determine, v.
(dɪˈtɜːmɪn)
[a. OF. determine-r (12th c. in Littré), = Pr., Sp., It. determinar, ad. L. dētermināre to bound, limit, determine, fix, f. L. de- I. 3 + termināre to set bounds to.]
I. To put an end or limit to; to come to an end.
1. trans. To put an end to (in time); to bring to an end; to end, conclude, terminate. (Now chiefly in Law.)
| 1483 Cath. Angl. 98 To Determyn, determinare, diffinire, distinguere, finire. 1494 Fabyan Chron. 5 At the Conquest I haue eke determyned The vi. part. c 1510 More Picus Wks. 9/1 Death determineth the manifolde incommodities..of this life. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon lviii. 199 It behoueth vs shortely to determyne oure besynes. 1651 Smith in Fuller's Abel Rediv., Willet 573 Here also God determined his travails. 1709 Steele Tatler No. 167 ¶5 Her Husband's Death.. would certainly have determined her Life. 1785 Paley Mor. Philos. (1818) I. 326 To determine a connexion which is become odious to both. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) IV. 444 A warranty..may be defeated, determined, or avoided, in all or in part. 1845 Stephen Laws Engl. (ed. 6) I. 298 The lessee..hath determined his estate by his own default. 1874 Stubbs Const. Hist. (1875) II. xvi. 441 The death of Edward III determined the crisis. |
† b. To cause to end in (some conclusion). Obs.
| a 1668 Denham Poems 98 The people join'd In glad consent, and all their common fear Determine in my fate. 1673 Temple Observ. United Prov. Wks. 1731 I. 25 Albert bent the whole Force of the War upon France, till he determined it in a Peace with that Crown. |
2. intr. (for refl.) To come to an end; to cease to exist or be in force; to expire, to die. (Now chiefly in Law.)
| c 1374 Chaucer Troylus iii. 330 (379) That rather dye I wold, and determyne, As thinkith me, stokkid in prisoun. 1571 Ludlow Churchw. Acc. (Camden) 147 His interest in the said pewe to determyne. 1607 Shakes. Cor. iii. iii. 43 Must all determine heere? 1615 G. Sandys Trav. 73 His life was to determine with his fathers. 1677 Cary Chronol. ii. i. i. v. 104 The Year..was that in which the 4th of the 6th Olympiad did Determine. 1770 Langhorne Plutarch (1879) I. 422/2 The changes we have to experience only determine with our lives. 1794 Mathias Purs. Lit. (1798) 289 The custom ceased and determined at Sir Matthew Mite's election. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) V. 56 In fact the estate of Martin did not determine by his death, surrender, or forfeiture, but by the death of King Charles II. 1883 Gladstone Sp. in Parl. 19 July, The privileges..do not determine with the life of M. de Lesseps. |
b. To end in (a termination, conclusion, or result); ‘to end consequentially’ (J.). Obs. or arch.
| 1605 Camden Rem. (1637) 143/4 As long as issue male continued, which determined in John Moubray Duke of Norfolke. a 1631 Donne in Spurgeon Treas. Dav. Ps. lxvi. 3 As long as their rage determined in his person, he opened not his mouth. 1654 Trapp Comm. Job xxi. 13 Their merry dance determineth in a miserable downfall. 1684 Contempl. State of Man i. vii. (1699) 71 The Misery wherein all the Felicity of this World is to determin. a 1716 South Serm. (1744) X. 78 But that which begins in vanity, must needs determine in vexation of spirit. 1767 Byron's Voy. r. World 114 The head is small..and determines in a snout. 1875 Stubbs Const. Hist. III. xviii. 4 The crisis..is to determine in that struggle between the crown and the commons which the last two centuries have decided. |
† 3. trans. To set bounds to; to bound, limit.
