categorical
/katəˈɡɒrɪk(ə)l
/adjective
Unambiguously explicit and direct: a categorical assurance...
- So the Northern Territorians can take that as an absolute, categorical assurance.
- He wrote to Mr Southcombe last month to ask for a categorical assurance that the youngsters would not suffer any long-term health effects.
- My defense in this case will not be technical or legalistic: it will be categorical and absolute.
Synonyms
unqualified, unconditional, unequivocal, unreserved, absolute, explicit, unambiguous, definite, certain, direct, downright, outright, complete, thorough, thoroughgoing, total, emphatic, positive, express, point-blank, wholehearted, conclusive, undiluted, unalloyed, unadulterated, unstinting, without reservations, out-and-out, one hundred per cent
formal apodictic
Derivatives
categoric
/ adjective ...- Can you give a categoric assurance to the House that pipelines carrying that level of untreated gas are safe?
- The comparative newness of the contaminated land regime and the complexity involved in the process means local authorities are not in a position to give a categoric view or opinion.
- That was the question which seemed to linger despite Livingston's categoric assertion that David Hay's appointment as head coach, confirmed before the game, would not entail team selection duties.
Origin
Late 16th century: from late Latin categoricus (from Greek katēgorikos, from katēgoria 'statement': see category) + -al.