the character or condition of being final, settled, irrevocable, or complete

Question

finality1 a : the character or condition of being final, settled, irrevocable, or complete  b : the condition of being at an ultimate point especially of development or authority[M-W's Col. Dic.]What does character mean in the above context?

Avangi · Accepted Answer

MW unabridged gives a distinguishing characterstic usage which would apply, especially when your source is MW. I don't think you'll find "character" used this way in AmE.

I think where both "character" and "condition" are used as attributes, "condition" would be variable, and "character" would not. That is, one thing which has "finality" may have always had it, and always will have it. Finality would be a character, or characteristic, of that thing.

Another thing which has "finality" may sometimes have it and sometimes not. That is, it's a condition which is subject to change. "The tabulation of the votes has now been announced as final - no, wait a minute, there are some more coming in." In this case, finality would be a condition of the tabulation.

- A.

Jackson6612 · Answer

AvangiMW unabridged gives a distinguishing characteristic usage which would apply, especially when your source is MW. I don't think you'll find "character" used this way in AmE.

I think where both "character" and "condition" are used as attributes, "condition" would be variable, and "character" would not. That is, one thing which has "finality" may have always had it, and always will have it. Finality would be a character, or characteristic, of that thing.

Another thing which has "finality" may sometimes have it and sometimes not. That is, it's a condition which is subject to change. "The tabulation of the votes has now been announced as final - no, wait a minute, there are some more coming in." In this case, finality would be a condition of the tabulation.

- A.

1: What does '' distinguishing characteristic usage'' mean? What parts of speech are those three words?

2: You said: [That is, one thing which has "finality" may have always had it, and always will have it. Finality would be a character, or characteristic, of that thing.]

What about the another thing? Wouldn't finality be a character or characteristic of that another thing even if it involves some condition?

Avangi · Answer

Jackson6612 1: What does distinguishing characteristic usage mean? What parts of speech are those three words?

2: You said: [That is, one thing which has "finality" may have always had it, and always will have it. Finality would be a character, or characteristic, of that thing.]

What about the another thing? Wouldn't finality be a character or characteristic of that another thing even if it involves some condition?

1. I should have copied the reference from MW Unabridged, but I was too tired or lazy to go back. It's not a usage I'm comfortable with.

distinguishing is an adjective, and characteristic and usage are nouns. I used the expression "distinguishing characteristic" as a modifier to describe the usage - what kind of usage - just as a "label." Personally, I would have used "characteristic" rather than "character."

2. Sure. I'd say that "condition" here is a subset of "character." I guess I previously implied I thought they were mutually exclusive. (I should have stayed out of it, being unfamiliar with the usage.)

- A.

Edit. I may hedge a bit on 2. Notice how "he" uses "condition" in the "b" part of your definition in the OP. I think he means to exclude "character." I'm really not sharp enough right now to think this through. Sorry.

the character or condition of being final, settled, irrevocable, or complete

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