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Determinative (Noun)

A determining or causal element or factor; "education is an important determinant of one's outlook on life".

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.

One of a limited class of noun modifiers that determine the referents of noun phrases.

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.

The word "Smith" in "Smith's car" is a determinative, indicating which car is being referred to.
In many languages, articles and possessive pronouns are examples of determinatives that modify noun phrases.
The phrases "my" and "his" in "my book" and "his book" are determinatives that indicate ownership.
In linguistics, determinatives are often divided into two categories: definite and indefinite, depending on the degree of specificity.
The word "the" in "the girl who is playing the piano" is a determinative that specifies which girl is being referred to.