2 entries under this word
a. [Lat. definitīvus, from definire; It. & Sp. definitivo, Fr. définitif. See DEFINE.]
n. (Gram.) A word used to define or limit the extent of the signification of a common noun, such as the article, and some pronouns.
☞ Definitives . . . are commonly called by grammarians articles. . . They are of two kinds, either those properly and strictly so called, or else pronominal articles, such as this, that, any, other, some, all, no, none, &c. . . . Thus, when we say, This picture I approve, but that I dislike, what do we perform by the help of these definitives, but bring down the common appellative to denote two individuals, the one as the more near, the other as the more distant? So when we say, Some men are virtuous, but all men are mortal, what is the natural effect of this (all and some), but to define that universality and particularity which would remain indefinite, were we to take them away? Harris.