finaladj.n.
/ˈfʌɪnl/, U.S. /ˈfaɪn(ə)l/ A. adj.
1. † b. Heraldry in quadrate final, according to Ferne a field bearing a ‘token of arms’ other than a representation of a living creature. Obsolete.
a. Coming at the end (of a word, a series).
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society > communication > writing > written character > [adjective] > letter according to position
capitala1382
heada1387
final1530
initial1622
principial1625
subscript1683
mediala1749
superscript1793
adscript1812
epenthetic1831
epenthesized1880
non-final1896
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > preceding or following in order > [adjective] > last in order
latemostOE
nextOE
aftermostOE
latestOE
lastc1175
outmost1447
terminalc1475
extreme1477
hindmost1526
final1530
lag1552
uttermosta1555
darrein1555
utter1558
lattermost1566
afterward1584
dernier1602
ultime1626
ultimate1728
postreme1814
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement Introd. 28 Every feminyn plurell endeth in S, added to the E fynall of his singular.
1822 P. B. Shelley Hellas 57 The final Chorus is indistinct and obscure.
1838 A. De Morgan Ess. Probabilities 202 A colon placed after the final letter.
1865 A. Geikie Scenery & Geol. Scotl. xiii. 340 In this final chapter let me present the reader with a brief summary.
1881 Football Annual 91 In the final tie they were beaten by the Walsall Swifts.
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1486 Bk. St. Alban's, Her. B iij a Ther be ix. quadrattis for to consider. v. quadrate finiall and iiij royall.]
1586 J. Ferne Blazon of Gentrie 206 The armes called Quadrates were nine in number, and they were either finall, or Royall.
c. Law. final process (see quot.). final proof: (U.S.) the process observed in paying for pre-empted land after six months' occupancy.
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society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > [noun] > legal business > a transaction in law > process completing
final process1768
society > law > transfer of property > entering on possession > [noun] > process in paying for pre-empted land
final proof1884
society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > [noun] > legal business > a transaction in law > process completing > in paying for pre-empted land
final proof1884
1768 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. III. xix. 279 Mesne process is..sometimes put in contradistinction to final process, or process of execution.
1884 Milnor (Dakota Territory) Teller 5 Sept. He..makes final proofs and attends to all business of that kind.
d. final drive n. see quot. 1968.
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society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > machines which impart power > engine > internal-combustion engine > [noun] > parts of > transmission > last part of
final drive1907
1907 R. B. Whitman Motor-car Princ. ix. 138 From the change-speed mechanism the power is passed to the driving wheels by the final drive.
1912 J. Armstrong Motor ix. 173 The final drive..is achieved mostly through the medium of bevel-gear, that..is very nearly as wear~resisting as a pair of constantly mated spur-wheels.
1968 Practical Motorist Nov. 333/1 Final drive, the last part of the transmission, consisting of the crown wheel and pinion, differential gears and axle drive shafts.
2.
a. Marking the last stage of a process; leaving nothing to be looked for or expected; ultimate.
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the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > end or conclusion > [adjective]
finalc1365
endinga1400
finial?a1400
endly1436
conclusional1471
terminalc1475
parting?1570
supreme1570
terminant1589
desinent1608
terminative1613
conclusive1639
graciousa1701
finishing1705
ultimate1755
concluding1795
closing1796
wind-up1843
net1844
conclusory1846
terminational1874
summative1877
wrap-up1968
c1365 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Ariadne. 2101 This is the fynal ende of al this thyng.
c1440 Govt. Lordschipes (E.E.T.S.) 48 He made many morales epistels to Aristotel of greet delyt to haue his secree fynal.
?1504 W. Atkinson tr. Thomas à Kempis Ful Treat. Imytacyon Cryste (Pynson) iii. lxiv Dyrecte it by thy grace contynually in this lyfe vnto the fynall countrey of euerlastyng peace.
a1535 T. More Wks. (R.) 578/1 By his word electes, he meneth the finall and eternall electes.
1649 J. Milton Εικονοκλαστης Pref. sig. B A Person..who hath..payd his finall debt both to Nature and his Faults.
1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. i. ii. 38 Delay of Punishment, is no Sort nor Degree of Presumption of final Impunity.
1805 J. Foster Ess. i. iii. 37 The final basis of all character.
1872 J. Morley Voltaire i. 9 Philosophic candour and intelligence are supposed to have hit their final climax.
b. final demand n. (a) an account for goods or services rendered that is the creditor's final attempt to recover the money owed before proceeding to legal action or withdrawing the service; (b) Economics (a measure of) demand for current output as measured by sales to final buyers, and excluding additions to stock or inventories; also attributive.
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society > trade and finance > trading conditions > [noun] > supply and demand or market > demand
demand1711
rush1825
final demand1969
society > trade and finance > management of money > insolvency > indebtedness > [noun] > a debt > arrears > demand for payment of
call1673
final demand1969
1969 Federal Reporter 2nd Ser. 411 876/1 One form is called ‘Final Demand for the Payment of Debt’ and warns the debtor that ‘This Demand is made to give you a last opportunity to pay.’
