determine

de·ter·mine

verb \di-ˈtər-mən, dē-\

de·ter·minedde·ter·min·ing

Definition of DETERMINE

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 determined 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 determines 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

Examples of DETERMINE

1. The new policy will be determined by a special committee.
2. The demand for a product determines its price.
3. He believes that one's personality is determined mostly by genetics.
4. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.
5. They are unable to accurately determine the ship's position at this time.
6. Scholars have determined that the book was written in the late 16th century.
7. I am trying to determine what happened and when.
8. They are determining if they should stay.
9. They determined to leave immediately.

Origin of DETERMINE

Middle English, from Anglo-French determiner, from Latin determinare, from de- + terminare to limit, from terminus boundary, limit — more at term

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DETERMINE

Synonyms

adjudge, adjudicate, arbitrate, decide, judge, referee, rule (on), settle, umpire

Antonyms

miss, overlook, pass over

Related Words

consider, deem, deliberate, hear, ponder, weigh; size up; mediate, moderate, negotiate; prosecute, try; find (for or against); conclude, resolve; redetermine, rejudge

Near Antonyms

equivocate, hedge, pussyfoot, skirt

See Synonym Discussion at decide, discover

Rhymes with DETERMINE

extermine

de·ter·mine

transitive verb \di-ˈtər-mən\   (Medical Dictionary)

de·ter·mined; de·ter·min·ing \-ˈtərm-(ə-)niŋ\ (audio pronunciation)

Medical Definition of DETERMINE

1

a : to obtain definite information about with regard to quantity, character, magnitude, or location <determine the ionic concentration> <determine the creatinine in blood serum> b : to discover the taxonomic position or the generic and specific names of

2

: to bring about the determination of <determine the fate of a cell>