Dictionary: DE-FIN'ER – DE-FLEX'URE

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DE-FIN'ER, n.

He who defines; he who ascertains or marks the limits; he who determines or explains the signification of a word, or describes the distinctive properties of a thing.

DE-FIN'ING, ppr.

Determining the limits; ascertaining the extent; explaining the meaning; describing the properties.

DEF'IN-ITE, a. [L. definitus.]

  1. Having certain limits; bounded with precision; determinate; as, a definite extent of land; definite dimensions; definite measure.
  2. Having certain limits in signification; determinate; certain; precise; as, a definite word, term, or expression.
  3. Fixed; determinate; exact; precise; as, a definite time or period.
  4. Defining; limiting; determining the extent; as, a definite word.

DEF'IN-ITE, n.

Thing defined. – Ayliffe.

DEF'IN-ITE-LY, adv.

In a definite manner.

DEF'IN-ITE-NESS, n.

Certainty of extent; certainty of signification; determinateness.

DEF-IN-I'TION, n. [L. definitio. See Define.]

  1. A brief description of a thing by its properties; as, a definition of wit, or of a circle.
  2. In logic, the explanation of the essence of a thing by its kind and difference.
  3. In lexicography, an explanation of the signification of a word or term, or of what a word is understood to express.

DE-FIN'I-TIVE, a. [L. definitivus.]

  1. Limiting the extent; determinate; positive; express; as, a definitive term.
  2. Limiting; ending; determining; final; opposed to conditional, provisional, or interlocutory; as, a definitive sentence or decree.

DE-FIN'I-TIVE, n.

In grammar, an adjective used to define or limit the extent of the signification of an appellative or common noun. Such are the Greek ὁ, ἡ, το; the Latin hic, ille, ipse; the, this, and that, in English; le, la, les, in French; il, la, lo in Italian. Thus, tree is an appellative or common noun: the tree, this tree, that tree, designate a particular tree, determinate or known. Homo signifies man; hic homo, ille homo, a particular man, &c. But in some languages, the definitives have lost their original use, in a great degree; as in the Greek and the French. Thus, “La force de la vertu,” must be rendered in English, the force of virtue, not the force of the virtue. The first la is a definitive; the last has no definitive effect.

DE-FIN'I-TIVE-LY, adv.

  1. Determinately; positively; expressly.
  2. Finally; conclusively; unconditionally; as, the points between the parties are definitively settled.

DE-FIN'I-TIVE-NESS, n.

Determinateness; decisiveness; exclusiveness.

DE-FIX', v.t. [L. defigo.]

To fit; to fasten. [not used.] – Herbert.

DEF-LA-GRA-BIL'I-TY, n. [See Deflagrate.]

Combustibility; the quality of taking fire and burning away, as a metallic wire; a chimical term. – Boyle.

DEF-LA'GRA-BLE, a.

Combustible; having the quality of taking fire and burning, as alcohol, oils, &c. – Boyle.

DEF'LA-GRATE, v.t. [L. deflagro; de and flagro, to burn.]

To set fire to; to burn; to consume; as, to deflagrate oil or spirit.

DEF'LA-GRA-TED, pp.

Burned; consumed.

DEF'LA-GRA-TING, ppr.

Burning; consuming.

DEF-LA-GRA'TION, n.

A kindling or setting fire to a substance; burning; combustion. The strength of spirit is proved by deflagration. – Encyc. A rapid combustion of a mixture, attended with much evolution of flame and vapor, as of niter and charcoal. – Cyc. This term is also applied to the rapid combustion of metals by galvanism.

DEF'LA-GRA-TOR, n.

A galvanic instrument for producing combustion, particularly the combustion of metallic substances. – Hare.

DE-FLECT', v.i. [L. deflecto; de and flecto, to turn or bend.]

To turn from or aside; to deviate from a true course or right line; to swerve. The needle deflects from the meridian. – Brown.

DE-FLECT', v.t.

To turn aside; to turn or bend from a right line or regular course.

DE-FLECT'ED, pp.

Turned aside, or from a direct line or course. In botany, bending downward archwise.

DE-FLECT'ING, ppr.

Turning aside; turning from a right line or regular course.

DE-FLEC'TION, n.

  1. Deviation; the act of turning aside; a turning from a true line or the regular course.
  2. The departure of a ship from its true course.
  3. A deviation of the rays of light toward the surface of an opake body; inflection. – Hooke.

DE-FLEX'URE, n.

A bending down; a turning aside; deviation.