By this
category grammarians understand the definiteness or indefiniteness of
the object named (обозначаемый
предмет).
The notion
of definiteness-indefiniteness can be expressed by lexical means and
grammatically, i.e. by the articles and the determiners.
The
indefinite article expresses the indefiniteness of the object named.
The definite article expresses the definiteness of the object named
and singles it out of a class of similar objects.
The
absence of the article is also meaningful and occurs when we would
expect the indefinite article to be used with abstract nouns and
nouns in the plural with which the indefinite article is not used
since it is associated with the idea of “oneness”.
Thus
the absence of the article means the absence of the indefinite
article mostly and functions as such.
Indefiniteness Definiteness
a
man the man
men the
men
The
determiners this, that, each, every, some, any, which, no, either,
much, the conjoint possessive pronouns my, his, etc. are used to
express definiteness or indefiniteness. E.g. That room was
small. I took off my hat. One day, when we were in love; one
wonderful morning in May…
Proper
names are identified well enough not to need the articles or the
determiners. But as soon as they are not, they are used with the
article or some determiner: e.g.The Browns are out of the town. She
married a Jackson.
In
English article is a sign which expresses the category of
determination (definiteness — indefiniteness) grammatically.
It
may get the meaning of determination or indetermination only in
speech, all the other so called meanings of the articles are its
functions. The article itself cannot particularize or classify the
noun. The article is a form word, which shows how the noun should be
understood (a class noun, a unique thing, etc). So, the context plays
the most important part in the use of articles in English Speech.
The
Article as a Part of Speech
Neither
the meaning of the article nor its nature is studies well yet. In
connection with the article there exist two main views.
1)
The article is a word (possibly a separate part of speech) and the
combination of ‘article + noun’ is a
phrase.
2)
The article is the form element in the system of the noun. It is thus
a kind of morpheme and the combination ‘article + noun’ is a
morphological formation.
The
article serves to specify a noun. From this point of view the article
may be divided into 3
classes: 1) the definite article (the); 2) the indefinite article
(a); 3) the zero article.
The
function of the definite article is particularization,
that of the indefinite one is classifying
and that of the zero article is generalization (nomination).
Professor
Ilyish remarks that such functions of the article as particularizing,
generic, demonstrative are not brought about by the article itself
but by the context or situation: e.g. The dog is a domestic animal
(general statement). The dog has come home (concrete action).
The
indefinite article has the following functions:
1)
The indefinite article is used with a word which names an object,
referring it to a class of similar objects and is said to have the
nominating
or classifying function.
e.g.
This is a table. He works here as a teacher.
In
its nominating function the indefinite article may be used with a
noun which has some descriptive attributes since the object named can
possess a number of qualities or qualification which do not single it
out of a class of similar objects but only narrow the class to which
the object belongs:
cf. He
is a boy.
He
is a nice boy.
He
is a nice boy of twenty, etc.
2)
When the indefinite article is used with a noun which names an
average class representative, it is said to have the generalizing
function.
E.g.
A sentence is a language unit.
In
this function the indefinite article comes very near to the meaning
of the indefinite pronoun “any” (любой).
E.g.
Any sentence is a language unit.
3)
The indefinite article is sometimes used with the nouns which name
unique things or abstract notions:
E.g.
There was a young moon.
It
may be called the aspective
or stylistic function
of the indefinite article. In its aspective function the indefinite
article may be used with proper names as well.
E.g.
He was met at the door by an angry Elizabeth.
In
such cases the indefinite article is used in combination with some
descriptive attributes to show that the characteristics ascribed by
them to the person named is not permanent but temporary (Elizabeth
was not always angry: she was angry at that particular moment).
When
the indefinite article is used with a proper name without any
attribute (or with the pronoun “certain”) the noun stands for a
person, that is not familiar with either to both the hearer and the
speaker, or to one of them.
E.g.
Is there a Mrs. Langdon? Остановилась
ли здесь некая миссис Лэнгдон?
4)
The indefinite article is also used to introduce “the new” in a
communication. Then it is said to have the communicating
function.
E.g. The door opened and a man entered the room.
