EGAVE

define

Academic Word List, sublist 1.

About 30.11 uses per million words.

Meaning

  1. verb To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly.
    the defining power of an optical instrument
  2. verb To settle, decide . .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
  3. verb To express the essential nature of something.
    I define myself as a techno-anarchist.
  4. verb To state the meaning of a word, phrase, sign, or symbol.
    The textbook defined speed as velocity divided by time.
  5. verb 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.
    Person 1: Is she good at math?Person 2: Define "good." If you mean if she is faster than the average middle schooler at multiplication, then yes. If you mean if she is able to do multivariable calculus, then no.
  6. verb To demark sharply the outlines or limits of an area or concept.
    to define the legal boundaries of a property
  7. verb To establish the referent of a term or notation.
  8. noun A kind of macro in source code that replaces one text string with another wherever it occurs.

Similar words

specify delimitate delimit delineate specifying definitional explain clarifying devising indicate

Often followed by

the a and it what their an its as

Word family

definable defined definement definements definer definers defines defining definition definitions

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