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Definite vs Determiner - What's the difference?

definite | determiner |

As nouns the difference between definite and determiner

is that definite is anything that is defined or determined while determiner is a member of a class of words functioning in a noun phrase to identify or distinguish a referent without describing or modifying it. Examples of determiners include articles (a, the), demonstratives (this, those), cardinal numbers (three, fifty), and indefinite numerals (most, any, each).

As an adjective definite

is having distinct limits.

definite

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Having distinct limits.
  • definite''' dimensions; a '''definite''' measure; a '''definite period or interval
  • * Whewell
  • Elements combine in definite proportions.
  • Free from any doubt.
  • definite knowledge
  • Determined; resolved.
  • (Shakespeare)
  • (linguistics) Designating an identified or immediately identifiable person or thing.
  • the definite article

    Antonyms

    * indefinite

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) Anything that is defined or determined.
  • ----

    determiner

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (grammar) A member of a class of words functioning in a noun phrase to identify or distinguish a referent without describing or modifying it. Examples of determiners include articles (a, the), demonstratives (this, those), cardinal numbers (three, fifty), and indefinite numerals (most, any, each).
  • (grammar) A dependent function in a noun phrase marking the NP as definite or indefinite. This function is usually filled by words in the determinative class but may be filled by other elements such as a genitive pronoun.
  • Something that determines, or helps someone to determine, something else.
  • * 1901 : Azel Ames, The Mayflower and Her Log
  • The "steel-yards" and "measures" were the only determiners of weight and quantity — as the hour-glass and sun dial were of time — possessed at first (so far as appears) by the passengers of the Pilgrim ship,

    Synonyms

    * (word class) determinative

    Derived terms

    * (in grammar) determiner phrase

    See also

    * * * article * demonstrative

    References

    determiner in Huddleston & Pullum, 2002. CUP. ----