Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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. [God] hath determined the times before appointed. --Acts xvii. 26. 2. To set bounds to; to fix the determination of; to limit; to bound; to bring to an end; to finish. The knowledge of men hitherto hath been determined by the view or sight. --Bacon. Now, where is he that will not stay so long Till his friend sickness hath determined me? --Shak. 3. To fix the form or character of; to shape; to prescribe imperatively; to regulate; to settle. The character of the soul is determined by the character of its God. --J. Edwards. Something divinely beautiful . . . that at some time or other might influence or even determine her course of life. --W. Black. 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. 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. 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. 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. 8. (Logic) To define or limit by adding a differentia. 9. (Physical Sciences) To ascertain the presence, quantity, or amount of; as, to determine the parallax; to determine the salt in sea water.
\De*ter"mine\, v. i. 1. To come to an end; to end; to terminate. [Obs.] He who has vented a pernicious doctrine or published an ill book must know that his life determine not together. --South. Estates may determine on future contingencies. --Blackstone. 2. To come to a decision; to decide; to resolve; -- often with on. ``Determine on some course.'' --Shak. He shall pay as the judges determine. --Ex. xxi. 22.