Active Users:1145 Time:19/12/2024 01:24:38 PM
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
Honorbound and honored to be Bonded to Mahtaliel Sedai
Last First in wotmania Chat
Slightly better than chocolate.

Love still can't be coerced.
Please Don't Eat the Newbies!

LoL. Be well, RAFOlk.
Reply to message
Meanwhile, the Wedding Is Postponed Indefinitely. - 01/06/2010 09:17:35 AM 1133 Views
You meant postponed until further notice - 01/06/2010 10:44:30 AM 644 Views
How so? - 01/06/2010 10:56:48 AM 559 Views
The phrase "postponed indefinitely" is what I'm referring to - 01/06/2010 12:01:59 PM 519 Views
It IS indefinite though. - 01/06/2010 12:17:07 PM 669 Views
I think the point is popular use,,, - 01/06/2010 12:19:05 PM 623 Views
I'm frequently accused of prescriptivism, and don't deny it. - 01/06/2010 12:22:39 PM 659 Views
You might want to cater for your audience a bit better - 01/06/2010 05:07:28 PM 676 Views
They will do as they're told or be severely beaten111 - 01/06/2010 05:33:22 PM 552 Views
It's a phrase used in government regarding motions - 01/06/2010 08:13:42 PM 588 Views
Postponed/=canceled. - 01/06/2010 08:51:14 PM 737 Views
That is quite shocking. *NM* - 01/06/2010 02:01:52 PM 370 Views
Yeah, sucks for everyone, very sorry. - 01/06/2010 02:18:52 PM 661 Views
Good luck. *NM* - 01/06/2010 04:55:32 PM 333 Views
Thanks, Amy. - 01/06/2010 05:18:01 PM 612 Views
Bummer wishes you luck and/or patience *NM* - 01/06/2010 05:59:47 PM 223 Views
Thanks, man. - 01/06/2010 06:29:19 PM 667 Views
My country is a - 01/06/2010 07:09:22 PM 547 Views
*snuggles all better* - 01/06/2010 07:47:45 PM 727 Views
*is snuggled and happy* - 01/06/2010 07:59:34 PM 627 Views
Has Norway enshrined the ECHR into domestic law? - 01/06/2010 11:10:34 PM 710 Views
I'm sorry you're having trouble with this. - 01/06/2010 10:25:07 PM 566 Views
Thanks. - 02/06/2010 01:32:06 AM 566 Views
Ah! They caught on to your dastardly plot! - 02/06/2010 01:40:15 AM 577 Views
Actually, I doubt I'll ever seek Norwegian citizenship. - 02/06/2010 03:22:53 AM 539 Views
OH DEAR!!!! - 02/06/2010 04:17:15 AM 605 Views
*hugs muchly* - 02/06/2010 04:20:56 AM 626 Views
That's terrible - 02/06/2010 11:30:27 AM 597 Views
I'm not really scared, just angry. - 02/06/2010 05:12:48 PM 632 Views
Ouch - I'm sorry to hear that. - 02/06/2010 05:36:37 PM 574 Views
Thanks, it'll work out, somehow. - 02/06/2010 05:55:51 PM 532 Views

Reply to Message