Defining

Defining
Define De*fine", v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defined}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Defining}.] [OE. definer, usually, to end, to finish, F. d['e]finir to define, L. definire to limit, define; de- + finire to limit, end, finis boundary, limit, end. See {Final}, {Finish}.] 1. To fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination; to end. ``To define controversies.'' --Barrow. [1913 Webster]

2. To determine or clearly exhibit the boundaries of; to mark the limits of; as, to define the extent of a kingdom or country. [1913 Webster]

3. To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly; as, the defining power of an optical instrument. [1913 Webster]

Rings . . . very distinct and well defined. --Sir I. Newton. [1913 Webster]

4. To determine the precise signification of; to fix the meaning of; to describe accurately; to explain; to expound or interpret; as, to define a word, a phrase, or a scientific term. [1913 Webster]

They define virtue to be life ordered according to nature. --Robynson (More's Utopia). [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • defining — index restrictive Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • defining — /di fuy ning/, adj. decisive; critically important: Taking a course in architecture was a defining turn in her life. * * * …   Universalium

  • defining — adj. Defining is used with these nouns: ↑attribute, ↑characteristic, ↑feature, ↑moment, ↑trait …   Collocations dictionary

  • defining — de•fin•ing [[t]dɪˈfaɪ nɪŋ[/t]] adj. cv decisive; critically important: Taking a course in architecture was a defining turn in her life[/ex] …   From formal English to slang

  • defining — nustatymas statusas T sritis automatika atitikmenys: angl. defining; setting vok. Bestimmung, f; Einstellung, f; Einstellwert, m rus. определение, n; установка, f pranc. définition, f; localisation, f; mise en point, f; établissement, m …   Automatikos terminų žodynas

  • Defining Dulcie (novel) — Defining Dulcie   Author(s) Paul Acampora Country …   Wikipedia

  • defining moment — dates from the 1970s and denotes an event or occasion considered with hindsight as epitomizing or determining subsequent events or circumstances. Nothing much is ever really ‘defined’ in any sense of that word, and the expression is often no more …   Modern English usage

  • Defining equation (physics) — For common nomenclature of base quantities used in this article, see Physical quantity. For 4 vector modifications used in relativity, see Four vector. Very often defining equations are in the form of a constitutive equation, since parameters of… …   Wikipedia

  • Defining vocabulary — A defining vocabulary is a list of words used by lexicographers to write dictionary definitions. The underlying principle goes back to Samuel Johnson s notion that words should be defined using terms less abstruse than that which is to be… …   Wikipedia

  • Defining equation (physical chemistry) — For the detailed nature of defining equations see Physical quantity Main article: Physical chemistry In physical chemistry, there are numerous quantities associated with chemical compounds and reactions; notably in terms of amounts of substance,… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”