decidev.1
/dᵻˈsʌɪd/, U.S. /dəˈsaɪd/, /diˈsaɪd/ I. To come or bring to a resolution or conclusion.
1.
a. transitive. To arrive at an opinion or conclusion about (a matter under consideration); to make a decision regarding (question, issue, etc., on which there is doubt or dispute), esp. after considering several alternatives. Frequently with indirect question or other clause as object, expressing the matter under consideration.
ΚΠ
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) vii. l. 52 (MED) Lo, thus danz Aristotiles These thre sciences hath divided And the nature also decided, Wherof that ech of hem schal serve.
1593 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie iv. x. 188 Till it be..decided who haue stood for truth.
1646 J. Shirley Triumph of Beavtie 17 How shall Paris, Whose yeares are green, & too unripe for judgment, Decide the worth of three such Deities.
1693 J. Evelyn tr. J. de La Quintinie Compl. Gard'ner i. ii. vi. 30 It is easie to decide the choice of those two Expositions.
1746 J. Wesley Let. 25 June (1931) II. 69 The best way of deciding the points in question with us is cool and friendly argumentation.
1787 Ann. Reg. 1784–5 App. Chron. 283/2 The judges are appointed to decide the law, the juries to decide the fact.
1824 J. A. Yates Colonial Slavery iv. 57 Which valuers decide the price to be paid.
1862 J. Phin Open Air Grape Culture App. ii. 324 It will next be proper to decide the height of the wall, that we may know the number of cordons to be erected.
1921 Painters Mag. July 16/1 Generally it is the women of the house who determine when it shall be repainted, and who decide the color scheme.
1970 E. Bruton Diamonds (1978) xii. 264 Grading a cut stone for colour means deciding the amount by which it deviates from the whitest possible.
2000 R. Hosking At Japanese Table Pref. p. viii The chef will decide the menu on the basis of what foodstuffs are at their best.
b. intransitive. To come to a decision or conclusion. Chiefly with on, upon, about, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > resolve or decide [verb (intransitive)]
choosec1320
definec1374
to take advisementa1393
appointc1440
conclude1452
to come to (an) anchor?1473
deliber1485
determine1509
resolvea1528
rest1530
deliberate1550
point1560
decide1572
to set (up) one's rest1572
to set down one's rest1578
to make account1583
to fix the staff1584
to take a party1585
fadge1592
set1638
determinate1639
pitch1666
devise1714
pre-resolve1760
settle1782
to make up one's mind1859
1572 J. Higgins Huloets Dict. (rev. ed.) sig. Mivv Decide vpon some matter. De aliquo negotio decidere.
1600 Maydes Metamorphosis i. sig. A3 The question first must be discided on..Who were most cruell: those that did obay, Or he that gaue commandment for the fact?
1699 tr. J. de La Bruyère Characters 317 Descartes rule never to decide on the least truth, before 'tis clearly and distinctly known, is convenient and just in the judgment we give of persons.
a1743 A. M. Ramsay Philos. Princ. Nat. & Revealed Relig. (1749) II. vi. 493 [The schoolmen] multiplied useless questions, became minute in deciding about metaphysical quibbles, and thus spoiled the simplicity of faith.
1812 I. D'Israeli Calamities of Authors II. 331 Pope hesitated at deciding on the durability of his poetry.
1860 All Year Round 22 Sept. 567 You have..finally decided on the menu with your chef.
1941 P. Hamilton Hangover Square iv. ii. 126 ‘No—this is my go,’ said George, as the girl sat down, and when they had decided upon what they would have, he went to the bar to get it.
1967 S. Terkel Division Street xxi. 360 If you don't decide about an issue, inevitably something will happen.
1977 J. Lees-Milne Diary 1 Mar. in Through Wood & Dale (2001) 151 I asked how many and which rich persons would be selected to dine with HRH for this purpose—i.e., extracting money from them. He said, ‘The computer will decide, of course’.
