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Indeterminate vs Approximate - What's the difference?

indeterminate | approximate | Related terms |

Indeterminate is a related term of approximate.


As adjectives the difference between indeterminate and approximate

is that indeterminate is not accurately determined or determinable while approximate is approaching; proximate; nearly resembling.

As a verb approximate is

to carry or advance near; to cause to approach.

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

    approximate

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Approaching; proximate; nearly resembling.
  • Near correctness; nearly exact; not perfectly accurate.
    • Approximate results or values.
    To help carry out its mission, NASA's Genesis spacecraft has on board an ion monitor to record the speed, density, temperature and approximate composition of the solar wind ions.

    Antonyms

    * exact, precise

    Derived terms

    () * approximately * approximation * approximative

    Verb

    (approximat)
  • To carry or advance near; to cause to approach.
    • To approximate the inequality of riches to the level of nature. --Burke.
  • To come near to; to approach.
    • The telescope approximates perfection. --J. Morse.
  • To estimate.

    • Quotations

    When you follow two separate chains of thought, Watson, you will find some point of intersection which should approximate to the truth.
    — Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax