determine

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Determined p. pr. & vb. n. Determining. ] [ F. déterminer, L. determinare, determinatum; de + terminare limit, terminus limit. See Term. ] 1. To fix the boundaries of; to mark off and separate. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ God ] hath determined the times before appointed. Acts xvii. 26. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To set bounds to; to fix the determination of; to limit; to bound; to bring to an end; to finish. [ 1913 Webster ]

The knowledge of men hitherto hath been determined by the view or sight. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Now, where is he that will not stay so long
Till his friend sickness hath determined me? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To fix the form or character of; to shape; to prescribe imperatively; to regulate; to settle. [ 1913 Webster ]

The character of the soul is determined by the character of its God. J. Edwards. [ 1913 Webster ]

Something divinely beautiful . . . that at some time or other might influence or even determine her course of life. W. Black. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To fix the course of; to impel and direct; -- with a remoter object preceded by to; as, another's will determined me to this course. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To ascertain definitely; to find out the specific character or name of; to assign to its true place in a system; as, to determine an unknown or a newly discovered plant or its name. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. To bring to a conclusion, as a question or controversy; to settle authoritative or judicial sentence; to decide; as, the court has determined the cause. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. To resolve on; to have a fixed intention of; also, to cause to come to a conclusion or decision; to lead; as, this determined him to go immediately. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. (Logic) To define or limit by adding a differentia. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. (Physical Sciences) To ascertain the presence, quantity, or amount of; as, to determine the parallax; to determine the salt in sea water. [ 1913 Webster ]