define

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define [verb] (DIRECTLY SHOW)

to show or describe (someone or something) clearly and completely

US /dɪˈfaɪn/ 
UK /dɪˈfaɪn/ 
Example: 

He was defined by his passions.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

define

 verb (defines, defining, defined )
to say what a word means:
How do you define 'rich'?

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

define

define S2 W2 AC /dɪˈfaɪn/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[Word Family: verb: ↑define; noun: ↑definition; adverb: ↑definitely ≠ ↑indefinitely; adjective: ↑definite ≠ ↑indefinite]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: definer, from Latin definire, from finire 'to limit, end']
1. to describe something correctly and thoroughly, and to say what standards, limits, qualities etc it has that make it different from other things:
the ability to define clients’ needs
The duties of the post are difficult to define.
clearly/well defined
The tasks will be clearly defined by the tutor.
define something as something
70% of the workers can be defined as low-paid.
2. to explain exactly the meaning of a particular word or idea ⇨ definition:
I’ll now try to define the term ‘popular culture’.
define something as something
A budget is defined as ‘a plan of action expressed in money terms’.
Define precisely what you mean by ‘crime’.
3. to show the edge or shape of something clearly ⇨ definition:
The bird has sharply defined black and rust markings.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

define

de·fine AW [define defines defined defining]   [dɪˈfaɪn]    [dɪˈfaɪn]  verb
1. to say or explain what the meaning of a word or phrase is
~ sth The term ‘mental illness’ is difficult to define.

~ sth as sth Life imprisonment is defined as 60 years under state law.

2. to describe or show sth accurately
~ sth We need to define the task ahead very clearly.
The difficulty of a problem was defined in terms of how long it took to complete.

~ what, how, etc… It is difficult to define what makes him so popular.

3. ~ sth to show clearly a line, shape or edge
The mountain was sharply defined against the sky.
Derived Word: definable
 
Word Origin:
late Middle English (also in the sense ‘bring to an end)’: from Old French definer, from a variant of Latin definire, from de- (expressing completion) + finire ‘finish’ (from finis ‘end’).  
Thesaurus:
define verb T
The term ‘mental illness’ is difficult to define.
explaininterpretspell sth out|formal clarifyexpound
define/explain/spell out/clarify how/what…
define/explain/clarify the position/role/nature/meaning of sth
clearly define/explain/spell out/expound sth 
Language Bank:
define
Defining terms
It is important to clarify what is meant by climate change.
Climate change can / may be defined as ‘the long-term fluctuations in temperature, precipitation, wind and other aspects of the earth's climate’.
A generally accepted definition of global warming is the gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth's atmosphere due to the greenhouse effect.
The greenhouse effect is defined by the author as the process by which heat from the sun is trapped in the earth's atmosphere, causing the temperature of the earth to rise.
The author uses the term climate change to refer to any significant change in measures of climate lasting for an extended period.
The term ‘carbon footprint’ refers to the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of an individual or organization.
Scientists suggest that increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will result in an increase in global temperatures, and the term ‘global warming’ is used to describe this phenomenon.
Language Bank at first  
Example Bank:
Social values are not easy to define.
There may be problems if responsibilities are not adequately defined.
This type of lymphoma is defined by the presence of specific malignant cells.
Thread count is defined as the number of threads in one square inch of fabric.
We have chosen to define the scope of our study quite broadly.

the culturally defined role of women

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

define / dɪˈfaɪn / verb [ T ] (EXPLAIN)

B2 to say what the meaning of something, especially a word, is:

In this dictionary 'reality' is defined as 'the state of things as they are, rather than as they are imagined to be'.

Before I answer your question, could you define your terms a little more (= explain what you mean by the words you have used) ?

→  See also well defined

B2 to explain and describe the meaning and exact limits of something:

Your rights and responsibilities are defined in the citizens' charter.

Your role in the project will be strictly defined (= limited to particular areas) .

I'd hate to feel that I was defined by (= that my life got its meaning and importance only from) my job.

 

definable / dɪˈfaɪ.nə.bl̩ / adjective

definable rules of grammar/syntax

 

define / dɪˈfaɪn / verb [ T ] (CLEARLY SHOW)

to show clearly the edge of something:

The outline of the castle on the hill was clearly defined against the evening sky.

 

definable / dɪˈfaɪ.nə.bl̩ / adjective

definable rules of grammar/syntax

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

define

[dɪfa͟ɪn]
 ♦♦♦
 defines, defining, defined

 1) VERB If you define something, you show, describe, or state clearly what it is and what its limits are, or what it is like.
  [V wh] The Supreme Court decision could define how far Congress can go in trying to determine the outcome of court cases...
  [V n] I tried to define my own attitude: I found Rosie repulsive, but I didn't hate her.
  Derived words:
  defined ADJ-GRADED usu adv ADJ ...a party with a clearly defined programme and strict rules of membership.
 2) VERB If you define a word or expression, you explain its meaning, for example in a dictionary.
  [V n] When people are asked `What is intelligence?' they tend to reply: `I don't know how to define it, but I can certainly recognize it when I see it.'...
  [V n as n] Collins English Dictionary defines a workaholic as `a person obsessively addicted to work'.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

define

de·fine /dɪˈfaɪn/ verb -fines; -fined; -fin·ing [+ obj]
1 : to explain the meaning of (a word, phrase, etc.)
• How would you define (the word) “grotesque”?
• a term that is difficult to define
2 : to show or describe (someone or something) clearly and completely
• The government study seeks to define urban poverty.
• Her book aims to define acceptable social behavior.
• He was defined by his passions. [=his passions showed what kind of person he was]
• She believes that success should be defined in terms of health and happiness.
• Tigers are broadly/loosely defined [=described very generally] as large cats.
• He narrowly defines [=describes very specifically] a hero as someone who has earned a medal in battle.
3 : to show the shape, outline, or edge of (something) very clearly
• That fence defines the far edge of the property.
- de·fin·able /dɪˈfaɪnəbəl/ adj [more ~; most ~]
• an easily definable word
definable risk factors
- defined adj [more ~; most ~]
• a clearly defined neighborhood
• Her cheekbones are well-defined.
- defining adj always used before a noun
• That was the campaign's defining moment. [=the moment that showed very clearly what kind of campaign it was]