indefinitive

Indefinitive is a rare term used in some linguistic and philosophical writings to describe something that is not definite or not given with a definite reference. The word is not widely standard in modern grammar; more common terminology uses indefinite or non-definite to express the same general idea. When used, indefinitive typically signals a lack of definiteness rather than a particular, uniquely identifiable referent.

In linguistics, definiteness is a grammatical feature that marks whether a noun phrase refers to a known, identifiable entity. Indefinitive usage, where the reference is not definite, often aligns with indefinite reference, such as when speaking about non-specific items. For example, English uses indefinite articles like a or an to indicate indefiniteness: I saw a bird. By contrast, definite reference is marked by articles like the, as in I saw the bird. Some grammars may employ the term indefinitive to describe forms or interpretations that do not indicate a definite reference, but this usage is uncommon and can be confused with the standard term indefinite.

Outside grammar, indefinitive can appear in philosophy or logic to describe statements, conditions, or references that are not firmly determined or specified. In such contexts, it characterizes non-definite conditions or propositions, where the precise referent or outcome remains unspecified.

Because indefinitive is not a standard label in most contemporary references, writers typically prefer indefinitive to be replaced by indefinite or non-definite, depending on the precise meaning. See also: definite, indefinite, indefinite article, non-definite, indefiniteness.