FINITE VS DEFINITE (DIFFERENCE)

Question

What is the difference between 'finite' and 'definite'? Can they be used interchangeably?

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Finite = limited in number or magnitude.
Definite = specific, explicit, certain.

I would have to see specific context to judge their interchangeability there.

Swiss Jake · Answer

dictionary.com

finite:

1. Having bounds; limited: a finite list of choices; our finite fossil fuel reserves.
2. Existing, persisting, or enduring for a limited time only; impermanent.
3. Mathematics.
  1. Being neither infinite nor infinitesimal.
  2. Having a positive or negative numerical value; not zero.
  3. Possible to reach or exceed by counting. Used of a number.
  4. Having a limited number of elements. Used of a set.
  5. Grammar. Of or relating to any of the forms of a verb that can occur on their own in a main clause and that can formally express distinctions in person, number, tense, mood, and voice, often by means of conjugation, as the verb sees in She sees the sign.

Rishonly · Answer

Thanks MM. A teacher says to a student:

(1) "I need a finite answer"

(2) "I need a definite answer".

Paco2004 · Answer

RishonlyWhat is the difference between 'finite' and 'definite'? Can they be used interchangeably?

Hello Krish

Your question is interesting. Actually, "finite" and "definite" both mean "fixed" or "limited", although they are used differently in English grammar.

"Finite" comes from Latin "finitus", which is the past participle of the verb "finire" (to put an end). "Definite" comes from Latin "definitus", which is the past participle of the verb"definire" (to end, to terminate, to define). Please remind that the Latin prefix "de-" is used in various ways. Here "de-" is used as a verbal prefix to give a notion of completeness to the original verb. It is somewhat similar to English adverb "away" or "up". The pairs of "declare"/"clear", "declaim"/"claim", "denude"/"nude", "depart"/"part" are cousins of the pair "define"/"finish".

paco

Mister Micawber · Answer

(1) "I need a finite answer" -- odd; I cannot think of an appropriate situation

(2) "I need a definite answer"-- the teacher wants a specific answer, not a vague one or continued waffling.

Rishonly · Answer

Thanks for your insights, Paco2004. You mentioned "The pairs....are cousins of the pair "define/finish". Do you mean "definite/finite"?

Paco2004 · Answer

I talked about the Latin verbal prefix "de-". English verb "define" comes from Latin verb "definir" and English verb "finish" comes from Old French verb form "feniss-" that had its origin in Latin verb "finir". So, we may say define/finish was a pair in Latin.

paco

Rishonly · Answer

Got it;thanks again, Paco2004.

Chalk hat 997 · Answer

T: "I want a finite answer." = an answer with a finite (countable) number of components, aspects, or categories. IOW, a Trinitarian godhead of F, S, & HS/HG, not a Hindu cephalodeity of a metaphorically infinite 33M+++... forms or manifestations of '***.'

T:" I want a definite answer."= a specific or particular finite answer; e.g., "The Xn trinity of 'the 3 men I admire the most, the

T:" I want a definite answer."= a specific or particular finite answer; e.g., "The Xn trinity of 'the 3 men I admire the most, the F,S, and HG, just took the last train for the coast...'"

Anonymous · Answer

rishonly What is the difference between 'finite' and 'definite'? Can they be used interchangeably?

FINITE VS DEFINITE (DIFFERENCE)

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