2013 Daily Mirror (Nexis) 16 Mar. 33 Deciding on what to wear to a wedding can be a nightmare.
c. transitive. With clause as object, expressing the conclusion drawn. To conclude after consideration; to deduce. Also in passive with anticipatory it.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > process of reasoning, ratiocination > process of inferring, inference > infer, conclude [verb (transitive)]
concludec1374
takec1400
to drive outc1443
drive1447
derive1509
reasona1527
deduce1529
include1529
infer1529
gather1535
deduct?1551
induce1563
pick1565
fetch1567
collect1581
decide1584
bring1605
to take up1662
1584 R. Cosin Answer to Two Fyrst & Principall Treat. ii. xviii. 336 The other place speketh not of dispensing, but of iudging, and decideth that there should lie none appellation.
1658 tr. B. Pascal Les Provinciales (ed. 2) Additionals 93 Deciding that a taxe imposed upon Merchandises is not just, it is lawfull for a man to use false weights to gaine the more.
1750 T. Nugent tr. C.-L. de S. de Montesquieu Spirit of Laws II. xxviii. xxvi. 281 If the witness was overcome, it was decided, that the party had produced a false witness, and he lost his cause.
1798 Trial P. Finerty 36 Having decided the intention to be immaterial, it followed that the truth must be equally immaterial.
1883 ‘M. Twain’ Life on Mississippi xxxi. 338 One of the two establishments where the Government keeps and watches corpses until the doctors decide that they are permanently dead.
1929 H. W. Haggard Devils, Drugs, & Doctors vi. 137 Upon consultation among medical men of Salerno, it was decided that the only means of extracting the poison which prevented the wound from healing was suction.
1955 T. Williams Let. 4 Sept. in Five O'Clock Angel (1991) 127 It seems to me that now the Horse has decided he never has to do anything in his life.
2005 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 20 Nov. iv. 13/1 Voters have decided the war is over.
d. transitive. With infinitive, clause, or direct speech as object. To determine upon as a course of action; to resolve to do (something) or bring (something) about. Also in passive with anticipatory it.The object of the verb in quot. 1692 is problematic: cf. the variant MS. reading.
ΚΠ
1692 A. Wood Life & Times (1894) III. 396 Several Presbyterians and Independents were at Cockrill's house and had Athenae et Fasti Oxon there in quires, where they decided to look up it [MS. they decided it to look up it].
1765 H. Walpole Let. 9 Mar. (1937) I. 90 I have decided that the outside shall be treillage.
1798 Oracle & Daily Advertiser 25 Dec. Commodore Duckworth..decided to pursue them.
1830 I. D'Israeli Comm. Life Charles I III. i. 8 An English monarch now decided to reign without a Parliament.
1865 N.Y. Times 22 Mar. 5/2 It was decided to organize a permanent association for the general benefit of the trade and the improvement of the typographic art.
1889 M. F. Cusack Nun of Kenmare xxiv. 442 At Orkney I grew rapidly worse, and decided I must go back to Jersey City, even if I died on the way.
1900 G. Hague Countess Helena (ed. 2) xlv. 255 ‘I am going up to the top of that cathedral spire, or as far up as one can go,’ she decided.
1921 A. A. Milne If I May 19 I decided that no son of mine should become a curtain-pole manufacturer.
1967 T. W. Blackburn Good Day to Die iv. 37 Sitting Bull continued. ‘It has been decided. We also will send two men to the country of the Fish Eaters’.
2012 New Yorker 10 Sept. 79/2 He recalled how, at eighteen, he decided to study architecture.
e. intransitive. Chiefly with on, upon, etc. To come to a firm decision with regard to future action or intention; to determine on or opt for something; to select something from several alternatives.
ΚΠ
1778 F. Burney Evelina II. xv. 117 As to the way we should go; some were for a boat, others for a coach, and Mr. Branghton himself was for walking: but the boat, at length, was decided upon.
