Dictionary

determinateness en · NOUN

Etymology

Etymology tree English determinate Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English determinateness From determinate + -ness.

Meanings

1. (uncountable, usually) The quality or state of being determinate.
   • It cannot be expected that our classifications should vie in accuracy and determinateness with those of natural science. 1833, Thomas Keightley, Fairy Mythology, London: William Harrison Ainsworth, page 20:
   • Douglas Gale […] made me rethink the question of the determinateness of the price level. 1982, Frank Hahn, Monetary and Inflation, Oxford: Basil Blackwell, page xi:
   • The pale, inscrutable determinateness, and flinchless intrepidity of Pierre, now began to domineer upon them; for any social unusualness or greatness is sometimes most impressive in the retrospect. 1852 July, Herman Melville, “Book XXIV. Lucy at the Apostles’.”, in Pierre: Or, The Ambiguities, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers, […], →OCLC, section IV, page 445:
   • […] his determinateness and his power, seemed to make allies unnecessary; […] 1814 May 9, [Jane Austen], chapter XIV, in Mansfield Park: […], volume I, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, page 272:

Forms

Synonyms

determinacy