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indeterminate - 5 dictionary results

in⋅de⋅ter⋅mi⋅nate

  [in-di-tur-muh-nit]
Use indeterminate in a Sentence
–adjective
1. not determinate; not precisely fixed in extent; indefinite; uncertain.
2. not clear; vague.
3. not established.
4. not settled or decided.
5. Mathematics.
a. (of a quantity) undefined, as 0/0.
b. (of an equation) able to be satisfied by more than one value for each unknown.
6. Botany. (of an inflorescence) having the axis or axes not ending in a flower or bud, thus allowing further elongation.
–noun
7. Mathematics. something whose value is not specified: used esp. in abstract algebra; a variable.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < LL indēterminātus. See in- 3 , determinate

Related forms:
in⋅de⋅ter⋅mi⋅nate⋅ly, adverb
in⋅de⋅ter⋅mi⋅nate⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
2. ambiguous.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To indeterminate
in·de·ter·mi·nate   (ĭn'dĭ-tûr'mə-nĭt)   
adj.  
    1. Not precisely determined, determinable, or established: a person of indeterminate age.
    2. Not precisely fixed, as to extent, size, nature, or number: an indeterminate number of plant species in the jungle.
    3. Lacking clarity or precision, as in meaning; vague: an indeterminate turn of phrase.
    4. Not fixed or known in advance: an indeterminate future.
    5. Not leading up to a definite result or ending: an indeterminate campaign.
  2. Botany Not terminating in a flower and continuing to grow at the apex: an indeterminate inflorescence.

[Middle English, from Latin indēterminātus : in-, not; see in-1 + dēterminātus, determined; see determinate.]
in'de·ter'mi·nate·ly adv., in'de·ter'mi·nate·ness, in'de·ter'mi·na'tion (-nā'shən) n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Indeterminate

In`de*ter"mi*nate\, a. [L. indeterminatus.] Not determinate; not certain or fixed; indefinite; not precise; as, an indeterminate number of years. --Paley.

Indeterminate analysis (Math.), that branch of analysis which has for its object the solution of indeterminate problems.

Indeterminate coefficients (Math.), coefficients arbitrarily assumed for convenience of calculation, or to facilitate some artifice of analysis. Their values are subsequently determined.

Indeterminate equation (Math.), an equation in which the unknown quantities admit of an infinite number of values, or sets of values. A group of equations is indeterminate when it contains more unknown quantities than there are equations.

Indeterminate inflorescence (Bot.), a mode of inflorescence in which the flowers all arise from axillary buds, the terminal bud going on to grow and sometimes continuing the stem indefinitely; -- called also acropetal, botryose, centripetal, & indefinite inflorescence. --Gray.

Indeterminate problem (Math.), a problem which admits of an infinite number of solutions, or one in which there are fewer imposed conditions than there are unknown or required results.

Indeterminate quantity (Math.), a quantity which has no fixed value, but which may be varied in accordance with any proposed condition.

Indeterminate series (Math.), a series whose terms proceed by the powers of an indeterminate quantity, sometimes also with indeterminate exponents, or indeterminate coefficients. -- In`de*ter"mi*nate*ly adv. -- In`de*ter"mi*nate*ness, n.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Main Entry: in·de·ter·mi·nate
Pronunciation: "in-di-'t&rm-(&-)n&t
Function: adjective
: relating to, being, orundergoing indeterminate cleavage indeterminate egg>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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indeterminate   (ĭn'dĭ-tûr'mə-nĭt)  Pronunciation Key 
Continuing to grow at the apical meristem or the terminal bud indefinitely, allowing for the development of an ever-increasing number of plant organs such as leaves, stems, or flowers to the side.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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