Absolute: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ฏ
absolute
[หรฆbsษluหt ]
Definitions
mathematics
Perfect; complete; wholly unmitigated or unqualified; utter; total; as, absolute power; absolute nonsense.
Synonyms
complete, total, unconditional.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| absolute |
Used to describe something that is free from any limitations or restrictions. Often used in philosophy, law, and science.
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| complete |
Describes something that is whole or finished. Commonly used in everyday language, often to describe tasks or activities.
|
| total |
Used to describe something that includes everything or all parts. Common in mathematical, financial, and statistical contexts, but also in general conversation.
|
| unconditional |
Describes something that is not subject to any conditions. Often used in contexts of love, support, or agreements.
|
Examples of usage
- The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero.
- In mathematics, an absolute value is a function that gives the distance of a number from zero.
- The concept of absolute value is essential in solving equations involving inequalities.
philosophy
Something that is free from any restriction or limitation; something that exists without depending on anything else.
Synonyms
infinite, ultimate, unconditional.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| absolute |
Used to describe something that is complete or total without any limitations or exceptions. It often emphasizes the extremity or definiteness of a concept.
|
| ultimate |
Typically used to indicate the best, final, or most significant thing in a series or in someone's experience. It's often used in comparative or superlative contexts.
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| unconditional |
Used when referring to something that is given or accepted without any conditions or limitations, often in emotional or relational contexts.
|
| infinite |
Generally used in contexts that involve something without any limits or end, often in terms of quantity, space, or time.
|
Examples of usage
- The philosopher believed in the existence of absolute truth.
- In philosophy, the concept of the absolute is often debated.
- The search for an absolute in a world of relativity is a common theme in philosophical discussions.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word originates from the Latin 'absolutus', which means 'freed' or 'free from restraint'.
- It was first used in the English language in the 14th century, often in philosophical texts.
- The prefix 'ab-' means 'from' or 'away', and 'solvere' means 'to loosen', contributing to the idea of being unrestricted.
Philosophy
- The concept is often explored in discussions about morality, where an 'absolute' moral standard implies that some actions are right or wrong, regardless of the situation.
- In metaphysics, 'absolute reality' refers to a reality that exists independently of perception or belief.
- Philosopher Immanuel Kant distinguished between phenomena and noumena, where noumena could be seen as absolute realities that are beyond human experience.
Mathematics
- In mathematics, 'absolute value' denotes the distance of a number from zero, disregarding its sign, representing the concept of positivity and negation.
- Absolute values can help in solving equations by allowing us to treat negatives as positives to find all solutions.
- The idea is also employed in calculus where 'absolute convergence' refers to the sum of the absolute values of a series approaching a limit, enhancing understanding of infinite series.
Science
- In physics, 'absolute temperature' is a measurement of temperature on the Kelvin scale, starting at absolute zero, where particle motion stops significantly.
- Absolute pressure is measured relative to a perfect vacuum, providing a baseline for pressure that helps in various engineering contexts.
- In chemistry, work with gases often references 'absolute humidity', which quantifies the actual water vapor content in the air, irrespective of temperature.
Culture
- The 'absolute' power of leaders has been a topic in various historical contexts, often leading to discussions about tyranny versus democracy.
- In literature, absolutes appear frequently in moral dilemmas, like characters grappling with definitive right vs. wrong situations.
- Art can also reflect absolutes, capturing moments or emotions in their purest forms, whether itโs the 'absolute beauty' of nature or human experience.
Translations
Translations of the word "absolute" in other languages:
๐ต๐น absoluto
๐ฎ๐ณ เคชเฅเคฐเฅเคฃ
๐ฉ๐ช absolut
๐ฎ๐ฉ mutlak
๐บ๐ฆ ะฐะฑัะพะปััะฝะธะน
๐ต๐ฑ absolutny
๐ฏ๐ต ็ตถๅฏพ
๐ซ๐ท absolu
๐ช๐ธ absoluto
๐น๐ท kesin
๐ฐ๐ท ์ ๋์ ์ธ
๐ธ๐ฆ ู ุทูู
๐จ๐ฟ absolutnรญ
๐ธ๐ฐ absolรบtny
๐จ๐ณ ็ปๅฏน็
๐ธ๐ฎ absoluten
๐ฎ๐ธ alger
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฐะฑัะพะปัััั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแกแแแฃแขแฃแ แ
๐ฆ๐ฟ mรผtlษq
๐ฒ๐ฝ absoluto