definitive

de·fin·i·tive

Use definitive in a sentence

adjective

The definition of definitive is something that is settled in a final way or something that is authoritative.

An example of something that would be described as definitive is a conclusive decision made by an authority figure.
A use of the adjective definitive would be a definitive history book, which would be a complete history on a specific subject.

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"definitive." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 21 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/DEFINITIVE>.

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definitive. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21st, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/DEFINITIVE

definitive

that decides or settles in a final way; decisive; conclusive: a definitive answer
most nearly complete and accurate; authoritative: a definitive biography
serving to define; limiting or distinguishing precisely: definitive details
designating or of a postage stamp for regular use, issued for an unlimited period

Origin of definitive

Middle English diffinitif from Old French definitif from Classical Latin definitivus from past participle of definire, define

a definitive postage stamp

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"definitive." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 21 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/DEFINITIVE>.

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definitive. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21st, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/DEFINITIVE

definitive

adjective

Serving to define or identify as distinct from others: “The Enlightenment pushed this project further trying to make science and its hallmark method definitive of the rational life” ( Peter Machamer )
Supplying or being a final settlement or decision; conclusive: “The fall of the city Constantine had founded marked the definitive end of the Christian Eastern Empire” ( James Carroll ) See Synonyms at decisive.
Authoritative and complete: a definitive biography. See Usage Note at definite.
Mass produced in indefinite quantities over an indefinite period of time. Used of postage stamps.
Biology Fully formed or developed, as an organ or structure.

noun

Grammar A word that defines or limits, such as the definite article or a demonstrative pronoun.
A definitive postage stamp.

Related Forms:

de·fin′i·tive·ly
adverb

de·fin′i·tive·ness
noun

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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MLA Style

"definitive." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 21 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/DEFINITIVE>.

APA Style

definitive. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21st, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/DEFINITIVE

Adjective

(comparative more definitive, superlative most definitive)

explicitly defined
conclusive or decisive
definite, authoritative and complete
Limiting; determining.
a definitive word
(philately) general, not issued for commemorative purposes

Noun

(plural definitives)

(grammar) a word, such as a definite article or demonstrative pronoun, that defines or limits something
(philately) an ordinary postage stamp that is part of a series of all denominations or is reprinted as needed to meet demand

Origin

From Middle French définitif

See also: définitive

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.

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MLA Style

"definitive." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 21 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/DEFINITIVE>.

APA Style

definitive. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21st, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/DEFINITIVE

definitive - Medical Definition

adj.

Biology Fully formed or developed, as an organ or structure.

Related Forms:

de·fin′i·tive·ly
adv.

de·fin′i·tive·ness
n.

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MLA Style

"definitive." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 21 February 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/DEFINITIVE>.

APA Style

definitive. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21st, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/DEFINITIVE

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definitive

definitive

definitive

definitive - Medical Definition

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definitive

definitive

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definitive - Medical Definition

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