determinable

Determinable is an adjective describing something that can be determined, known, or established, often depending on a condition or variable rather than being fixed from the outset. The term can apply in general usage as well as in specialized fields.

In law, determinable is a key term in real property and estate concepts. A determinable estate, such as a fee simple determinable, is a type of future interest in which the grantor’s property interest ends automatically when a specified condition occurs. For example, a grant that transfers land “to A so long as the land is used for a school” creates a determinable fee simple, with a possibility of reverter retained by the grantor. If the specified condition is violated, the property reverts to the grantor automatically, without further action. This contrasts with other forms of conveyance where the grantor must sue or take additional steps to recover the property.

In philosophy and metaphysics, determinable and determinate are paired concepts. A determinable is a general property that can be instantiated by many determinate properties; weight, color, and size are common determinables. Determinates are the specific instantiations, such as red, blue, or large. The determinable provides the broad category, while determinate properties specify particular manifestations. This distinction is used in discussions of ontology, modality, and property theory.

Etymology and usage: Determinable comes from Latin determinare, meaning to bound, limit, or decide. In practical terms, the word highlights that a thing’s exact state may depend on conditions, contexts, or further specification rather than being fixed in advance.