different between changeable vs indefinite

English

Etymology

From Old French changeable

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?t??e?nd???b?l/

Adjective

changeable (comparative more changeable, superlative most changeable)

1. Capable of being changed.
2. Subject to sudden or frequent changes.

3. (of a species) Capable of camouflaging itself by changing colour.

Synonyms

• (capable of being changed): alterable, modifiable, variable; see also Thesaurus:mutable
• (subject to sudden or frequent changes): fickle, labile, variable; see also Thesaurus:changeable
• (capable of camouflaging): chameleonic

Derived terms

Translations

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /???.?abl/

Adjective

changeable (plural changeables)

1. changeable (capable of being changed)

Related terms

• see changer

Further reading

• “changeable” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

English

Etymology

From Late Latin ind?f?n?tus.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?n?d?f?n?t/
• Hyphenation: in?def?i?nite

Adjective

indefinite (comparative more indefinite, superlative most indefinite)

1. Without limit; forever, or until further notice; not definite.
2. Vague or unclear.
3. Undecided or uncertain.
4. (mathematics) Being an integral without specified limits.
5. (linguistics) Designating an unspecified or unidentified person or thing or group of persons or things

   the indefinite article

Synonyms

• (without limit): unlimited, unrestricted
• (vague or unclear): hazy; see also Thesaurus:indistinct or Thesaurus:vague
• (undecided or uncertain): indeterminate, unsettled, indecisive, unsure
• (an integral without specified limits):
• (designating an unspecified thing):

Derived terms

• indefinitely
• indefinite article
• indefiniteness
• indef

Related terms

• indeterminate

Translations

Noun

indefinite (plural indefinites)

1. (grammar) A word or phrase that designates an unspecified or unidentified person or thing or group of persons or things.

Italian

Adjective

indefinite f pl

1. feminine plural of indefinito

Latin

Adjective

ind?f?n?te

1. vocative masculine singular of ind?f?n?tus

References

• indefinite in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• indefinite in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire illustré Latin-Français, Hachette