different between definite vs clinching

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

Verb

clinching

1. present participle of clinch

Adjective

clinching (not comparable)

1. That settles something (such as an argument) definitely and conclusively
   • 1872, Thomas Hardy, Under the Greenwood Tree, Part 2, Chapter 8,^[1]

     “Yes,” said Dick, with such a clinching period at the end that it seemed he was never going to add another word.

   • 1921, Edwin Arlington Robinson, “Imogen” in Collected Poems, lines 113-119,^[2]

     There were no dreams,

     No phantoms in her future any more:

     One clinching revelation of what was

     One by-flash of irrevocable chance,

     Had acridly but honestly foretold

     The mystical fulfilment of a life

     That might have once … But that was all gone by

   • 1960, “Breaking the Fast,” Time, 22 February, 1960,^[3]

     He shocked his hearers by urging them not to fast during Ramadan, which begins Feb. 29. As a clinching argument, Bourguiba recalled that even Mohammed, when inconveniently overtaken by Ramadan on his march to Mecca, counseled his soldiers: “Break the fast, and you will be stronger to confront the enemy.”

Noun

clinching (countable and uncountable, plural clinchings)

1. A clinch; a passionate embrace.
   • 1937, Motion Picture Herald (volume 127, issues 1-6, page 42)

     Though there are no kissings and clinchings, […]

2. A making certain or finalizing.
   • 2015, George Becnel, The Southland Conference: Small College Football, Big Dreams

     Only six weeks into the season, the top-ranked Bulldogs were undefeated at 60, but more important to Louisiana Tech was one of the earliest clinchings of a conference title in the annals of college football.

3. (computing, historical) The distortion of computer tape by wrinkling.
   • 1985, Alvin C. Larson, Computer Operator (AFSC 51150) (page 87)

     This “clinching” can distort the tape by causing a series of creases or folds in the surface and may produce read errors.

   • 1987, Conservation Administration News (issues 28-35, page 29)

     Computer magnetic tape is designed primarily for its storage capacity, speed, and capacity to be repeatedly erased and written over. […] Bad binder can cause holes in the oxide, loose particles, or clinching of tape.