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de·fine
 define
- pronunciation:
- dih
faIn
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
defined, defines, defining |
| definition 1: |
to explain or state the meaning of (a word or phrase).
Dictionaries attempt to define words clearly and precisely.You should define unfamiliar terms at the beginning of your paper.- similar words:
- construe, explain, explicate, interpret
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| definition 2: |
to describe the nature or essence of.
Is there one quality that defines human beings?- synonyms:
- characterize
- similar words:
- delineate, describe, designate, determine, represent
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| definition 3: |
to determine the limits or extent of.
The boundaries of the farm are easily defined.- synonyms:
- circumscribe, delimit, demarcate
- similar words:
- bound, describe, determine, establish, mark off
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| definition 4: |
to clearly specify.
The property owner and the electrical contractor defined the terms of their agreement before any work on the house was begun.- synonyms:
- clarify, explain
- similar words:
- elucidate, expound, specify, spell out, state
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| related words: |
depict, differentiate, feature, fix, label, lay, limit, restrain, restrict, set, stake |
| derivations: |
definable (adj.), definably (adv.), definability (n.), definer (n.) |
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