Determine

v. t. [imp. & p. p. DETERMINED; p. pr. & vb. n. DETERMINING.] [Fr. déterminer, Pr., Sp., & Pg. determinar, It. determinare, Lat. determinare, from de and terminare, to limit, from terminus, limit, Gr. τέρμα, τέρμων.]

1Sense 1. To fix the boundaries of; to mark off and separate.

Who . . . hath determined the times . . . appointed. Acts xvii. 26.

2Sense 2. To set bounds to; to fix the termination of; to limit; to bound; to bring to an end; to finish.

The knowledge of men hitherto hath been determined by the view or sight. Bacon.

Now, where is he that will not stay so long Till his friend sickness hath determined me. Shak.

3Sense 3. To fix the form or character of; to shape; to prescribe imperatively; to regulate; to settle; to bring about, as a cause an effect.

The character of the soul is determined by the character of its God. J. Edwards.

4Sense 4. To fix the course of; to impel and direct;—with a remoter object preceded by to.

5Sense 5. To ascertain definitely; to find out the specific character or name of; to assign to its true place in a system; as, to determine a newly discovered plant or its name.

6Sense 6. To bring to a conclusion, as a question or controversy; to settle by authoritative or judicial sentence; to decide; as, the court has determined the cause.

7Sense 7. To resolve on; to have a fixed intention of; also, to cause to come to a conclusion or resolve; to lead; as, this determined him to start immediately.

8Sense 8. (Logic.) To define or limit by adding a differentia.

9Sense 9. (Physical Sciences.) To ascertain the quantity or amount of; as, to determine the parallax; to determine the salt in sea-water.

v. i. 1. To come to an end; to terminate. [Obs.]

It becomes a mischief, and determines in a curse. South.

Some estates may determine on future contingencies. Blackstone.

2Sense 2. To come to a decision; to conclude; to resolve;—often with on or upon.

He shall pay as the judges determine. Ex. xxi. 22.