define

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To explain the exact meaning of a word or idea.

   The teacher asked us to define the word in our own words.

2. 2
   verb

   To describe the true nature or main features of something.

   How would you define a good friend?

3. 3
   verb

   To set or mark out the exact limits or shape of something.

   The fence defines the edge of our property.

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”).

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