definite article

2 definitions found

definite article - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Definite \Def"i*nite\, a. [L. definitis, p. p. of definire: cf.
     F. d['e]fini. 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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Elements combine in definite proportions. --Whewell.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Having certain limits in signification; determinate;
        certain; precise; fixed; exact; clear; as, a definite
        word, term, or expression.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. Determined; resolved. [Obs.] --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. Serving to define or restrict; limiting; determining; as,
        the definite article.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]

definite article - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  definite article
      n 1: a determiner (as `the' in English) that indicates
           specificity of reference