Determinable Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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determinable

[dɪˈtɜːrmɪnəbl̩ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

in legal terms

Capable of being determined or ascertained.

Synonyms

ascertainable, detectable, identifiable, observable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
determinable

Used in situations where something can be exactly measured, calculated, or defined, often in a formal or technical setting.

  • The value of the property is determinable based on recent sales of similar homes
  • The cause of the failure is not easily determinable
ascertainable

Applied when something can be discovered or found out with certainty, usually through investigation or research.

  • The exact time of the accident is ascertainable from the traffic camera footage
  • Whether the claim is true or false is ascertainable through further inquiry
detectable

Used to describe something that can be noticed or discovered, often through the use of instruments, senses, or technology.

  • The chemical changes in the water are detectable with a simple test
  • The error in the program was detectable after running the debug check
identifiable

Used when something can be recognized or distinguished as being a particular thing or belonging to a certain category, often through specific features or characteristics.

  • The suspect was identifiable by the distinctive tattoo on his arm
  • Each species in the study was easily identifiable by its unique markings
observable

Used when something can be seen or noticed, typically in a way that is evident or obvious, often through direct observation.

  • There were observable changes in the patient's condition after the new medication
  • The effects of climate change are observable in the melting glaciers

Examples of usage

  • It is not determinable whether the contract is valid.
  • The exact amount of damages is determinable based on the evidence presented in court.
Context #2 | Adjective

in general terms

Able to be decided or established.

Synonyms

decidable, establishable, settled.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
determinable

Used again here, the same as previous. Consider redundancy: this word is already defined earlier.

decidable

Used mainly in mathematical, logical, or computational contexts when something can be definitively decided as true or false.

  • In computer science, a problem is decidable if there exists an algorithm that can provide an answer.
  • The theory is decidable if every statement can be proven true or false.
establishable

Used when something can be set up or proven, often in the context of rules, relationships, or organizations.

  • The new regulations are easily establishable within the company's current framework.
  • The connection between the two events is establishable through documented evidence.
settled

Used when something is resolved or firmly established, often in legal, personal, or financial situations. It can also imply permanence.

  • The dispute was finally settled after long negotiations.
  • They have settled in their new home quite comfortably.

Examples of usage

  • The determinable outcome of the election is still uncertain.
  • The determinable factors influencing the decision will be discussed in the meeting.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Mathematics

  • In mathematical contexts, a 'determinable' quantity can often be measured or calculated precisely.
  • The term relates to functions that are defined and can be evaluated within certain parameters.
  • Determinable variables are essential in statistics and data analysis for forming predictions.

Law

  • In legal terms, 'determinable' refers to a type of leasehold estate that automatically ends on the occurrence of a specified event.
  • Certain rights, such as in property law, can also be described as determinable if they can be ended or resolved under specific conditions.
  • The concept of determinability in contracts helps in figuring out if agreements can be enforced under particular scenarios.

Philosophy

  • Philosophical discussions around determinism often involve whether certain outcomes can be predetermined or if they depend on free will.
  • The debate about whether human actions are determinable raises questions about moral responsibility and agency.
  • In epistemology, determinable properties refer to characteristics that can be known through observation or reasoning.

Science

  • In science, determinable hypotheses are those that can be tested through experimentation.
  • The concept often intersects with theories of causation, where outcomes can be accurately predicted based on given conditions.
  • Determinable attributes of substances, like pH levels or temperature, help scientists understand reactions in chemistry.

Origin of 'determinable'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'determinabilis', which means 'able to be determined' or 'capable of being defined'.
  • In Middle English, the roots relate to making clear or setting limits on something.
  • The prefix 'de-' suggests completion, while 'termin' refers to defining or fixing boundaries.

The word 'determinable' originates from the Latin word 'determinabilis,' which means 'that can be limited.' The term has been used in legal contexts to refer to something that can be decided, established, or ascertained. Over time, 'determinable' has become a common adjective used to describe things that are capable of being determined or decided upon.


See also: determinability, determination, determine, determined, determinedly, determiner, determinist, indeterminacy, indeterminate, indeterminateness, predetermine, predetermined, undetermined.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,503, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.