Determinate

Pronunciation

• (adjective, noun) UK IPA: /dɪˈtɜː(ɹ)mɪnÉ™t/
• (verb) UK IPA: /dɪˈtɜː(ɹ)mɪneɪt/

Origin

From Latin dēterminātus, perfect passive participle of dēterminō ("limit, set bounds").

Full definition of determinate

Adjective

1. Distinct, clearly defined. from 14th c.
• DrydenQuantity of words and a determinate number of feet.
2. Fixed, set, unvarying. from 16th c.
• 1526, William Tyndale, trans. Bible, Acts II:hym have ye taken by the hondes of unrightewes persones, after he was delivered by the determinat counsell and foreknowledge of God, and have crucified and slayne hym ....
3. (biology) Of growth: ending once a genetically predetermined structure has formed.
4. conclusive; decisive; positive
• Bible, Acts ii. 23The determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God.
5. (obsolete) Determined or resolved upon.
• ShakespeareMy determinate voyage.
6. Of determined purpose; resolute.
• Sir Philip SidneyMore determinate to do than skillful how to do.

Antonyms

• (limited) indeterminate, nondeterminate
• (biology) indeterminate

Derived terms

• determinateness

Related terms

• determinacy
• determination
• determine
• deterministic

Noun

1. (philosophy) A single state of a particular determinable attribute.
• September 5, And since being negatively-charged and being positively-charged are determinates of the same determinable, D5 will not permit us to infer worlds where anything negatively-charged is also positively-charged.

Verb

1. (obsolete) To bring to an end; to determine.
• ShakespeareThe sly, slow hours shall not determinate
  The dateless limit of thy dear exile.----