"Determinate," adj.

 B. adj.

    1. a. Definitely bound or limited, in time, space, extent, position, character, or nature; definite, fixed; clearly defined or individualized; distinct, as opposed to vague, undefined, or indefinite.

c1386 CHAUCER Friar's T. 161 Han ye figure thanne determinat In helle ther ye been in youre estat? 1398 TREVISA Barth. De P.R. XIII. i. (Tollem. MS.), Water ha{th} no determinate qualite, no{th}er coloure, no{th}er sauoure. 1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 287 A determinate place in the ryuer that is abowte Lincoln. 1532 MORE Confut. Tindale Wks. 721/2 The saluacion of any determinate persone yet liuying. 1548 HALL Chron. 245b, Taken and concluded for a determinate season.

 

b. Limited, restricted, finite: opposed to infinite, unbounded.
1586 J. FERNE Blaz. Gentrie 33 The determinate glory of an earthly prince. 1604 T. WRIGHT Passions II. i. 50 Our soule being of a determinate power and activitie cannot attend exactly to twoo vehement and intensive operations together. 1608 J. KING Serm. St. Mary's 6 A superiority..over limited and determinate chardges.

 

   2. Settled, fixed, so as not to vary.
1526-34 TINDALE Acts ii. 23 The determinat counsell and foreknoweledge of God. 1543-4 Act 35 Hen. VIII, c. 9 The which order..shall stande..for a full determinate order. 1559 Primer in Priv. Prayers (1851) 10 A determinate fourme of praiyng. 1581 G. PETTIE Guazzo's Civ. Conv. I. (1586) 21 There can be no certaine and determinate science, from particular to particular.

 

  3. Finally determined upon or decided; expressing a final decision; definitive; conclusive, final.
1533-4 Act 25 Hen. VIII, c. 12 The determinate and plaine iudgementes of the said sondrie vniuersitees. 1540-1 ELYOT Image Gov. 25 Not onely myne opinion herein, but also my determynate sentence. 1566 PAINTER Pal. Pleas. I. 29 To consulte vppon some determinate aunswere. 1589 NASHE in Greene's Menaphon Pref. (Arb.) 14, I had rather referre it, as a disputatiue plea to diuines than set it downe as a determinate position. 1609 BIBLE (Douay) Jer. xv. Comm., He confirmeth the same determinate sentence of their punishment.

 

4. Determined upon, intended.
1586 T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. I. 235 To drive him from his determinat purpose. 1601 SHAKES. Twel. N. II. i. 11 My determinate voyage is meere extrauagancie.

    5. Fixed in mind or purpose, determined, resolved, resolute.

1587 HOLINSHED Chron. II. Hist. Scot. 316/1 That thing the heart thought and was determinat to do. 1598 BARRET Theor. Warres I. i. 8 Men..of determinate minds and courage.