v.
Pronunciation: di- ' t ə r-m ə n, d ē -
Function: verb
Inflected Form: 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
Date: 14th century
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 determine ed 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 determine s 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
synonyms see DECIDE , DISCOVER