define
 de·fine (dĭ-fīnʹ)v. de·fined, de·fin·ing, de·finesv. tr.
1.
a. To state the precise meaning of (a word or sense of a word, for example).
b. To describe the nature or basic qualities of; explain:
define the properties of a new drug; a study that defines people according to their median incomes.
2.
a. To delineate the outline or form of:
gentle hills that were defined against the sky.
b. To specify distinctly:
define the weapons to be used in limited warfare.
3. To give form or meaning to: “For him, a life is defined by action” (Jay Parini). v. intr.
To make or write a definition. [Middle English definen, diffinen, from Old French definir, diffiner, from Latin dēfīnīre, to limit, determine : dē-, intensive pref.; see de- + fīnis, boundary, limit.] de·fin'a·bilʹi·ty n.de·finʹa·ble adj.de·finʹa·bly adv.de·fineʹment n.de·finʹer n.
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