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indeterminate
[in-di-tur-muh-nit]
adjective
not determinate; not precisely fixed in extent; indefinite; uncertain.
not clear; vague.
Synonyms:not established.
not settled or decided.
Mathematics.
(of a quantity) undefined, as 0/0.
(of an equation) able to be satisfied by more than one value for each unknown.
Botany.(of an inflorescence) having the axis or axes not ending in a flower or bud, thus allowing further elongation.
noun
Mathematics.something whose value is not specified: used especially in abstract algebra; a variable.
indeterminate
/ ˌɪԻɪˈɜːɪɪ /
adjective
uncertain in extent, amount, or nature
not definite; inconclusive
an indeterminate reply
unable to be predicted, calculated, or deduced
physics (of an effect) not obeying the law of causality; noncausal
maths
having no numerical meaning, as 0.00 or 0/0
(of an equation) having more than one variable and an unlimited number of solutions
botany another word for indefinite
(of a structure, framework, etc) comprising forces that cannot be fully analysed, esp by vector analysis
indeterminate
Continuing to grow at the apical meristem or the terminal bud indefinitely, allowing for the development of an ever-increasing number of plant organs such as leaves, stems, or flowers to the side.
Other 51Թ Forms
- indeterminately adverb
- indeterminateness noun
- ˌԻˈٱԲٱ adverb
- ˌԻˈٱԲ noun
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of indeterminate1
Example Sentences
He was given an indeterminate public protection sentence with an 11-year minimum recommendation.
They added that at the opening of the inquest the cause of death was still indeterminate.
He was handed down an indeterminate prison sentence with a minimum tariff of five years.
It took Viola’s atmospheric soundscape of indeterminate voices and noises to make them miraculous.
Under an IPP, sentences are indeterminate rather than fixed-term - with a minimum period served in custody before the prisoner is considered for release.
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When To Use
Indeterminate describes something that is not precisely fixed or is uncertain, as in Sonya felt really frustrated with her boss’s indeterminate standards for evaluating her work.Indeterminate also describes something that is vague or unclear, as in The indeterminate costs for replacing the school led voters to choose repairing the school instead.Indeterminate is also used to describe something not established or settled, as in After surgery, Nikki will have to spend an indeterminate amount of time resting and healing.Example: Carly’s lab results were indeterminate, so the doctor wants to do more tests.
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