cause (something) to occur in a particular way; be the decisive factor in 造成;起决定性作用 it will be her mental attitude that determines her future. 决定她前途的因素将是她的精神状态。 ■firmly decide 下定决心,决意 [with infinitive]she determined to tackle Stephen the next day. 她下定决心第二天要解决斯蒂芬的问题。 [no obj.]he determined on a withdrawal of his forces. 他决意撤回他的部队。
ascertain or establish exactly, typically as a result of research or calculation (尤指通过研究或计算)探知;确定 our aim is to determine the electric field. 我们的目的是要确定电场。 [with clause]the point of our study was to determine what is true, not what is practicable. 我们研究的目的是要确定什么是真实的,而不是什么是可行的。 ■(Mathematics)specify the value, position, or form of (a mathematical or geometrical object) uniquely (数)决定出,求出
(Law, archaic)bring or come to an end (律 古)终止
语源
late Middle English: from Old French determiner, from Latin determinare 'limit, fix', from de- 'completely' + terminare 'terminate'