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.