| 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xix. i. (1495) 861 Colour is the vttermest party..that is determyned fro the vtter party of a bodyly thynge. 1571 Digges Pantom. i. Elem. B ij, A Circle is a plaine figure, determined with one line, which is called a Circumference. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 128 Many of the Geographers set not downe Indus the riuer, for to determine the marches of the Indians Westward. 1654 Cromwell Sp. 22 Jan. (Carlyle), It determines his power. 1689 Col. Rec. Pennsylv. I. 311 The Two Countyes shall have the Moors of the sayd Countyes otherwise determined. a 1732 Atterbury (J.), That hill which thus determines their view at a distance. |
b. Logic. To limit by adding differences; to limit in scope.
| [1555 W. Watreman Fardle Facions ii. iv. 141 Determinyng the Tradicions of Moyses, by certein ordenaunces and decrees, whiche thei them selues [Phariseis] sette vp.] 1838 Sir W. Hamilton Logic xi. (1866) I. 194 When we determine any notion by adding on a subordinate concept, we divide it. 1842 Abp. Thomson Laws Th. lxxxvii. (1860) 158 Some mark may be added..which narrows the extent of both, but renders them more definite—better determined. |
† c. To limit to, restrict to. Obs.
| 1450–1530 Myrr. our Ladye 101 Soche a fredome as is determyned to nothynge in certeyne, but yt may be applyed generally. 1659 Hammond On Ps. xix. 11 Annot. 115 The context seems rather to determine it to the first..sense. 1690 Locke Hum. Und. iii. ix. §17 No one has Authority to determine the signification of the word Gold..more to one Collection of Ideas..than to another. 1691 Ray Creation ii. (1704) 380 Not..necessarily determined to one manner of Respiration. |
II. To bring to an end a dispute, controversy, or doubtful matter; to conclude, settle, decide, fix.
4. trans. To settle or decide (a dispute, question, matter in debate), as a judge or arbiter.
| c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 345 Þat ȝif þe pope determine ouȝt, þanne it is soiþ & to bileue. c 1440 Generydes 1695 To determyne [MS. -mytte] this mater, Generydes was brought owt. 1526 Tindale Acts xix. 39 Itt may be determined in a lawfull congregacion. 1530 Palsgr. 514/2, I determyne, I make a conclusion in a mater. 1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 246 Sitting in his long gowne, or riche robe, is occupied in suche matters as are of him to be determined. 1588 Shakes. Tit. A. i. i. 407 Let the lawes of Rome determine all. 1660 Trial Regic. 9 Authorized by the King's Majestie to hear, and determine, all Treasons, Felonies, and other Offences. c 1710 C. Fiennes Diary (1888) 260 Matters of Life and death are not here tryed or determined. 1868 Milman St. Paul's vii. 133 The Dean presided in all causes brought before the Chapter, and determined them. 1868 M. Pattison Academ. Org. iv. 114 This ambiguity should be determined in one direction or in the other. |
b. with an object expressing the sentence, conclusion, or issue.
| 1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. I. (1843) 6/1 He would undertake..that his presence would in a moment determine the restitution of the palatinate to his brother and sister. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 181 ¶3 The time at which every man's fate was to be determined. 1752 Hume Ess. & Treat. (1777) I. 108 The laws will..determine the punishment of the criminal. 1832 H. Martineau Each & All v. 67 The circumstances which determine the recompense of each. 1853 J. H. Newman Hist. Sk. (1873) II. i. ii. 86 It was an era which determined the history of the world. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) V. 63 The law will determine all our various duties towards relatives. |
c. with subordinate clause, expressing the matter at issue.
| 1399 Pol. Poems (Rolls) I. 385 And whedir the grounde of ȝiste were good other ille, trouthe hathe determyned. 1561 J. Daus Bullinger on Apoc. (1573) 192 Lucius the third..determineth playnly, that heretickes are stricken with an euerlastyng curse. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 227 To determine what was meetest to be done in this matter. 1589 R. Harvey Pl. Perc. (1590) 15 As senseles, as they which determine vpon an Ale bench whether the passenger..be a Saint or a Diuell. 1611 Bible Acts xxvii. 1 When it was determined [earlier vv. demed, concluded, decreed] that we should saile into Italy. 1747 Col. Rec. Pennsylv. V. 105 It might now be determin'd whether the Council's Speech to the Assembly..shou'd be Printed. 1834 Southey Doctor lxv. (1862) 137 Far happier are they who always know what they are to do, than they who have to determine what they will do. 1887 Ruskin Præterita II. 179, I determined that the Alps were, on the whole, best seen from below. |
5. intr. To come to a judicial decision; to give a decision; to decide. † Const. of (on).
