different between substantial vs definite

English

Etymology

From Old French substantiel.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /s?b?stæn??l/

Adjective

substantial (comparative more substantial, superlative most substantial)

1. Having a substance; actually existing.

   substantial life

2. Not imaginary; real; actual; true; veritable.
   • 1850s, Cardinal John Henry Newman, The Rise and Progress of Universities

     to do some substantial good, is the compensation for much incidental imperfection

3. Corporeal; material; firm.
4. Having good substance; strong; stout; solid; firm.

5. Possessed of goods or an estate; moderately wealthy.

6. Large in size, quantity, or value; ample; significant.

7. Most important; essential.
8. Satisfying; having sufficient substance to be nourishing or filling.

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

substantial (plural substantials)

1. Anything having substance; an essential part.

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