In
the Russian sentence we place the word that corresponds to the
English word with the indefinite article at the end of the sentence.
The indefinite article in this function is often used to introduce a
person or a thing. E.g. A boy wants to see you. In a similar case
with a noun in the plural form the indefinite pronoun “some” is
used. E.g. Some boys want to see you.
All
the above mentioned functions of the indefinite article can exist
separately or in combination with each other. In the sentence “There
was a moon” the indefinite article has two functions: the
communicating and the aspective.
The
functions of the definite article
The
definite article expresses the definiteness of the object named or
the familiarity with the object named and has one principle function,
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1 : not certain in amount or length an indefinite period. 2 : not clear in meaning or details She is indefinite about her plans. Other Words from indefinite. indefinitely adverb.
What does indefinite answer mean?
b : not clear or certain in meaning or details : vague. an indefinite answer/boundary.
What is an indefinite in a sentence?
vague or not clearly defined or stated 2. not decided or not known. 1. The store will be closed for an indefinite period.
What is the meaning of indefinite and definite?
The definite article (the) is used before a noun to indicate that the identity of the noun is known to the reader. The indefinite article (a, an) is used before a noun that is general or when its identity is not known.
What is an indefinite person?
An indefinite pronoun refers to a non-specific person or thing. The most common ones are: all, any, anyone, anything, each, everybody, everyone, everything, few, many, nobody, none, one, several, some, somebody, and someone. Examples of Indefinite Pronouns.
34 related questions found
What’s the meaning of indefinite article?
: the word a or an used in English to refer to a person or thing that is not identified or specified In «I gave a book to the boy» the word «a» is an indefinite article and the word «the» is a definite article.
Does indefinite mean forever?
If a situation will continue indefinitely, it will continue forever or until someone decides to change it or end it.
What is indefinite period?
If you describe a situation or period as indefinite, you mean that people have not decided when it will end.
What are the four Demonstratives?
There are four demonstratives in English: the «near» demonstratives this and these, and the «far» demonstratives that and those. This and that are singular; these and those are plural. A demonstrative pronoun distinguishes its antecedent from similar things.
How do you use indefinite?
We use indefinite pronouns to refer to people or things without saying exactly who or what they are. We use pronouns ending in -body or -one for people, and pronouns ending in -thing for things: Everybody enjoyed the concert. I opened the door but there was no one at home.
What is the meaning of indefinite leave?
Indefinite Leave to Remain (“ILR”) or Indefinite Leave to Enter (“ILE”), also referred to as settlement or permanent residence, are types of immigration status in the UK which mean there is no longer a time limit on a person’s ability to stay in the UK.
Is indefinite and indeterminate?
As adjectives the difference between indeterminate and indefinite. is that indeterminate is not accurately determined or determinable while indefinite is without limit; forever, or until further notice; not definite.
Is indefinitely the same as forever?
As adverbs the difference between indefinitely and forever
is that indefinitely is for a long time, no end defined while forever is (duration) for all time, for all eternity; for an infinite amount of time.
What is out indefinitely mean?
If a player is out indefinitely, it means that he can be out for the whole season, but it also means that a can happen, and the player can be back on the field sooner rather than later.
What does indefinite mean in grammar?
: not definite: such as. a : not precise : vague. b : having no exact limits.
When should I use indefinite article?
Indefinite articles are used when we are referring to an unspecified thing or quantity. We use them when we don’t know (or don’t care) which thing we’re talking about. There once was a sheep.
Why is it called indefinite article?
A and An are called indefinite articles because they are used when we do not specify a particular person or thing we are referring to, the person or thing remains indefinite.
Can I use their with everyone?
When we want to refer back to everyone or everybody and we don’t know if everyone is male or female, we use him or her and his or her. In informal styles, we use plural pronouns they, their and them: Everybody has a team leader in charge of him or her. Not everyone has his or her own desk.
What are the two types of indefinite pronouns?
Types of indefinite pronouns fit two categories: those that are made up of two morphemes and are called compound pronouns, such as somebody, and those that are followed by the word of, called of-pronouns, such as all or many.
Is everyone singular or plural?
