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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Decide \De*cide"\, verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Decided}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Deciding}.] [L. dec[=i]dere; de- + caedere to cut, cut off; prob. akin to E. shed, v.: cf. F. d['e]cider. Cf. {Decision}.]
1. To cut off; to separate. [Obs.]
Our seat denies us traffic here; The sea, too near, decides us from the rest. --Fuller.
2. To bring to a termination, as a question, controversy, struggle, by giving the victory to one side or party; to render judgment concerning; to determine; to settle.
So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it. --1 Kings xx. 40.
The quarrel toucheth none but us alone; Betwixt ourselves let us decide it then. --Shak.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Decide \De*cide"\, verb (used without an object) To determine; to form a definite opinion; to come to a conclusion; to give decision; as, the court decided in favor of the defendant.
Who shall decide, when doctors disagree? --Pope.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
decide
verb
1: reach, make, or come to a decision about something; "We finally decided after lengthy deliberations" [syn: {make up one's mind}, {determine}]
2: bring to an end; settle conclusively; "The case was decided"; "The judge decided the case in favor of the plaintiff"; "The father adjudicated when the sons were quarreling over their inheritance" [syn: {settle}, {resolve}, {adjudicate}]
3: cause to decide; "This new development finally decided me!"
4: influence or determine; "The vote in New Hampshire often decides the outcome of the Presidential election"
From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:
95 Moby Thesaurus words for "decide": adjudge, adjudicate, advance, arbitrate, ascertain, assure, bring, call the shots, carry, certify, choose, choose to, cinch, clear up, clinch, command, conclude, conduce to, conjecture, contribute to, control, decide upon, decree, desire, determine, direct, dismiss all doubt, dispose, elect, engage, enlist, ensure, establish, figure, find, find out, fix, forward, gather, get at, get to do, govern, guess, guide, incline, induce, influence, insure, interest in, judge, lead, lead to, lure, make a decision, make certain, make no doubt, make no mistake, make sure, make sure of, nail down, opt for, order, pick out, procure, prompt, purpose, reassure, redound to, referee, regulate, remove all doubt, resolve, rule, seal, see fit, see that, see to it, select, set, set at rest, settle, sort out, subserve, surmise, sway, take a resolution, tempt, think fit, think good, think proper, turn the scale, umpire, wear the pants, will, wish
From THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY ((C)1911 Released April 15 1993) [devils]:
DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.
A leaf was riven from a tree, "I mean to fall to earth," said he.
The west wind, rising, made him veer. "Eastward," said he, "I now shall steer."
The east wind rose with greater force. Said he: "'Twere wise to change my course."
With equal power they contend. He said: "My judgment I suspend."
Down died the winds; the leaf, elate, Cried: "I've decided to fall straight."
"First thoughts are best?" That's not the moral; Just choose your own and we'll not quarrel.
Howe'er your choice may chance to fall, You'll have no hand in it at all. G.J.
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