different between definitive vs perfect

English

Etymology

From Middle French définitif.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /d??f?n.?t.?v/

Adjective

definitive (comparative more definitive, superlative most definitive)

1. explicitly defined
2. conclusive or decisive

3. definite, authoritative and complete
   • 1838, William H. Prescott, History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic

     Some definitive […] scheme of reconciliation.

4. limiting; determining

5. (philately) general, not issued for commemorative purposes
6. (obsolete) Determined; resolved.
   • 1604, William Shakespeare, Measure, for Measure, V. i. 424:

     Never crave him. We are definitive.

Derived terms

• definitively

Translations

Noun

definitive (plural definitives)

1. (grammar) a word, such as a definite article or demonstrative pronoun, that defines or limits something
2. (philately) an ordinary postage stamp that is part of a series of all denominations or is reprinted as needed to meet demand

   Synonym: definitive stamp

Translations

Esperanto

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /defini?tive/
• Rhymes: -ive

Adverb

definitive

1. definitively

German

Adjective

definitive

1. inflection of definitiv:
   1. strong/mixed nominative/accusative feminine singular
   2. strong nominative/accusative plural
   3. weak nominative all-gender singular
   4. weak accusative feminine/neuter singular

Italian

Adjective

definitive

1. feminine plural of definitivo

Anagrams

• definitevi

Latin

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /de?.fi?.ni??ti?.u?e/, [d?e?fi?ni??t?i?u??]
• (Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /de.fi.ni?ti.ve/, [d??fini?t?i?v?]

Adjective

d?f?n?t?ve

1. vocative masculine singular of d?f?n?t?vus

References

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

English

Alternative forms

• perfite (obsolete)
• pf. (abbreviation, grammar)

Etymology 1

From Middle English perfit, from Old French parfit (modern: parfait), from Latin perfectus, perfect passive participle of perficere (“to finish”), from per- (“through, thorough”) + facere (“to do, to make”). Spelling modified 15c. to conform to Latin etymology. Doublet of parfait.

Displaced native Old English fulfremed.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?p??.f?kt/, /?p??.f?kt/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?p?f?kt/

Adjective

perfect (comparative perfecter or more perfect, superlative perfectest or most perfect)

1. Fitting its definition precisely.

2. Having all of its parts in harmony with a common purpose.

3. Without fault or mistake; thoroughly skilled or talented.

4. Excellent and delightful in all respects.
5. (mathematics) Of a number: equal to the sum of its proper divisors.

   6 is perfect because the sum of its proper divisors, 1, 2, and 3, which is 6, is equal to the number itself.

6. (grammar, of a tense or verb form) Representing a completed action.
7. (biology) Sexually mature and fully differentiated.
8. (botany) Of flowers, having both male parts (stamens) and female parts (carpels).
9. (mathematical analysis) Of a set: equal to its set of limit points, i.e. set A is perfect if A=A'.
10. (music) Describing an interval or any compound interval of a unison, octave, or fourths and fifths that are not tritones.
11. (of a cocktail) Made with equal parts of sweet and dry vermouth.

12. (obsolete) Well informed; certain; sure.

    • I am perfect that the Pannonians and Dalmatians for their liberties are now in arms.

13. (obsolete) Innocent, guiltless.

    • My parts, my title, and my perfect soul shall manifest me rightly.

Usage notes

Some authorities proscribe the comparative and superlative forms "more perfect" and "most perfect", on the grounds that perfection is an absolute state. Nevertheless, graded forms have been in common use in writing for centuries – for instance the Preamble to the United States Constitution, drafted in 1787, describes its goal as "a more perfect Union". In these cases, "more perfect" can mean "closer to perfection", "less imperfect" or "improving upon an already perfect state".

Synonyms

• (fitting its definition precisely): accurate, flawless
• (without fault or mistake): faultless, infallible
• (thoroughly skilled or talented): expert, proficient
• (biology: sexually mature and fully differentiated): mature
• (botany: having both male and female parts): bisexual, hermaphroditic
• See also Thesaurus:flawless

Antonyms

• (fitting its definition precisely): flawed
• (without fault or mistake): faulty, faultful, fallible
• (botany: having both male and female parts): imperfect

Hyponyms

Coordinate terms

• (music): augmented
• (music): diminished

Derived terms

Related terms

• perfect competition
• perfect market
• perfect number
• perfect pitch
• practice makes perfect

Translations

Noun

perfect (plural perfects)

1. (grammar) The perfect tense, or a form in that tense.
2. (video games) A perfect score; the achievement of finishing a stage or task with no mistakes.
   • 2007, Barbara Smith, Chad Yancey, Video Game Achievements and Unlockables (page 17)

     Awarded for scoring all Perfects in the Dominator rank!

Translations

Synonyms

• (grammar): preterperfect

Etymology 2

From perfect (adjective).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /p??f?kt/
• (US) IPA^(key): /p??f?kt/

Verb

perfect (third-person singular simple present perfects, present participle perfecting, simple past and past participle perfected)

1. (transitive) To make perfect; to improve or hone.

   I am going to perfect this article.

   You spend too much time trying to perfect your dancing.

2. (law) To take an action, usually the filing of a document in the correct venue, that secures a legal right.

   perfect an appeal; perfect an interest; perfect a judgment

Synonyms

• (to make perfect): enhance, hone, improve, optimize

Related terms

• perfecter
• perfectible

Translations

References

Anagrams

• prefect

Dutch

Etymology

From Middle Dutch perfect, from Latin perfectus.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /p?r?f?kt/, /p?r?f?kt/
• Hyphenation: per?fect
• Rhymes: -?kt

Adjective

perfect (comparative perfecter, superlative perfectst)

1. perfect

   Synonym: volmaakt

Inflection

Derived terms

• imperfect
• perfectie

Related terms

• imperfectum
• perfectum

Descendants

• Afrikaans: perfek

Adverb

perfect

1. perfectly

Romanian

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin perfectus, German perfekt.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [per?fekt]

Adjective

perfect m or n (feminine singular perfect?, masculine plural perfec?i, feminine and neuter plural perfecte)

1. perfect, flawless

Declension

Synonyms

• des?vâr?it

Antonyms

• imperfect
• nedes?vâr?it

Adverb

perfect

1. perfectly, completely

Noun

perfect n (uncountable)

1. perfect tense

Derived terms

• perfect compus
• perfect simplu