indefiniteadj.n.

/ɪnˈdɛfɪnɪt/

Forms: Also 1500s indiffynit(e, -yte, indiffinite, indyfinyte, 1600s indifinite, indefinit.

Etymology: < Latin indēfīnītus, < in- (in- prefix⁴) + dēfīnītus definite adj. and n. Compare French indéfini (Montaigne, 16th cent.).

A. adj. Undefined, unlimited: the opposite of definite adj. and n.

I. generally.

1. Without distinct limitation of being or character; having no clearly defined or determined character: indeterminate, vague, undefined.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > [adjective] > not specified > indefinite

gross1534

indefinite1561

indefinitive1598

general1601

loose1609

undetermined1611

vaguea1661

indeterminate1773

tenuousa1817

vaguish1818

1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. (1634) i. xiii. 46 When there is simple and indefinite mention made of God, this name belongeth no lesse to the Sonne and to the Holy Ghost, than to the Father.

1616 J. Bullokar Eng. Expositor Indifinite, not precisely exprest; vndefined.

1651 R. Baxter Plain Script. Proof Infants Church-membership & Baptism 76 Some generall indefinite promises.

1722 R. Wodrow Corr. (1843) II. 678 Your address is likewise a little indefinite; but I send this at a venture as you direct.

1818 H. Hallam View Europe Middle Ages II. viii. 180 Those indefinite aspirations for the laws of Edward the Confessor were changed into a steady regard for the Great Charter.

1875–6 W. B. Pope Compend. Theol. (1881) 656 The indefinite use of the term Sacrament in the early church.

1885 S. Cox Expos. 1st Ser. v. 66 A fine, though indefinite, emotion.

a. Of undetermined extent, amount, or number; unlimited.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > infiniteness > [adjective] > indefinite or unmeasured

unmeasurate?1537

indefinite1594

indefinitive1598

1594 T. Nashe Vnfortunate Traveller sig. H^v Peace to thy Ghost, and yet mee thinkes so indefinite a spirite should haue no peace or intermission of paines.

1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 246 Let these Licensed Lenders be in Number Indefinite.

1850 W. R. Grove On Correlation Physical Forces (ed. 2) 86 Thus oxygen and hydrogen..will remain unaltered for an indefinite period.

1852 F. W. Robertson Serm. 3rd Ser. xii. 150 With respect to our moral and spiritual capacities, we remark that they are not only indefinite but absolutely infinite.

1877 E. R. Conder Basis of Faith ii. 67 That is indefinite which has, or may have, a limit, but whose limit cannot be ascertained.

1884 J. Rae Contemp. Socialism 100 Commodities that admitted of indefinite multiplication.

†b. Formerly, sometimes, Extending beyond any assignable limits; boundless, infinite. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > infiniteness > [adjective]

unbegunc1000

uncircumscriptc1374

endless138.

finitea1400

measurelessc1400

infinite1413

ginningless?1440

immensec1450

unlimitedc1475

infinal?1504

interminate1533

termlessa1542

brinkless1567

without limit1572

uncompassed1577

limitlessa1586

beginningless1587

untermedc1595

boundless1599

illimitate1602

illimited1602

unbeginning1605

incomprehense1606

inconjectable1609

uncircumscribed1610

borderless1611

confinelessa1616

finelessa1616

unconfined1629

uninchoative1649

indefinite1664

incircumscript1677

imprincipiate1683

ensophic1693

interminateda1734

unhorizoned1811

unencompasseda1822

unterminated1853

1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. Pref. sig. C3 The process of Art is indefinite, and who can set a non-ultra to her endevours?

1745 W. Thompson Sickness v. (R.) Indefinite and omnipresent God, Inhabiting eternity! shall dust, Shall ashes, dare presume to sing of thee?

II. specifically (in various technical uses).

3. Grammar.

a. Applied to various adjectives, pronominal words, and adverbs, which do not define or determine the actual person or thing, the place, time, or manner, to which they refer; as any, other, some, such, somewhere, anyhow, otherwise, etc.: esp. in indefinite article, a name for the individualizing adjective a, an (a adj.), or its equivalents in other languages.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > a part of speech > determiner > [noun] > article > other

indefinite article1727

1727 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. II Indefinite Pronouns.

