Definition of: absolute

(ab′sə·lt) adjective
1. Free from restriction or relation; unlimited; independent; unconditional: an absolute monarchy.
2. Complete; perfect.
3. Unadulterated; pure.
4. Postive; entire; total; unquestionable.
5. Gram. a Free from the usual relations of syntax or construction with other words in the sentence, as It being late in It being late, we started home. b Of a transitive verb, having no object expressed and, hence, functioning as intransitive, as He writes well, c Of an adjective standing without a noun, as Only the brave deserve the fair.
6. Physics Not dependent on any arbitrary standard; non-relative; specifically determined or measured only by the fundamental notions of space, mass, and time: absolute measurement; also, relating to the absolute-temperature scale: 15° absolute.
—noun That which is absolute or perfect.
—the Absolute
The ultimate basis of all thought, reasoning, or being; God. [<L absolutus, pp. of absolvere.
See ABSOLVE.]
—ab′so·lute′ness noun Synonyms (adj.): arbitrary, autocratic, despotic, infinite, perfect, pure, supreme, tyrannical, unconditional, unequivocal. As used of human authorities, absolute signifies free from limitation by other authority and supreme exalted over all other; as, an absolute monarch, the supreme court. As absolute power in human hands is usually abused, the unfavorable meaning of the word predominates. Autocratic power is absolute power self-established and self-maintained. Despotic is commonly applied to a masterful or severe use of power, which is expressed more decidedly by tyrannical. Arbitrary may be used in good sense; as, the pronunciation of proper names is arbitrary; but the bad sense is the prevailing one; as, an arbitrary proceeding, arbitrary power. Compare ARBITRARY, FLAT¹, IMPERIOUS, INFINITE, PERFECT. Antonyms: accountable, conditional, conditioned, constitutional, limited, responsible, restrained.