absolute
UK /ˈæb.sə.luːt/ · US /ˈæb.səˌlut/ adjective, noun
Forms absoluter absolutest absolutes abs. absolut
- adjective Free of restrictions, limitations, qualifications or conditions; unconditional.
- adjective Unrestricted by laws, a constitution, or parliamentary or judicial or other checks; (legally) unlimited in power, especially if despotic.
- adjective Characteristic of an absolutist ruler: domineering, peremptory.
- adjective Free from imperfection, perfect, complete; especially, perfectly embodying a quality in its essential characteristics or to its highest degree. “absolute purity, absolute liberty”
- adjective Pure, free from mixture or adulteration; unmixed. “absolute alcohol”
- adjective Complete, utter, outright; unmitigated, not qualified or diminished in any way. “an absolute denial of all charges”
- adjective (very occasionally postpositive) Positive, certain; unquestionable; not in doubt.
- adjective (archaic) Certain; free from doubt or uncertainty (e.g. a person, opinion or prediction).
- noun That which exists (or has a certain property, nature, size, etc) independent of references to other standards or external conditions; that which is universally valid; that which is not relative, conditional, qualified or mitigated. “moral absolutes”
- noun (geometry) In a plane, the two imaginary circular points at infinity; in space of three dimensions, the imaginary circle at infinity.
- noun (philosophy, usually capitalized, usually preceded by "the") A realm which exists without reference to anything else; that which can be imagined purely by itself; absolute ego.
- noun (philosophy, usually capitalized, usually preceded by "the") The whole of reality; the totality to which everything is reduced; the unity of spirit and nature; God.
- noun (chemistry) A concentrated natural flower oil, used for perfumes; an alcoholic extract of a concrete.
- noun (philosophy) That which is totally unconditioned, unrestricted, pure, perfect, or complete; that which can be thought of without relation to others.
Synonyms
categorical unconditional unlimited unrestricted autocratic despotic independent of references relations to other things standards living downright out-and-out rank right-down sheer infrangible inviolable
Antonyms
conjunct conditional limited antonym(s) of “independent of references relations to other things standards” relative
Etymology
First attested around 1380. From Middle English absolut, from Middle French absolut, from Latin absolūtus (“unconditional; unfettered; completed”), perfect passive participle of absolvō (“loosen, set free, complete”), from ab (“away”) + solvo (“to loose”). Influenced in part by Old French absolu. Compare absolve.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Loosed from any limitation or condition; uncontrolled; unrestricted; unconditional; as, absolute authority, monarchy, sovereignty, an absolute promise or command; absolute power; an absolute monarch.
- adjective Complete in itself; perfect; consummate; faultless; as, absolute perfection; absolute beauty.
- noun In a plane, the two imaginary circular points at infinity; in space of three dimensions, the imaginary circle at infinity.
Etymology [L. absolutus, p. p. of absolvere: cf. F. absolu. See Absolve.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “absolute”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details