1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Article The Article A is said to be indefinite, because applied to Names taken in their more general, and confused Signification.

1877 W. F. Moulton tr. Winer Gram. N.T. Greek iii. §25. 2 The indefinite pronoun τις, τι, is joined to abstract nouns.

b. Applied to those tenses or inflections of verbs which merely denote an action taking place at some time (past, present, or future), without specifying whether it is continuous or complete (thus distinguished from both imperfect and perfect), e.g. the Greek aorist and the English simple past; in French grammar formerly (as by Palsgrave) to the simple past tense corresponding to these, now called past or preterite definite; in modern French, past or preterite indefinite is applied to the complex verb phrase corresponding to the perfect in English, e.g. il a parlé, he has spoken.

ΚΠ

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement Introd. 32 The indiffynite indicatyve of the thyrde conjugation endeth ever in S.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 84 The indiffinite tens, as je parlay, I spake.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 382 To knowe therfore howe and whan the frenche men use their preter imparfyte tence, and whan their indiffynyte tence, whiche name I borowe of the grekes, for they have a tence whiche they call aoristus, that is to say, indifinitus, whiche moche resembleth this tence in the frenche tonghe.

c. In the Slavonic verb formerly applied to one of the branches or aspects.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > aspect > [adjective] > other specific aspects

frequentative1534

indefinite1827

iterative1827

semelfactive1827

telic1846

usitative1849

resultative1857

semi-telic1865

permansive1866

constative1901

effective1904

point-action1913

egressive1914

punctual1914

benefactive1943

1827 J. Heard Gram. Russ. Lang. v. §1. 141 There are four branches: the indefinite, the perfect, the semelfactive, and the iterative. The indefinite expresses the action indeterminately with regard to its completion; as [on trogal], he moved.

d. Sometimes applied, in German and Old English grammar, to that declension of the adjective which is used when it is preceded by the indefinite article, possessive adjective, pronouns, etc.: the strong declension of the adjective.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > morphology > inflection > [adjective] > relating to declension > specific Germanic declensions

strong1833

weak1841

indefinite1874

1874 R. Morris Chaucer's Prol., etc. (Clar. Press Ser.) Introd. 33 Adjectives, like the modern German, have two forms—Definite and Indefinite.

4. Logic. Applied to propositions in which the subject has no mark of quantity; not distinguishing between ‘some’ and ‘all’.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > logic > logical proposition > [adjective] > of universal or particular propositions

universalc1450

particular1551

subaltern1566

subcontrary1566

singular1654

lemmatical1665

indefinite1773

indesignate1844

semi-definitea1856

1773 T. Reid Aristotle's Logic ii. §6, in Wks. II. 692/2 A proposition is called indefinite when there is no mark either of universality or particularity annexed to the subject: thus, ‘Man is of few days’ is an indefinite proposition.

1864 F. C. Bowen Treat. Logic v. 122 The logicians formerly distinguished another Class of judgments as Indefinite, meaning those in which the Subject, having no sign or predesignation of Quantity affixed to it, is not expressly declared to be either Universal, Singular, or Particular. Thus, Elephants are sagacious animals;—Learned men are to be found at Oxford.

1887 T. Fowler Elem. Deduct. Logic (ed. 9) iii. 29 ‘Indefinite’ or ‘indesignate’ propositions, as they are called, i.e. propositions in which the subject, being a common term, is not quantified, are inadmissible in Logic.

5. Botany.

a. Said of inflorescence in which the central axis grows indefinitely in length, producing a succession of lateral branches bearing flower-buds (or of sessile flower-buds) which open successively from the lowest upwards; also called centripetal or indeterminate.

