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verb (used with object)
1.
to solve or conclude (a question, controversy, or struggle) by giving victory to one side: The judge decided the case in favor of the plaintiff.
2.
to determine or settle (something in dispute or doubt): to decide an argument.
3.
to bring (a person) to a decision; persuade or convince: The new evidence decided him.
verb (used without object)
4.
to settle something in dispute or doubt: The judge decided in favor of the plaintiff.
5.
to make a judgment or determine a preference; come to a conclusion.
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Decide
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is hornswoggle. Does it mean:
| to spend time idly; loaf. |
| to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax. |
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English deciden < Middle French decider < Latin dēcīdere literally, to cut off, equivalent to dē- de- + -cīdere (combining form of caedere to cut)
1350–1400; Middle English deciden < Middle French decider < Latin dēcīdere literally, to cut off, equivalent to dē- de- + -cīdere (combining form of caedere to cut)
Related forms
de·cid·er, noun
pre·de·cide, verb (used with object), -cid·ed, -cid·ing.
re·de·cide, verb, -cid·ed, -cid·ing.
Synonyms
1. Decide, resolve, determine imply settling upon a purpose and being able to adhere to it. To decide is to make up one's mind as to what shall be done and the way to do it: He decided to go today. To resolve is to show firmness of purpose: He resolved to ask for a promotion. To determine is to make up one's mind and then to stick to a fixed or settled purpose: determined to maintain his position at all costs.
1. Decide, resolve, determine imply settling upon a purpose and being able to adhere to it. To decide is to make up one's mind as to what shall be done and the way to do it: He decided to go today. To resolve is to show firmness of purpose: He resolved to ask for a promotion. To determine is to make up one's mind and then to stick to a fixed or settled purpose: determined to maintain his position at all costs.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To decide
Example Sentences
- The government has yet to decide on the size of that budget and how it will be financed.
- If you decide to remove a big tree, make sure you are allowed to.
- We were the first nation to reserve for ourselves the right to decide whether a controversy is domestic or international.
Collins
World English Dictionary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
decide
late 14c., from O.Fr. decider, from L. decidere "to decide," lit. "to cut off," from de- "off" + cædere "to cut" (see cement). For L. vowel change, see acquisition. Sense is of resolving difficulties "at a stroke." Originally "to settle
EXPANDa dispute;" meaning "to make up one's mind" is attested from 1830. Decided in the adj. sense of "resolute" is from 1790. Decisive is c.1600. A decided victory is one whose reality is not in doubt; a decisive one goes far toward settling some issue. Related: Decidedly (1790).
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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