determine

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To set the boundaries or limits of.

   [God] hath determined the times before appointed.

2. 2
   verb

   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
   verb

   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.

4. 4
   verb

   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.

5. 5
   verb

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

   The court has determined the cause.

6. 6
   verb

   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.

7. 7
   verb

   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?

8. 8
   verb

   reach, make, or come to a decision about something

Etymology

From Middle English determinen, from Old French determiner, French déterminer, from Latin determināre (“to bound, limit, prescribe, fix, determine”), from de + termināre (“to limit”), from terminus (“bound, limit, end”).