identifying

Variant of identify

identify definition

iden·tify (ī den′tə fī′)

transitive verb identified -·fied′, identifying -·fy′·ing

  1. to make identical; consider or treat as the same to identify one's interests with another's
  2. to recognize as being or show to be the very person or thing known, described, or claimed; fix the identity of to identify a biological specimen
  3. to connect, associate, or involve closely to identify a person with a school of thought
  4. Psychoanalysis to make an identification of (oneself) with someone else: often used absolutely

Etymology: LL identificare: see identity & -fy

intransitive verb

to put oneself in another's place, so as to understand and share the other's thoughts, feelings, problems, etc.; sympathize (with)

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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