DEFINE


Meaning of DEFINE in English

/ dɪˈfaɪn; NAmE / verb

1.

[ vn ] define sth (as sth) to say or explain what the meaning of a word or phrase is :

The term 'mental illness' is difficult to define.

Life imprisonment is defined as 60 years under state law.

2.

to describe or show sth accurately :

[ vn ]

We need to define the task ahead very clearly.

The difficulty of a problem was defined in terms of how long it took to complete.

[ v wh- ]

It is difficult to define what makes him so popular.

3.

[ vn ] to show clearly a line, shape or edge :

The mountain was sharply defined against the sky.

►  de·fin·able adjective

••

WORD ORIGIN

late Middle English (also in the sense bring to an end) : from Old French definer , from a variant of Latin definire , from de- (expressing completion) + finire finish (from finis end).

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.