Origin: 1350–1400;Middle Englishdeciden < Middle Frenchdecider < Latindēcīdere 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), pre·de·cid·ed, pre·de·cid·ing.
re·de·cide, verb, re·de·cid·ed, re·de·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.
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
a 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).