definitive
Use Definitive in a sentence
ɪ adjective
1.
most reliable or complete, as of a text, author, criticism, study, or the like: the definitive biography of Andrew Jackson.
2.
3.
having its fixed and final form; providing a solution or final answer; satisfying all criteria: the definitive treatment for an infection; a definitive answer to a dilemma.
4.
Biology. fully developed or formed; complete.
noun
6.
Philately. a stamp that is a regular issue and is usually on sale for an extended period of time. Compare commemorative ( def 2 ).
00:10
Definitive
is always a great word to know.
So is selection. Does it mean:
| a process that results in differential reproduction among a population so that the inheritable traits of only certain individuals are passed on |
| any modern theory of evolution holding that species evolve by natural selection acting on genetic variation |
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English < Old French < Latin dēfīnītīvus, equivalent to dēfīnīt(us) (see definite) + -īvus -ive
1350–1400; Middle English < Old French < Latin dēfīnītīvus, equivalent to dēfīnīt(us) (see definite) + -īvus -ive
Related forms
de·fin·i·tive·ly, adverb
de·fin·i·tive·ness, noun
non·de·fin·i·tive, adjective
non·de·fin·i·tive·ly, adverb
non·de·fin·i·tive·ness, noun
Synonyms
3. complete, absolute, ultimate, supreme.
3. complete, absolute, ultimate, supreme.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To definitive
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World English Dictionary
definitive (dɪˈfɪnɪtɪv) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | serving to decide or settle finally; conclusive |
| 2. | most reliable, complete, or authoritative: the definitive reading of a text |
| 3. | serving to define or outline |
| 4. | zoology fully developed; complete: the definitive form of a parasite |
| 5. | a. (of postage stamps) permanently on sale |
| b. (as noun) a definitive postage stamp | |
| —n | |
| 6. | grammar a word indicating specificity of reference, such as the definite article or a demonstrative adjective or pronoun |
| de'finitively | |
| —adv | |
| de'finitiveness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
definitive
late 14c., from O.Fr. definitif (12c.), from L. definitivus, from pp. stem of definire (see define). Related: Definitively (1520s).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
Example sentences
The review will not satisfy those looking for definitive answers.
Until these effects are well under control, a definitive measurement of frame dragging is impossible.
For a definitive diagnosis, labs still rely on the gold-standard technique: a culture.
The fact that everyone had definitive looks at this pivotal play was no accident.
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