determinative

[ dih-tur-muh-ney-tiv, -nuh-tiv ]

adjective

1. serving to determine; determining.

noun

1. something that determines.
2. a graphic symbol used in ideographic writing to denote a semantic class and written next to a word to indicate in what semantic category that word is to be understood, thus at times distinguishing homographs.

determinative

/ dɪˈtɜːmɪnətɪv /

adjective

1. able to or serving to settle or determine; deciding

noun

1. a factor, circumstance, etc, that settles or determines
2. grammar a less common word for determiner
3. (in a logographic writing system) a logogram that bears a separate meaning, from which compounds and inflected forms are built up

Derived Forms

• deˈterminatively, adverb
• deˈterminativeness, noun

Other Words From

• de·termi·native·ly adverb
• de·termi·native·ness noun
• nonde·termi·native adjective noun
• nonde·termi·native·ly adverb
• nonde·termi·native·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of determinative¹

1645–55; probably < Medieval Latin dēterminātīvus fixed, Late Latin: crucial (of a disease), equivalent to Latin dētermināt ( us ) ( determinate ) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

“If we have a very tight election in a determinative state, like in 2000, then all bets are off and there will be litigation all over the place,” Smith said.

From Salon

Even more determinative, from a pure numbers perspective, was the North Carolina primary this month.

From Salon

Historically, the Iowa caucuses have been interesting, if not determinative, kickoffs for nominating contests, cutting down front-runners and elevating little-known contenders.

From New York Times

According to Ms Bellows, a Supreme Court decision in the Colorado case could also be "determinative" in Maine.

From BBC

Last month, Chess.com said it stood by its report on Niemann, "including that we found no determinative evidence that he has cheated in any in-person games".

From BBC