See Also: decide(dictionary)
decide(dictionary)

decide (iou)



decide verb. LME.
[French decider or Latin decidere cut off, determine, from de- DE- 1 + caedere cut.]
verb trans. Settle (a question, dispute, etc.) by finding in favour of one side; bring to a settlement, resolve; influence decisively the outcome of (a contest etc.). LME.
Pope Deeds must decide our Fate. Conan Doyle The fight [a boxing-match]..will..be decided upon points. G. B. Shaw The only evidence that can decide a case of malpractice is expert evidence.
b. verb intrans. Settle a question in dispute, pronounce judgement. (Foll. by between, in favour of, against.) M18.
Smollett Let heaven decide Between me and my foes.
c. verb trans. Determine on as a settlement, pronounce in judgement. M19.
F. Marryat What you decide shall be irrevocable.
verb trans. Bring (a person) to a determination or resolution (against, in favour of, to do). E18.
E. M. Forster Quite a little thing decided me to speak to you. V. S. Reid Something which decided him against interfering.
a. verb trans. Come to a determination or resolution that, to do, whether. M19.
I. Murdoch He wondered if he should call out..but decided not to. J. Wain She could not decide whether or not to shorten the skirt. O. Manning Why had she suddenly decided she must see Flora?
b. verb intrans. Come to a determination or resolution (against, in favour of, (up)on). M19.
C. S. Forester He had already decided on the next move. D. Fraser The Japanese had decided against invasion of Australia.