indeterminate

in·de·ter·mi·nate

adjective \ˌin-di-ˈtərm-nət, -ˈtər-mə-\

Definition of INDETERMINATE

1

a : not definitely or precisely determined or fixed : vague

b : not known in advance

c : not leading to a definite end or result

2

: having an infinite number of solutions <a system of indeterminate equations>

3

: being one of the seven undefined mathematical expressions that include zero divided by zero, infinity divided by infinity, infinity multiplied by zero, one to the exponent infinity, zero to the exponent zero, infinity to the exponent zero, and infinity minus infinity

4

: characterized by sequential flowering from the lateral or basal buds to the central or uppermost buds; also : characterized by growth in which the main stem continues to elongate indefinitely without being limited by a terminal inflorescence — compare determinate 4

— in·de·ter·mi·nate·ly adverb

— in·de·ter·mi·nate·ness noun

— in·de·ter·mi·na·tion \-ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən\ noun

Examples of INDETERMINATE

1. an indeterminate number of people

Origin of INDETERMINATE

Middle English indeterminat, from Late Latin indeterminatus, from Latin in- + determinatus, past participle of determinare to determine

First Known Use: 14th century

in·de·ter·mi·nate

adjective \ˌin-di-ˈtərm-(ə-)nət\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of INDETERMINATE

: relating to, being, or undergoing indeterminate cleavage <an indeterminate egg>