Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Not restrained by definite limits, restrictions, or structure.
  • adjective Allowing for or adaptable to change.
  • adjective Inconclusive or indefinite.
  • adjective Allowing for a spontaneous, unstructured response.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective allowing for a spontaneous response. Contrasted to multiple-choice.
  • adjective without fixed limits or restrictions, as to tpoic or time.
  • adjective allowing for future changes or revisions.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective unrestricted by definite limits
  • adjective adaptable to change
  • adjective permitting a spontaneous or unstructured response
  • adjective poker Of a straight draw, made up of four consecutive cards, thus able to be completed by either of two ranks of card.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective allowing for future changes or revisions
  • adjective without fixed limits or restrictions
  • adjective allowing for a spontaneous response

Etymologies

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Examples

  • He’s a very clever fellow and, through me, he was aware ofthis upcoming mission and he thought fast, and came up with a way of keeping West happy but also keeping him in the fold: he assigned West to me, as part of a long-term open-ended mission, to take part in archaeological research connected to the discovery of the Capstone.

    Seven Deadly Wonders Matthew Reilly 2006

  • He’s a very clever fellow and, through me, he was aware ofthis upcoming mission and he thought fast, and came up with a way of keeping West happy but also keeping him in the fold: he assigned West to me, as part of a long-term open-ended mission, to take part in archaeological research connected to the discovery of the Capstone.

    Seven Deadly Wonders Matthew Reilly 2006

  • He’s a very clever fellow and, through me, he was aware ofthis upcoming mission and he thought fast, and came up with a way of keeping West happy but also keeping him in the fold: he assigned West to me, as part of a long-term open-ended mission, to take part in archaeological research connected to the discovery of the Capstone.

    Seven Deadly Wonders Matthew Reilly 2006

  • Mann 1973 raised questions about the “interminability” of long-term open-ended treatment and suggested that vaguely defined goals and therapist’s countertransference problems caused inappropriately prolonged therapy.

    Clinical Work with Adolescents Judith Marks Mishne 1986

  • This is what makes being human so open-ended and laden with the potential for surprise and never-before-imagined possibilities.

    The Bushman Way of Tracking God PhD Bradford Keeney 2010

  • Here is some unsolicited advice for the Obama administration: you essentially have four days to put US involvement in the Libya war on a path that doesn't look like open-ended quagmire.

    Robert Naiman: When the House Comes Back, You're Gonna Get in Trouble Robert Naiman 2011

  • Here is some unsolicited advice for the Obama administration: you essentially have four days to put US involvement in the Libya war on a path that doesn't look like open-ended quagmire.

    Robert Naiman: When the House Comes Back, You're Gonna Get in Trouble Robert Naiman 2011

  • Thus, I cannot fathom Mr. Halevi's suggestion that the Israelis answer this repudiation of their most basic national rights with still more unilateral concessions, in the form of an open-ended freeze on construction in the disputed territories.

    Maybe the Right Middle East Term Is 'Peace For Land' 2011

  • But Marc Ginsberg, former U.S. ambassador to Morocco, says the text is open-ended and broad.

    Is Libya Regime Change Ultimate Goal of International Coalition? 2011

  • But Marc Ginsberg, former U.S. ambassador to Morocco, says the text is open-ended and broad.

    Is Libya Regime Change Ultimate Goal of International Coalition? 2011

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