Search the Dictionary

question or controversy; putting an end to contest or controversy; final; conclusive. "A decisive, irrevocable doom." Bates. "Decisive campaign." Macaulay. "Decisive proof." Hallam.

Not decisive; not bringing to a final or ultimate issue; as, an indecisive battle, argument, answer. The campaign had everywhere been indecisive. Macaulay.

Without decision.

The state of being indecisive; unsettled state.

Indecisive. [R.] Glanvill.

In France, a second ballot taken after an indecisive first ballot to decide between two or several candidates.

awn, in distinction from a net that is set and left. -- Casting voice, Casting vote, the decisive vote of a presiding officer, when the votes of the assembly or house are equally divided. "When there was an equal vote, the governor had the casting voice." B. Trumbull. -- Casting weight, a weight that turns a balance…

That which ends a dispute or controversy; a decisive argument.

To pledge or bind; to compromise, expose, or endanger by some decisive act or preliminary step; -- often used reflexively; as, to commit one's self to a certain course. You might have satisfied every duty of political friendship, without commiting the honor of your sovereign. Junius. Any sudden assent to the proposal .…

Bringing to a close; decisive; conclusive. [Obs.] Arguments highly consequential and concludent to my purpose. Sir M. Hale.

Belonging to a close or termination; decisive; convincing; putting an end to debate or question; leading to, or involving, a conclusion or decision. Secret reasons . . . equally conclusive for us as they were for them. Rogers. Conclusive evidence (Law), that of which, from its nature, the law allows no contradiction or…

In the way of conclusion; decisively; positively. Burke.

The quality of being conclusive; decisiveness.

f mercy with which an executioner ends by death the sufferings of the condemned; hence, a decisive, finishing stroke. -- Coup de main (ke m Etym: [F.] (Mil.), a sudden and unexpected movement or attack. -- Coup de soleil (k Etym: [F.] (Med.), a sunstroke. See Sunstroke. -- Coup d'état (k Etym: [F.] (Politics), a sud…

cided whether any affair or course of action must go on, or be modified or terminate; the decisive moment; the turning point. This hour's the very crisis of your fate. Dryden. The very times of crisis for the fate of the country. Brougham.

At a crisis; at a critical time; in a situation. place, or condition of decisive consequence; as, a fortification critically situated. Coming critically the night before the session. Bp. Burnet.

Severe; trying or searching, as if bringing to the cross; decisive; as, a crucial test.

A test of the most decisive kind; a severe trial; as, the crucible of affliction. Hessian crucible (Chem.), a cheap, brittle, and fragile, but very refractory crucible, composed of the finest fire clay and sand, and commonly used for a single heating; -- named from the place of manufacture.

Any fact or truth which is decisively attested or intuitively known as a psychological or philosophical datum; as, the deliverance of consciousness.

Conclusive; decisive; positive. The determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God. Acts ii. 23.