Indefiniteness Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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indefiniteness
[ˌɪnˈdɛfɪnɪtnəs ]
Definitions
lack of certainty
The state of being indefinite or not clearly defined; lack of certainty or fixedness.
Synonyms
ambiguity, uncertainty, vagueness.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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indefiniteness |
Used to describe something that lacks clear boundaries or precise definition, often in contexts where details are not fully determined or described.
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uncertainty |
Describes a state of being unsure or having doubts about something, often used in contexts involving future events, decisions, or information.
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ambiguity |
Refers to situations where something can be interpreted in more than one way, often leading to confusion or misunderstanding. Commonly used in legal, literary, or everyday language contexts.
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vagueness |
Typically used to describe a lack of clarity or precision in communication or detail, often implying that something is not well-defined or specific.
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Examples of usage
- The indefiniteness of his answer left us all confused.
- She was frustrated by the indefiniteness of the instructions.
grammar
The quality of being indefinite, such as an indefinite article or pronoun.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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indefiniteness |
Indicates a lack of clarity or exactness in situations where boundaries or specifics are uncertain.
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indeterminacy |
Used in more technical or scientific contexts to indicate an inability to determine exact value or outcome.
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unspecificity |
Refers to a lack of detailed information or specificity, often used in informal contexts.
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Examples of usage
- The use of 'a' and 'an' demonstrates indefiniteness in English.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Philosophy
- In philosophy, indefiniteness raises questions about concepts and categorizations, challenging how we define things in metaphysics.
- The notion is important in discussions of existential uncertainty and ambiguity in human experience and knowledge.
Mathematics
- In mathematics, an indefinite integral represents a family of functions rather than a specific function, highlighting the idea of ambiguity.
- Indefiniteness also appears in topology, where it can refer to spaces that lack clear boundaries or definitions.
Law
- In legal terms, indefiniteness may refer to contracts that lack clarity, which can render them unenforceable because of vagueness.
- Courts often scrutinize contracts for indefiniteness to ensure all parties understand their rights and obligations.
Psychology
- In psychology, an individual may experience anxiety due to the indefiniteness of life events, leading to a desire for more certainty.
- The concept can also relate to decision-making, where individuals may struggle when faced with indefinite outcomes.
Origin of 'indefiniteness'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'indefinitus', where 'in-' means 'not' and 'definitus' means 'definite' or 'limited'.
- It entered the English language in the early 1800s as a combination of the prefix 'in-' and the root 'definite'.
The word 'indefiniteness' is derived from the combination of the prefix 'in-' meaning 'not' or 'without' and the word 'definiteness'. The concept of indefiniteness has been explored in various fields such as philosophy, linguistics, and mathematics.
See also: definitely, indefinitely.