Definite article

Definite article
Definite Def"i*nite, a. [L. definitis, p. p. of definire: cf. F. d['e]fini. See {Define}.] 1. Having certain or distinct; determinate in extent or greatness; limited; fixed; as, definite dimensions; a definite measure; a definite period or interval. [1913 Webster]

Elements combine in definite proportions. --Whewell. [1913 Webster]

2. Having certain limits in signification; determinate; certain; precise; fixed; exact; clear; as, a definite word, term, or expression. [1913 Webster]

3. Determined; resolved. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]

4. Serving to define or restrict; limiting; determining; as, the definite article. [1913 Webster]

{Definite article} (Gram.), the article the, which is used to designate a particular person or thing, or a particular class of persons or things; -- also called a definitive. See {Definitive}, n. -

{Definite inflorescence}. (Bot.) See {Determinate inflorescence}, under {Determinate}.

{Law of definite proportions} (Chem.), the essential law of chemical combination that every definite compound always contains the same elements in the same proportions by weight; and, if two or more elements form more than one compound with each other, the relative proportions of each are fixed. Compare Law of multiple proportions, under {Multiple}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Definite Article — This article is about the comedy album by Eddie Izzard. For the grammatical term, see article (grammar). Definite Article Video by Eddie Izzard Released 21 October 1996 Recorded …   Wikipedia

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