v.
Pronunciation: di- ' f ī n
Function: verb
Inflected Form: de · fined ; de · fin · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin definire, from de- + finire to limit, end, from finis boundary, end
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 a : to determine or identify the essential qualities or meaning of <whatever define s us as human> b : to discover and set forth the meaning of (as a word) c : to create on a computer < define a window> < define a procedure>
2 a : to fix or mark the limits of : DEMARCATE <rigidly defined property lines> b : to make distinct, clear, or detailed especially in outline <the issues aren't too well defined >
3 : CHARACTERIZE , DISTINGUISH <you define yourself by the choices you make ― Denison Univ. Bull. >
intransitive verb : to make a definition
– de · fine · ment \ - ' f ī n-m ə nt \ noun
– de · fin · er \ - ' f ī -n ə r \ noun