definite
UK[ˈdefɪnət]US[ˈdefənət]
adj
clearly stated or decided; not vague or doubtful
adj
having exact and discernible physical limits
Morpheme Breakdown
de
fin
ite
de
completely
fin
end, limit
ite
adjective suffix
Etymology
The word 'definite' originates from the Latin definitus, the past participle of definire, meaning "to limit, determine, explain." This Latin verb is itself a compound of the prefix de-, which here intensifies the meaning to "completely," and finire, "to bound, limit," derived from finis ("end, boundary"). The core concept of setting a final boundary or limit evolved from the physical sense of a territorial border to the abstract sense of giving something precise, fixed, and unambiguous characteristics. Thus, the modern meaning of "clearly defined or decided" retains the original logic of an idea or object having its limits firmly and completely established.
Analysis
Structure: de (completely) + fin (end, limit) + ite (adjective suffix)
de: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "completely, down, away".
fin: Latin origin (from finis), meaning "end, limit, boundary".
ite: Latin-derived adjective-forming suffix.
Examples
We need a definite answer by tomorrow.
There has been a definite improvement in your work.
The fossil has a definite shape of a fish.