De*ter`mi*na"tion (?), n. [L. determinatio boundary, end: cf. F. détermination.]
1. The act of
determining, or the state of being determined.
2. Bringing to an end; termination; limit.
A speedy determination of that war.
Ludlow. 3. Direction or tendency to a
certain end; impulsion.
Remissness can by no means consist with a constant determination of the will . . . to the greatest apparent good.
Locke. 4. The quality of mind which reaches definite conclusions; decision of character; resoluteness.
He only is a well-made man who has a good determination.
Emerson. 5. The state of decision; a judicial decision, or ending of
controversy.
6.
That which is determined upon; result of deliberation; purpose; conclusion formed; fixed resolution.
So bloodthirsty a determination to obtain
convictions.
Hallam. 7.
(Med.) A flow, rush, or tendency to a
particular part; as, a determination of blood to the
head.
8. (Physical Sciences) The
act, process, or result of
any accurate measurement, as of length, volume, weight, intensity, etc.; as, the determination
of the ohm or of the wave length of light; the
determination of
the salt in
sea water, or the oxygen
in the air.
9. (Logic) (a)
The act of defining a concept or notion by giving its essential constituents. (b) The addition of a
differentia to a concept or
notion, thus limiting its extent; -- the opposite of generalization.
10. (Nat. Hist.) The act of determining the relations of an object, as
regards genus and species; the referring of minerals, plants, or animals, to the species to which they belong; classification; as, I am indebted
to a friend
for the determination of most of these
shells.
Syn. -- Decision; conclusion; judgment; purpose; resolution; resolve; firmness. See Decision.
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