final

/fuyn"l/, adj.

1. pertaining to or coming at the end; last in place, order, or time: the final meeting of the year.

2. ultimate: The final goal is world peace.

3. conclusive or decisive: a final decision.

4. constituting the end or purpose: a final result.

5. pertaining to or expressing the end or purpose: a final clause.

6. Law.

a. precluding further controversy on the questions passed upon: The judicial determination of the Supreme Court is final.

b. determining all issues presented, so that no further decision upon the merits of the issues is necessary: a final judgment or decree.

7. Phonet. occurring at the end of a word or syllable, as the /t/ sound in bit or bite.

n.

8. that which is last; that which forms an end or termination.

9. Often, finals.

a. the last and decisive game, match, contest, or round in a series, as in sports.

b. the last, usually comprehensive, examination in a course of study.

10. the last edition of a newspaper published on any day.

11. Music. the tonic note of a church mode.

[1300-50; 1915-20 for def. 10; ME < L finalis, equiv. to fin(is) end + -alis -AL¹]

Syn. 1. See last¹. 3. definite, irrevocable, irreversible, unalterable.

Ant. 1. initial, first.

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