indefinite
UK[ɪnˈdefɪnət]US[ɪnˈdefɪnət]
adj
Not clearly stated, decided, or known; having no exact limits.
adj
Lasting for an unknown or unstated length of time.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
de
finite
in
not
de
completely
finite
limited
Etymology
The word 'indefinite' is built from Latin components. The core is the Latin verb finire, meaning "to limit" or "to finish," itself derived from finis ("end" or "boundary"). The prefix de- intensifies this sense to "completely bounded." The negative prefix in- is then added to reverse the meaning, creating a sense of "not completely bounded." This logical construction passed through Late Latin indefinitus into English, evolving from a literal sense of having no physical boundary to its modern abstract meanings of being vague, imprecise, or without a fixed limit in time, quantity, or definition.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + de (completely) + finite (limited)
- in: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "not" or "without".
- de: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "completely" or "down".
- finite: From Latin finitus, meaning "limited" or "bounded".
Examples
The project has been postponed for an indefinite period.
She gave only an indefinite answer to the question.
The sky faded into an indefinite shade of grey.