definitive
Etymology

From Middle French définitif.

Pronunciation
  • (RP) IPA: /dɪˈfɪn.ɪ.tɪv/
  • (America, Australia) IPA: /dɪˈfɪn.ə.tɪv/, [dɪˈfɪn.ə.ɾɪv]
Adjective

definitive

  1. explicitly defined
  2. conclusive or decisive
    definitive vote
    She will have the definitive say in the matter, after consulting her board of directors.
  3. definite, authoritative and complete
    • 1650, Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica: […], 2nd edition, London: […] A[braham] Miller, for Edw[ard] Dod and Nath[aniel] Ekins, […], →OCLC ↗:
      A strict and definitive truth.
    • 1838, William H[ickling] Prescott, History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, the Catholic. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), Boston, Mass.: American Stationers’ Company; John B. Russell, →OCLC ↗:
      Some definitive […] scheme of reconciliation.
  4. limiting; determining
    a definitive word
  5. (philately) general, not issued for commemorative purposes
  6. (obsolete) Determined; resolved.
    • c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC ↗, [Act V, scene i], line 424:
      Never crave him. We are definitive.
Translations Translations 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
    Synonyms: definitive stamp
Translations


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