Hypertext Webster Gateway: "define"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Define \De*fine"\, v. i.
To determine; to decide. [Obs.]

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Define \De*fine"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defined}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Defining}.] [OE. definer, usually, to end, to finish, F.
d['e]finir to define, L. definire to limit, define; de- +
finire to limit, end, finis boundary, limit, end. See
{Final}, {Finish}.]
1. To fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination; to end.
``To define controversies.'' --Barrow.

2. To determine or clearly exhibit the boundaries of; to mark
the limits of; as, to define the extent of a kingdom or
country.

3. To determine with precision; to mark out with
distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly; as, the
defining power of an optical instrument.

Rings . . . very distinct and well defined. --Sir I.
Newton.

4. To determine the precise signification of; to fix the
meaning of; to describe accurately; to explain; to expound
or interpret; as, to define a word, a phrase, or a
scientific term.

They define virtue to be life ordered according to
nature. --Robynson
(More's
Utopia).

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

define
v 1: give a definition for the meaning of a word; "Define
`sadness'"
2: determine the essential quality of [syn: {specify}, {delineate},
{delimit}, {delimitate}]
3: determine the nature of; "What defines a good wine?"
4: delineate the form or outline of: "The tree was clearly
defined by the light"; "The camera could define the
smallest object" [syn: {delineate}]

Additional Hypertext Webster Gateway Lookup

dict.stokkie.net

Gateway by dict@stokkie.net
stock only wrote the gateway and does not have any control over the contents; see the Webster Gateway FAQ, and also the Back-end/database links and credits.