determine
Etymology

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

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

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.
Translations Translations


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