De-tĕr′mi-nā′tion, n.
n. [Fr. détermination, Pr. determinacio, Sp. determinacion, It. determinazione, Lat. determinatio.]
Sense 1. The act of determining, or the state of being determined.
Sense 2. Bringing to an end; termination. “A speedy determination of that war.” Ludlow.
Sense 3. Direction or tendency to a certain end; guiding impulsion; as, a determination of blood to the head. Remissness can by no means consist with a constant determination of the will to the greatest apparent good. Locke.
Sense 4. The state of decision; a judicial decision, or ending of controversy.
Sense 5. That which is determined upon; result of deliberation; purpose. “So bloodthirsty a determination to obtain convictions.” Hallam.
Sense 6. The holding fast an end or aim; resoluteness; decision of mind.
Sense 7. (Chem.) The ascertaining the amount of any ingredient in a substance; as, the determination of the salt in sea-water.
Sense 8. (Logic.) (a.) The act of defining a concept or notion by giving its essential constituents. (b.) The addition of a differentia to a concept or notion and thus limiting its extent;—the opposite of generalization.
Sense 9. (Nat. Hist.) The act of determining the relations of an object, as regards genus and species; the referring of minerals, plants, &c., to the species to which they belong; as, I am indebted to a friend for the determination of the greater part of these shells.
Synonyms—Decision; conclusion; judgment; purpose; resolution; resolve; firmness. See DECISION.