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Postponed/=canceled. Joel Send a noteboard - 01/06/2010 08:51:14 PM
It's not popular incorrect usage, it's an official term to kill a motion. If you want to be a purist, you should know that undefined does not mean the same as indefinitely.


As to the other, first hits I found when I googled the respective definitions of "undefined" and "indefinite: "

undefined [??nd??fa?nd] adj
not defined or made clear the job has remained undefined
undefinable adj

in·def·i·nite (n-df-nt)
adj.
Not definite, especially:
a. Unclear; vague.
b. Lacking precise limits: an indefinite leave of absence.
c. Uncertain; undecided: indefinite about their plans.

Note that both definitions lead off with "not defined/ite" and "not clear/unclear. " Note also that no meaning of the latter conveys the sense of "canceled or reversed. " Usage in parliamentary procedure doesn't really have much force to alter that: After a failed filibuster of a Clinton judicial nominee former Majority Leader Bill Frist once introduced a "motion to postpone the vote" on confirmation; despite the language, it was no postponement but a (successful) attempt to kill the vote entirely, and the judge in question was later reappointed by Clinton during a Congressional recess. That legislators routinely take liberties with plain language is no secret, nor reason to revise the meaning of said language.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/indefinite

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/undefined
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Meanwhile, the Wedding Is Postponed Indefinitely. - 01/06/2010 09:17:35 AM 1191 Views
You meant postponed until further notice - 01/06/2010 10:44:30 AM 696 Views
How so? - 01/06/2010 10:56:48 AM 609 Views
The phrase "postponed indefinitely" is what I'm referring to - 01/06/2010 12:01:59 PM 572 Views
It IS indefinite though. - 01/06/2010 12:17:07 PM 715 Views
I think the point is popular use,,, - 01/06/2010 12:19:05 PM 677 Views
I'm frequently accused of prescriptivism, and don't deny it. - 01/06/2010 12:22:39 PM 705 Views
You might want to cater for your audience a bit better - 01/06/2010 05:07:28 PM 723 Views
They will do as they're told or be severely beaten111 - 01/06/2010 05:33:22 PM 589 Views
It's a phrase used in government regarding motions - 01/06/2010 08:13:42 PM 627 Views
Postponed/=canceled. - 01/06/2010 08:51:14 PM 789 Views
That is quite shocking. *NM* - 01/06/2010 02:01:52 PM 390 Views
Yeah, sucks for everyone, very sorry. - 01/06/2010 02:18:52 PM 698 Views
Good luck. *NM* - 01/06/2010 04:55:32 PM 351 Views
Thanks, Amy. - 01/06/2010 05:18:01 PM 667 Views
Bummer wishes you luck and/or patience *NM* - 01/06/2010 05:59:47 PM 243 Views
Thanks, man. - 01/06/2010 06:29:19 PM 716 Views
My country is a - 01/06/2010 07:09:22 PM 598 Views
*snuggles all better* - 01/06/2010 07:47:45 PM 782 Views
*is snuggled and happy* - 01/06/2010 07:59:34 PM 684 Views
Has Norway enshrined the ECHR into domestic law? - 01/06/2010 11:10:34 PM 768 Views
I'm sorry you're having trouble with this. - 01/06/2010 10:25:07 PM 623 Views
Thanks. - 02/06/2010 01:32:06 AM 607 Views
Ah! They caught on to your dastardly plot! - 02/06/2010 01:40:15 AM 628 Views
Actually, I doubt I'll ever seek Norwegian citizenship. - 02/06/2010 03:22:53 AM 590 Views
OH DEAR!!!! - 02/06/2010 04:17:15 AM 653 Views
*hugs muchly* - 02/06/2010 04:20:56 AM 687 Views
That's terrible - 02/06/2010 11:30:27 AM 644 Views
I'm not really scared, just angry. - 02/06/2010 05:12:48 PM 672 Views
Ouch - I'm sorry to hear that. - 02/06/2010 05:36:37 PM 622 Views
Thanks, it'll work out, somehow. - 02/06/2010 05:55:51 PM 583 Views

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