define
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de·fine
(dĭ-fīn′)v. de·fined, de·fin·ing, de·fines
v.tr.
1.
a. To state the precise meaning of (a word or sense of a word, for example).
b. 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.
2.
a. To make clear the outline or form of; delineate: gentle hills that were defined against the sky.
b. To specify distinctly: define the weapons to be used in limited warfare.
3. 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.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
define
(dɪˈfaɪn)vb (tr)
1. to state precisely the meaning of (words, terms, etc)
2. to describe the nature, properties, or essential qualities of
3. to determine the boundary or extent of
4. (often passive) to delineate the form or outline of: the shape of the tree was clearly defined by the light behind it.
5. to fix with precision; specify
[C14: from Old French definer to determine, from Latin dēfīnīre to set bounds to, from fīnīre to finish]
deˈfinable adj
deˌfinaˈbility n
deˈfinably adv
deˈfiner n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
de•fine
(dɪˈfaɪn)v. -fined, -fin•ing. v.t.
1. to state or set forth the meaning of (a word, etc.).
2. to explain or identify the nature or essential qualities of; describe.
3. to specify: to define responsibilities.
4. to determine or fix the boundaries or extent of.
5. to make clear the outline or form of.
v.i. 6. to set forth the meaning of a word, phrase, etc.
[1325–75; Middle English def(f)inen < Old French definer to put an end to « Latin dēfīnīre to limit, define =dē- de- + fīnīre; see finish]
de•fin′a•ble, adj.
de•fin`a•bil′i•ty, n.
de•fin′a•bly, adv.
de•fin′er, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
define
Past participle: defined
Gerund: defining
| Imperative |
|---|
| define |
| define |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Verb | 1. | define - determine the essential quality of determine - fix in scope; fix the boundaries of; "the tree determines the border of the property" be - have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun); "John is rich"; "This is not a good answer" redefine - give a new or different definition to; "She redefined his duties" |
| 2. | define - give a definition for the meaning of a word; "Define `sadness'" specify, fix, limit, set, determine, define - decide upon or fix definitely; "fix the variables"; "specify the parameters" redefine - give a new or different definition of (a word) | |
| 3. | define - determine the nature of; "What defines a good wine?" characterise, characterize - be characteristic of; "What characterizes a Venetian painting?" | |
| 4. | define - show the form or outline of; "The tree was clearly defined by the light"; "The camera could define the smallest object" show - make visible or noticeable; "She showed her talent for cooking"; "Show me your etchings, please" | |
| 5. | define - decide upon or fix definitely; "fix the variables"; "specify the parameters" quantify - use as a quantifier choose, pick out, select, take - pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives; "Take any one of these cards"; "Choose a good husband for your daughter"; "She selected a pair of shoes from among the dozen the salesgirl had shown her" name - mention and identify by name; "name your accomplices!" reset - set anew; "They re-set the date on the clock" define - give a definition for the meaning of a word; "Define `sadness'" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
define
verb
1. mark out, outline, limit, bound, delineate, circumscribe, demarcate, delimit Armed forces were deployed to define military zones.
2. describe, interpret, characterize, explain, spell out, expound, put into words, give the meaning of How exactly do you define reasonable behaviour?
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
Translations
يُحَدِّدُيُحَدِّد، يُعَرِّف
definovatstanovit
definerepræcisere
määritellämäärittäärajataselvittäätäsmentää
definirati
skilgreina
定義する
정의하다
apibrėžiamasapibrėžimasapibrėžti
definētnoteikt
definovať
opredeliti
definiera
นิยาม
định nghĩa
define
[dɪˈfaɪn] VT1. (= give definition for) → definir; (= characterize) → caracterizar; (= delimit) → determinar, delimitar; (= outline) → destacar
she doesn't define herself as a feminist → no se define como feminista
how would you define yourself politically? → ¿cómo se definiría políticamente?
she doesn't define herself as a feminist → no se define como feminista
how would you define yourself politically? → ¿cómo se definiría políticamente?
2. (Comput) → definir
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
define
[dɪˈfaɪn] vt (= delineate) [+ role, boundary] → définir
[+ word] → définir
Define what you mean by reasonable → Définissez ce que vous entendez par raisonnable.
Define what you mean by reasonable → Définissez ce que vous entendez par raisonnable.
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
define
vt
(= describe) → definieren; conditions, boundaries, powers, duties → bestimmen, festlegen; define custom colours (Comput) → Farbe(n) definieren
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
define
[dɪˈfaɪn] vt (all senses) → precisare, definirethe skyscraper was clearly defined against the sky → il grattacielo si stagliava nettamente contro il cielo
to define a block of text (Comput) → definire un blocco di testo
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
define
(diˈfain) verb to fix or state the exact meaning of. Words are defined in a dictionary.
deˈfinable adjectivedefinition (defiˈniʃən) noun
an explanation of the exact meaning of a word or phrase. Is that definition accurate?
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
define
→ يُحَدِّدُ stanovit definere definieren καθορίζω definir määritellä définir definirati definire 定義する 정의하다 definiëren definere zdefiniować definir определять definiera นิยาม tanımlamak định nghĩa 解释Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009