ΘΚΠ

the world > plants > part of plant > reproductive part(s) > flower or part containing reproductive organs > inflorescence or collective flower > [adjective] > having particular shape, type, or arrangement > of or bearing cymes or racemes

racemiferous1656

racemose1698

biparous1731

racemous1757

racemed1787

unilateral1802

cymose1807

uniparous1839

indeterminate1842

indefinite1876

botrycymose1879

botryose1879

1876 J. D. Hooker Bot. Primer 46 Called indefinite, because the axis goes on elongating after the first flower opens.

1880 A. Gray Struct. Bot. v. 144 The kinds of Inflorescence..are all reducible to two types..viz. Indefinite and Definite, or..Indeterminate and Determinate. Each may be..simple or compound.

b. Sometimes similarly applied to fibrovascular bundles which grow indefinitely, so that the stem increases in thickness, as in ‘Exogens’ or Dicotyledons.

ΘΚΠ

the world > plants > part of plant > cell or aggregate tissue > [adjective] > of or with a vascular bundle

indefinite1849

bicollateral1881

intrafascicular1900

1849 J. H. Balfour Man. Bot. §77 The vascular bundles [in exogens], from their mode of development in an indefinite manner externally, have been called exogenous; and for the same reason, Schlieden has denominated them Indefinite.

c. Said of the stamens or other parts of the flower when numerous and not clearly multiples of the number of the petals, etc.

ΘΚΠ

the world > plants > part of plant > reproductive part(s) > flower or part containing reproductive organs > [adjective] > having or relating to parts > of or having stamens or pistils > of or having stamens or male > in specific quantity, form, or arrangement

castrate1704

syngenesious1753

pentandrious1754

pentandrous1757

polyandrous1757

polyadelphous1778

triandrious1786

polyandrian1787

gynandrian1791

monadelphous1806

monandrous1806

tetrandrous1806

perigynous1807

octandrousa1815

pleurogynous1819

hypogynous1821

icosandrian1828

octandrian1828

pentandrian1828

polyadelphian1828

tetradynamian1828

hexandrous1830

pentadelphous1830

tetradynamous1830

triadelphous1830

triandrous1830

icosandrous1836

corollifloral1839

indefinite1839

oligandrous1851

isadelphous1855

thalamifloral1857

thalamiflorous1857

phalangiform1858

polyandrious1858

allagostemonous1879

corolliflorous1880

obdiplostemonous1882

hypogynic1886

octandrious1890

Monadelphic1959

polyandric1976

1839 J. Lindley School Bot. iv. 32 Stamens indefinite; that is to say, more numerous than can be easily counted.

1849 J. H. Balfour Man. Bot. §472 The ovules are very numerous or indefinite.

B. n.

(elliptical uses of the adjective.) An indefinite thing, word, statement, etc.; something of indefinite nature or meaning, or which cannot be definitely specified, described, or classed.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > [noun] > state of being non-specific > indefiniteness > that which is indefinite

indefinite1591

vagueness1838

the vague1851

1591 R. Percyvall Bibliotheca Hispanica Gram. sig. F Aduerbs commonly gouerne an Indicatiue Moode: saue that where Interrogatiues are changed into Indefinites they haue some time a Subiunctiue.

1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 145 That Negative is more pregnant of Direction, then an Indefinite.

1865 Pall Mall Gaz. 16 Aug. 10/1 A table of the occupations of the people after a new classification..I. ‘Professionals’..II. ‘Domestics’..III. Commercials; IV. Agriculturists..V. Industrials..VI. Indefinites, that is, general labourers, gentlemen of means, and paupers, with a few others not open to classification.

Derivatives

† inˈdefinite v. Obsolete (nonce-word) in to indefinite it = to act or speak indefinitely.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > be generally applicable [verb (intransitive)] > act or speak indefinitely

indefinite1656

1656 S. Hunton Golden Law 76 If we indefinite it, when we should demonstrate, and universalize it.

inˈdefinitism n. indefinite character.Apparently an isolated use.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > [noun] > state of being non-specific > indefiniteness