| c 1384 Chaucer H. Fame i. 343 Wayte vpon the conclusyon, And eke how that ye determynen, And for the more part diffynen. c 1477 Caxton Jason 72 Smale thinges of which they shall haue the knowleche for to determine. 1579 Tomson Calvin's Serm. Tim. 41/2 Suche men..although they affirme, yet can they certeinely determine of nothing. 1598 Hakluyt Voy. I. 68 Neither..to speake of any affaires, after they haue beene determined of by the Emperour. 1613 Shakes. Hen. VIII, i. i. 214 You shall to th' Tower, till you know How he determines further. 1634 W. Tirwhyt tr. Balzac's Lett. 244 Who have reason enough to doubt, but not science sufficiently to determine rightly. 1709 Strype Ann. Ref. I. xxxix. 447 Cox, Bishop of Ely, determined on both questions. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 155 ¶4 The general inability of man to determine rightly concerning his own. 1759 Franklin Ess. Wks. 1840 III. 268 The representatives of the people have an undoubted right to judge and determine..of the sum to be raised. 1767 Junius Lett. xxxv. 166 What..remains, but to leave it to the people to determine for themselves?.. They alone ought to determine. |
† b. To decide for. Obs.
| 1624–25 Bp. R. Montagu Corr. J. Cosin (1869) I. 42, I determine next weke for Pettworth. 1750 Bp. Hurd in Warburton's Lett. (1809) 52 He has determined for the Law. |
c. To decide or fix upon, on. (Blending with 18 c, q.v.)
† 6. To lay down decisively or authoritatively; to pronounce, declare, state. (Const. as in 4, 5.)
| 1393 Gower Conf. III. 86 Of theorique principall The philosophre in speciall The propretes hath determined. c 1400 Rom. Rose 4885 Of ech synne it is the rote..As Tulius can determyne. 1486 Bk. St. Albans, Her. A j a, Here in thys booke folowyng is determyned the lynage of Coote armuris. |
† b. To decide or declare to be; to term. Obs.
| 1653 H. More Antid. Ath. ii. xi. (1712) 161 This he determines primogenious moisture. |
† 7. trans. To settle or fix beforehand; to ordain, decree; to ordain what is to be done. Obs.
| 1382 Wyclif Acts xvii. 26 Determynynge tymes ordeyned, and termes of habitacioun. 1535 Coverdale Isa. x. 23 Y⊇ Lorde..shal perfectly fulfil the thinge, that he hath determyned. 1586 A. Day Eng. Secretary i. (1625) 121 His houre was come, so was it determined, which way could he shun it? 1611 Bible 1 Sam. xxv. 17 For evil is determined against our master. 1677 Hale Prim. Orig. Man. iii. iii. 263 Some superintendent Intellectual Nature, that by certain election and choice determined things. 1758 S. Hayward Serm. xiv. 408 God..determined holiness to be the way to everlasting happiness. |
8. trans. To fix or decide causally; to condition as a cause or antecedent.
| 1651 Hobbes Leviath. i. x. 42 As in other things..not the seller, but the buyer determines the Price. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 141 ¶2 The whole tenor of his life has been determined by some accident of no apparent moment. 1839 Murchison Silur. Syst. i. xxxvi. 505 These divergences have..been determined by the eruptive forces which evolved the trap rocks. 1856 Emerson Eng. Traits, Wealth Wks. (Bohn) II. 72 The wealth of London determines prices all over the globe. 1874 Sayce Compar. Philol. ii. 73 Dante has determined classical Italian. 1883 Gilmour Mongols xviii. 213 His religion..determines for him the colour and cut of his coat. |
9. To decide upon (one of several); to fix (which or what it is to be).
| 1659 Pearson Creed (1662) 195 The apertion of the wombe determineth the first-born. 1720 Ozell Vertot's Rom. Rep. II. x. 155 To rob his Enemy of the cruel Pleasure of determining the kind of..Death. 1771 E. Griffith tr. Viaud's Shipwreck 37 Let us then determine the first passengers by lot. 1850 M{supc}Cosh Div. Govt. iii. i. (1874) 269 It is the will which determines what is to be preferred or rejected. 1886 Sir J. Stirling in Law Times' Rep. LV. 283/2 Determining what particulars of objections ought to be allowed. |
b. with alternative clause.