1975 Business Week 10 Feb. 20 The recession has already begun to put some real pressures on the price side because of the shrinkage of final demand.
1982 Financial Times 2 Jan. 4/8 Relative to final demand, inventories of most metals are low throughout the supply chain.
1982 Financial Times 30 Mar. i. 18/5 Make sure the factor informs the client when it is sending final demands and solicitors' letters to customers.
3.
a. Putting an end to something (rarely const. of, to); putting an end to strife or uncertainty; not to be undone, altered, or revoked; conclusive.Formerly often in final peace or concord = medieval Latin finalis pax, concordia.
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the world > action or operation > ceasing > [adjective] > putting an end to something
finalc1330
society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > charge: device on shield > [adjective] > charged with other than living creature
finalc1330
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 338 Þe parties wold mak a finalle pes.
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Franklin's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 279 I wol been hys..Taak this for fynal as of me.
1490 Caxton's Blanchardyn & Eglantine (1962) x. 40 His resolucion fynall was.
1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates Suffolk xi But syth we could no fynall peace induce.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. ix. sig. I4 At last resolu'd to worke his finall smart, He lifted vp his hand.
1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 183 Examples, where Sea-Fights have beene Finall to the warre.
1660 R. Coke Elements Power & Subjection 95 in Justice Vindicated Treason does ever produce fatal and final destruction to the offender.
1771 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. xlix. 185 You would long since have received your final dismission and reward.
1797 G. Washington in Sir J. Sinclair Corr. (1831) II. 26 Nothing final in Congress has been decided respecting the institution of a National Board of Agriculture.
1827 T. Hood Plea Midsummer Fairies xxxiv, in Plea Midsummer Fairies & Other Poems 18 Time shall be final of all things.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xii. 89 We made a series of final measurements.
b. final solution n. [translating German endlösung] name given to the German policy, from 1941, of exterminating Jewish people in Europe; the process of massacring these victims.
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the world > life > death > killing > slaughter > [noun] > instance of > specific
the (Spanish) Fury1576
Bartholomew1646
Amboyna massacre1654
final solution1947
nuclear holocaust1954
the Shoah1967
1947 Trial German Major War Criminals (H.M.S.O.) xi. p. ix Final solution of the Jewish question.
1949 D. Macardle Children of Europe vi. 110 As the ‘final solution’, camps fitted with gas-chambers, electrocution plants and huge crematoria were erected in Poland.
1953 G. Reitlinger (title) The final solution.
1961 Observer 17 Dec. 10/3 The formal adoption of the Final Solution, ordaining the extermination of European Jewry,..on July 31, 1941.
4. Having regard to end or purpose: chiefly in final cause (see cause n. 4b); final clause (Gram.), a clause expressing purpose or intention.
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the world > existence and causation > causation > [noun] > types of cause
efficient cause1393
conjunct causec1400
final causec1400
meritorious cause1526
matter1570
deficient cause1581
effectrix1583
formal cause1586
material cause1586
final cause1587
conservant cause1588
efficient1593
effective1610
defective cause1624
proximate cause1641
the mind > will > intention > [adjective] > relating to intention or purpose > constituting purpose or object > ultimate
finalc1400
terminative1624
ultimate1654
c1400 Test. Love (1560) ii. 281 b/2 Aristotle supposeth that the actes of every thing been in a manner his finall cause.
1583 Ld. Burghley Execution of Iustice sig. E.iiv The very causes final of these rebellions..haue bene to depose her Maiestie from her crowne.
1606 G. Chapman Sir Gyles Goosecappe iii. sig. F Wer't not for women, who of all mens pompes Are the true finall causes.
1878 J. Morley Condorcet Crit. Misc. 76 All predispositions are destined to develope themselves according to their final purpose. [See also cause n. 4b.]
B. n.
1. the adjective used absol.† a. for final = finally, conclusively. in final = in conclusion. Obsolete.
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the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > end or conclusion > the end [phrase] > finally or in conclusion
at lastlOE
for finalc1374
in final1393
in fine1545
for conclusion1550
in conclusionc1550
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde iv. 145 Thembassadours ben answered for fynal.
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 383 And now to speke as in finall Touchend that I undertoke.
b. That which comes last; completion, end, finish. Now rare.
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the world > action or operation > completing > [noun] > fact or condition of being completed
perfection?c1225
final1582
consummation1604
ultimate1681
consummativeness1701
finish1801
pay-off1937
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > end or conclusion > [noun] > end or completion
endc1000
finishmentc1400
consummation?a1475
final1582
ultimity1613
1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias 20 b Those two Pilots had..trauailed to bring to finall and execution their diuellish intent.
1617 S. Collins Epphata to F. T. ii. x. 427 The heele is the finall, the bottome of Gods workemanship.
1854 S. T. Dobell Balder xxvii. 186 Finish each stern power To such an exquisite final that it ends A plumèd feeling.
2. In various applications due to elliptical uses of the adjective.† b. Music. (see quot. 1885).
a. The final letter of a word.
