determine

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   To set the boundaries or limits of.

   • [God] hath determined the times before appointed.
   • The knowledge of men hitherto hath been determined by the view or sight.
2. 2

   To ascertain definitely

   To ascertain definitely; to figure out, find out, or conclude by analyzing, calculating, or investigating.

   • Whether modern, industrial man is less or more warlike than his hunter-gatherer ancestors is impossible to determine. The machine gun is so much more lethal than the bow and arrow that comparisons are meaningless.
3. 3

   To fix the form or character of

   To fix the form or character of; to shape; to prescribe imperatively; to regulate; to settle.

   • The character of the soul is determined by the character of its God.
   • something divinely beautiful […] that at some time or other might influence or even determine her course of life
   • These dramas may appear purely internal but they are perhaps economically determined … when people think they are being so subtly inventive or creative they merely reflect society's general need for economic growth.
4. ›+ 5 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To fix the course of

      To fix the course of; to impel and direct; with a remoter object preceded by to.

      • The news of his father's illness determined him to depart immediately.
   2. 5

      To bring to a conclusion, as a question or controversy

      To bring to a conclusion, as a question or controversy; to settle authoritative or judicial sentence; to decide.

      • The court has determined the cause.
   3. 6

      To resolve (to do something)

      To resolve (to do something); to establish a fixed intention; to cause (something) to come to a conclusion or decision; to lead.

      • I determined to go home at once.
   4. 7

      To define or limit by adding a differentia.

   5. 8

      To bring to an end, finish

      To bring to an end, finish; to come to an end, stop, end.

      • Novv, vvhere is hee, that vvill not ſtay ſo long Till his Friend ſickneſſe hath determin'd me?
      • […] whose assemblies are continued […] for the space of seven moons, after which their authority determines, and writs are issued for new elections.

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