different between definite vs categorical

English

Etymology

From Latin d?f?n?tus, past participle of d?f?ni?, whence also English define.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?d?f?n?t/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?d?f?n?t/, /?d?f?n?t/

Adjective

definite (comparative more definite, superlative most definite)

1. Having distinct limits.

   definite dimensions; a definite measure; a definite period or interval

   • 1837, William Whewell, History of the Inductive Sciences, London: John W. Parker, Volume 3, Book 14, Chapter 8, p. 145,^[1]

     […] elements combine in definite proportions […]

2. Free from any doubt.

   Synonym: unquestionable

   definite knowledge

3. Determined; resolved; decided.
   • c. 1609, William Shakespeare, Cymbeline, Act I, Scene 6,^[2]

     […] idiots in this case of favour would

     Be wisely definite;

4. (linguistics) Designating an identified or immediately identifiable person or thing, or group of persons or things

   the definite article

Antonyms

• indefinite

Derived terms

• definite article
• definitely

Related terms

• define
• definitive
• indefinite

Translations

Noun

definite (plural definites)

1. (grammar) A word or phrase that designates a specified or identified person or entity.
2. (obsolete) Anything that is defined or determined.

Italian

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /de.fi?ni.te/

Verb

definite

1. second-person plural indicative present of definire
2. second-person plural imperative present of definire

Adjective

definite

1. feminine plural of definito

Latin

Verb

d?f?n?te

1. second-person plural present active imperative of d?f?ni?

References

• definite in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers

English

Pronunciation

• (General American, Canada) IPA^(key): /?kæt??????k(?)l/

Adjective

categorical (comparative more categorical, superlative most categorical)

1. Absolute; having no exception.
   • 1900, Sigmund Freud, The Interpretation of Dreams, Avon Books, (translated by James Strachey) pg. 74:

     Daytime interests are clearly not such far-reaching psychical sources of dreams as might have been expected from the categorical assertions that everyone continues to carry on his daily business in his dreams.

2. Of, pertaining to, or using a category or categories.

Synonyms

• (absolute; having no exception): absolute, categoric, unconditional

Antonyms

• (absolute; having no exception): exceptional, conditional, hypothetical, relative

Derived terms

• acategorical
• categorical imperative
• categoricalness

Related terms

• categoricity

Translations

Noun

categorical (plural categoricals)

1. (logic) A categorical proposition.