decide

views updated May 14 2018

de·cide / diˈsīd/ • v. [intr.] come to a resolution in the mind as a result of consideration. ∎  [tr.] cause to come to such a resolution: this business about the letter decided me. ∎  make a choice from a number of alternatives: she had decided on her plan of action. ∎  give a judgment concerning a matter or legal case: the courts decided in favor of the claimants | [tr.] the judge will decide the case. ∎  [tr.] come to a decision about (something): we must decide the fates of the people who headed the coup. ∎  [tr.] resolve or settle (a question or contest).DERIVATIVES: de·cid·a·ble adj.de·cid·er n.

decide

views updated May 29 2018

decide determine XIV; settle a question XVIII. — F. décider or L. dēcīdere cut off, cut the knot, determine, f. DE- 2 + cædere cut.
So decision XV. — (O)F. décision or L. dēcīsiō, f. dēcīs-, pp. stem of dēcīdere, decisive XVII. — F. — medL.

décidé

views updated May 29 2018

décidé (Fr.), deciso (It.). Decided. With decision (i.e. firmly, not flabbily). So the It. superlative, decisissimo.

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