defined

[dih-fahynd]

See more synonyms for defined on Thesaurus.com

adjective

determined, fixed, or clearly marked out as to extent, outline, or form: an itchy red rash with sharply defined edges.

Origin of defined

First recorded in 1720–30; define + -ed²

define

[dih-fahyn]

verb (used with object), de·fined, de·fin·ing.

to state or set forth the meaning of (a word, phrase, etc.): They disagreed on how to define “liberal.”
to explain or identify the nature or essential qualities of; describe: to define judicial functions.
to fix or lay down clearly and definitely; specify distinctly: to define one's responsibilities.
to determine or fix the boundaries or extent of: to define property with stakes.
to make clear the outline or form of: The roof was boldly defined against the sky.

verb (used without object), de·fined, de·fin·ing.

to set forth the meaning of a word, phrase, etc.; construct a definition.

Origin of define

1325–75; Middle English def(f)inen < Anglo-French, Old French definer to put an end to < Latin dēfīnīre to limit, define, equivalent to dē- de- + fīnīre; see finish

Related formsde·fin·a·ble, adjectivede·fin·a·bil·i·ty, nounde·fin·a·bly, adverbde·fine·ment, nounde·fin·er, nounmis·de·fine, verb (used with object), mis·de·fined, mis·de·fin·ing.non·de·fin·a·bil·i·ty, nounnon·de·fin·a·ble, adjectivenon·de·fin·a·bly, adverbnon·de·fined, adjectivenon·de·fin·er, nounpre·de·fine, verb (used with object), pre·de·fined, pre·de·fin·ing.re·de·fine, verb (used with object), re·de·fined, re·de·fin·ing.self-de·fined, adjectivesem·i·de·fined, adjectiveun·de·fin·a·ble, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for defined

Contemporary Examples

In February, Slovakia will have a referendum on whether marriage should be defined as a union between a man and a woman.
‘Only God’ Can Stop Gay Marriage
Tim Mak
January 6, 2015
And no issue should be defined by its outliers because it paints a false picture.
Bill de Blasio’s Tea Party Problem
Will Cain
December 30, 2014
Local life in these places is not defined by their sports team or by their natural beauty—by things only available locally.
Will Texas Stay Texan?
David Fontana
December 29, 2014
Instead, local life is defined by cultural products that are more national or more global—think of the Sunday New York Times.
Will Texas Stay Texan?
David Fontana
December 29, 2014
The problem is that no one has yet defined eating disorder recovery.
You’re Never ‘Cured’ of an Eating Disorder
Carrie Arnold
December 20, 2014

Historical Examples

You have defined her character, my dear sir, as correctly as if you had known her from her birth.
Life And Adventures Of Martin Chuzzlewit
Charles Dickens
Such a formula expresses the commandment of sexual ethics as we have defined it.
The Sexual Question
August Forel
He could not for his life have defined the difference, but there it was.
A Singer from the Sea
Amelia Edith Huddleston Barr
May it not be defined as a period of about twenty years in a woman's life, and thirty in a man's?
The Republic
Plato
The elements may be perceived by sense, but they are names, and cannot be defined.
Theaetetus
Plato

British Dictionary definitions for defined

define

verb (tr)

to state precisely the meaning of (words, terms, etc)
to describe the nature, properties, or essential qualities of
to determine the boundary or extent of
(often passive) to delineate the form or outline ofthe shape of the tree was clearly defined by the light behind it
to fix with precision; specify

Derived Formsdefinable, adjectivedefinability, noundefinably, adverbdefiner, noun

Word Origin

C14: from Old French definer to determine, from Latin dēfīnīre to set bounds to, from fīnīre to finish

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for defined

define

v.

late 14c., "to specify; to end," from Old French defenir "to end, terminate, determine," and directly from Latin definire "to limit, determine, explain," from de- "completely" (see de-) + finire "to bound, limit," from finis "boundary, end" (see finish (n.)). Related: Defined; defining.

defined

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}defined

define

Origin of define

Examples from the Web for defined

Contemporary Examples

In February, Slovakia will have a referendum on whether marriage should be defined as a union between a man and a woman.

And no issue should be defined by its outliers because it paints a false picture.

Local life in these places is not defined by their sports team or by their natural beauty—by things only available locally.

Instead, local life is defined by cultural products that are more national or more global—think of the Sunday New York Times.

The problem is that no one has yet defined eating disorder recovery.

Historical Examples

You have defined her character, my dear sir, as correctly as if you had known her from her birth.

Such a formula expresses the commandment of sexual ethics as we have defined it.

He could not for his life have defined the difference, but there it was.

May it not be defined as a period of about twenty years in a woman's life, and thirty in a man's?

The elements may be perceived by sense, but they are names, and cannot be defined.

define

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for defined

define

v.

Origin of defined