define

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. v. To state the precise meaning of (a word or sense of a word, for example).
2. v. 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.
3. v. To delineate the outline or form of: gentle hills that were defined against the sky.
4. v. To specify distinctly: define the weapons to be used in limited warfare.
5. v. To give form or meaning to: "For him, a life is defined by action” ( Jay Parini).
6. v. To make or write a definition.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. To determine, declare, or mark the limit of; circumscribe; determine or indicate the bounds or outlines of with precision; mark or set out clearly: as, to define the extent of a kingdom or country.
2. To fix, establish, or prescribe authoritatively: as, to define the duties of an officer.
3. To state the signification of; explain what is expressed by (a word, a phrase, etc.); state the nature or essential properties of: as, to define virtue; define your meaning more clearly.
4. To determine; settle; decide.
5. To determine; decide; give judgment.
6. To state a definition.

Wiktionary

1. v. To determine.
2. v. To express the essential nature of something.
3. v. To state the meaning of a word or word group or a sign or symbol.
4. v. To describe, explain, or make definite and clear.
5. v. To demark sharply the outlines or limits of an area or concept.
6. n. computing, programming A kind of macro in source code that replaces one text string with another wherever it occurs.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. v. To fix the bounds of; to bring to a termination; to end.
2. v. To determine or clearly exhibit the boundaries of; to mark the limits of.
3. v. To determine with precision; to mark out with distinctness; to ascertain or exhibit clearly.
4. v. To determine the precise signification of; to fix the meaning of; to describe accurately; to explain; to expound or interpret.
5. v. obsolete To determine; to decide.

WordNet 3.0

1. v. decide upon or fix definitely
2. v. show the form or outline of
3. v. determine the essential quality of
4. v. determine the nature of
5. v. give a definition for the meaning of a word