de·cide
(dĭ-sīd́)
[Middle English deciden, from Old French decider, from Latin dēcīdere, to cut off, decide, dē-, de-, + caedere, to cut.]
verb: -cid·ed, -cid·ing, -cides.
transitive verb
- To settle conclusively all contention or uncertainty about: decide a case; decided the dispute in favor of the workers.
- To make up one's mind about: decide what to do.
- To influence or determine the outcome of: A few votes decided the election.
- To cause to make or reach a decision.
intransitive verb
- To pronounce a judgment; announce a verdict.
- To make up one's mind.
derivatives
- de·cid·a·biĺi·ty
- noun
- de·cid́a·ble
- adjective
- de·cid́er
- noun
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.
