Search the Dictionary

bjects divided into several subordinate species; a class more extensive than a species; a precisely defined and exactly divided class; one of the five predicable conceptions, or sorts of terms.

nite; not limited, defined, or specified; not explicit; not determined or fixed upon; not precise; uncertain; vague; confused; obscure; as, an indefinite time, plan, etc. It were to be wished that . . . men would leave off that indefinite way of vouching, "the chymists say this," or "the chymists affirm that." Boyle. T…

Not determinate; not certain or fixed; indefinite; not precise; as, an indeterminate number of years. Paley. Indeterminate analysis (Math.), that branch of analysis which has for its object the solution of indeterminate problems. -- Indeterminate coefficients (Math.), coefficients arbitrarily assumed for convenience o…

Not exact; not precisely correct or true; inaccurate.

In a manner not exact or precise; inaccurately. R. A. Proctor.

Nice; exact; matched; fitting; precise. [Obs.] "Jump names." B. Jonson.

Precisely; exactly; -- in place, time, or degree; neither more nor less than is stated. And having just enough, not covet more. Dryden. The god Pan guided my hand just to the heart of the beast. Sir P. Sidney. To-night, at Herne's oak, just 'twixt twelve and one. Shak.

traint; hence, looseness; laxity; independence. In human actions there are no degrees and precise natural limits described, but a latitude is indulged. Jer. Taylor.

Not restrained; not confined by precise limits.

To determine by agreement or by litigation the precise amount of (indebtedness); or, where there is an indebtedness to more than one person, to determine the precise amount of (each indebtedness); to make the amount of (an indebtedness); clear and certain. A debt or demand is liquidated whenever the amount due is agree…

Not precise or exact; vague; indeterminate; as, a loose style, or way of reasoning. The comparison employed . . . must be considered rather as a loose analogy than as an exact scientific explanation. Whewel.

Of or pertaining to mathematics; according to mathematics; hence, theoretically precise; accurate; as, mathematical geography; mathematical instruments; mathematical exactness. -- Math`e*mat"ic*al*ly, adv.

chine or to machinery or tools; made or formed by a machine or with tools; as, mechanical precision; mechanical products. We have also divers mechanical arts. Bacon.

A short, precise step; an affected manner.

Attentive to small things; paying attention to details; critical; particular; precise; as, a minute observer; minute observation.

Delicacy or exactness of perception; minuteness of observation or of discrimination; precision.

To hit at, or in, the nick; to touch rightly; to strike at the precise point or time. The just season of doing things must be nicked, and all accidents improved. L'Estrange.

ere, there a heath, and now and then a wood." Drayton. -- Now now, at this very instant; precisely now. [Obs.] "Why, even now now, at holding up of this finger, and before the turning down of this." J. Webster (1607). -- Now . . . now, alternately; at one time . . . at another time. "Now high, now low, now master up,…

Like an old maid; prim; precise; particular.

Concerned with, or attentive to, details; minute; circumstantial; precise; as, a full and particular account of an accident; hence, nice; fastidious; as, a man particular in his dress.