determinative

[dih-tur-muh-nuh-tiv]

determinative Definition

• 1. having the power to determine or decisively affect something
• 2. serving to determine or identify the nature of something
• 3. a word or affix that expresses the semantic role of the noun phrase in which it occurs, such as the word 'my' in 'my book'

Using determinative: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "determinative" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The determinative factor in their decision was the cost.

• Example

  The presence of certain chemicals is determinative of the quality of the product.

• Example

  In Egyptian hieroglyphics, a determinative is a symbol placed at the end of a word to clarify its meaning.

determinative Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for determinative

• decisive
• conclusive
• definitive
• identifying
• diagnostic

Antonyms for determinative

• inconclusive
• indecisive
• unidentifiable

Phrases with determinative

• determinative clause

  a clause that determines the meaning of the sentence or modifies the noun phrase

  Example

  In the sentence 'The man who stole my wallet was caught,' the clause 'who stole my wallet' is a determinative clause.

• determinative element

  an element in a compound word that determines the meaning of the whole word

  Example

  In the word 'waterfall,' the determinative element is 'fall,' which indicates that the water is falling.

• determinative adjective

  an adjective that determines the noun it modifies, such as 'former' in 'former president'

  Example

  In the phrase 'the big dog,' 'big' is not a determinative adjective because it does not determine which dog is being referred to.

Origins of determinative

from Latin 'determinativus', from 'determinare', meaning 'to limit'

📌

Summary: determinative in Brief

The term 'determinative' [dih-tur-muh-nuh-tiv] refers to something that has the power to determine or decisively affect something, or serves to determine or identify the nature of something. It can also refer to a word or affix that expresses the semantic role of the noun phrase in which it occurs. Examples include 'The determinative factor in their decision was the cost,' and 'In Egyptian hieroglyphics, a determinative is a symbol placed at the end of a word to clarify its meaning.'