|
|
de·cide (d -s d )v. de·cid·ed, de·cid·ing, de·cides v.tr.1. a. To settle conclusively all contention or uncertainty about: decide a case; decided the dispute in favor of the workers. b. To make up one's mind about: decide what to do. 2. To influence or determine the outcome of: A few votes decided the election. 3. To cause to make or reach a decision. v.intr.1. To pronounce a judgment; announce a verdict. 2. To make up one's mind.
[Middle English deciden, from Old French decider, from Latin d c dere, to cut off, decide : d -, de- + caedere, to cut; see ka -id- in Indo-European roots.]
de·cid·a·bil i·ty n. de·cid a·ble adj. de·cid er n. Synonyms: decide, determine, settle, rule, conclude, resolve These verbs mean to come to a decision. Decide is the least specific: "If two laws conflict with each other, the courts must decide on the operation of each" (John Marshall). Determine often involves somewhat narrower issues: A jury will determine the verdict. Settle stresses finality of decision: "The lama waved a hand to show that the matter was finally settled in his mind" (Rudyard Kipling). Rule implies that the decision is handed down by someone in authority: The committee ruled that changes in the curriculum should be implemented. Conclude suggests that a decision, opinion, or judgment has been arrived at after careful consideration: She concluded that the criticism was unjust. Resolve stresses the exercise of choice in making a firm decision: I resolved to lose weight. |
decidable [dɪˈsaɪdəbəl]adj1. (Philosophy / Logic) able to be decided 2. (Philosophy / Logic) Logic (of a formal theory) having the property that it is possible by a mechanistic procedure to determine whether or not any well-formed formula is a theorem
Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content. |
|