She says, everyone sounds like a lot of people, but in grammar land, everyone is a singular noun and takes a singular verb. For example: Everyone loves Squiggly. (This is right because everyone is singular and paired with a singular verb, loves.)
Are all indefinite pronouns singular?
Indefinite pronouns that end in -body are always singular. These words include anybody, somebody, nobody. The indefinite pronouns both, few, many, others, and several are always plural.
What is indeterminate sentence?
A prison sentence that consists of a range of years (such as «five to ten years»). … The principle behind indeterminate sentences is the hope that prison will rehabilitate some prisoners; those who show the most progress will be paroled closer to the minimum term than those who do not.
How do you write the present indefinite tense?
We use the simple present tense when an action is happening right now, or when it happens regularly (or unceasingly, which is why it’s sometimes called present indefinite). Depending on the person, the simple present tense is formed by using the root form or by adding ‑s or ‑es to the end.
- indefinite
- [ɪn’def(ə)nɪt]
1) Общая лексика: неясный, неопределённый , бессрочный, неограниченный
2) Математика: двусмысленный, индефинитный, неопределенный
3) Лингвистика: диффузный, неопределенное время
4) Текстиль: нечёткий
5) Вычислительная техника: неопределенный
6) Макаров: безграничный, бесконечный, беспредельный, не имеющий четких границ, незаданный, нечётко ограниченный
Универсальный англо-русский словарь.
.
2011.
Смотреть что такое «indefinite» в других словарях:
-
Indefinite — In*def i*nite, a. [L. indefinitus. See {In } not, and {Definite}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Not definite; not limited, defined, or specified; not explicit; not determined or fixed upon; not precise; uncertain; vague; confused; obscure; as, an indefinite … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
-
indefinite — I adjective alterable, ambiguous, ambiguus, amorphic, amorphous, barely seen, blurred, blurry, boundless, broad, changeable, cloudy, controvertible, cryptic, debatable, dim, doubtful, dubious, dubius, enigmatic, enigmatical, equivocal, evasive,… … Law dictionary
-
indefinite — [in def′ə nit] adj. [L indefinitus] not definite; specif., a) having no exact limits or having no limits at all b) not precise or clear in meaning; vague c) not sharp or clear in outline; blurred; indistinct d) not sure or positive; uncertain e)… … English World dictionary
-
indéfinité — [ɛ̃definite] n. f. ÉTYM. 1823; de indéfini. ❖ ♦ Didact. Caractère de ce qui est indéfini. ⇒ Indéfinitude. || L indéfinité de la représentation (T. L. F.) … Encyclopédie Universelle
-
indefinite — (adj.) early 15c. (implied in indefinitely), from L. indefinitus, from in not, opposite of, without (see IN (Cf. in ) (1)) + definitus, pp. of definire (see DEFINE (Cf. define)) … Etymology dictionary
-
indefinite — [adj] ambiguous, vague broad, confused, doubtful, dubious, equivocal, evasive, general, ill defined, imprecise, indeterminable, indeterminate, indistinct, inexact, inexhaustible, infinite, innumerable, intangible, loose, obscure, shadowy,… … New thesaurus
-
indefinite — ► ADJECTIVE 1) not clearly expressed or defined; vague. 2) lasting for an unknown or unstated length of time. 3) Grammar (of a word, inflection, or phrase) not determining the person or thing referred to. DERIVATIVES indefinitely adverb… … English terms dictionary
-
indefinite — [[t]ɪnde̱fɪnɪt[/t]] 1) ADJ: usu ADJ n If you describe a situation or period as indefinite, you mean that people have not decided when it will end. The trial was adjourned for an indefinite period. …an indefinite strike by government workers. 2) … English dictionary
-
Indefinite — The word indefinite has these meanings: *In mathematics: **When talking about positive or negative indefinite forms in multilinear algebra, see definite bilinear form. ** indefinite is sometimes used to describe the result of trying to divide 0… … Wikipedia
-
indefinite — indefinitely, adv. indefiniteness, n. /in def euh nit/, adj. 1. not definite; without fixed or specified limit; unlimited: an indefinite number. 2. not clearly defined or determined; not precise or exact: an indefinite boundary; an indefinite… … Universalium
-
indefinite — in|def|i|nite [ınˈdefənıt] adj 1.) an indefinite action or period of time has no definite end arranged for it ▪ The next day the union voted to begin an indefinite strike. ▪ The picture has been loaned for an indefinite period to the National… … Dictionary of contemporary English
The adjective indefinite describes something that is vague or not clearly defined: “After injuring her knee in a riding accident, Gloria postponed her vacation for an indefinite period of time.”
