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What is the difference between determinate and indeterminate?

determinate | indeterminate | Antonyms |

Indeterminate is a antonym of determinate.



In biology terms the difference between determinate and indeterminate

is that determinate is of growth: ending once a genetically predetermined structure has formed while indeterminate is of growth: with no genetically defined end, and thus theoretically limitless.

As adjectives the difference between determinate and indeterminate

is that determinate is distinct, clearly defined while indeterminate is not accurately determined or determinable.

As a noun determinate

is a single state of a particular determinable attribute.

As a verb determinate

is to bring to an end; to determine.

determinate

English

Adjective

(-)
  • Distinct, clearly defined.
  • * Dryden
    • Quantity of words and a determinate number of feet.
  • Fixed, set, unvarying.
  • * 1526 , (William Tyndale), trans. Bible , Acts II:
    • hym have ye taken by the hondes of unrightewes persones, after he was delivered by the determinat counsell and foreknowledge of God, and have crucified and slayne hym [...].
  • (biology) Of growth: ending once a genetically predetermined structure has formed.
  • conclusive; decisive; positive
  • * Bible, Acts ii. 23
    • The determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God.
  • (obsolete) Determined or resolved upon.
  • * Shakespeare
    • My determinate voyage.
  • Of determined purpose; resolute.
  • * Sir Philip Sidney
    • More determinate to do than skillful how to do.

    Antonyms

    * (limited) indeterminate, nondeterminate * (biology) indeterminate

    Derived terms

    * determinateness

    Related terms

    * determinacy * determination * determine * deterministic

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (philosophy) A single state of a particular determinable attribute.
  • * {{quote-journal, 2007, date=September 5, David Denby, Generating possibilities, Philosophical Studies, url=, doi=10.1007/s11098-007-9159-z, volume=141, issue=2, pages=
    • , passage=And since being negatively-charged and being positively-charged are determinates of the same determinable, [D5] will not permit us to infer worlds where anything negatively-charged is also positively-charged. }}

    Verb

    (determinat)
  • (obsolete) To bring to an end; to determine.
  • * Shakespeare
    • The sly, slow hours shall not determinate / The dateless limit of thy dear exile.
    ----

    indeterminate

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Not accurately determined or determinable.
  • Imprecise or vague.
  • (biology) Of growth: with no genetically defined end, and thus theoretically limitless.
  • (botany) Of inflorescences: not topped with some form of terminal bud.
  • intersex

    • Synonyms

    * indeterminant

    Antonyms

    * determinate