1785 T. Jefferson Let. 4 Nov. in Papers (1954) IX. 15 The Dollar was decided on as the Money unit of America.
1827 G. Kennedy Anna Ross (new ed.) 63 I have decided on taking a pew either in St. George's Church, or in one of the Church of England Chapels.
1852 G. Currie Insurance Agent's Assistant xi. 79 What I now say to one, I emphatically say to all, who have not yet resolved upon action—Decide! decide! decide!
1887 C. J. Abbey Eng. Church & Bishops II. 54 Butler soon after this decided against Nonconformity.
1895 ‘M. Corelli’ Sorrows of Satan v. 55 I give you just a day's grace to decide,—it must be yes or no in twenty-four hours!
1902 Jewish Q. Rev. 15 97 Modern scholars should have decided on the pronunciation ‘Yahweh’.
1915 Musical Monitor June 496/2 I make a point never to read about the interpretation of the role by another artist..until I have fully decided upon my own interpretation.
1922 Good Housek. Feb. 149/1 He can't decide between us.
2010 Your Cat Feb. 7/2 We decided on Bengals after Mary had seen one, because they are just so beautiful.
2.
a. transitive. To bring to an end (a controversy, argument, etc.) by finding in favour of one party; to pass judgement on (a dispute, etc.), to give a ruling on; to settle or resolve (a dispute, contention, etc.) by passing judgement.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > settlement of dispute, arbitration > settle, arbitrate [verb (transitive)]
redeOE
to-dealc1275
deraignc1330
determinec1380
award1393
decidec1400
decise?a1425
decernc1425
discernc1425
arbitrea1513
deema1513
moder1534
resolve1586
divide1596
arbitrate1597
fit1600
moderate1602
umpire1609
sopite1628
appointa1631
determinate1647
issue1650
settle1651
to cut the melon1911
c1400 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 429 Bifore þis cause were descided bytwene wyse men.
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope 4 The cause came before the kyng to be decyded and pletyd.
1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 43 There is great controversie touching the Earthes fourme: which must be descided..or we can safely procede further.
a1677 I. Barrow Several Serm. Evil-speaking (1678) i. 9 Advocates plead causes, and Judges decide them.
1796 J. Moser Hermit of Caucasus I. 172 Are causes decided as speedy, and at as small an expence as possible?
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xxiv. 170 The proper persons to decide the question.
1960 Archery (‘Know the Game’ Ser.) 23/1 A Judge or Field Captain is appointed in charge of all tournaments, and is responsible for deciding disputes which may arise concerning scores and shooting.
2012 Tampa Bay (Florida) Times (Nexis) 6 Jan. 10 a The administration dismissed the sessions as sham attempts to block Obama's nominees from taking their posts, and the courts likely will decide that disagreement.
b. intransitive. To give a decision, judgement, or ruling on a matter; esp. to judge between parties in a dispute. Frequently with for, against, between, in favour of, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > settlement of dispute, arbitration > arbitrate [verb (intransitive)]
awardc1386
judgea1425
decidec1540
umpire1613
umpire1620
arbitrate1622
c1540 J. Bellenden tr. H. Boece Hyst. & Cron. Scotl. xiv. i. f. cciiii/2 He brocht certane resolute men out of france to decide on yis mater.
1672 G. Mackenzie Pleadings 112 I hope, that when you have decided against him, he will heartily acquiesce to your Sentence.
1733 A. Pope Of Use of Riches 1 Who shall decide, when Doctors dis-agree?
1749 T. Smollett Regicide ii. ii. 17 Let Heaven decide Between me and my Foes.
1794 R. J. Sulivan View of Nature II. 265 To judge and to decide on the authority of historical monuments.
1844 F. Marryat Privateersman xvii. 124 You shall be the arbitress of her fate, and what you decide shall be irrevocable.
