different between determinate vs undeterminate

English

Pronunciation

• (adjective, noun) (UK) IPA^(key): /d??t??m?n?t/
• (verb) (UK) IPA^(key): /d??t??m?ne?t/

Etymology 1

From Middle English determinate, determynat, determinat, from Latin d?termin?tus, perfect passive participle of d?termin? (“I limit, set bounds”).

Adjective

determinate (not comparable)

1. Distinct, clearly defined. [from 14th c.]
   • c. 1668, John Dryden, Essay of Dramatick Poesie

     Quantity of words and a determinate number of feet.

   • 1938, Xavier Herbert, Capricornia, Chapter VIII, p. 122, [1]

     […] on account of his responsibility to Norman and Marigold, and on account of his now determinate age, he considered himself ineligible for more dangerous service.

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 [...].

   • 1796–7, Mary Wollstonecraft, The Wrongs of Woman, Oxford 2009, p. 107:

     [S]he watched impatiently for the dawn of day, with that determinate purpose which generally insures success.

3. (biology) Of growth: ending once a genetically predetermined structure has formed.
4. Conclusive; decisive; positive.
5. (obsolete) Determined or resolved upon.
6. Of determined purpose; resolute.

   • More determinate to do than skilfull how to do.

Antonyms

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

Derived terms

• determinateness

Related terms

• determinacy
• determination
• determine
• deterministic

Translations

Noun

determinate (plural determinates)

1. (philosophy) A single state of a particular determinable attribute.

Etymology 2

From Middle English determinaten, from the adjective (see above).

Verb

determinate (third-person singular simple present determinates, present participle determinating, simple past and past participle determinated)

1. (obsolete) To bring to an end; to determine.

Esperanto

Adverb

determinate

1. present adverbial passive participle of determini

Italian

Adjective

determinate f pl

1. feminine plural of determinato

Anagrams

• demeritante

Latin

Verb

d?termin?te

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

English

Etymology

un- +? determinate

Adjective

undeterminate (comparative more undeterminate, superlative most undeterminate)

1. (archaic) Not determinate; unsettled or uncertain.
   • 1662, Henry More, An Antidote Against Atheism, Book II, A Collection of Several Philosophical Writings of Dr. Henry More, p. 54:

     "... I think I may safely infer, That whatever is the first and principal Cause of changing the fluid and undeterminated Matter into shapes so comely and symmetrical, as we see in Flowers and Trees, is an Understanding Principle ...

Antonyms

• determinate