determinate

[adj. dih-tur-muh-nit; v. dih-tur-muh-neyt] /adj. dɪˈtɜr mə nɪt; v. dɪˈtɜr məˌneɪt/
adjective
1.
having defined limits; definite.
2.
settled; positive.
3.
conclusive; final.
4.
resolute.
5.
Botany. (of an inflorescence) having the primary and each secondary axis ending in a flower or bud, thus preventing further elongation.
6.
Engineering.
  1. (of a structure) able to be analyzed completely by means of the principles of statics.
  2. (of a member of a structure) subject only to definite, known stresses.
  3. (of a stress) able to be determined through the principles of statics.
verb (used with object), determinated, determinating.
7.
to make certain of.
8.
to identify.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Latin dēterminātus, past participle of dētermināre. See determine, -ate1
Related forms
determinately, adverb
determinateness, noun
Examples from the web for determinate
  • It seems some phenomena are determinate within some margin of error.
  • For this reason, politics must refuse itself a determinate theory of the human being and the human good.
  • At the same time, it is a much vaguer, less determinate concept.
  • No, sooth, sir: my determinate voyage is mere extravagancy.
  • The mental structure is even less determinate than the bodily.
  • From their diversity in this particular, arises the first determinate difference between the moral relations of each.
  • We are also asked to review a unified sentence of twenty-five years with seven years determinate for robbery.
  • determinate simple inflorescences are generally called cymose.
British Dictionary definitions for determinate

determinate

/dɪˈtɜːmɪnɪt/
adjective
1.
definitely limited, defined, or fixed; distinct
2.
a less common word for determined
3.
  1. able to be predicted or deduced
  2. (of an effect) obeying the law of causality
4.
(botany) (of an inflorescence) having the main and branch stems ending in flowers and unable to grow further; cymose
5.
(of a structure, stress, etc) able to be fully analysed or determined
Derived Forms
determinately, adverb
determinateness, noun
Word Origin and History for determinate
adj.

late 14c., from Latin determinatus, past participle of determinare (see determine).

determinate in Science
determinate
  (dĭ-tûr'mə-nĭt)   

  1. Precisely determined, limited, or defined.

  2. Not continuing to grow at an apical meristem. In the cyme, a determinate inflorescence, for example, the first floret develops at the end of the meristem, and no further elongation of the inflorescence can occur.