determine
/dɪˈtəːmɪn
/verb [with object]
1Cause (something) to occur in a particular way or to have a particular nature: it will be her mental attitude that determines her future...
- The discussion then is not necessarily limited to whether nature determines culture or whether nature is simply a cultural construction.
- Because the danger exists that Bank of Ireland and AIB will now be snapped up as globalisation increasingly determines the future of the Irish economy.
- Prior research has shown that both family and community attitudes are influential in determining the amount of involvement of youth in activities.
Synonyms
control, decide, regulate, direct, rule, dictate, govern, condition, form, shape;
affect, have an effect on, influence, exert influence on, sway, act on, work on, mould, modify, alter, touch, have an impact on, impact on
prompt, impel, induce, influence, sway, lead, move, cause, motivate, stimulate, prod, spur on, provoke, incite, dispose, incline, persuade, encourage, urge, inspire;
make
deciding, decisive, conclusive, final, settling, definitive, key, pivotal, crucial, critical, most influential, significant, major, chief, principal, prime, paramount
2Ascertain or establish exactly by research or calculation: the inquest is entrusted with the task of determining the cause of death [with clause]: the point of our study was to determine what is true, not what is practicable...
- We need additional research to determine what remediation methods are most appropriate for which kinds of student impairment.
- Study results vary and some experts say more research is needed to determine what negative impacts DDT has on humans.
- Presenters will also discuss the need for new service delivery systems and research to determine what works.
Synonyms
find out, discover, ascertain, learn, establish, fix, settle, decide, calculate, work out, make out, fathom (out), get/come to know, ferret out, deduce, divine, intuit, diagnose, discern, check, verify, confirm, make certain of, certify
informal figure out, get a fix on
2.1 Mathematics Specify the value, position, or form of (a mathematical or geometrical object) uniquely.Weil's work on polynomial equations led to questions on what properties of a geometric object can be determined purely algebraically....
- Determine the geometric object represented by the equation and draw this object.
3 [no object] Firmly decide: he determined on a withdrawal of his forces [with infinitive]: she determined to tackle Stephen the next day [with clause]: my wife had determined that I must swap my old bike for a car...
- The thought of leading the cloistered life of a nun made her bitterly unhappy, and she determined to run away from the convent.
- Lily had determined that she would not be sad.
- For some reason, they determined on migrating to the eastward, and accordingly set out together in a body.
Synonyms
resolve, decide, come to a decision, make a decision, reach a decision, make up one's mind, choose, elect, opt
formal purpose
4 Law, archaic Bring or come to an end.That particular question must be determined against the appellant....
- The wife requests that the matter of spousal support not be determined at this hearing.
- This issue, as between Mr Rogers and Mrs Bailey, was not determined by the defendant.
Origin
Late Middle English: from Old French determiner, from Latin determinare 'limit, fix', from de- 'completely' + terminare 'terminate'.
Rhymes
- ashy
- ASI
- Asia
- asiago
- Asia Minor
- Asian
- Asian American
- Asian contagion
- Asian Development Bank
- Asian elephant
- Asian flu
- Asian long-horned beetle
- Asianness
- Asian pear
- Asian swamp eel
- Asia-Pacific
- Asia-Pacific region
- Asiatic
- ASIC
- A-side
- aside
- aside from
- as if!
- as if (or like) one owns the place
- as if (or though)