| 1772 Hist. Rochester 33 Whether in this tower..I cannot determine. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) VI. 325 To determine whether he should or should not consider it as his own. |
† 10. To conclude from reasoning, investigation, etc. (a thing to be, or that it is). Obs.
| 1494 Fabyan Chron. iv. lxxv. 53 Whiche length of tyme is of some Auctour determyned to be longe and of some but shorte. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 163 b, Rosell, Angelus, & other doctours determyneth & concludeth that [etc.]. 1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 26 Stadium..which length Plinie determineth to be 125 pases. 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. ii. ii. iii. (1676) 162/2 Thus Clavius and Maginus, etc., with their followers, vary and determine of these celestial orbs and bodies. 1788 Priestley Lect. Hist. iii. xvi. 139 Bishop Fleetwood has determined..that five pounds in this reign was equivalent to twenty eight, or thirty, now. 1814 Mrs. Jane West Alicia de Lacy IV. 218 Hereford determined him to be an audacious knave. |
11. trans. To ascertain definitely by observation, examination, calculation, etc. (a point previously unknown or uncertain); to fix as known.
| 1650 Fuller Pisgah i. vii. 18 It is hard to determin their exact habitation. 1696 Whiston Th. Earth 11 (1722) 121 The entire Circle may still be describ'd, and its Original Situation determin'd. 1715 Desaguliers Fires Impr. 24 We shall in the third Book determine the..Bigness..and Situation of those Cavities. 1737 Whiston Josephus's Hist. Pref. §10 The measures of those edifices..all accurately determined. 1806 Hutton Course Math. I. 367 Having given the Area..of a Rectangle, inscribed in a given Triangle; to determine the Sides of the Rectangle. 1811 Pinkerton Petral. I. 357 A rock very difficult to determine. 1824 De Quincey Pol. Econ. Dial. v. (1860) 553 As when I say that the thermometer determines the heat, viz., that it determines or ascertains it to my knowledge. 1860 Tyndall Glac. i. viii. 60 We also determined both the velocity and the width of the Glacier. 1861 F. Hall in Jrnl. Asiat. Soc. Bengal 147 He has determined him to A.D. 490. 1878 R. B. Smith Carthage 201 Some difficulty in determining the route by which he approached it. |
12. Geom. (trans.) To fix or define the position of.
| 1840 Lardner Geom. xiii. 159 To determine a similar system of points. 1885 C. Leudesdorf Cremona's Proj. Geom. 175 Two projective ranges of points determine an involution; for they determine the straight line s, which determines the involution. |
b. intr. To be defined as to position.
| 1885 C. Leudesdorf Cremona's Proj. Geom. 285 All straight lines passing through U determine on the circumference. |
13. To discuss and resolve a disputed question (determinare quæstionem), or maintain a thesis against an opponent in a scholastic disputation, especially in a disputation by which a student entered upon the degree of B.A.; hence, absolutely, To perform the exercises of determination (sense 4) which completed the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and enabled the student to proceed to qualify himself for the Master's degree. Obs. exc. Hist.