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society > communication > writing > written character > [noun] > letter > letter according to position
final1627
initial1627
medial1776
subscript1804
superscript1804
superfix1814
lettrine1891
1627 J. Ussher Let. in R. Parr Life J. Usher (1686) Coll. cxxii. 383 Without any difference of Initials and Finals.
a1897 Mod. The initials and finals of these words form a double acrostic.
1933 L. Bloomfield Lang. viii. 132 In a form like test or text we call the [-t] a main final.
1963 Amer. Speech 38 50 Consonant and pause probably made up just about this percentage of environments for all finals.
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society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > pitch > system of sounds or intervals > [noun] > diatonic scale series > notes in diatonic scale
keya1450
seventh1591
fifth1597
final1609
octave1656
sub-octave1659
keynote1677
mediant1721
sensible note?1775
subdominant?1775
submediant?1775
medius1782
leading note1786
nominal1786
subsemitone1799
superdominant1806
supertonic1806
tonic1806
subtonic1817
dominant1823
sensitive note1845
nominal note1884
1609 J. Dowland tr. A. Ornithoparchus Micrologus 15 Euery Song ending in the Finals, is regular and not transposed.
1609 J. Dowland tr. A. Ornithoparchus Micrologus 41 Euery crooked Finall, whether it ascend or descend, is a Breefe.
1885 W. S. Rockstro in Encycl. Brit. XIX. 169/1 The intervals of each ‘mode’ [of plain chant] are derived from a fundamental sound, called its ‘final.’ (Note. Analogous to the tonic or key-note of the modern scale.)
c. Athletics. The deciding game, heat, or trial.
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society > leisure > sport > match or competition > [noun] > game or definite spell of play > specific one of series
heata1663
rubber game1793
round1837
rubber match1843
tie-match1864
final1880
postseason1882
semi-final1884
preliminary1886
cup-tie1895
play-off1895
tie1895
leg1899
repechage1899
qualifier1908
quarter-final1916
playdown1918
rounder1918
go-around1933
quick death1938
semi1942
pretrial1946
quarter1950
barrage1955
tie-breaker1961
semi-main1968
tie-break1970
breaker1979
1880 Amateur Athletic Assoc. Laws for Meetings 21 The best three competitors of the first trial shall be allowed three more tries each for the final.
d. The last of a series of examinations; also plural. (Oxford colloquial).
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society > education > educational administration > examination > [noun] > preliminary, final, etc.
final1880
preliminary1882
prelim1891
1880 A. Gibson (title) Aids to the Final [Law examination].
1894 Grant Allen in Westm. Gaz. 20 June 2/1 Taking a pass degree in Finals.
e. The last edition of an issue of a daily newspaper.
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society > communication > journalism > journal > newspaper > [noun] > editions of newspaper
special edition1845
library edition1869
extra-special1889
airmail edition1923
bulldog edition1926
final1931
air edition1939
1931 Sat. Rev. 4 July 17/1 The difference between the English play called ‘Inquest’ and the American play called ‘Late Night Final’ is a fundamental one.
1938 F. Thayer Newspaper Managem. 82 The Daily News published nine regular editions as follows... Final..3:25 P.M.
Compounds
final perseverance n. Theology = perseverance of the saints n. at perseverance n. 2.
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c1451 J. Capgrave Life St. Gilbert (1910) 137 Fynal perseuerauns is sufficient i-now to proue þat he or ony oþir þat deyith in goodnesse schuld be a seynt be-for God in þat cherch a-boue.
1898 A. G. Mortimer Catholic Faith & Pract. ii. xi. 316 No man..can merit the first grace, or justification, nor, if he fall into mortal sin, can he merit a recovery from that state. Nor can he merit final perseverance.
final protocol n. Diplomatic a protocol (protocol n. 1c), sometimes called eschatocol, consisting of the Date, the Apprecation (anciently ‘feliciter’, ‘Deo gratias’, or ‘Amen’), and the Validation (signatures and seals of witnesses).
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1908 H. Hall Eng. Official Hist. Doc. 192 The description of the boundaries..is..usually inserted between the Text and the Final Protocol.
Draft additions December 2022
final girl n. (in horror films, esp. slasher films) a stock female character who survives to defeat or evade the attacker after the other characters have been killed, and who is typically portrayed as intelligent, serious, cautious, and chaste.
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society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > part or character > [noun] > specific character
Robin Hood1473
wantonness1507
vice1552
pantaloon1592
iniquity1597
burratinea1637
scaramouch1662
Pierrot1726
gracioso1749
eiron1872
alazon1911
toby1946
1987 C. J. Clover in Representations Autumn 201 The survivor, or Final Girl..is the one who encounters the mutilated bodies of her friends and perceives the full extent of the preceding horror and of her own peril... She is abject terror personified.
2011 Rue Morgue Mag. Nov. 43/2 Those willing to go along with this stylish thrill ride's twist on the ‘final girl’ trope are in for a fun night at the movies.
2018 Chicago Daily Herald (Nexis) 20 Oct. Along with..Sally Hardesty in ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’, Laurie Strode personified the qualities and character beats of the quintessential final girl.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1896; most recently modified version published online December 2022).
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adj.n.c1330