DEFINE

specify, set, determine, define, fix, limit

(verb) decide upon or fix definitely; “fix the variables”; “specify the parameters”

define

(verb) give a definition for the meaning of a word; “Define ‘sadness’”

specify, define, delineate, delimit, delimitate

(verb) determine the essential quality of

define

(verb) determine the nature of; “What defines a good wine?”

define, delineate

(verb) show the form or outline of; “The tree was clearly defined by the light”; “The camera could define the smallest object”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

define (third-person singular simple present defines, present participle defining, simple past and past participle defined)

To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly.

(obsolete) To settle, decide (an argument etc.) [16th-17th c.]

To express the essential nature of something.

To state the meaning of a word, phrase, sign, or symbol.

To describe, explain, or make definite and clear; used to request the listener or other person to elaborate or explain more clearly his or her intended meaning of a word or expression.

To demark sharply the outlines or limits of an area or concept.

(mathematics) To establish the referent of a term or notation.

Noun

define (plural defines)

(programming) A kind of macro in source code that replaces one text string with another wherever it occurs.

Anagrams

• feed-in, feedin', infeed

Source: Wiktionary

De*fine", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Defined; p. pr. & vb. n. Defining.] Etym: [OE. definer, usually, to end, to finish, F. définir 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).

De*fine", v. i.

Definition: To determine; to decide. [Obs.]

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition