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Webster 1913 Edition

Indefinite

In-def′i-nite

,
Adj.
[L.
indefinitus
. See
In-
not, and
Definite
.]
1.
Not definite; not limited, defined, or specified; not explicit; not determined or fixed upon; not precise; uncertain; vague; confused; obscure;
as, an
indefinite
time, plan, etc.
It were to be wished that . . . men would leave off that
indefinite
way of vouching, “the chymists say this,” or “the chymists affirm that.”
Boyle.
The time of this last is left
indefinite
.
Dryden.
2.
Having no determined or certain limits; large and unmeasured, though not infinite; unlimited;
as,
indefinite
space; the
indefinite
extension of a straight line
.
Though it is not infinite, it may be
indefinite
; though it is not boundless in itself, it may be so to human comprehension.
Spectator.
3.
Boundless; infinite.
[R.]
Indefinite
and omnipresent God,
Inhabiting eternity.
W. Thompson (1745).
4.
(Bot.)
Too numerous or variable to make a particular enumeration important; – said of the parts of a flower, and the like. Also, indeterminate.
Syn. – Inexplicit; vague; uncertain; unsettled; indeterminate; loose; equivocal; inexact; approximate.

Webster 1828 Edition

Indefinite

INDEF'INITE

,
Adj.
[L. indefinitus; in and definitus, definio, to define; de and finio, to end, finis, end.]
1.
Not limited or defined; not determinate; not precise or certain; as an indefinite time. An indefinite proposition, term or phrase, is one which has not a precise meaning or limited signification.
2.
That has no certain limits, or to which the human mind can affix none, as indefinite space. A space may be indefinite, though not infinite.

Definition 2024

indefinite

indefinite

English

Adjective

indefinite ‎(comparative more indefinite, superlative most indefinite)

  1. Without limit; forever, or until further notice; not definite.
  2. Vague or unclear.
  3. Undecided or uncertain.
  4. (mathematics) An integral without specified limits.
  5. (linguistics) Designating an unspecified or unidentified person or thing or group of persons or things
    the indefinite article

Translations

Derived terms

Related terms

Italian

Adjective

indefinite

  1. feminine plural of indefinito

Latin

Adjective

indēfīnīte

  1. vocative masculine singular of indēfīnītus

References

Pronunciation

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