undefiniertem

Undefiniertem is the dative singular form of the German adjective undefiniert, which means undefined or not specified. The base form undefiniert is used to describe something that lacks a clear definition, determination, or value. In everyday language it can refer to concepts, values, terms or conditions that have not been set or clarified. In scientific and technical contexts, undefiniert often denotes expressions or states that have not been assigned a definite meaning or value, for example in mathematics, logic or computing.

Etymology and usage

The word combines the negating prefix un- with definiert (defined). As an attributive adjective, undefiniert agrees with the noun it modifies in case, gender and number. Its inflected forms appear in different contexts, including phrases without an article (strong declension) and with articles (mixed or weak declension). The form undefiniertem is especially common in the dative singular, as in phrases introduced by a preposition that requires the dative case.

Grammar notes

Without an article, common forms include:

- Nominative: undefinierter Begriff (masculine), undefinierte Idee (feminine), undefiniertes Wort (neuter)

- Plural: undefinierte Begriffe

- Dative: mit undefiniertem Begriff, mit undefiniertem Wort

- Genitive: eines undefinierten Begriffs, eines undefinierten Wortes

With an indefinite article:

- Nominative: ein undefinierter Begriff, eine undefinierte Idee, ein undefiniertes Wort

- Accusative: einen undefinierten Begriff, eine undefinierte Idee, ein undefiniertes Wort

See also

Definiert, undefiniert (grammar and semantics), undefined behavior (programming), undefined value (mathematics).

Undefiniertem thus serves as a concrete example of how German adjectives inflect to express definiteness, case and number while conveying the sense of something not yet specified or determined.