Part 2862

<h1>Define</h1> <Xpage=382>

<hw>De*fine"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Defined</er> <tt>(?)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Defining</er>.]</wordforms> <ety>[OE. <ets>definer</ets>, usually, to end, to finish, F. <ets>d\'82finir</ets> to define, L. <ets>definire</ets> to limit, define; <ets>de-</ets> + <ets>finire</ets> to limit, end, <ets>finis</ets> boundary, limit, end. See <er>Final</er>, <er>Finish</er>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>To fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination; to end.</def> "To <i>define</i> controversies."

<i>Barrow.</i>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To determine or clearly exhibit the boundaries of; to mark the limits of; <as>as, to <ex>define</ex> the extent of a kingdom or country</as>.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly; <as>as, the <ex>defining</ex> power of an optical instrument</as>.</def>

<blockquote>Rings . . . very distinct and well <b>defined</b>. <i>Sir I. Newton.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>To determine the precise signification of; to fix the meaning of; to describe accurately; to explain; to expound or interpret; <as>as, to <ex>define</ex> a word, a phrase, or a scientific term</as>.</def>

<blockquote>They <b>define</b> virtue to be life ordered according to nature. <i>Robynson (More's Utopia).</i></blockquote>

<h1>Define</h1> <Xpage=382>

<hw>De*fine"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. i.</tt> <def>To determine; to decide.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<h1>Definement</h1> <Xpage=382>

<hw>De*fine"ment</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>The act of defining; definition; description.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Shak.</i>

<h1>Definer</h1> <Xpage=382>

<hw>De*fin"er</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>One who defines or explains.</def>

<h1>Definite</h1> <Xpage=382>

<hw>Def"i*nite</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>definitis</ets>, p. p. of <ets>definire</ets>: cf. F. <ets>d\'82fini</ets>. See <er>Define</er>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>Having certain or distinct; determinate in extent or greatness; limited; fixed; <as>as, <ex>definite</ex> dimensions; a <ex>definite</ex> measure; a <ex>definite</ex> period or interval.</as></def>

<blockquote>Elements combine in <b>definite</b> proportions. <i>Whewell.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Having certain limits in signification; determinate; certain; precise; fixed; exact; clear; <as>as, a <ex>definite</ex> word, term, or expression</as>.</def>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>Determined; resolved.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Shak.</i>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>Serving to define or restrict; limiting; determining; <as>as, the <ex>definite</ex> article</as>.</def>

<cs><col>Definite article</col> <fld>(Gram.)</fld>, <cd>the article <i>the<i>, which is used to designate a particular person or thing, or a particular class of persons or things; -- also called a <i>definitive<i>. See <er>Definitive</er>, <tt>n.</tt></cd> -- <col>Definite inflorescence</col>. <fld>(Bot.)</fld> <cd>See <cref>Determinate inflorescence</cref>, under <er>Determinate</er>.</cd> -- <col>Law of definite proportions</col> <fld>(Chem.)</fld>, <cd>the essential law of chemical combination that every definite compound always contains the same elements in the same proportions by weight; and, if two or more elements form more than one compound with each other, the relative proportions of each are fixed. Compare <i>Law of multiple proportions<i>, under <er>Multiple</er>.</cd></cs>

<h1>Definite</h1> <Xpage=382>

<hw>Def"i*nite</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>A thing defined or determined.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<h1>Definitely</h1> <Xpage=382>