Defining

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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.
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     2. To determine or clearly exhibit the boundaries of; to mark
        the limits of; as, to define the extent of a kingdom or
        country.
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     3. To determine with precision; to mark out with
        distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly; as, the
        defining power of an optical instrument.
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              Rings . . . very distinct and well defined. --Sir I.
                                                    Newton.
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     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.
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              They define virtue to be life ordered according to
              nature.                               --Robynson
                                                    (More's
                                                    Utopia).
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  defining
       n : any process serving to define the shape of something [syn: {shaping}]

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  26 Moby Thesaurus words for "defining":
     categorical, characteristic, classificational, classificatory,
     confining, definitive, denominative, differential, distinctive,
     divisional, divisionary, exclusive, limitary, limitative, limiting,
     ordinal, particular, peculiar, restricting, restrictive, special,
     specific, subdivisional, taxonomic, typal, typical