transitive verb defined, defining
- to determine or set down the boundaries of
- to trace the precise outlines of; delineate
- to determine or state the extent and nature of; describe exactly: define your duties
- to give the distinguishing characteristics of
- to constitute the distinction of; differentiate: reason defines man
- to state the meaning or meanings of (as a word)
Origin:
ME diffinen < OFr definer & ML diffinire, both < L definire, to limit, define < de-, from + finire, to set a limit to, bound: see finish
intransitive verb
to prepare definitions, as of words