indefiniteness1589

indeterminateness1644

indeterminacy1649

indefinitya1734

indetermination1789

vagueness1799

indefinitude1828

indefinitivenessa1849

indefinitism1855

indefinition1888

1855 D. Greenwell Present Heaven (1861) 103 The vague spirituality or rather indefinitism of our ideas.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	indefinite
释义	indefiniteadj.n. /ɪnˈdɛfɪnɪt/ Forms: Also 1500s indiffynit(e, -yte, indiffinite, indyfinyte, 1600s indifinite, indefinit. Etymology: < Latin indēfīnītus, < in- (in- prefix⁴) + dēfīnītus definite adj. and n. Compare French indéfini (Montaigne, 16th cent.). A. adj. Undefined, unlimited: the opposite of definite adj. and n. I. generally. 1. Without distinct limitation of being or character; having no clearly defined or determined character: indeterminate, vague, undefined. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > [adjective] > not specified > indefinite gross1534 indefinite1561 indefinitive1598 general1601 loose1609 undetermined1611 vaguea1661 indeterminate1773 tenuousa1817 vaguish1818 1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. (1634) i. xiii. 46 When there is simple and indefinite mention made of God, this name belongeth no lesse to the Sonne and to the Holy Ghost, than to the Father. 1616 J. Bullokar Eng. Expositor Indifinite, not precisely exprest; vndefined. 1651 R. Baxter Plain Script. Proof Infants Church-membership & Baptism 76 Some generall indefinite promises. 1722 R. Wodrow Corr. (1843) II. 678 Your address is likewise a little indefinite; but I send this at a venture as you direct. 1818 H. Hallam View Europe Middle Ages II. viii. 180 Those indefinite aspirations for the laws of Edward the Confessor were changed into a steady regard for the Great Charter. 1875–6 W. B. Pope Compend. Theol. (1881) 656 The indefinite use of the term Sacrament in the early church. 1885 S. Cox Expos. 1st Ser. v. 66 A fine, though indefinite, emotion. 2. a. Of undetermined extent, amount, or number; unlimited. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > infiniteness > [adjective] > indefinite or unmeasured unmeasurate?1537 indefinite1594 indefinitive1598 1594 T. Nashe Vnfortunate Traveller sig. H^v Peace to thy Ghost, and yet mee thinkes so indefinite a spirite should haue no peace or intermission of paines. 1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 246 Let these Licensed Lenders be in Number Indefinite. 1850 W. R. Grove On Correlation Physical Forces (ed. 2) 86 Thus oxygen and hydrogen..will remain unaltered for an indefinite period. 1852 F. W. Robertson Serm. 3rd Ser. xii. 150 With respect to our moral and spiritual capacities, we remark that they are not only indefinite but absolutely infinite. 1877 E. R. Conder Basis of Faith ii. 67 That is indefinite which has, or may have, a limit, but whose limit cannot be ascertained. 1884 J. Rae Contemp. Socialism 100 Commodities that admitted of indefinite multiplication. †b. Formerly, sometimes, Extending beyond any assignable limits; boundless, infinite. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > infiniteness > [adjective] unbegunc1000 uncircumscriptc1374 endless138. finitea1400 measurelessc1400 infinite1413 ginningless?1440 immensec1450 unlimitedc1475 infinal?1504 interminate1533 termlessa1542 brinkless1567 without limit1572 uncompassed1577 limitlessa1586 beginningless1587 untermedc1595 boundless1599 illimitate1602 illimited1602 unbeginning1605 incomprehense1606 inconjectable1609 uncircumscribed1610 borderless1611 confinelessa1616 finelessa1616 unconfined1629 uninchoative1649 indefinite1664 incircumscript1677 imprincipiate1683 ensophic1693 interminateda1734 unhorizoned1811 unencompasseda1822 unterminated1853 1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. Pref. sig. C3 The process of Art is indefinite, and who can set a non-ultra to her endevours? 1745 W. Thompson Sickness v. (R.) Indefinite and omnipresent God, Inhabiting eternity! shall dust, Shall ashes, dare presume to sing of thee? II. specifically (in various technical uses). 3. Grammar. a. Applied to various adjectives, pronominal words, and adverbs, which do not define or determine the actual person or thing, the place, time, or manner, to which they refer; as any, other, some, such, somewhere, anyhow, otherwise, etc.: esp. in indefinite article, a name for the individualizing adjective a, an (a adj.), or its equivalents in other languages. