Word Meanings - DEFINE - Book Publishers vocabulary database

L. definire to limit, define; de- + finire to limit, end, finis 1. To fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination; to end. "To define controversies." Barrow. 2. To determine or clearly exhibit the boundaries of; to mark the limits of;

Additional info about word: DEFINE

L. definire to limit, define; de- + finire to limit, end, finis 1. To fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination; to end. "To define controversies." Barrow. 2. To determine or clearly exhibit the boundaries of; to mark the limits of; as, to define the extent of a kingdom or country. 3. To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly; as, the defining power of an optical instrument. Rings . . . very distinct and well defined. Sir I. Newton. 4. To determine the precise signification of; to fix the meaning of; to describe accurately; to explain; to expound or interpret; as, to define a word, a phrase, or a scientific term. They define virtue to be life ordered according to nature. Robynson

Possible synonyms: (Same meaning words of DEFINE)

• Circumscribe
• Define
• designate
• delineate
• limit
• enclose
• confine
• restrict
• fence
• Describe
• Draw
• portray
• explain
• illustrate
• define
• picture
• depict
• represent
• relate
• narrate
• recount
• Nominate
• Name
• specify
• appoint
• individualize
• invest
• present
• entitle

Possible antonyms: (opposite words of DEFINE)

• Misname
• miscall
• misdesignate
• misindicate
• hint
• suggest
• shadow
• adumbrate

Related words: (words related to DEFINE)

• FENCE MONTH
  the month in which female deer are fawning, when hunting is prohibited. Bullokar. -- Fence roof, a covering for defense. "They fitted their shields close to one another in manner of a fence roof." Holland. Fence time, the breeding time of fish or
• INVESTIGATION
  The act of investigating; the process of inquiring into or following up; research; study; inquiry, esp. patient or thorough inquiry or examination; as, the investigations of the philosopher and the mathematician; the investigations of the judge,
• CONFINER
  One who, or that which, limits or restrains.
• DELINEATE
  Delineated; portrayed.
• SUGGESTER
  One who suggests. Beau. & Fl.
• ENCLOSE
  To inclose. See Inclose.
• SUGGEST
  1. To introduce indirectly to the thoughts; to cause to be thought of, usually by the agency of other objects. Some ideas . . . are suggested to the mind by all the ways of sensation and reflection. Locke. 2. To propose with difference or modesty;
• DESIGNATE
  Designated; appointed; chosen. Sir G. Buck.
• SHADOWY
  1. Full of shade or shadows; causing shade or shadow. "Shadowy verdure." Fenton. This shadowy desert, unfrequented woods. Shak. 2. Hence, dark; obscure; gloomy; dim. "The shadowy past." Longfellow. 3. Not brightly luminous; faintly light. The moon
• LIMITARIAN
  Tending to limit.
• DEPICTURE
  To make a picture of; to paint; to picture; to depict. Several persons were depictured in caricature. Fielding.
• PRESENT
  one, in sight or at hand, p. p. of praeesse to be before; prae before 1. Being at hand, within reach or call, within certain contemplated limits; -- opposed to absent. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. John xiv. 25.
• LIMITIVE
  Involving a limit; as, a limitive law, one designed to limit existing powers.
• LIMITABLE
  Capable of being limited.
• PRESENTIVE
  Bringing a conception or notion directly before the mind; presenting an object to the memory of imagination; -- distinguished from symbolic. How greatly the word "will" is felt to have lost presentive power in the last three centuries. Earle. --
• SUGGESTRESS
  A woman who suggests. "The suggestress of suicides." De Quincey.
• REPRESENTABLE
  Capable of being represented.
• SUGGESTION
  Information without oath; an entry of a material fact or circumstance on the record for the information of the court, at the death or insolvency of a party. (more info) 1. The act of suggesting; presentation of an idea. 2. That which is suggested;
• FENCER
  One who fences; one who teaches or practices the art of fencing with sword or foil. As blunt as the fencer's foils. Shak.
• RESTRICT
  Restricted.
• FORESHADOW
  To shadow or typi Dryden.
• PREDEFINE
  To define beforehand.
• UNLIMITED
  1. Not limited; having no bounds; boundless; as, an unlimited expanse of ocean. 2. Undefined; indefinite; not bounded by proper exceptions; as, unlimited terms. "Nothing doth more prevail than unlimited generalities." Hooker. 3. Unconfined; not
• DEFENCE
  See DEFENSE