de-

Descriptive of something that can be explained, rationalized, or made clear: "Don't throw rocks" is a more definable explanation for a child than a long discourse about being kind and not hurting other people.

Descriptive of how something is made clear or illustrated in a comprehensible manner: The doctor's presentation to the students was the most definably understood explanation of the disease than any which had been previously given.

To state or to describe something or someone precisely and with clarity: In her speech, the professor sought to define her position regarding the recent riots in the cities.

Efforts are being made to define words with greater understanding without using another form of the entry in the definitions; for example, some dictionaries define transposition as follows:

1. The act of transposing.

2. The state of being transposed.

3. Something that has been transposed.

Wouldn't the defining of the word be more comprehensible if it were to say the following?

1. Something that has been moved into a different position or order.

2. An action that has been changed or used in a some other place or situation.

Pertaining to something in explicit, clear, rational terms: After much deliberation, the Board of Directors gave their definite response to the question from one of the employees: "Do not do it!"

When something is definite, then it is unambiguous, exact, or undeniable.

Done in a clear, precise, and comprehensible manner: The president of the university definitely stated that he would meet with the students over lunch to discuss their concerns.

1. The act of determining or making something distinct, or clear: The geology professor provided the definitions of several terms referring to the same kind of rock formations.
2. The formal statement of the meaning or significance of a word, phrase, or term, as in a dictionary entry: After reading the article in the newspaper, Carol looked up the definition of "palindrome" in the on-line dictionary.
3. A condition of being distinct, or clearly outlined: The negotiators were clear as to the definitions of overtime to include in the new union contract.
4. The act or process of stating a precise meaning or significance; formulation of a meaning: Karen was asked to provide a definition of the terms she was using in her speech at the City Hall.
5. In optics, the sharpness of the image formed by an optical system: Tom was very pleased with the high definition that was available in his new camera.
6. In radio and television, the accuracy of sound or picture reproduction: Lisa adjusted the definition of the picture in her new TV set.

1. Referring to that which is clearly and unquestionably accurate: Hank wrote a very definitive article about the shooting incident at the elementary school which made it possible for others to see how the students and teachers were reacting to such a horrible situation.
2. Relating to something that can't be argued about or changed, final, and settled: The judge made a very definitive ruling which none of the lawyers could challenge.

Something is definitive when it is authoritative and serves as a final solution to a problem.

The exudate, found between two ends of a fractured bone, that develops into true bone.

Pertaining to that which is precisely clarified or explained: Lina worked diligently on her definitively accurate publication so she could be accepted as an expert in her field.

To fasten down; to hold firmly or earnestly: Thomas tried to defix the tiles on the roof of his house which had come off during the storm so they wouldn’t be blown off again.

The quality or state of igniting and burning up: The bark of the cork oak is a natural material which has a fire resistant quality and therefore its deflagrability is minimal.

The deflagrability of other dry plants can be very fast and often uncontrollable.

1. Descriptive of the capability of bursting into flames quickly: The wood that Jeff wanted to use in his fireplace was very deflagrable and burned with a sudden combustion and so it was slightly explosive.
2. Characterizing something that is liable to snap and crackle when heated: In his chemistry class at school, James found out that salt was quite deflagrable, because when it was heated, it produced popping  and bursting sounds.

1. To burn violently, or to make something burn in a very strong way with great heat and intense light: Timothy bought some maple wood, which he knew would deflagrate wonderfully in his fireplace in the living room at home.

The grasslands were so dry from the long hot summer that they suddenly deflagrated when someone threw out his or her burning cigarette while driving through the country.

2. To cause to burn with sudden and sparkling combustion, as by the action of intense heat: The fireworks were deflagrated on Independence Day in the big town square, presenting spectacular colors and forms in the sky.

1. Combustion that is transmitted along the surface of a chemical substance at a fast rate being promoted by the transfer of heat: Experts say that quick explosive reactions are referred to as deflagrations.
2. A process of subsonic combustion that usually propagates through thermal conductivity: Deflagration describes the process of hot burning material which heats up the next layer of cold material and ignites it.
3. The kindling, or burning off in a crucible, a mixture of salt, or some mineral substance, with a gradual sparkling combustion of any substance without a violent explosion: Deflagration is particularly applied to combustion produced by nitre or niter, which is a colorless or white crystalline compound used in gunpowders, pyrotechnics, fertilizers, and as a preservative for foods; especially, as a curing salt for ham, sausages, etc.