3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:

Define \De*fine"\, verb (used with an object) [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) 2.0 [wn]:

defining

noun

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