decision English · revision 2589

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=mid-15th century|origins=la dēcīdere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /dɪˈsɪʒ.ən/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|decisioun]], [[bor|frm|décision]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000) from [[la|dēcīsiō|t=a cutting short; a settlement]],^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) from dēcīsus, the past participle of [[m|la|dēcīdere|t=to cut off; to decide]],^(AHD 2000)^(Klein 1966) the source of [[decide]].^(Barnhart 1988) The verb is from [[m|la|dē-|t=off]] and [[m|la|caedere|t=to cut]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The act of deciding: the mid-15th century^(Etymonline) or about 1454.^(Barnhart 1988) The OED's first quotation, for the deciding of a contest or question, is from 1490.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A final judgment or opinion in a case is from the 1550s,^(Etymonline) 1552 in the OED.^(OED 1989) The literal sense “cutting off, separation” was used from 1584^(OED 1989) until 1711.^(HTOED) The quality of being decided in character, “determination”, is by 1781,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and “a resolution, the making up of one's mind” by 1886.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) In boxing, a win on points is a ''decision'',^(AHD) and the verb, to beat on points, is from 1914 in Merriam-Webster.^(MWU 2024) ''Decision-making'' is by 1946.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * mid-15th century – the act of deciding.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1552 – a judgment in a case.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1584 – a cutting off.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1781 – firmness of character.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1886 – the making up of one's mind.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1914 – verb, to win on points.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1946 – ''decision-making''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A conclusion reached after thought; a choice.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # The act of reaching a conclusion or making up one's mind.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # A judgment or [[verdict]], as of a court.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # Firmness of character; [[determination]].^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(boxing)'' A win on points.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # ''(boxing)'' To beat on points.^(AHD)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[decisional]]

+ * [[decision-making]]

+ * [[indecision]]

+ * [[nondecision]]

+ * [[predecision]]

+ * [[redecision]]

+ * [[subdecision]]

+ * [[decision procedure]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[decide]]

+ * [[decisive]]

+ * [[incision]]

+ * [[precise]]

+ * [[concise]]

+ * [[scissors]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage Dictionary compares ''decision'' with ''conclusion'' and ''determination''.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}