You’ve probably noticed that a big chunk of the word indefinite is made up of a familiar word, definite — which means “specific” or “clearly defined.” The two words have common origins in the Latin word definitus (“definite”), but indefinite’s in- prefix gives the word the opposite meaning — «not clearly defined». Indefinite, wonderfully vague and undefined, is your friend for those times when your plans are up in the air (“indefinite plans”) or you don’t want to be pinned down to any particular timeframe (“on indefinite hiatus”).
Definitions of indefinite
-
adjective
vague or not clearly defined or stated
“must you be so
indefinite?”“amorphous blots of color having vague and
indefinite edges”“he would not answer so
indefinite a proposal”-
Synonyms:
-
unclear
not clear to the mind
-
undefined, vague
not precisely limited, determined, or distinguished
-
coy
showing marked and often playful or irritating evasiveness or reluctance to make a definite or committing statement
-
indecisive
not clearly defined
-
nebulous, unfixed
lacking definition or definite content
-
noncommittal
refusing to bind oneself to a particular course of action or view or the like
-
one
indefinite in time or position
-
indistinct
not clearly defined or easy to perceive or understand
-
unclear
-
adjective
not decided or not known
“were
indefinite about their plans”“plans are
indefinite”-
Synonyms:
-
uncertain
not established beyond doubt; still undecided or unknown
-
uncertain
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Meaning of INDEFINITE in English
adj. unclear, vague, indistinct; having no set limits; undefined; of a word or phrase which does not specifically define the word to which it refers (Grammar)
Explanatory English dictionary bed edition.
Толковый словарь английского языка Редакция bed.
2012
English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Late Latin indēfīnītus.
Morphologically in- + definite.
Pronunciation[edit]
- IPA(key): /ɪnˈdɛfɪnɪt/
-
Audio (Southern England) (file)
-
- Hyphenation: in‧def‧i‧nite
Adjective[edit]
indefinite (comparative more indefinite, superlative most indefinite)
- Without limit; forever, or until further notice; not definite.
- Vague or unclear.
-
She gave an indefinite answer which nobody really understood.
-
- Undecided or uncertain.
-
I’m still indefinite about what I’m going to study at college.
-
- (mathematics) Being an integral without specified limits.
- (linguistics) Designating an unspecified or unidentified person or thing or group of persons or things
-
the indefinite article
-
Synonyms[edit]
- (without limit): unlimited, unrestricted
- (vague or unclear): hazy; see also Thesaurus:indistinct or Thesaurus:vague
- (undecided or uncertain): indeterminate, unsettled, indecisive, unsure
- (an integral without specified limits):
- (designating an unspecified thing):
Derived terms[edit]
- indef
- indefinite adjective
- indefinite article
- indefinite call sign
- indefinite integral
- indefinite pronoun
- indefinitely
- indefiniteness
[edit]
- indeterminate
Translations[edit]
without limit; forever, or until further notice; not definite
vague or unclear
- Bulgarian: неясен (bg) (nejasen)
- Catalan: indefinit (ca)
- Czech: neurčitý
- Danish: uklar
- Finnish: epämääräinen (fi), ylimalkainen (fi)
- Greek: αόριστος (el) m (aóristos)
- Hungarian: bizonytalan (hu)
- Italian: indefinito (it)
- Navajo: haashį́į́
- Plautdietsch: onbestemt
- Polish: nieokreślony (pl) m, niewyraźny (pl) m
- Russian: неопределённый (ru) (neopredeljónnyj), нея́сный (ru) (nejásnyj)
- Swedish: oklar (sv)
undecided or uncertain
- Bulgarian: неопределен (bg) (neopredelen)
- Catalan: indefinit (ca)
- Danish: ubestemt (da)
- Finnish: epämääräinen (fi), epävarma (fi)
- Greek: ακαθόριστος (el) m (akathóristos)
- Hungarian: bizonytalan (hu)
- Italian: indefinito (it)
- Latvian: nenoteikts
- Navajo: haashį́į́
- Russian: неопределённый (ru) (neopredeljónnyj)
- Swedish: obestämd (sv)
Noun[edit]
indefinite (plural indefinites)
- (grammar) A word or phrase that designates an unspecified or unidentified person or thing or group of persons or things.
