▪ I. decide, v.1
(dɪˈsaɪd)
Forms: 4–7 descide, 5 deside, 5–6 decyde, 6 dissyde, discede, 7 discide, 6– decide.
[a. F. décider (1403 in Hatzf.), ad. L. dēcīdĕre to cut off, cut the knot, decide, determine, f. de- I. 2 + -cædĕre to cut. In OF. also des-cider, in Eng. des-, dis-: cf. de- I. 6.]
1. trans. To determine (a question, controversy, or cause) by giving the victory to one side or the other; to bring to a settlement, settle, resolve (a matter in dispute, doubt, or suspense).
| c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 429 Bifore þis cause were descided bytwene wyse men. 1484 Caxton Fables of Alfonce (1889) 4 The cause came before the kyng to be decyded and pletyd. 1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 43 There is great controversie touching the Earthes fourme: which must be descided..or we can safely procede further. 1594 Hooker Eccl. Pol. iv. x. (1611) 146 Till it be..decided who have stood for truth. 1597 Shakes. 2 Hen. IV, iv. i. 182 Either end in peace..Or to the place of difference call the Swords Which must decide it. 1667 Milton P.L. vi. 303 Fit to decide the Empire of great Heav'n. a 1677 Barrow Wks. (1830) I. 363 Advocates plead causes, and judges decide them. 1860 Tyndall Glac. i. xxiv. 170 The proper persons to decide the question. Mod. This day will decide his fate. |
2. To bring to a decision or resolve.
| 1710 Steele Tatler No. 141 ¶2 Have agreed to be decided by your Judgment. 1836 Southey Lett. (1856) IV. 463 This ‘Tasso’ came in good time to decide me in a matter upon which I was hesitating. |
3. absol. or intr. To settle a question in dispute; to pronounce a final judgement. Const. between, in favour of, against; also with clause (or its equivalent).
| 1732 Pope Ep. Bathurst 1 Who shall decide, when Doctors disagree? 1749 Smollett Regicide ii. ii, Let heaven decide Between me and my foes. 1794 Sullivan View Nat. II. 265 To judge and to decide on the authority of historical monuments. 1844 Marryat Privateersman xvii. 124 You shall be the arbitress of her fate, and what you decide shall be irrevocable. 1852 T. D. Hardy Mem. Ld. Langdale 10 His father..had decided that he should be brought up to the medical profession. 1863 Geo. Eliot Romola ii. xxii, Moments when our passions speak and decide for us. |
4. intr. To come to a conclusion, make up one's mind; determine, resolve. Const. inf., on, upon, against.
| 1830 D'Israeli Chas. I, III. i. 8 An English monarch now decided to reign without a Parliament. 1887 C. J. Abbey Eng. Ch. & its Bps. II. 54 Butler soon after this decided against Nonconformity. Mod. Have you decided on going? I have fully decided upon this course. |
† 5. trans. To cut off, separate. Obs. rare.
| 1579 in Fuller Holy & Prof. St. ii. xix. 122 Again, our seat denies us traffick here, The sea too near decides us from the rest. |
▪ II. † deˈcide, v.2 Obs. rare.
[ad. L. dēcid-ĕre to fall down or off, f. de- I. 1 + cadĕre to fall.]
intr. To fall off.
| 1657 Tomlinson Renou's Disp. 265 [The flowers of Hellebore] in whose middle when they are ready to decide, grow short husks. |