determine

One entry found for determine.

Main Entry: de·ter·mine
Pronunciation: di-'t&r-m&n, dE-
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): de·ter·mined; de·ter·min·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French determiner, from Latin determinare, from de- + terminare to limit, from terminus boundary, limit -- more at TERM
transitive verb
1 a : to fix conclusively or authoritatively <determine national policy> b : to decide by judicial sentence <determine a plea> c : to settle or decide by choice of alternatives or possibilities <trying to determine the best time to go> d : RESOLVE <she determined to do better>
2 a : to fix the form, position, or character of beforehand : ORDAIN <two points determine a straight line> b : to bring about as a result : REGULATE <demand determines the price>
3 a : to fix the boundaries of b : to limit in extent or scope c : to put or set an end to : TERMINATE <determine an estate>
4 : to find out or come to a decision about by investigation, reasoning, or calculation <determine the answer to the problem> <determine a position at sea>
5 : to bring about the determination of <determine the fate of a cell>
intransitive verb
1 : to come to a decision
2 : to come to an end or become void
synonym see DECIDE, DISCOVER