| [1267 in Munim. Acad. Oxon. (Rolls) I. 34 Ut certa forma provideretur sub qua Bachillarii artium determinaturi ad determinandum forent admittendi.] 1570–6 Lambarde Peramb. Kent (1826) 193 That a young Novesse should thus boldly determine at their disputations. 1649 Order 26 Jan. in Wood Life (Oxf. H.S.) I. 149 That all Bachelaurs of this University who have not determined the last yeare do determine this Lent. 1691 ― Ath. Oxon. II. 413 After he had taken the degree of Bach. of Arts and determined. a 1695 ― Life II. 517 Every bachelor was to determine twice between the 17 Feb. to 7 March. 1708 J. Chamberlayne St. Gt. Brit. i. iii. xi. (1743) 281 He is obliged..to propose a question in the publick Schools within a Year after he hath taken the said Degree [D.D.], and to determine upon the same. 1878 A. Clark Reg. Univ. Oxf. (O.H.S.) II. i. 50 In some cases the University bound over the ‘admissi’ to determine next Lent under a money penalty. Ibid., On 17 Feb. 1599 a committee was apppointed to provide a scheme by which bachelors presented might be compelled to determine. |
III. To direct to some end or conclusion; to come to some conclusion.
14. trans. To give a terminus or aim to; to give tendency or direction to; to direct; to decide the course of; to impel to (some destination).
| a 1430 Lydg. Bochas ix. xxxii. (1554) 211 b, He..Gan his compleint to Bochas determine. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 121 ¶1 Such an Operation..as..determines all the Portions of Matter to their proper Centres. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 151 ¶4 Accidental impulses determine us to different paths. 1753 N. Torriano Gangr. Sore Throat 71 Determining the morbific Matter from the internal to the..external Parts. 1798 Malthus Popul. (1806) II. iii. x. 252 Thus determining a greater quantity of capital to this particular employment. 1842 Grove Corr. Phys. Forces 80 A power..of determining the oxygen of the liquid to its surface. |
b. fig. To direct, impel, give a direction or definite bias to.
| 1529 More Dyaloge i. Wks. 164/2 Ye shoulde not haue wyste on which parte to determine your byleue. 1613 J. Salkeld Treat. Angels 221 Are by reason of the same beatitude so prevented and determined to all good..that in no wise they can sinne. 1662 Stillingfl. Orig. Sacr. iii. iii. §7 If this power of determining its self either way must be taken away. a 1670 Rust Disc. Truth (1682) 189 It is no imperfection in God to be determined to Good. 1690 Locke Hum. Und. ii. xxi. §50 We are endowed with a power to suspend any particular desire, and keep it from determining the will, and engaging us in action. 1772 W. Cullen Inst. Med. iv. §202 Animals are determined to take in aliment by the appetites of hunger and thirst. 1836–7 Sir W. Hamilton Metaph. (1877) I. ii. 23 Speculative truth is valuable only as it determines a greater quantity of higher power into activity. 1842 Grove Corr. Phys. Forces 86 It only determines or facilitates the action of chemical force. |
15. intr. To take its course, go, tend to (a particular terminus or destination). arch.
| 1651 Life Father Sarpi (1676) 61 Until it might be discerned whether the malady would determine to life, or death. 1656 Sanderson Serm. (1689) 542 They all determine and concentre there. 1805 W. Saunders Min. Waters 293 A dose of this water..will generally determine pretty powerfully to the kidnies. 1839 Bailey Festus xxi. (1848) 272 To these they all determine. 1858 Sears Athan. iii. iv. 290 When the separating judgment shall come on, and each [human being] determines to the place he loves. |
† b. intr. To be directed upon (anything) as a goal or final object. Obs.
| 1649 Jer. Taylor Gt. Exemp. ii. Ad §12. 94 The hopes of a Christian ought not to determine upon any thing lesse than heaven. Ibid. iv. §18 To suffer corporal austerities with thoughts determining upon the external action or imaginations of sanctity inherent in the action. |
16. trans. To decide the course of (a person); to bring to the determination, decision, or resolution (to do something).
| 1672 Wilkins Nat. Relig. 29 He..shall not be able to determine himself to the belief or practice of any thing. 1712 Steele Spect. No. 278 ¶2 A distressed Damsel, who intends to be determined by your Judgment. 1741 Middleton Cicero (1742) III. ix. 56 All these informations determined him at last not to venture to the Senate. 1788 T. Jefferson Writ. (1859) II. 520 Determining the fishermen to carry on their trade from their own homes. 1818 M. W. Shelley Frankenst. vi. (1865) 97 These reflections determined me and I resolved to remain silent. 1821 Scott Kenilw. xx, A step to which Janet by farther objections only determined her the more obstinately. 1886 Dowden Shelley II. i. 7. [She] took credit to herself for having determined Shelley to travel abroad. |
† 17. refl. To bring oneself to a decision; to come to the resolve (to do something). [= F. se determiner.] Obs.
