determiner

Etymology

determine + -er

noun

1. (grammar) A member of a class of words functioning in a noun phrase to identify or distinguish a referent without describing or modifying it.
   Definite articles and indefinite articles are types of determiners.
2. (grammar) A dependent function in a noun phrase that marks it as definite or indefinite. This function is usually filled by words in the determinative class but may be filled by other elements such as a genitive pronoun.
3. Something (some input factor, a nonsentient agent) that determines, or helps someone to determine, something else.
   In quality management, the determiners of quality sometimes differ across use cases.
   The "steel-yards" and "measures" were the only determiners of weight and quantity — as the hour-glass and sun dial were of time — possessed at first (so far as appears) by the passengers of the Pilgrim ship […] 1901, Azel Ames, The Mayflower and Her Log
4. Someone (a sentient agent) who determines; a decider of a disposition.
   He is the determiner [usually referring to God (in theological contexts) and job roles (in administrative contexts)]
   Who is the determiner? [administratively or theologically]