Absolute Definition

ăbsə-lo͝ot, ăbsə-lo͝ot
absolutes
adjective
Unqualified in extent or degree; total.
Absolute silence.
American Heritage
Perfect; complete; whole.
Absolute silence.
Webster's New World
Not limited by restrictions or exceptions.
An absolute right.
American Heritage
Not mixed; pure.
Absolute alcohol.
Webster's New World
Being fully such; utter.
An absolute fool.
American Heritage
noun
absolutes
Something that is absolute.
Webster's New World
Something regarded as the ultimate basis of all thought and being. Used with the.
American Heritage
Something regarded as independent of and unrelated to anything else.
American Heritage

Without any conditions, encumbrance, qualification, or restriction. See also discretion, divorce, immunity, privilege, and fee.

Webster's New World Law
Not liable or subject to revisions; conclusive.
Webster's New World Law
idiom
the Absolute
  • ultimate reality regarded as uncaused, unmodified, unified and complete, timeless, etc.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Absolute

Noun

Singular:
absolute
Plural:
absolutes

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Absolute

  • the Absolute

Origin of Absolute

  • First attested around 1380. From Middle English absolut, from Middle French absolut, from Latin absolūtus (“unconditional; unfettered; completed”), perfect passive participle of absolvō (“loosen, set free, complete”), from Latin ab (“away”) + solvo (“to loose”). Influenced in part by Old French absolu. Compare absolve.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English absolut from Latin absolūtus unrestricted past participle of absolvere to absolve ab- away ab–1 solvere to loosen leu- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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