Def"i*nite (?), a. [L. definitis, p. p. of definire: cf. F. d'efini. 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.
Elements combine in definite proportions.
Whewell.
2. Having certain limits in signification; determinate; certain; precise; fixed; exact; clear; as, a definite word, term, or expression.
3. Determined; resolved. [Obs.]
Shak.
4. Serving to define or restrict; limiting; determining; as, the definite article.
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.
© Webster 1913.
Def"i*nite, n. A thing defined or determined. [Obs.]
© Webster 1913. | 
