define English · revision 6099

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1374|origins=la fīnis}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

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

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English diffynen, definen, [[bor|xno|definer]], [[bor|fro|definir]], earlier diffinir “to end, determine”, and directly [[bor|la|dēfīnīre|t=to limit, determine, explain]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|dē-|t=completely]] and [[m|la|fīnīre|t=to bound, limit]] (see [[finish]]), from [[m|la|fīnis|t=boundary, end]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) The Old French definer comes from a Romance variant of the Latin verb.^(Hoad 1986)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ About 1380, to specify, in Chaucer's translation of Boethius, and in the ''House of Fame'' to end;^(Barnhart 1988) the OED has the intransitive sense of determining or deciding from about 1374 and to bring to an end from about 1384, both obsolete.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Of words and phrases, to state what is meant, to describe exactly, is late 14th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) To determine or mark the limits of a thing is from about 1400,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) to set bounds to or restrict from 1513,^(OED 1989) and to fix or decide something definitely from 1535.^(OED 1989) To make clear in outline or form, as a shape against the light, is from 1815.^(OED 1989) The old sense of bringing a controversy to an end lasted into the late 17th century.^(SOED 2002) [[definition|alt=Definition]] is about 1384, a decision, in the Wycliffe Bible,^(Barnhart 1988) and [[definite]] is before 1500.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1374 – to determine, decide.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1380 – to specify, in Chaucer.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1384 – to bring to an end.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1400 – to mark the limits of.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1535 – to fix definitely.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1815 – to make definite in outline.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To state the exact [[meaning]] of a word or phrase.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To describe the nature or essential qualities of something.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To fix or mark the [[boundary]] or extent of.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To show clearly the outline or form of.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To be the distinguishing feature of; to [[characterize]].^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[definability]]

+ * [[definable]]

+ * [[definably]]

+ * [[definement]]

+ * [[definer]]

+ * [[misdefine]]

+ * [[predefine]]

+ * [[redefine]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[definiendum]]

+ * [[definiens]]

+ * [[definite]]

+ * [[definition]]

+ * [[finish]]

+ * [[finite]]

+ * [[fine]]

+ * [[final]]

+ * [[refine]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}