Definite (definition)

A noun phrase is definite when it refers to a specific entity which is identifiable particular contexts. They stand in contrast to indefinite noun phrases. In English, definite NPs are typically identified with the article the, although NPs marked with the deictic articles this, that, these and those are also definite. In Gaelic, definites are marked with the definite articles a', an, na, nan, and nam.

See Also

• Indefinite (definition)
• Article (definition)
• Articles in Gaelic

External Links

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Definiteness
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article_(grammar)
• http://lingweb.eva.mpg.de/apics/index.php/Definite_Articles_(Feature_28)

References

• Crystal, David (1999) The Penguin Dictionary of Language. London: Penguin.
• Matthews, P. H. (1997) The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Linguistics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.