determinate

[dih-tur-muh-nit, dih-tur-muh-neyt]

adjective

1. having defined limits; definite.

2. settled; positive.

3. conclusive; final.

4. resolute.

5. Botany.,  (of an inflorescence) having the primary and each secondary axis ending in a flower or bud, thus preventing further elongation.

6. Engineering.

   1. (of a structure) able to be analyzed completely by means of the principles of statics.

   2. (of a member of a structure) subject only to definite, known stresses.

   3. (of a stress) able to be determined through the principles of statics.

verb (used with object)

determinated, determinating 

1. to make certain of.

2. to identify.

determinate

/ dɪˈtɜːmɪnɪt /

adjective

1. definitely limited, defined, or fixed; distinct

2. a less common word for determined

3. 1. able to be predicted or deduced

   2. (of an effect) obeying the law of causality

4. botany (of an inflorescence) having the main and branch stems ending in flowers and unable to grow further; cymose

5. (of a structure, stress, etc) able to be fully analysed or determined

determinate

1. Precisely determined, limited, or defined.

2. Not continuing to grow at an apical meristem. In the cyme, a determinate inflorescence, for example, the first floret develops at the end of the meristem, and no further elongation of the inflorescence can occur.

Other Word Forms

• determinately adverb
• determinateness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of determinate¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin dēterminātus, past participle of dētermināre. See determine, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Prisoners on standard determinate sentences - a fixed-length prison term - could move to the post-custody stage after serving one-third of their sentence providing they behave well.

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Scotland's prisons currently house 2,037 prisoners serving determinate sentences of four to 10 years, and 465 on sentences of 10 years or more.

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We are every single day in this country releasing people through determinate sentencing.

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From Tuesday, prisoners on “standard determinate sentences” will be automatically released after they have served 40% of their sentence.

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Jones was given an extended determinate sentence, where an offender receives a fixed jail term and an extended period on licence after their release.

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