indeterminate

The definition of indeterminate is something vague or not established.

(adjective)

  1. When no one is sure what caused a fire to start, this is an example of when the cause is indeterminate.
  2. When you add a pinch of sugar to a recipe but there's no set amount, this is an example of when the amount is indeterminate.
  3. When a person is on probation until his behavior indicates he has become a law abiding citizen, this is an example of an indeterminate sentence.

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See indeterminate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

  1. not determinate; specif.,
    1. inexact in its limits, nature, etc.; indefinite; uncertain; vague: an indeterminate amount
    2. not yet settled, concluded, or known; doubtful or inconclusive
  2. Bot. racemose

Origin: LL indeterminatus

Related Forms:

See indeterminate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
  1. a. Not precisely determined, determinable, or established: a person of indeterminate age.
    b. Not precisely fixed, as to extent, size, nature, or number: an indeterminate number of plant species in the jungle.
    c. Lacking clarity or precision, as in meaning; vague: an indeterminate turn of phrase.
    d. Not fixed or known in advance: an indeterminate future.
    e. Not leading up to a definite result or ending: an indeterminate campaign.
  2. Botany Not terminating in a flower and continuing to grow at the apex: an indeterminate inflorescence.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Latin indēterminātus

Origin: : in-, not; see in-1

Origin: + dēterminātus, determined; see determinate

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Related Forms:

  • inˌde·terˈmi·nate·ly adverb
  • inˌde·terˈmi·nate·ness, inˌde·terˌmi·naˈtion (-nāˈshən) noun

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