define

[De*fine·]

If you can't define a word, turn to the dictionary. That's always the best way to learn the definition. Likewise, anything you can describe completely is something you can define.

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To fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination; to end.

Verb
give a definition for the meaning of a word; "Define `sadness''"

Verb
determine the essential quality of

Verb
determine the nature of; "What defines a good wine?"

Verb
delineate the form or outline of; "The tree was clearly defined by the light"; "The camera could define the smallest object"

v. t.
To fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination; to end.

v. t.
To determine or clearly exhibit the boundaries of; to mark the limits of; as, to define the extent of a kingdom or country.

v. t.
To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly; as, the defining power of an optical instrument.

v. t.
To determine the precise signification of; to fix the meaning of; to describe accurately; to explain; to expound or interpret; as, to define a word, a phrase, or a scientific term.

v. i.
To determine; to decide.

Define

De*fine" , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defined ; p. pr. & vb. n. Defining.] [OE. definer, usually, to end, to finish, F. d'82finir to define, L. definire to limit, define; de- + finire to limit, end, finis boundary, limit, end. See Final, Finish.] 1. To fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination; to end. "To define controversies." Barrow. 2. To determine or clearly exhibit the boundaries of; to mark the limits of; as, to define the extent of a kingdom or country. 3. To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly; as, the defining power of an optical instrument.

Rings . . . very distinct and well defined.

4. To determine the precise signification of; to fix the meaning of; to describe accurately; to explain; to expound or interpret; as, to define a word, a phrase, or a scientific term.

They define virtue to be life ordered according to nature.

Define

De*fine" , v. i. To determine; to decide. [Obs.]

To fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination; to end.

To determine; to decide.

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Usage Examples

I can't really define it in sexual terms alone although our sexuality is so energizing why not enjoy it too?

Art is why I get up in the morning but my definition ends there. You know I don't think its fair that I'm living for something I can't even define.

A monopoly on the means of communication may define a ruling elite more precisely than the celebrated Marxian formula of monopoly in the means of production.

But I don't necessarily define my faith by going to church every Sunday.

Family traditions counter alienation and confusion. They help us define who we are they provide something steady, reliable and safe in a confusing world.

Caring for but never trying to own may be a further way to define friendship.

For some reason, people find me funny. It's quite hard to define why a thought is funny. It's even harder to define why a person would be funny. It's a word that I can't define at all. But whether I know quite what it is or not, I seem to be it.

I always had a larger view. I'm interested in real life - my family, my friends. I have tried never to define myself by my success, whatever that is. My happiness is way beyond roles and awards.

As a young actor, people were trying to define who I was before I really knew that for myself. But I still remember thinking, 'This is what I love doing, and I hope I'm going to be able to do it forever.'

Misspelled Form

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Other Usage Examples

Considered now as a possession, one may define culture as the residuum of a large body of useless knowledge that has been well and truly forgotten.

Every man must define his identity against his mother. If he does not, he just falls back into her and is swallowed up.

Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.

I could no more define poetry than a terrier can define a rat.

Conservatives define themselves in terms of what they oppose.

After 25-plus years as a lawyer, prosecutor, and defense attorney, I have developed a deep appreciation for both the wisdom of the law and the role that jurists play in framing the rights and responsibilities that define our society.

All I can hope to do is instill great morality in my son and trust him along the way. The music he listens to or how he chooses to wear his hair doesn't define his moral compass, and if he wants to listen to country music and wear a cowboy hat too, that's fine.

Black women are programmed to define ourselves within this male attention and to compete with each other for it rather than to recognize and move upon our common interests.

As a kid, I grew to define what I didn't want my life to be like by sitting behind moaning women on the bus, hearing them bang on about their aches and pains, both real and imagined.