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decisive

[dih-sahy-siv]
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adjective
  1. having the power or quality of deciding; putting an end to controversy; crucial or most important: Your argument was the decisive one.
  2. characterized by or displaying no or little hesitation; resolute; determined: The general was known for his decisive manner.
  3. indisputable; definite: a decisive defeat.
  4. unsurpassable; commanding: a decisive lead in the voting.
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Origin of decisive

1605–15; < Medieval Latin dēcīsīvus, equivalent to Latin dēcīs(us) (see decision) + -īvus -ive
Related formsde·ci·sive·ly, adverbde·ci·sive·ness, nounnon·de·ci·sive, adjectivenon·de·ci·sive·ly, adverbnon·de·ci·sive·ness, nounpre·de·ci·sive, adjectivepre·de·ci·sive·ly, adverb

Synonyms

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1. conclusive, final. 2. firm.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for decisively

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • "I cannot take it," answered Allis, decisively, after a pause.

    Thoroughbreds

    W. A. Fraser

  • "Well, you shouldn't if you were my sister," he repeated, decisively.

  • "Never mind what you came for," Miss Georgie cut in decisively, and laughed.

    Good Indian

    B. M. Bower

  • “Something has happened to Weedon,” his wife said decisively.

    White Fang

    Jack London

  • "Thank you, Doctor," the President Elect said at last, decisively.

    The Adventurer

    Cyril M. Kornbluth

British Dictionary definitions for decisively

decisive

adjective
  1. influential; conclusivea decisive argument
  2. characterized by the ability to make decisions, esp quickly; resolute
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Derived Formsdecisively, adverbdecisiveness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for decisively

decisive

adj.

1610s, from Medieval Latin decisivus, from Latin decis-, past participle stem of decidere (see decide). Related: Decisively; decisiveness.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper