2. Free from doubt or wavering; determined; of fixed purpose;
fully settled; positive; resolute; as, a decided opinion
or purpose.
Usage: We call a thing decisive when it has the power or
quality of deciding; as, a decisive battle; we speak
of it as decided when it is so fully settled as to
leave no room for doubt; as, a decided preference, a
decided aversion. Hence, a decided victory is one
about which there is no question; a decisive victory
is one which ends the contest. Decisive is applied
only to things; as, a decisive sentence, a decisive
decree, a decisive judgment. Decided is applied
equally to persons and things. Thus we speak of a man
as decided in his whole of conduct; and as having a
decided disgust, or a decided reluctance, to certain
measures. ``A politic caution, a guarded
circumspection, were among the ruling principles of
our forefathers in their most decided conduct.''
--Burke. ``The sentences of superior judges are final,
decisive, and irrevocable. --Blackstone.
Our seat denies us traffic here; The sea, too near,
decides us from the rest. --Fuller.
2. To bring to a termination, as a question, controversy,
struggle, by giving the victory to one side or party; to
render judgment concerning; to determine; to settle.
So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.
--1 Kings xx.
40.
The quarrel toucheth none but us alone; Betwixt
ourselves let us decide it then. --Shak.