finality
/fʌɪˈnalɪti
/noun (plural finalities) [mass noun]
1The fact or impression of being final and irreversible: the abrupt finality of death...
- Even though a dreadful sense of finality pummelled him and threatened to bring back the depression that had barely nagged him for many years, he kept walking.
- The finality of death of a young man with glowing prospects for success is a shattering blow indeed.
- The finality of death that you might want to give to criminals would be just as final on the falsely accused.
Synonyms
conclusiveness, decisiveness, decision, definiteness, definitiveness, absoluteness, completeness;
irrevocability, irrefutability, incontrovertibility, unalterableness;
certainty, certitude, sureness, fixedness
1.1A tone or manner which indicates that no further comment or argument is possible: ‘No,’ she said with finality...
- His words held a tone of finality that warranted no argument.
- The tone of her voice indicated finality to the conversation.
- The finality of his tone brooked no argument, and it seemed as though it had finally sunk in that Mr Cunningham had tried something on me.
1.2 [count noun] An action or event that ends something irreversibly: death is the ultimate finality...
- He cuts off his reading with a series of disturbing questions: ‘How could productions of art appear to us as finalities without end?’
- In fact, isn't that exactly how we experience life, as a series of finalities?
- Those who live with their feet on the ground don't hang themselves with abstract ‘at larges’ or final finalities.
Origin
Mid 19th century: from French finalité, from late Latin finalitas, from Latin finalis (see final).