1. not precisely determined or established; not fixed or known in advance (Freq. 1) - of indeterminate age - a zillion is a large indeterminate number - an indeterminate point of law - the influence of environment is indeterminate - an indeterminate future • Syn: undetermined • Ant: determinate • Similar to: cost-plus, open-ended • See Also: inconclusive, indeterminable, undeterminable, uncertain • Derivationally related forms: indeterminateness 2. having a capacity for continuing to grow at the apex - an indeterminate stem • Ant: determinate • Similar to: racemose • Topics: botany, phytology 3. of uncertain or ambiguous nature - the equivocal (or indeterminate) objects painted by surrealists • Similar to: equivocal, ambiguous • Derivationally related forms: indeterminateness 4. not capable of being determined - the indeterminate number of plant species in the jungle • Similar to: indeterminable, undeterminable • Derivationally related forms: indeterminateness 5. not leading to a definite ending or result - an indeterminate campaign • Similar to: inconclusive • Derivationally related forms: indeterminateness