1930 J. H. Jeans Universe around Us (ed. 2) vi. 333 At present direct observation cannot definitely decide between the two conflicting hypotheses, but it rather frowns upon the ‘steady stream’ view of the stars.
1970 C. G. Noreña Juan Luis Vives 288 The judge decides according to the law, the procedural regulations, and the evidence of the case.
2014 Times (Nexis) 8 Aug. 32 If they do not decide in her favour, she will go to court.
3. transitive. To exert a decisive influence on (an issue, situation, etc.); to determine the outcome of (a contest, etc.). Also occasionally intransitive.
ΚΠ
1592 J. Lyly Midas iii. i. sig. C3 Let your minde be still of steele, and let the sharpest sword decide the right of Scepters.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iv. i. 182 Either end in peace..Or to the place of diffrence call the swords, Which must decide it. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vi. 303 Fit to decide the Empire of great Heav'n. View more context for this quotation
1738 H. Brooke tr. T. Tasso Jerusalem ii. 43 Henceforward let the Sword decide.
1787 A. Hawkins tr. V. Mignot Hist. Turkish Empire II. 162 The address with which the Venetians, Spaniards, and all the confederates, worked their galleys, decided the battle in a very short time.
1819 W. Hazlitt in Examiner 7 Feb. 94/2 In the three first games, which of course decided the match, Peru got only one ace.
1866 tr. P. Guéranger Life St. Cecilia iv. 51 This memorable contest..decided the victory of the Romans over the Albans.
1909 in F. T. Jane All World's Air-Ships 327/3 ‘Air power’ can hardly be more than one of many factors in deciding the issue of future wars.
1962 N.Y. Times 12 Nov. 25 Only 1,000,000 voters out of the nearly 5,800,000 who went to the polls in New York last Tuesday decided the outcome.
2013 Daily Tel. 18 Oct. 26/4 There is a word for this: gerontocracy, a system where countries are run for the benefit of the old because they tend to decide elections.
4. transitive. To bring (a person, group, etc.) to a decision; to cause to resolve or determine.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > assure, make certain [verb (transitive)] > bring someone to certainty
resolve1548
decide1604
1604 N. Breton Passionate Shepheard (1877) sig. D3 Her censure onely shall decide me: What I protest in euerie parte.
1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 141. ⁋2 Have agreed to be decided by your Judgment.
1827 R. Southey Select. from Lett. (1856) IV. 463 This ‘Tasso’ came in good time to decide me in a matter upon which I was hesitating.
1893 New Eng. Mag. Sept. 88/2 His ‘sober second thought’ decided him to face the music, confess his fault and make the best of it.
1921 J. Galsworthy To Let 231 Our names were publicly joined. That decided us, and we became united in fact.
2006 Place in Sun May 90/1 What decided him on his final decision was that property in this part of the world seemed to stack up as a good investment.
5. transitive. To cut off or separate from. Obsolete. rare.Spellings in dis- in this meaning have been treated at discide v.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separate [verb (transitive)] > separate from
to-partc1325
dividec1380
separate1526
decide1570
discoast1583
shut1697
mark1706
to shut off1833
to mark off1848
1570 R. Edwardes Boke Very Godly Psalmes i. 16 Circumsise our harts with thy grace, that beinge decided from this witching world: we may wholy cleaue vnto thee.
1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. Contin. 1290/1 Againe, our seat denies our traffike heere, The sea too neare decides vs from the rest.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2015; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
† decidev.2
Obsolete. rare.
intransitive. To fall off.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > growth, movement, or curvature of parts > grow, move, or curve [verb (intransitive)] > fall off or drop
shed1557
shatter1577
shale1578
decide1657
shake1725
shell1828
1657 R. Tomlinson tr. J. de Renou Medicinal Materials i, in Medicinal Dispensatory sig. Mm4 [The flowers of Hellebore] in whose middle, when they are ready to decide [L. decidentium], grow short husks.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2015; most recently modified version published online September 2021).
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