Overdetermined

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Overdetermined is an adjective that means having many causes. The Latin-derived English word ‘determine’ means ‘to identify something as a cause.’  When the prefix O-V-E-R is added, it means ‘an excess or exaggeration’ of causes. Something that has many causes is overdetermined. Example: According to social scientists, reading ability is overdetermined. There is not one cause for it, but many. 

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