Part 109

De*fil`i*a"tion (?), n. [L. de- + filius son.] Abstraction of a child from its parents. Lamb.

De*fin"a*ble (?), a. [From Define.] Capable of being defined, limited, or explained; determinable; describable by definition; ascertainable; as, definable limits; definable distinctions or regulations; definable words. -- De*fin"a*bly, adv.

De*fine" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defined (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Defining.] [OE. definer, usually, to end, to finish, F. définir to define, L. definire to limit, define; de- + finire to limit, end, finis boundary, limit, end. See Final, Finish.] 1. To fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination; to end. "To define controversies." Barrow.

2. To determine or clearly exhibit the boundaries of; to mark the limits of; as, to define the extent of a kingdom or country.

3. To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly; as, the defining power of an optical instrument.

Rings . . . very distinct and well defined.

Sir I. Newton.

4. To determine the precise signification of; to fix the meaning of; to describe accurately; to explain; to expound or interpret; as, to define a word, a phrase, or a scientific term.

They define virtue to be life ordered according to nature.

Robynson (More's Utopia).

De*fine" (?), v. i. To determine; to decide. [Obs.]

De*fine"ment (?), n. The act of defining; definition; description. [Obs.] Shak.

De*fin"er (?), n. One who defines or explains.

Def"i*nite (?), a. [L. definitis, p. p. of definire: cf. F. défini. See Define.] 1. Having certain or distinct; determinate in extent or greatness; limited; fixed; as, definite dimensions; a definite measure; a definite period or interval.

Elements combine in definite proportions.

Whewell.

2. Having certain limits in signification; determinate; certain; precise; fixed; exact; clear; as, a definite word, term, or expression.

3. Determined; resolved. [Obs.] Shak.

4. Serving to define or restrict; limiting; determining; as, the definite article.

Definite article (Gram.), the article the, which is used to designate a particular person or thing, or a particular class of persons or things; -- also called a definitive. See Definitive, n. - - Definite inflorescence. (Bot.) See Determinate inflorescence, under Determinate. -- Law of definite proportions (Chem.), the essential law of chemical combination that every definite compound always contains the same elements in the same proportions by weight; and, if two or more elements form more than one compound with each other, the relative proportions of each are fixed. Compare Law of multiple proportions, under Multiple.

Def"i*nite, n. A thing defined or determined. [Obs.]

Def"i*nite*ly, adv. In a definite manner; with precision; precisely; determinately.

Def"i*nite*ness, n. The state of being definite; determinateness; precision; certainty.

Def`i*ni"tion (?), n. [L. definitio: cf. F. définition.] 1. The act of defining; determination of the limits; as, a telescope accurate in definition.

2. Act of ascertaining and explaining the signification; a description of a thing by its properties; an explanation of the meaning of a word or term; as, the definition of "circle;" the definition of "wit;" an exact definition; a loose definition.

Definition being nothing but making another understand by words what the term defined stands for.

Locke.

3. Description; sort. [R.] "A new creature of another definition." Jer. Taylor.