determine English · revision 4104

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1350|origins=la terminus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /dɪˈtɜː.mɪn/, US /dɪˈtɝː.mɪn/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|determinen]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) [[bor|fro|determiner]], 12th century,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) and directly from [[la|dētermināre|t=to enclose, bound, set limits to]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from dē- “off”, or “thoroughly”,^(Etymonline)^(Cresswell 2021) and [[m|la|termināre|t=to mark the end or boundary]], from [[m|la|terminus|t=end, limit, boundary]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) It is related to [[term]], [[terminate]] and [[terminus]].^(Cresswell 2021)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ “To decide a case, render a verdict”: 1350–54 in Barnhart;^(Barnhart 1988) “to settle, decide upon; to fix the bounds of; to come to a firm decision” in the late 14th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It was used in all the senses of the Latin, “to set a limit to, fix”, as well as “to settle, conclude”.^(Cresswell 2021) “To come to an end” is from about 1374, in Chaucer's Boece,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) and “to bring to an end” from 1483,^(OED 1989) senses now chiefly legal.^(SOED 2002) “To set bounds to” is from 1398.^(OED 1989) “To render judgement” and “to give direction or tendency to” are from the early 15th century,^(Etymonline) and “to find out, as the solution of a problem” from the 1640s.^(Etymonline) ''Determination'' is from 1350–54.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1350 – to decide a case.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1374 – to come to an end.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1398 – to set bounds to.^(OED 1989)

+ * early 15th century – to give direction to.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1640s – to find out.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To settle a dispute or question conclusively, with authority.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To find out or establish exactly, as by investigation or calculation.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To cause someone to reach a decision; to [[resolve]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To be the cause of; to fix or regulate: ''supply determines price''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To limit in scope; to set bounds to.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(law)'' To come to an end.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[determinable]]

+ * [[determinant]]

+ * [[determination]]

+ * [[determinative]]

+ * [[determiner]]

+ * [[determinism]]

+ * [[predetermine]]

+ * [[redetermine]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[determined]]

+ * [[term]]

+ * [[terminate]]

+ * [[terminus]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}