də̇ˈsīd, dēˈ- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English deciden, from Middle French decider, from Latin decidere, literally, to cut off, from de down, away + -cidere (from caedere to cut) — more at de- , concise
transitive verb
: to dispel doubt on:
a. : to arrive at a choice or solution concerning which ends uncertainty or contention
decide what to order for breakfast
b. : to bring definitively and conclusively to an end especially in matters relating to war
the victory at San Jacinto decided the war
c. : to infer or conclude from available indications and evidence
Washington decided … that the President could no longer avoid calling the Senator to account — Economist
d. : to choose or select as a future course of action
she decided to buy a new hat
decided to read a book instead
e. : to induce or force (as a person) to arrive at a choice, judgment, or decision
this exordium … decided Mr. Cruncher — Charles Dickens
intransitive verb
: to make a choice or decision especially a binding or definitive one presumably after consideration : come to a conclusion
some learned men, proud of their knowledge, only speak to decide — Earl of Chesterfield
Synonyms:
resolve , determine , rule , settle : decide is less colorful and has less connotational range than others in this group; in this sense it simply means to come to a decision, presumably after some consideration, or to induce another to come to a decision
the time for deliberation is then passed, he has decided — John Marshall
had finally decided Amy to drop the mask of deference — Arnold Bennett
resolve in reference to a person's decisions about his own future actions may imply an earnest and strong-willed attitude
suddenly he resolved to say something. He resolved to say it so firmly that he determined to say it even if Mr. Britling went on talking all the time — H.G.Wells
but in reference to questions, problems, difficulties, and so on, it appears to stress clear analysis and consideration, with the implication of a final judgment
the task is to resolve initial oppositions of interest into some moderate harmony by a process of mutual concessions — J.A.Hobson
Mr. Fitzpatrick, who did not catch the point at issue very quickly, seemed unable to resolve the difficulty — James Joyce
determine in reference to decisions on personal action implies about the same things as resolve , although it may occasionally be somewhat weaker and it may involve more consideration of limitation and choice
she was determined that in her house Sophia should have all the freedoms and conveniences that she could have had in her own — Arnold Bennett
he resolved to overcome the one-pawn disadvantage and determined on a scheme involving the quick and audacious use of his major pieces
but in reference to less personal and more general matters the word may suggest bounds, limits, classes, or terms and may imply that considerations and judgments involved are decisive in a course, outcome, or judgment
but every atom … is a miniature solar system, with electrons in numbers which determine the nature of the element — W.R.Inge
but theories, intellectual systems, notions … may themselves create demands or determine their directions — Felix Frankfurter
rule stresses the act of deciding it; may imply a judicial, administrative, or otherwise authoritative positive attitude or procedure and a necessarily binding procedure or precedent set
the procedure was ruled out as unparliamentary
the president ruled that such matters should be taken care of in Mr. Smith's office
settle contains less implication than others in this series about procedure for arriving at a decision, more about the finality of the action
the problem of the Pythagorean legend may be said to be settled. But the problem of the Socratic legend is still under consideration — Havelock Ellis
the principle of law is too well settled to be disputed, that a court can give no judgment … where it has no jurisdiction — R.B.Taney