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > a part of speech > determiner > [noun] > article > other indefinite article1727 1727 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. II Indefinite Pronouns. 1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Article The Article A is said to be indefinite, because applied to Names taken in their more general, and confused Signification. 1877 W. F. Moulton tr. Winer Gram. N.T. Greek iii. §25. 2 The indefinite pronoun τις, τι, is joined to abstract nouns. b. Applied to those tenses or inflections of verbs which merely denote an action taking place at some time (past, present, or future), without specifying whether it is continuous or complete (thus distinguished from both imperfect and perfect), e.g. the Greek aorist and the English simple past; in French grammar formerly (as by Palsgrave) to the simple past tense corresponding to these, now called past or preterite definite; in modern French, past or preterite indefinite is applied to the complex verb phrase corresponding to the perfect in English, e.g. il a parlé, he has spoken. ΚΠ 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement Introd. 32 The indiffynite indicatyve of the thyrde conjugation endeth ever in S. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 84 The indiffinite tens, as je parlay, I spake. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 382 To knowe therfore howe and whan the frenche men use their preter imparfyte tence, and whan their indiffynyte tence, whiche name I borowe of the grekes, for they have a tence whiche they call aoristus, that is to say, indifinitus, whiche moche resembleth this tence in the frenche tonghe. c. In the Slavonic verb formerly applied to one of the branches or aspects. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > aspect > [adjective] > other specific aspects frequentative1534 indefinite1827 iterative1827 semelfactive1827 telic1846 usitative1849 resultative1857 semi-telic1865 permansive1866 constative1901 effective1904 point-action1913 egressive1914 punctual1914 benefactive1943 1827 J. Heard Gram. Russ. Lang. v. §1. 141 There are four branches: the indefinite, the perfect, the semelfactive, and the iterative. The indefinite expresses the action indeterminately with regard to its completion; as [on trogal], he moved. d. Sometimes applied, in German and Old English grammar, to that declension of the adjective which is used when it is preceded by the indefinite article, possessive adjective, pronouns, etc.: the strong declension of the adjective. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > morphology > inflection > [adjective] > relating to declension > specific Germanic declensions strong1833 weak1841 indefinite1874 1874 R. Morris Chaucer's Prol., etc. (Clar. Press Ser.) Introd. 33 Adjectives, like the modern German, have two forms—Definite and Indefinite. 4. Logic. Applied to propositions in which the subject has no mark of quantity; not distinguishing between ‘some’ and ‘all’. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > logic > logical proposition > [adjective] > of universal or particular propositions universalc1450 particular1551 subaltern1566 subcontrary1566 singular1654 lemmatical1665 indefinite1773 indesignate1844 semi-definitea1856 1773 T. Reid Aristotle's Logic ii. §6, in Wks. II. 692/2 A proposition is called indefinite when there is no mark either of universality or particularity annexed to the subject: thus, ‘Man is of few days’ is an indefinite proposition. 1864 F. C. Bowen Treat. Logic v. 122 The logicians formerly distinguished another Class of judgments as Indefinite, meaning those in which the Subject, having no sign or predesignation of Quantity affixed to it, is not expressly declared to be either Universal, Singular, or Particular. Thus, Elephants are sagacious animals;—Learned men are to be found at Oxford. 1887 T. Fowler Elem. Deduct. Logic (ed. 9) iii. 29 ‘Indefinite’ or ‘indesignate’ propositions, as they are called, i.e. propositions in which the subject, being a common term, is not quantified, are inadmissible in Logic. 5. Botany. a. Said of inflorescence in which the central axis grows indefinitely in length, producing a succession of lateral branches bearing flower-buds (or of sessile flower-buds) which open successively from the lowest upwards; also called centripetal or indeterminate. ΘΚΠ the world > plants > part of plant > reproductive part(s) > flower or part containing reproductive organs > inflorescence or collective flower > [adjective] > having particular shape, type, or arrangement > of or bearing cymes or racemes racemiferous1656 racemose1698 biparous1731 racemous1757 racemed1787 unilateral1802 cymose1807 uniparous1839 indeterminate1842 indefinite1876 botrycymose1879 botryose1879 1876 J. D. Hooker Bot. Primer 46 Called indefinite, because the axis goes on elongating after the first flower opens. 