final



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Final \Fi"nal\ (f[imac]"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.
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            Yet despair not of his final pardon.  --Milton.
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   2. Conclusive; decisive; as, a final judgment; the battle of
      Waterloo brought the contest to a final issue.
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   3. Respecting an end or object to be gained; respecting the
      purpose or ultimate end in view.
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   Final cause. See under Cause.

   Syn: Final, Conclusive, Ultimate.

   Usage: 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.
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