From Middle English determinen, from Old French determiner, French déterminer, from Latin determino, from de + termināre, from terminus.

• (British) IPA: /dɪˈtɜːmɪn/
• (America) IPA: /dɪˈtɝmɪn/

determine (determines, present participle determining; simple past and past participle determined)

1. To set the boundaries or limits of.
   • 1844, Francis Bacon, The Works of Francis Bacon, Lord Chancellor of England:

     The knowledge of men hitherto hath been determined by the view or sight.

2. To ascertain definitely; to figure out, find out, or conclude by analyzing, calculating, or investigating.
3. To fix the form or character of; to shape; to prescribe imperatively; to regulate; to settle.
   • 1741 July 7, Jonathan Edwards, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God:

     The character of the soul is determined by the character of its God.

   • 1913, W. Black, 1913 Webster's Dictionary:

     something divinely beautiful […] that at some time or other might influence or even determine her course of life

   • 1976 September, Saul Bellow, Humboldt's Gift, New York, N.Y.: Avon Books, →ISBN, page 259 ↗:

     These dramas may appear purely internal but they are perhaps economically determined … when people think they are being so subtly inventive or creative they merely reflect society's general need for economic growth.

4. To fix the course of; to impel and direct; with a remoter object preceded by to.

   The news of his father's illness determined him to depart immediately.

5. To bring to a conclusion, as a question or controversy; to settle authoritative or judicial sentence; to decide.

   The court has determined the cause.

6. To resolve (to do something); to establish a fixed intention; to cause (something) to come to a conclusion or decision; to lead.

   I determined to go home at once.

7. (logic) To define or limit by adding a differentia.
8. (law, otherwise, obsolete) To bring to an end; to finish.

• French: déterminer
• German: bestimmen, eingrenzen
• Italian: determinare, stabilire
• Portuguese: determinar
• Russian: определя́ть
• Spanish: determinar

• French: déterminer
• German: festlegen
• Italian: capire, verificare, accertarsi
• Portuguese: determinar
• Russian: определя́ть
• Spanish: determinar