determinate

[ adjective dih-tur-muh-nit; verb dih-tur-muh-neyt ]

adjective

1. having defined limits; definite.
2. settled; positive.
3. conclusive; final.
4. resolute.
5. Botany. (of an inflorescence) having the primary and each secondary axis ending in a flower or bud, thus preventing further elongation.
6. Engineering.
   1. (of a structure) able to be analyzed completely by means of the principles of statics.
   2. (of a member of a structure) subject only to definite, known stresses.
   3. (of a stress) able to be determined through the principles of statics.

verb (used with object)

, de·ter·mi·nat·ed, de·ter·mi·nat·ing.

1. to make certain of.
2. to identify.

determinate

/ dɪˈtɜːmɪnɪt /

adjective

1. definitely limited, defined, or fixed; distinct
2. a less common word for determined
3. 1. able to be predicted or deduced
   2. (of an effect) obeying the law of causality
4. botany (of an inflorescence) having the main and branch stems ending in flowers and unable to grow further; cymose
5. (of a structure, stress, etc) able to be fully analysed or determined

determinate

/ dĭ-tûr′mə-nĭt /

1. Precisely determined, limited, or defined.
2. Not continuing to grow at an apical meristem. In the cyme, a determinate inflorescence, for example, the first floret develops at the end of the meristem, and no further elongation of the inflorescence can occur.

Derived Forms

• deˈterminateness, noun
• deˈterminately, adverb

Other Words From

• de·termi·nate·ly adverb
• de·termi·nate·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of determinate¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin dēterminātus, past participle of dētermināre. See determine, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Scotland's prisons currently house 2,037 prisoners serving determinate sentences of four to 10 years, and 465 on sentences of 10 years or more.

From BBC

We are every single day in this country releasing people through determinate sentencing.

From BBC

From Tuesday, prisoners on “standard determinate sentences” will be automatically released after they have served 40% of their sentence.

From BBC

Jones was given an extended determinate sentence, where an offender receives a fixed jail term and an extended period on licence after their release.

From BBC

Determinate tomatoes: McKeever makes the case for determinate tomatoes, which are tomatoes that stay bushy instead of vining out and have a more set production, as these have more compact root systems.

From Seattle Times