[de.cide] vb de.cid.ed ; de.cid.ing [ME, fr. MF decider, fr. L decidere, lit., to cut off, fr. de- + caedere to cut] vt (14c) 1 a: to arrive at a solution that ends uncertainty or dispute about "~ what to do" b: to select as a course of action--used with an infinitive "decided to go"
2: to bring to a definitive end "one blow decided the fight"
3: to induce to come to a choice "her pleas decided him to help" ~ vi: to make a choice or judgment -- de.cid.abil.i.ty n -- de.cid.able adj -- de.cid.er n syn decide, determine, settle, rule, resolve mean to come or cause to come to a conclusion. decide implies previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or controversy "she decided to sell her house". determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something "determined the cause of the problem". settle implies a decision reached by someone with power to end all dispute or uncertainty "the dean's decision settled the campus alcohol policy". rule implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority "the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible". resolve implies an expressed or clear decision or determination to do or refrain from doing something "he resolved to quit smoking".