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decide

 - 4 dictionary results

de⋅cide

  [di-sahyd] verb, -cid⋅ed, -cid⋅ing.
Use decide in a Sentence
–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.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME deciden < MF decider < L dēcīdere lit., to cut off, equiv. to dē- de- + -cīdere (comb. form of caedere to cut)

Related forms:
de⋅cid⋅er, noun

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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To decide
de·cide   (dĭ-sīd')   
v.   de·cid·ed, de·cid·ing, de·cides

v.   tr.

    1. To settle conclusively all contention or uncertainty about: decide a case; decided the dispute in favor of the workers.

    2. To make up one's mind about: decide what to do.

  2. To influence or determine the outcome of: A few votes decided the election.

  3. To cause to make or reach a decision.

v.   intr.

  1. To pronounce a judgment; announce a verdict.

  2. To make up one's mind.


[Middle English deciden, from Old French decider, from Latin dēcīdere, to cut off, decide : dē-, de- + caedere, to cut; see kaə-id- in Indo-European roots.]
de·cid·a·bil'i·ty n., de·cid'a·ble adj., de·cid'er n.
Synonyms: These verbs mean to come to a decision. Decide is the least specific: "If two laws conflict with each other, the courts must decide on the operation of each" (John Marshall).
Determine often involves somewhat narrower issues: A jury will determine the verdict.
Settle stresses finality of decision: "The lama waved a hand to show that the matter was finally settled in his mind" (Rudyard Kipling).
Rule implies that the decision is handed down by someone in authority: The committee ruled that changes in the curriculum should be implemented.
Conclude suggests that a decision, opinion, or judgment has been arrived at after careful consideration: She concluded that the criticism was unjust.
Resolve stresses the exercise of choice in making a firm decision: I resolved to lose weight.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

decide 
c.1380, from O.Fr. decider, from L. decidere "to decide," lit. "to cut off," from de- "off" + cædere "to cut" (see cement). 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 1611. A decided victory is one whose reality is not in doubt; a decisive one goes far toward settling some issue.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: de·cide
Function: verb
Inflected Forms: de·cid·ed; de·cid·ing
transitive verb : to determine (as a case or issue) by making a decision (as a final judgment) : ADJUDICATE 1, 2 —compare FIND, HOLD intransitive verb : to make a decision
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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