indefinite-lived
|in-def-i-nite-lived|
🇺🇸
/ɪnˈdɛfənətˌlɪvd/
🇬🇧
/ɪnˈdɛfɪnətˌlɪvd/
having an unspecified lifespan
Etymology
'indefinite-lived' originates from English, specifically the words 'indefinite' and 'lived', where 'in-' meant 'not', 'definite' meant 'clearly limited', and 'live' (past 'lived') meant 'to have life or exist'.
'indefinite' comes from Latin 'indefinitus' (in- 'not' + definitivus 'limited'), and 'live' comes from Old English 'libban' > Middle English 'liven'; the compound 'indefinite-lived' is a modern English formation combining these elements to describe unspecified duration.
Initially the components meant 'not clearly limited' and 'to have life'; combined in modern usage they mean 'having an unspecified or undetermined lifespan/period of existence.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having a lifespan or duration that is not fixed or clearly determined; of indeterminate duration.
Under laboratory conditions the culture appeared to be indefinite-lived.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/04 12:55