verb (used with object),de·ter·mined,de·ter·min·ing.
to settle or decide (a dispute, question, etc.) by an authoritative or conclusive decision.
to conclude or ascertain, as after reasoning, observation, etc.
Geometry. to fix the position of.
to cause, affect, or control; fix or decide causally: Demand for a product usually determines supply.
to give direction or tendency to; impel.
Logic. to limit (a notion) by adding differentiating characteristics.
Chiefly Law. to put an end to; terminate.
to lead or bring (a person) to a decision.
to decide upon.
verb (used without object),de·ter·mined,de·ter·min·ing.
to come to a decision or resolution; decide.
Chiefly Law. to come to an end.
Origin of determine
1325–75;Middle Englishdeterminen < Anglo-French,Old Frenchdeterminer < Latindētermināre, equivalent to dē-de- + termināre to bound, limit; see terminate
Related formsin·ter·de·ter·mine, verb (used with object),in·ter·de·ter·mined,in·ter·de·ter·min·ing.qua·si-de·ter·mine, verb,qua·si-de·ter·mined,qua·si-de·ter·min·ing.re·de·ter·mine, verb,re·de·ter·mined,re·de·ter·min·ing.un·de·ter·min·ing, adjective
mid-14c., "to come to an end," also "to settle, decide" (late 14c.), from Old French determiner (12c.) or directly from Latin determinare "to enclose, bound, set limits to," from de- "off" (see de-) + terminare "to mark the end or boundary," from terminus "end, limit" (see terminus). Sense of "coming to a firm decision" (to do something) is from mid-15c. Related: Determined; determining; determiner.
