determine

/di-ˈtər-mən/

Middle English, from Anglo-French determiner, from Latin determinare, from de- + terminare to limit, from terminus boundary, limit

verb

  1. to fix conclusively or authoritatively

  2. to decide by judicial sentence

  3. to settle or decide by choice of alternatives or possibilities

determine national policy

determine a plea

decide determine settle rule resolve mean to come or cause to come to a conclusion. decide implies previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or controversy. determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something.