define Hear it!

define Definition

de·fine (dē fīn′, di-)

transitive verb -·fined′, -·fin′·ing

    1. to determine or set down the boundaries of
    2. to trace the precise outlines of; delineate
  2. to determine or state the extent and nature of; describe exactly define your duties
    1. to give the distinguishing characteristics of
    2. to constitute the distinction of; differentiate reason defines man
  4. to state the meaning or meanings of (as a word)

Etymology: 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

define Related Forms

de·fin′·able adjective de·fin′er noun

define Synonyms

define

v.

  1. To set limits

    delimit, demarcate, fix, settle, bound, confine, limit, outline, circumscribe, mark, set, determine, distinguish, establish, compass, encompass, delineate, mark the limits of, determine the boundaries of, fix the limits of, curb, edge, border, enclose, set bounds to, fence in, rim, encircle, hedge in, wall in, envelop, girdle, gird, belt, flank, stake out; see also surround 1, 2.

    Antonyms confuse*, distort*, mix*. *

  2. To provide a name or description

    describe, explain, determine, specify, characterize, entitle, ascertain, name, label, designate, individualize, differentiate, formalize, elucidate, interpret, clarify, illustrate, give the meaning of, gloss, paraphrase, annotate, represent, render precise, individuate, find out, spell out, literalize, construe, denominate, denote, expound, translate, exemplify, assign, prescribe, style, dub; see also describe, explain, name 1, 2.

    Antonyms misunderstand*, misconstrue*, obscure.

define Usage Examples

Object

  • characteristic: For many people involved in politics the defining characteristic of the drive for equality is the strength of the state intervention in reducing inequality.
  • boundary: At long last the boundaries there defined will be the measure of her territory.
  • moment: The 1997 General Election's defining TV moment was Michael Portillo's defeat in Enfield Southgate by Stephen Twigg.
  • scope: She helped define the scope of work and fees for the artist.
  • variable: We proceed as is usual for modeling a problem, by defining variables.
  • criterion: Governments who want to exclude a particular import must prove their case to the WTO according to its own narrowly defined criteria.

Subject

boundary: That limit is defined by a green belt boundary which is set for the next 30 years.

Modifying Another Word

  • clearly: Clive Osborne: " We did some initial research in-house in order to help us clearly define our requirements.
  • broadly: In this module, childhood will be defined broadly to consider the life stages from birth to marriage.
  • precisely: The solution was to focus the study on one specific genre of contemporary cinema, in a precisely defined time period.
  • narrowly: The literacy test in particular is narrowly defined: reading for information, not writing or other aspects of reading.

Used with why or when

  • who: Defining who ' we ' are necessitates the continuous construction and reconstruction of the ' others ' , the ' enemies ' .
  • what: He does not define exactly what was " handed on to us.
  • which: First, in the stereoscope the two flat images are placed side by side, defining very clearly which eye sees what image.
  • where: ICPs also provide a means of agreeing local referral and treatment or protocols to define where and when particular clients should be referred.
  • when: Thresholds would be part of defining when 'damage ' to a crop is caused.

Preposition: in

  • curses.h: The argument values, which are defined in curses.h, provide sev- eral types of information.
  • term: These relationship are defined in terms of indigenous social judgements.
  • section: Credit arrangements ( as defined in section 7 ) will continue to be treated like borrowing under the new system.

Preposition: by

boundary: That limit is defined by a green belt boundary which is set for the next 30 years.