determinate

determinate · adjective¹

1. Latin · derived fromdēterminātus
2. Middle English · inherited fromdeterminate
3. English todaydeterminate

From Middle English determinate, determynat, determinat, from Latin dēterminātus, perfect passive participle of dēterminō (“to limit, set bounds”), see -ate (adjective-forming suffix) for more.

determinate · noun²

From a substantivation of the above adjective. See -ate (noun-forming suffix) for more.

determinate · verb³

1. Middle English · inherited fromdeterminaten
2. English todaydeterminate

From Middle English determinaten, from determinat + -en, see Etymology 1 and -ate (verb-forming suffix) for more. Compare French déterminer.

First known use, by meaning

• from 14th c. Distinct, clearly defined.
• from 16th c. Fixed, determined, set, unvarying.