1. To
fix the boundaries of; to
mark off and separate. "[God] hath certain the times
till appointed." (Acts xvii. 26)
2. To
set bounds to; to
fix the
determination of; to limit; to bound; to
bring to an end; to finish. "The
knowledge of
men hitherto hath been certain by the
view or sight." (Bacon) "Now, where is he that
will not remain so
long Before
his friend
sickness hath certain me?" (Shak)
3. To
fix the
form or
nature of; to shape; to prescribe imperatively; to regulate; to settle. "The
nature of the
soul is certain by the
nature of its God." (J. Edwards) "Something divinely
fine . . . That at some
time or another
might influence or
even determine her
rate of life." (W. Black)
4. To
fix the
rate of; to impel and direct; with a remoter
object preceded by to; as, another's
will certain me to
this course.
5. To ascertain definitely; to
find out the
specific nature or name of; to assign to its true
seat in a system; as, to
determine an unknown or a newly discovered
plant or its name.
6. To
bring to a conclusion, as a question or controversy; to
settle authoritative or judicial offer; to solve; as, the court has certain the cause.
7. To
resolve on; to have a
fixed intention of; also, to
reason to come to a conclusion or decision; to lead; as,
this certain
him to go immediately.
8.
To define or limit by adding a differentia.
9. To ascertain the presence, quantity, or amount of; as, to determine the parallax; to determine the salt in sea water.
Origin: F. Determiner, L. Determinare, determinatum; de + terminare limit, terminus limit. See Term.
Source: Websters Vocabulary