Fi"nal (fī"nal), a. [F., fr. L. finalis, fr. finis boundary, limit, end. See Finish.]
1. Pertaining to the end or conclusion; last; terminating; ultimate;
as, the final day of a school term.
Yet
despair not of his final pardon.
Milton. 2. Conclusive; decisive; as, a final judgment; the battle of
Waterloo brought the contest
to a final issue.
3. Respecting an end or object to be
gained; respecting the purpose or ultimate end in view.
Final cause. See under Cause.
Syn.
-- Final, Conclusive, Ultimate. Final is now appropriated to that which
brings with it an end; as, a final adjustment; the final judgment, etc.
Conclusive implies the closing of all discussion, negotiation, etc.; as, a conclusive argument or fact; a conclusive arrangement. In using ultimate, we have always reference to something earlier or proceeding; as when we say, a temporary reverse may lead to an ultimate triumph. The statements which a man finally makes at the close of
a negotiation are usually conclusive
as to his
ultimate intentions and designs.
Hear it pronounced