Where does “definite” come from?
Definite derives from Latin definitus, the past participle of definio meaning "to set bounds," from de- and finis meaning "boundary" or "end," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European dʰeygʷ-.
definite (English): Having distinct limits; Free from any doubt;...
Definitions
- Having distinct limits; Free from any doubt;...
Ancestry of “definite”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latin | definitus | limited, terminated |
| 2 | Latin | dēfīniō | to bound, set bounds to; to limit |
| 3 | Latin | dē- | of; from |
| 4 | Latin | dē | of; concerning; about |
| 5 | Latin | post | behind; after, since, besides, except; behind,... |
| 6 | Latin | poste | ablative singular of postis |
| 7 | Proto-Italic | posti | behind, after |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | pósti | after |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | pós | afterwards, post; by, at |