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being indefinite

[/ˈbiːɪŋ ɪnˈdefɪnət/]
noun phrase / gerund construction
ser indefinido / estar indefinido
1. The state or quality of lacking clear definition, precise boundaries, or specific limits; existing or occurring without definite character or form
The being indefinite of the rules made it difficult to follow them correctly.
O ser indefinido das regras dificultou segui-las corretamente.
2. In philosophy, the quality of existence or essence that remains vague, unclear, or not precisely determined
The being indefinite of consciousness has long puzzled philosophers.
O ser indefinido da consciência sempre intrigou os filósofos.
3. A grammatical or linguistic state where something lacks specific or concrete reference
The being indefinite of the pronoun made the sentence ambiguous.
O ser indefinido do pronome tornou a frase ambígua.
Synonyms
indefinitenessvaguenessuncertaintyambiguitylack of definition
Antonyms
definitenessclarityprecisionspecificitycertainty

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
ser indefinido / caráter indefinido
Commonly used in academic and philosophical contexts
Portugal
natureza indefinida / qualidade indefinida
More formal register, often preferred in European Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

leave something indefinite - deixar algo indefinido
in a state of being indefinite - em estado de indefinição
the being indefinite of the situation - a indefinição da situação
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