1880 A. Gray Struct. Bot. v. 144 The kinds of Inflorescence..are all reducible to two types..viz. Indefinite and Definite, or..Indeterminate and Determinate. Each may be..simple or compound. b. Sometimes similarly applied to fibrovascular bundles which grow indefinitely, so that the stem increases in thickness, as in ‘Exogens’ or Dicotyledons. ΘΚΠ the world > plants > part of plant > cell or aggregate tissue > [adjective] > of or with a vascular bundle indefinite1849 bicollateral1881 intrafascicular1900 1849 J. H. Balfour Man. Bot. §77 The vascular bundles [in exogens], from their mode of development in an indefinite manner externally, have been called exogenous; and for the same reason, Schlieden has denominated them Indefinite. c. Said of the stamens or other parts of the flower when numerous and not clearly multiples of the number of the petals, etc. ΘΚΠ the world > plants > part of plant > reproductive part(s) > flower or part containing reproductive organs > [adjective] > having or relating to parts > of or having stamens or pistils > of or having stamens or male > in specific quantity, form, or arrangement castrate1704 syngenesious1753 pentandrious1754 pentandrous1757 polyandrous1757 polyadelphous1778 triandrious1786 polyandrian1787 gynandrian1791 monadelphous1806 monandrous1806 tetrandrous1806 perigynous1807 octandrousa1815 pleurogynous1819 hypogynous1821 icosandrian1828 octandrian1828 pentandrian1828 polyadelphian1828 tetradynamian1828 hexandrous1830 pentadelphous1830 tetradynamous1830 triadelphous1830 triandrous1830 icosandrous1836 corollifloral1839 indefinite1839 oligandrous1851 isadelphous1855 thalamifloral1857 thalamiflorous1857 phalangiform1858 polyandrious1858 allagostemonous1879 corolliflorous1880 obdiplostemonous1882 hypogynic1886 octandrious1890 Monadelphic1959 polyandric1976 1839 J. Lindley School Bot. iv. 32 Stamens indefinite; that is to say, more numerous than can be easily counted. 1849 J. H. Balfour Man. Bot. §472 The ovules are very numerous or indefinite. B. n. (elliptical uses of the adjective.) An indefinite thing, word, statement, etc.; something of indefinite nature or meaning, or which cannot be definitely specified, described, or classed. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > [noun] > state of being non-specific > indefiniteness > that which is indefinite indefinite1591 vagueness1838 the vague1851 1591 R. Percyvall Bibliotheca Hispanica Gram. sig. F Aduerbs commonly gouerne an Indicatiue Moode: saue that where Interrogatiues are changed into Indefinites they haue some time a Subiunctiue. 1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 145 That Negative is more pregnant of Direction, then an Indefinite. 1865 Pall Mall Gaz. 16 Aug. 10/1 A table of the occupations of the people after a new classification..I. ‘Professionals’..II. ‘Domestics’..III. Commercials; IV. Agriculturists..V. Industrials..VI. Indefinites, that is, general labourers, gentlemen of means, and paupers, with a few others not open to classification. Derivatives † inˈdefinite v. Obsolete (nonce-word) in to indefinite it = to act or speak indefinitely. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > be generally applicable [verb (intransitive)] > act or speak indefinitely indefinite1656 1656 S. Hunton Golden Law 76 If we indefinite it, when we should demonstrate, and universalize it. inˈdefinitism n. indefinite character.Apparently an isolated use. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > [noun] > state of being non-specific > indefiniteness indefiniteness1589 indeterminateness1644 indeterminacy1649 indefinitya1734 indetermination1789 vagueness1799 indefinitude1828 indefinitivenessa1849 indefinitism1855 indefinition1888 1855 D. Greenwell Present Heaven (1861) 103 The vague spirituality or rather indefinitism of our ideas. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < adj.n.1530
随便看	taken out taken over taken to taken up taken with the mainour taken with the mainour manner taken-for-granted taken-in taken-on taken-out-of-context taken-up takenforgranted takenin takenon takenoprisoners takenoshit takenote takenoutofcontext takenup takeoff takeoff area takeoff board takeoff roll takeoff run takeoff speed