- Determine
- Determine De*ter"mine, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Determined}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Determining}.] [F. d['e]terminer, L.
determinare, determinatum; de + terminare limit, terminus
limit. See {Term}.]
1. To fix the boundaries of; to mark off and separate.
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[God] hath determined the times before appointed. --Acts xvii. 26. [1913 Webster]
2. To set bounds to; to fix the determination of; to limit; to bound; to bring to an end; to finish. [1913 Webster]
The knowledge of men hitherto hath been determined by the view or sight. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
Now, where is he that will not stay so long Till his friend sickness hath determined me? --Shak. [1913 Webster]
3. To fix the form or character of; to shape; to prescribe imperatively; to regulate; to settle. [1913 Webster]
The character of the soul is determined by the character of its God. --J. Edwards. [1913 Webster]
Something divinely beautiful . . . that at some time or other might influence or even determine her course of life. --W. Black. [1913 Webster]
4. To fix the course of; to impel and direct; -- with a remoter object preceded by to; as, another's will determined me to this course. [1913 Webster]
5. To ascertain definitely; to find out the specific character or name of; to assign to its true place in a system; as, to determine an unknown or a newly discovered plant or its name. [1913 Webster]
6. To bring to a conclusion, as a question or controversy; to settle authoritative or judicial sentence; to decide; as, the court has determined the cause. [1913 Webster]
7. To resolve on; to have a fixed intention of; also, to cause to come to a conclusion or decision; to lead; as, this determined him to go immediately. [1913 Webster]
8. (Logic) To define or limit by adding a differentia. [1913 Webster]
9. (Physical Sciences) To ascertain the presence, quantity, or amount of; as, to determine the parallax; to determine the salt in sea water. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.