• Determine

    Pronunciation

    • UK IPA: /dɪˈtɜː(ɹ)mɪn/
    • US IPA: /dɪˈtɝmɪn/

    Origin

    From Middle English determinen, from Old French determiner, French déterminer, from Latin determinare ("to bound, limit, prescribe, fix, determine"), from de + terminare ("to limit"), from terminus ("bound, limit, end").

    Full definition of determine

    Verb

    1. To set the limits of.
      • Bible, Acts xvii. 26God hath determined the times before appointed.
      • Francis BaconThe knowledge of men hitherto hath been determined by the view or sight.
    2. To ascertain definitely; to figure out.
      • 2013-07-20, Old soldiers?, Whether modern, industrial man is less or more warlike than his hunter-gatherer ancestors is impossible to determine. The machine gun is so much more lethal than the bow and arrow that comparisons are meaningless.
    3. To fix the form or character of; to shape; to prescribe imperatively; to regulate; to settle.
      • J. EdwardsThe character of the soul is determined by the character of its God.
      • W. Blacksomething divinely beautiful ... that at some time or other might influence or even determine her course of life
    4. To fix the course of; to impel and direct; with a remoter object preceded by to.Someone else's will determined me to this course.
    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 on; to have a fixed intention of; also, to cause to come to a conclusion or decision; to lead.The news of his father's illness determined him to depart immediately.
    7. (logic) To define or limit by adding a differentia.
    8. (obsolete) To bring to an end; to finish.
      • ShakespeareNow, where is he that will not stay so long
        Till his friend sickness hath determined me?
    © Wiktionary