decide

verb (decided; deciding) Etymology: Middle English, from Latin decidere, literally, to cut off, from de- + caedere to cut Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. a. to make a final choice or judgment about <

decide what to do

> b. to select as a course of action — used with an infinitive <

decided to go

> c. to infer on the basis of evidence ; conclude <

they decided that he was right

> 2. to bring to a definitive end <

one blow decided the fight

> 3. to induce to come to a choice <

her pleas decided him to help

> intransitive verb to make a choice or judgment <

decide on where to go

> • decidability noun • decidable adjective • decider noun Synonyms: decide, determine, settle, rule, resolve mean to come or cause to come to a conclusion. decide implies previous consideration of a matter causing doubt, wavering, debate, or controversy <

she decided to sell her house

>. determine implies fixing the identity, character, scope, or direction of something <

determined the cause of the problem

>. settle implies a decision reached by someone with power to end all dispute or uncertainty <

the dean's decision settled the campus alcohol policy

>. rule implies a determination by judicial or administrative authority <

the judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible

>. resolve implies an expressed or clear decision or determination to do or refrain from doing something <

he resolved to quit smoking

>.