, if two or more elements form more than one compound with each other, the relative proportions of each are fixed. Compare Law of multiple proportions, under Multiple. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A thing defined or determined. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a definite manner; with precision; precisely; determinately. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being definite; determinateness; precision; certainty. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. definitio: cf. F. définition. ] 1. The act of defining; determination of the limits; as, a telescope accurate in definition. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Act of ascertaining and explaining the signification; a description of a thing by its properties; an explanation of the meaning of a word or term; as, the definition of “circle;” the definition of “wit;” an exact definition; a loose definition. [ 1913 Webster ]

Definition being nothing but making another understand by words what the term defined stands for. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Description; sort. [ R. ] “A new creature of another definition.” Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Logic) An exact enunciation of the constituents which make up the logical essence. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Opt.) Distinctness or clearness, as of an image formed by an optical instrument; precision in detail.

Syn. -- Definition, Explanation, Description. A definition is designed to settle a thing in its compass and extent; an explanation is intended to remove some obscurity or misunderstanding, and is therefore more extended and minute; a description enters into striking particulars with a view to interest or impress by graphic effect. It is not therefore true, though often said, that description is only an extended definition. “Logicians distinguish definitions into essential and accidental. An essential definition states what are regarded as the constituent parts of the essence of that which is to be defined; and an accidental definition lays down what are regarded as circumstances belonging to it, viz., properties or accidents, such as causes, effects, etc.” Whately. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Relating to definition; of the nature of a definition; employed in defining. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. definitivus: cf. F. définitif. ] 1. Determinate; positive; final; conclusive; unconditional; express. [ 1913 Webster ]

A strict and definitive truth. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

Some definitive . . . scheme of reconciliation. Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Limiting; determining; as, a definitive word. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Determined; resolved. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (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. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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). [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a definitive manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being definitive. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Definiteness. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Definitude . . . is a knowledge of minute differences. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Incapable of being defined or described; inexplicable. Bp. Reynolds. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an indefinable manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. indefinitus. See In- not, and Definite. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Not definite; not limited, defined, or specified; not explicit; not determined or fixed upon; not precise; uncertain; vague; confused; obscure; as, an indefinite time, plan, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

It were to be wished that . . . men would leave off that indefinite way of vouching, “the chymists say this, ” or “the chymists affirm that.” Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

The time of this last is left indefinite. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Having no determined or certain limits; large and unmeasured, though not infinite; unlimited; as, indefinite space; the indefinite extension of a straight line. [ 1913 Webster ]

Though it is not infinite, it may be indefinite; though it is not boundless in itself, it may be so to human comprehension. Spectator. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Boundless; infinite. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Indefinite and omnipresent God,
Inhabiting eternity. W. Thompson (1745). [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Bot.) Too numerous or variable to make a particular enumeration important; -- said of the parts of a flower, and the like. Also, indeterminate. [ 1913 Webster ]

Indefinite article (Gram.), the word a or an, used with nouns to denote any one of a common or general class. --
Indefinite inflorescence. (Bot.) See Indeterminate inflorescence, under Indeterminate. --
Indefinite proposition (Logic), a statement whose subject is a common term, with nothing to indicate distribution or nondistribution; as, Man is mortal. --
Indefinite term (Logic), a negative term; as, the not-good.

Syn. -- Inexplicit; vague; uncertain; unsettled; indeterminate; loose; equivocal; inexact; approximate. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an indefinite manner or degree; without any settled limitation; vaguely; not with certainty or exactness; as, to use a word indefinitely. [ 1913 Webster ]

If the world be indefinitely extended, that is, so far as no human intellect can fancy any bound of it. Ray. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being indefinite. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Indefiniteness; vagueness; also, number or quantity not limited by our understanding, though yet finite. [ Obs. ] Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To define beforehand. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ 1st pref. un- + define. ] To make indefinite; to obliterate or confuse the definition or limitations of. [ 1913 Webster ]