Determination, n.
Etymology: [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 reaches definite conclusions; decision of character; resoluteness. He only is a well-made man who has a good determination. Emerson.
10 more senses
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, intensify, 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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for determination; he lists it under aim.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.