dispositively
- adverb
- /dɪsˈpɒzɪtɪvli/
- Formal
- The new evidence disposes of the issue dispositively, ensuring the defendant's acquittal.
Examples
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Vertical finality is the up-thrust from lower to higher levels within a dynamic whole in which instrumentally, dispositively, materially, obedientially, one level of being or activity subserves another.
Academic text (2008) -
The judge ruled dispositively on the case, ending the lengthy legal dispute.
-
The agreement was dispositively clear, leaving no room for further interpretations.
Synonyms
To end a problem completely so it never happens again
In a firm way that ends doubt and settles the matter
In a way that proves something and leaves no doubt
Antonyms
How Decisive
- Formal
- Offensive
Surface Forms
Morphology
dispositively = dispositive (semi-transparent) = dispositive + ly
The adverb is formed by the regular addition of '-ly' to an adjective, but 'dispositive' is a specialized legal adjective whose precise meaning may not be obvious to average learners.
Etymology
The word dispositively comes from the parts dis- ('away') and posit ('to put'), the same root as the familiar word dispose. So, to act dispositively is to 'put' a matter in its final place, which is why it means to settle a case or issue decisively and finally.