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Indeterminateness: meaning, definitions and examples

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indeterminateness

 

[ˌɪn.dɪˈtɜː.mɪ.nət.nəs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in philosophy

The state of being uncertain or indefinite; vagueness.

Synonyms

indefiniteness, uncertainty, vagueness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
indeterminateness

Used in formal or philosophical discussions to describe something that cannot be precisely determined or defined.

  • The indeterminateness of the outcome left everyone uneasy.
  • Quantum mechanics deals with the indeterminateness of particle states.
indefiniteness

Used to describe something that lacks clear and precise details or boundaries.

  • The indefiniteness of the project timeline caused confusion.
  • Her answers were characterized by indefiniteness, making it hard to understand her intentions.

Examples of usage

  • The indeterminateness of the situation made it difficult to make a decision.
  • His speech was full of indeterminateness, leaving the audience confused.
  • The indeterminateness of the future kept her awake at night.
Context #2 | Noun

in mathematics

The property of being indeterminate; lack of a definite value or solution.

Synonyms

indefiniteness, indeterminacy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
indeterminateness

Same as the first entry, used in contexts requiring a formal tone to describe a lack of preciseness or clear boundaries.

  • The indeterminateness of philosophical concepts can be both challenging and intriguing.
  • In economic theories, the indeterminateness of market behavior is often discussed.
indefiniteness

This term is commonly used to describe situations or concepts that are vague or not clearly defined, and can be used in both formal and informal settings.

  • There was a certain indefiniteness in her plans for the future.
  • The law's indefiniteness caused confusion among the citizens.
indeterminacy

Frequently appears in scientific, mathematical, and legal contexts to describe situations where outcomes cannot be predicted or determined with precision.

  • Heisenberg’s principle of indeterminacy is a fundamental concept in quantum physics.
  • The indeterminacy of the jury's decision left everyone in suspense.

Examples of usage

  • The indeterminateness of the equation required further analysis.
  • The indeterminateness of the data led to inconclusive results.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'indeterminatus', which means 'not limited' or 'not definite'.
  • It combines the prefix 'in-' (not) with 'determinateness', deriving from 'determinare', meaning 'to determine'.

Philosophy

  • In existential philosophy, indeterminateness refers to the nature of human existence, emphasizing uncertainty in choices.
  • Heidegger explored the concept, suggesting that many aspects of life are beyond our comprehension and control.

Mathematics

  • In mathematics, the term often describes systems or equations that do not have a unique solution, leading to multiple possibilities.
  • Indeterminate forms, such as 0/0 or ∞/∞, arise in calculus and require special techniques to evaluate.

Literature

  • Writers often use indeterminateness to create suspense or ambiguity in storytelling, leaving readers guessing.
  • Postmodern literature frequently embraces themes of uncertainty, challenging traditional narrative structures.

Psychology

  • In cognitive psychology, indeterminateness can refer to situations where individuals struggle to make decisions due to unclear outcomes.
  • This state can lead to anxiety as people seek clarity but are faced with uncertainty in their options.

Translations

Translations of the word "indeterminateness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 indeterminação

🇮🇳 अनिश्चितता

🇩🇪 Unbestimmtheit

🇮🇩 ketidakpastian

🇺🇦 невизначеність

🇵🇱 nieokreśloność

🇯🇵 不確定性

🇫🇷 indétermination

🇪🇸 indeterminación

🇹🇷 belirsizlik

🇰🇷 불확실성

🇸🇦 عدم التحديد

🇨🇿 neurčitost

🇸🇰 neurčitosť

🇨🇳 不确定性

🇸🇮 nedoločenost

🇮🇸 óákveðni

🇰🇿 анықталмағандық

🇬🇪 გაურკვევლობა

🇦🇿 müəyyənliksiz

🇲🇽 indeterminación