Both Uses of
definitive
in
Jane Eyre
- And he proceeded to inform us that his departure from England was now definitively fixed for the ensuing year.†
p. 456.2 *
- Moreover, before I definitively resolve on quitting England, I will know for certain whether I cannot be of greater use by remaining in it than by leaving it.†
p. 477.3
Definitions:
-
(1)
(definitive) best possible, final, or definite (beyond question)
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
Much less commonly, definitive can describe something that defines or distinguishes a category, as in "The definitive characteristic of news is newness," or "Is there a single trait that is definitive of addictive personality disorder?"
Even more rarely, definitive can refer to a standard postage stamp. See a comprehensive dictionary for specializes senses in biology and grammar.