define
UK/di'fain/US
NGSL 1kB1
Definitions
v.
To state precisely the meaning of a word or concept.
给…下定义；解释（词或概念的）含义。
v.
To mark out the boundary or extent of something.
界定…的范围；划定边界。
v.
To give something its essential character; to characterize.
使具有特征；体现…的本质。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedde- (down, completely) + fīnīre (to set a boundary) = 'to bound completely.' To define a word is to draw a fence around its meaning — to fix exactly where it stops. The boundary metaphor stays visible in every sense: defining a role marks out its limits, and a moment that 'defines' a person draws the line of who they are.
Root fin still carries 30 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.define a term定义术语
- 2.clearly define清晰定义
- 3.define the scope界定范围
- 4.define boundaries划定边界
- 5.define a role明确角色
Example Sentences
- 1.
How would you define success?
- 2.
The contract clearly defines each party's responsibilities.
- 3.
That one decision defined his entire career.