Search the Dictionary

w of chemical combinations, or the fact that, to produce a complete reaction, a certain definite weight of reagent is required. -- Ac`id*i*met"ric*al, a.

of a play; one of the principal divisions of a play or dramatic work in which a certain definite part of the action is completed.

To put off or defer to another day, or indefinitely; to postpone; to close or suspend for the day; -- commonly said of the meeting, or the action, of convened body; as, to adjourn the meeting; to adjourn a debate. It is a common practice to adjourn the reformation of their lives to a further time. Barrow. 'Tis a needfu…

The Arabic definite article answering to the English the; as, Alkoran, the Koran or the Book; alchemy, the chemistry.

Omnipotence; infinite or boundless power; unlimited might. Jer. Taylor.

This word is properly an adjective, but is commonly called the indefinite article. It is used before nouns of the singular number only, and signifies one, or any, but somewhat less emphatically. In such expressions as "twice an hour," "once an age," a shilling an ounce (see 2d A, 2), it has a distributive force, and is…

hic projection of the sphere on the plane of the meridian, the eye being supposed at an infinite distance, and in the east or west point of the horizon.

Without definite structure; as, an anhistous membrane.

(Psychol.) Not subject to conscious attention; having an indefinite, relatively passive, conscious being; characteristic of the "fringe" or "margin" of consciousness.

Any or some; any different person, indefinitely; any one else; some one else. Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth. Prov. xxvii. 2. While I am coming, another steppeth down before me. John v. 7.

One indifferently, out of an indefinite number; one indefinitely, whosoever or whatsoever it may be.

Any one out of an indefinite number of persons; anyone; any person. His Majesty could not keep any secret from anybody. Macaulay.

Expressing an indefinite comparison; -- with as or like. [Colloq. or Lowx] I fear your girl will grow as proud as anything. Richardson.

Indefinite; pertaining to the aorist tense.

ve as proof; indicative; as, the adaptation of things to their uses is argumentative of infinite wisdom in the Creator. [Obs.]

the, used before nouns to limit or define their application. A (or an) is called the indefinite article, the the definite article.

Article by article; in distinct particulars; in detail; definitely. Paley. I had articulately set down in writing our points. Fuller.

The state of being jointed; connection of parts. [R.] That definiteness and articulation of imagery. Coleridge.

Having an indefinite number of small charges scattered or strewed over the surface. Cussans.

Having little or no tendency to take a fixed or definite position or direction: thus, a suspended magnetic needle, when rendered astatic, loses its polarity, or tendency to point in a given direction. Astatic pair (Magnetism), a pair of magnetic needles so mounted as to be nearly or quite astatic, as in some galvanomet…