## Meanings
1. To explain the exact meaning of a word or idea.
2. To describe the true nature or main features of something.
3. To set or mark out the exact limits or shape of something.

## Examples
- The teacher asked us to define the word in our own words.
- How would you define a good friend?
- The fence defines the edge of our property.

## Derived Forms
- career-defining
- codefine
- definability
- definable
- definatory
- definee
- definement
- definer
- era-defining
- misdefine
- overdefine
- pre-defined

## Related Forms
- definiendum
- definiens
- definite
- definition
- definitory

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: definen
- Root: definer
- Root: dēfīniō

## Etymology
From Middle English definen, from Old French definer, variant of definir, from Latin dēfīniō (“limit, settle, define”), from dē + fīniō (“set a limit, bound, end”).

## AI Etymology
define comes from Middle English definen, from Old French definer, variant of definir, from Latin dēfīniō (“limit, settle, define”), from dē + fīniō (“set a limit, bound, end”). The historical chain includes Middle English definen, Old French definer, Latin dēfīniō. Current senses include to explain the exact meaning of a word or idea and to describe the true nature or main features of something. English relatives and later formations include career-defining, codefine, definability, definiendum, definiens.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Communication

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