[de.fine] vb de.fined ; de.fin.ing [ME, fr. MF & L; MF definer, fr. L definire, fr. de- + finire to limit, end, fr. finis boundary, end] vt (14c) 1 a: to determine or identify the essential qualities or meaning of "whatever ~s us as human" b: to discover and set forth the meaning of (as a word) c: to create on a computer "~ a window" "~ a procedure"
2. a: to fix or mark the limits of: demarcate "rigidly defined property lines" b: to make distinct, clear, or detailed esp. in outline "the issues aren't too well defined"
3: characterize, distinguish "you ~ yourself by the choices you make --Denison Univ. Bull." ~ vi: to make a definition -- de.fine.ment n -- de.fin.er n