define - Definitions from Dictionary.com

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

de·fine

Audio Help [di-fahyn] Pronunciation Key verb -fined, -fin·ing.

–verb (used with object)

1.	to state or set forth the meaning of (a word, phrase, etc.): They disagreed on how to define “liberal.”

2.	to explain or identify the nature or essential qualities of; describe: to define judicial functions.

3.	to fix or lay down definitely; specify distinctly: to define one's responsibilities.

4.	to determine or fix the boundaries or extent of: to define property with stakes.

5.	to make clear the outline or form of: The roof was boldly defined against the sky.

–verb (used without object)

6.	to set forth the meaning of a word, phrase, etc.; construct a definition.

[Origin: 1325–75; ME def(f)inen < AF, OF definer to put an end to < L défīnīre to limit, define, equiv. to dé- de- + fīnīre; see finish

]

—Related forms

de·fin·a·ble, adjective

de·fin·a·bil·i·ty, noun

de·fin·a·bly, adverb

de·fine·ment, noun

de·fin·er, noun

—Synonyms 3. state, name, describe, detail, enumerate.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
define

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

de·fine Audio Help   (dĭ-fīn') Pronunciation Key
v.   de·fined, de·fin·ing, de·fines

v.   tr.

1. To state the precise meaning of (a word or sense of a word, for example).
2. To describe the nature or basic qualities of; explain: define the properties of a new drug; a study that defines people according to their median incomes.
3. To delineate the outline or form of: gentle hills that were defined against the sky.
4. To specify distinctly: define the weapons to be used in limited warfare.
1. To delineate the outline or form of: gentle hills that were defined against the sky.
2. To specify distinctly: define the weapons to be used in limited warfare.
To give form or meaning to: "For him, a life is defined by action" (Jay Parini).

v. intr.
To make or write a definition.

[Middle English definen, diffinen, from Old French definir, diffiner, from Latin dēfīnīre, to limit, determine : dē-, intensive pref.; see de- + fīnis, boundary, limit.]

de·fin'a·bil'i·ty n., de·fin'a·ble adj., de·fin'a·bly adv., de·fine'ment n., de·fin'er n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
define

c.1384, from O.Fr. definir "to end, terminate, determine," from L. definire "to limit, determine, explain," from de- "completely" + finire "to bound, limit," from finis "boundary." Definite (1553) means "defined, clear, precise, unmistakable;" definitive (c.1386) means "having the character of finality." Definition is recorded from 1645 as a term in logic; the "meaning of a word" sense is from 1551.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

define
verb
1.	determine the essential quality of [syn: specify]
2.	give a definition for the meaning of a word; "Define 'sadness'"
3.	determine the nature of; "What defines a good wine?"
4.	show the form or outline of; "The tree was clearly defined by the light"; "The camera could define the smallest object"
5.	decide upon or fix definitely; "fix the variables"; "specify the parameters" [syn: specify]

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
define [diˈfain] verb

to fix or state the exact meaning of
Example: Words are defined in a dictionary.

Arabic:	يُحَدِّد، يُعَرِّف
Chinese (Simplified):	解释，下定义
Chinese (Traditional):	解釋，下定義
Czech:	definovat
Danish:	definere; præcisere
Dutch:	definia aren
Estonian:	määratlema
Finnish:	määritellä
French:	définir
German:	erklären
Greek:	ορίζω
Hungarian:	meghatároz, értelmez
Icelandic:	skilgreina
Indonesian:	memerikan
Italian:	definire

Japanese:	定義する
Korean:	정의하다, 분명히 하다
Latvian:	definēt; noteikt
Lithuanian:	apibrėžti
Norwegian:	definere, angi
Polish:	definiować
Portuguese (Brazil):	definir
Portuguese (Portugal):	definir
Romanian:	a defini
Russian:	давать определение
Slovak:	definovať
Slovenian:	določiti
Spanish:	definir
Swedish:	definiera
Turkish:	tanımlamak

See also: definition, "define" in any language

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Define

De*fin"a*ble\, a. [From Define.] Capable of being defined, limited, or explained; determinable; describable by definition; ascertainable; as, definable limits; definable distinctions or regulations; definable words. -- De*fin"a*bly, adv.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Define

De*fine"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defined; p. pr. & vb. n. Defining.] [OE. definer, usually, to end, to finish, F. d['e]finir 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. --Sir I. Newton.

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. --Robynson (More's Utopia).

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