indeterminate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective not precisely determined or established; not fixed or known in advance
    undetermined.
    • of indeterminate age
    • a zillion is a large indeterminate number
    • an indeterminate point of law
    • the influence of environment is indeterminate
    • an indeterminate future
  2. adjective having a capacity for continuing to grow at the apex
    • an indeterminate stem
  3. adjective satellite of uncertain or ambiguous nature
    • the equivocal (or indeterminate) objects painted by surrealists
  4. adjective satellite not capable of being determined
    • the indeterminate number of plant species in the jungle
  5. adjective satellite not leading to a definite ending or result
    • an indeterminate campaign

WordNet

In`de*ter"mi*nate adjective
Etymology
L. indeterminatus.
Definitions
  1. Not determinate; not certain or fixed; indefinite; not precise; as, an indeterminate number of years. Paley. -- In`de*ter"mi*nate*ly adv. -- In`de*ter"mi*nate*ness, n.

Webster 1913