catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Determine \De*ter"mine\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Determined; p.
     pr. & vb. n. Determining.] [F. d['e]terminer, L.
     determinare, determinatum; de + terminare limit, terminus
     limit. See Term.]
     1. To fix the boundaries of; to mark off and separate.
  
              [God] hath determined the times before appointed.
                                                    --Acts xvii.
                                                    26.
  
     2. To set bounds to; to fix the determination of; to limit;
        to bound; to bring to an end; to finish.
  
              The knowledge of men hitherto hath been determined
              by the view or sight.                 --Bacon.
  
              Now, where is he that will not stay so long Till his
              friend sickness hath determined me?   --Shak.
  
     3. 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.                 --J. Edwards.
  
              Something divinely beautiful . . . that at some time
              or other might influence or even determine her
              course of life.                       --W. Black.
  
     4. To fix the course of; to impel and direct; -- with a
        remoter object preceded by to; as, another's will
        determined me to this course.
  
     5. To ascertain definitely; to find out the specific
        character or name of; to assign to its true place in a
        system; as, to determine an unknown or a newly discovered
        plant or its name.
  
     6. To bring to a conclusion, as a question or controversy; to
        settle authoritative or judicial sentence; to decide; as,
        the court has determined the cause.
  
     7. To resolve on; to have a fixed intention of; also, to
        cause to come to a conclusion or decision; to lead; as,
        this determined him to go immediately.
  
     8. (Logic) To define or limit by adding a differentia.
  
     9. (Physical Sciences) To ascertain the presence, quantity,
        or amount of; as, to determine the parallax; to determine
        the salt in sea water.