| 1393 Gower Conf. I. 267 They upon this medicine Appointen hem and determine That..They wolde [etc.]. 1477 Earl Rivers (Caxton) Dictes 1, I determyned me to take that voyage. 1490 Act 7 Hen. VII, c. 1 Preamb., The King..hath determined himself to pass over the Sea. 1701 tr. Le Clerc's Prim. Fathers (1702) 57 Tis the part of a Witty Man, to Determine himself speedily upon all sorts of Questions. |
18. intr. (for refl.) To come to the decision, resolve definitely (to do something). † In early use often to determine with oneself.
| 1450–1530 Myrr. our Ladye 226 The moste meke wylle of the Vyrgyn vtterly determyned to sarue god. 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. ii. vi, I have determyned in my judgement, For La Bell Pucell..To passe the waye of so greate jeopardy. 1526–34 Tindale Acts xx. 16 Paul had determined [Wyclif, Rhem., purposed] to leave Ephesus as they sailed. 1530 Palsgr. 514/2 Whan I determyne with my selfe to do a thyng. 1548 Hall Chron. 187 b, He in the meane season determined to make hys abode in Scotland. Ibid. 194 b, He determined with him selfe clerely to marye with her. 1590 Marlowe 2nd Pt. Tamburl. ii. ii, Determines straight To bid us battle for our dearest lives. 1769 Robertson Chas. V, V. iv. 375 He determined to set the highest price upon Francis's freedom. 1808 Med. Jrnl. XIX. 437 The obstinacy..of the fever made me determine..to administer some remedy. 1891 E. Peacock N. Brendon I. 310 Narcissa determined to go at once. |
b. with subordinate clause or equivalent.
| 1582 N. Lichefield, tr. Castanheda's Conq. E. Ind. i. 3 Taking order and determining with Pedro.., that at a time appointed they shuld meet. 1594 Marlowe & Nashe Dido v. i, That have I not determin'd with myself. 1736 Butler Anal. i. i. Wks. 1874 I. 24 A man determines, that he will look at such an object. |
c. To resolve upon, on, † of (some course of action). With indirect passive, to be determined on or upon.
This appears to combine senses 5 and 18, and to pass imperceptibly from the sense decide to that of resolve.
| 1607 Shakes. Cor. iv. i. 35 Determine on some course. 1636 tr. Ariana 307, I could not as yet determine of what I was to doe. 1754 J. Shebbeare Matrimony (1766) I. 19 [This] seduced him to determine on the Life of a Gentleman, when his Uncle should die. 1801 C. Smith Solitary Wand. I. 33 Unable to determine on what answer they were to give. 1883 Froude Short Stud. IV. i. vi. 69 The bishops..determined on a further appeal to the pope. 1885 Manch. Exam. 26 June 5/4 Not at present definitely determined on. |
d. impers. pass.
| 1852 Mrs. Stowe Uncle Tom's C. xxix, It was determined to sell the place. |
19. to be determined, to have come to a decision or definite resolve (to do something); to be finally and firmly resolved. (Cf. determined ppl. a.)
| 1513 More in Grafton Chron. (1568) II. 771 If she finally were determined to kepe him. 1529 ― Dyaloge i. Wks. 161/2 One, whom she is determined neuer to mary. 1594 Shakes. Rich. III, i. i. 30 Therefore, since I cannot proue a Louer..I am determined to proue a Villaine. 1601 ― Jul. C. v. i. 100 What are you then determined to do? 1725 De Foe Voy. round World (1840) 19 If I had been otherwise determined. 1793 Smeaton Edystone L. §208 Being now determined as to the composition of the mortar for the Edystone. 1866 Geo. Eliot F. Holt (1868) 17 No; I'm determined not to sleep up-stairs. |
† b. To be bound for. Obs.
| 1784 R. Bage Barham Downs I. 222 Sir George is determined for Switzerland in a few days. |