Italian[edit]
Adjective[edit]
indefinite f pl
- feminine plural of indefinito
Latin[edit]
Adjective[edit]
indēfīnīte
- vocative masculine singular of indēfīnītus
References[edit]
- “indefinite”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
- indefinite in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire illustré latin-français, Hachette
-
Defenition of the word indefinite
- not decided or not known; «were indefinite about their plans»; «plans are indefinite»
- vague or not clearly defined or stated; «must you be so indefinite?»; «amorphous blots of color having vague and indefinite edges»; «he would not answer so indefinite a proposal»
- not decided or not known
- vague or not clearly defined or stated
Similar words in the indefinite
-
- coy
- indecisive
- indistinct
- nebulous
- one
- one(a)
- uncertain
- unclear
- undefined
- unfixed
- vague
Antonyms for the word indefinite
-
- definite
See other words
-
- What is quietness
- The definition of introversion
- The interpretation of the word attunes
- What is meant by regulated
- The lexical meaning attuned
- The dictionary meaning of the word regulates
- The grammatical meaning of the word bashfulness
- Meaning of the word make conform
- Literal and figurative meaning of the word elusiveness
- The origin of the word indistinct
- Synonym for the word unfocused
- Antonyms for the word wooly
- Homonyms for the word farm
- Hyponyms for the word coarse
- Holonyms for the word bumpy
- Hypernyms for the word demanding
- Proverbs and sayings for the word forcible
- Translation of the word in other languages jagged
b
: having no exact limits
c
: typically designating an unidentified, generic, or unfamiliar person or thing
the indefinite articles a and an
Synonyms
Example Sentences
We’re stuck here for an indefinite period of time.
Their plans have been put on indefinite hold.
She is indefinite about her plans.
Recent Examples on the Web
So that night, with uncertainty still swirling in the wake of then-head coach Chris Beard’s arrest and indefinite suspension, the Longhorns’ new acting head coach dialed up old friend and former boss Rick Barnes.
—
Nick Moyle, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Apr. 2023
Also, team engineer Ryan McCarthy has had his IMSA annual credential revoked along with an indefinite suspension of IMSA membership.
—Bruce Martin, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2023
With a two-sentence release on Monday afternoon, the NFL reinstated wide receiver Calvin Ridley from an indefinite suspension imposed one day short of one year ago.
—Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 6 Mar. 2023
The company referred the final decision on Trump’s indefinite suspension to its Oversight Board.
—Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 2023
After Facebook’s independent Oversight Board recommended that the company clarify what was initially an indefinite suspension, Facebook said the former president would remain restricted from the platform until at least January 7, 2023.
—Clare Duffy, CNN, 25 Jan. 2023
However, an indefinite suspension in the middle of the season caused his success to come to a roaring stop.
—Dallas News, 27 Dec. 2022
But that confession is postponed by the surprise introduction of Arkady’s guest Bazarov, an arrogant medical student who responds brusquely to Nikolai’s polite questions and appears to be planning to install himself in the Kirsanov residence for the indefinite future.
—Sam Sacks, WSJ, 23 Dec. 2022
Twitter banned him permanently, and Facebook and YouTube issued indefinite suspensions.
—Will Oremus, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2022
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘indefinite.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Latin indefinitus, from in- + definitus definite
First Known Use
1530, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of indefinite was
in 1530
Dictionary Entries Near indefinite
Cite this Entry
“Indefinite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indefinite. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.
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Last Updated:
6 Apr 2023
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