Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “definiteness” come from?

Definiteness comes from English definite, from Latin definitus, from Latin definio meaning to set bounds, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European dʰeygʰ- meaning to form or build.

definiteness (English): The state or quality of being definite

Definitions

  1. The state or quality of being definite

Ancestry of “definiteness”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishdefiniteHaving distinct limits; Free from any doubt;...
2Latindefinituslimited, terminated
3Latindēfīniō—
4Latindē-—
5Latindē—
6Latinpostbehind; after, since, besides, except; behind,...
7Latinposteablative singular of postis
8Proto-Italicposti—
9Proto-Indo-Europeanpósti—
10Proto-Indo-Europeanpósafterwards, post; by, at
Every word from Proto-Indo-European pós →