absolute

ab-so-lute · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Complete; total; unrestricted.

  2. 2.

    Not qualified or diminished in any way; unconditional.

  3. 3.

    Viewed independently; not relative or comparative.

  4. 4.

    (Grammar) Used without a stated object or complement (of a transitive verb or preposition).

  5. 5.

    (Philosophy) A value or principle regarded as universally valid.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    absolute zero — The lowest theoretically possible temperature (-273.15°C or -459.67°F).
  • •
    absolute power — Complete authority without limitations.
  • •
    absolute monarchy — A form of government where the monarch has unrestricted power.

Related words

Antonyms: conditional, partial, qualified, relative
See also: absolutely, complete, relative, total
Synonyms: complete, total, unconditional, unqualified, utter

Etymology

From Latin absolūtus ("complete, finished"), past participle of absolvere ("to set free, complete"), from ab- ("from") + solvere ("to loosen").