*ermin*

a. [ LL. conterminalis. ] Conterminous. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having the same limits; ending at the same time; conterminous. Lamb. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. conterminare to border upon, fr. conterminus conterminous; con- + terminus border. ] Having the same bounds; conterminous. [ Obs. ] B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. conterminus. Cf. Conterminous. ] Having the same bounds, or limits; bordering upon; contiguous. [ 1913 Webster ]

This conformed so many of them as were conterminous to the colonies and garrisons, to the Roman laws. Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. Conterminous. ] Bordering; conterminous; -- followed by with. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Counter- + mine underground gallery: cf. F. contermine. ] 1. (Mil.) An underground gallery excavated to intercept and destroy the mining of an enemy. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A stratagem or plot by which another sratagem or project is defeated. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thinking himself contemned, knowing no countermine against contempt but terror. Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Cf. F. contreminer. ] [ imp. & p. p. Countermined; p. pr. & vb. n. Countermining. ] 1. (Mil.) To oppose by means of a countermine; to intercept with a countermine. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To frustrate or counteract by secret measures. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To make a countermine or counterplot; to plot secretly. [ 1913 Webster ]

'Tis hard for man to countermine with God. Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Milling) A machine for breaking open the kernels of wheat or other grain and removing the germs. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. The quality of being determinable; determinableness. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. determinabilis finite. See Determine, v. t. ] Capable of being determined, definitely ascertained, decided upon, or brought to a conclusion. [ 1913 Webster ]

Not wholly determinable from the grammatical use of the words. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Capability of being determined; determinability. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Determinateness. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. determinans, p. pr. of determinare: cf. F. déterminant. ] Serving to determine or limit; determinative. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. That which serves to determine; that which causes determination. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Math.) The sum of a series of products of several numbers, these products being formed according to certain specified laws; thus, the determinant of the nine numbers
a, b, c, a′, b′, c′, a′′, b′′, c′′,
is a b′ c′′ - a b′′ c′ + a′ b′′ c ] - a′ b c′′ + a′′ b′ c. The determinant is written by placing the numbers from which it is formed in a square between two vertical lines. The theory of determinants forms a very important branch of modern mathematics. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Logic) A mark or attribute, attached to the subject or predicate, narrowing the extent of both, but rendering them more definite and precise. Abp. Thomson. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. determinatus, p. p. of determinare. See Determine. ] 1. Having defined limits; not uncertain or arbitrary; fixed; established; definite. [ 1913 Webster ]

Quantity of words and a determinate number of feet. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Conclusive; decisive; positive. [ 1913 Webster ]

The determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God. Acts ii. 23. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Determined or resolved upon. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

My determinate voyage. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Of determined purpose; resolute. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

More determinate to do than skillful how to do. Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

Determinate inflorescence (Bot.), that in which the flowering commences with the terminal bud of a stem, which puts a limit to its growth; -- also called centrifugal inflorescence. --
Determinate problem (Math.), a problem which admits of a limited number of solutions. --
Determinate quantities,
Determinate equations (Math.), those that are finite in the number of values or solutions, that is, in which the conditions of the problem or equation determine the number. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To bring to an end; to determine. See Determine. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The sly, slow hours shall not determinate
The dateless limit of thy dear exile. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. 1. In a determinate manner; definitely; ascertainably. [ 1913 Webster ]

The principles of religion are already either determinately true or false, before you think of them. Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Resolutely; unchangeably. [ 1913 Webster ]

Being determinately . . . bent to marry. Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. State of being determinate. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. determinatio boundary, end: cf. F. détermination. ] 1. The act of determining, or the state of being determined. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Bringing to an end; termination; limit. [ 1913 Webster ]

A speedy determination of that war. Ludlow. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Direction or tendency to a certain end; impulsion. [ 1913 Webster ]

Remissness can by no means consist with a constant determination of the will . . . to the greatest apparent good. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The quality of mind which reaches definite conclusions; decision of character; resoluteness. [ 1913 Webster ]

He only is a well-made man who has a good determination. Emerson. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. The state of decision; a judicial decision, or ending of controversy. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. That which is determined upon; result of deliberation; purpose; conclusion formed; fixed resolution. [ 1913 Webster ]

So bloodthirsty a determination to obtain convictions. Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Med.) A flow, rush, or tendency to a particular part; as, a determination of blood to the head. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. déterminatif. ] Having power to determine; limiting; shaping; directing; conclusive. [ 1913 Webster ]

Incidents . . . determinative of their course. I. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

Determinative tables (Nat. Hist.), tables presenting the specific character of minerals, plants, etc., to assist in determining the species to which a specimen belongs. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. That which serves to determine. [ 1913 Webster ]

Explanatory determinatives . . . were placed after words phonetically expressed, in order to serve as an aid to the reader in determining the meaning. I. Taylor (The Alphabet). [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ] One who determines. [ R. ] Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Determined p. pr. & vb. n. Determining. ] [ F. déterminer, L. determinare, determinatum; de + terminare limit, terminus limit. See Term. ] 1. To fix the boundaries of; to mark off and separate. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ God ] hath determined the times before appointed. Acts xvii. 26. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To set bounds to; to fix the determination of; to limit; to bound; to bring to an end; to finish. [ 1913 Webster ]

The knowledge of men hitherto hath been determined by the view or sight. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Now, where is he that will not stay so long
Till his friend sickness hath determined me? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To fix the form or character of; to shape; to prescribe imperatively; to regulate; to settle. [ 1913 Webster ]

The character of the soul is determined by the character of its God. J. Edwards. [ 1913 Webster ]

Something divinely beautiful . . . that at some time or other might influence or even determine her course of life. W. Black. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To fix the course of; to impel and direct; -- with a remoter object preceded by to; as, another's will determined me to this course. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To ascertain definitely; to find out the specific character or name of; to assign to its true place in a system; as, to determine an unknown or a newly discovered plant or its name. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. To bring to a conclusion, as a question or controversy; to settle authoritative or judicial sentence; to decide; as, the court has determined the cause. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. To resolve on; to have a fixed intention of; also, to cause to come to a conclusion or decision; to lead; as, this determined him to go immediately. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. (Logic) To define or limit by adding a differentia. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. (Physical Sciences) To ascertain the presence, quantity, or amount of; as, to determine the parallax; to determine the salt in sea water. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To come to an end; to end; to terminate. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

He who has vented a pernicious doctrine or published an ill book must know that his life determine not together. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

Estates may determine on future contingencies. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To come to a decision; to decide; to resolve; -- often with on. “Determine on some course.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

He shall pay as the judges determine. Ex. xxi. 22. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Decided; resolute. “Adetermined foe.” Sparks. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a determined manner; with determination. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, determines or decides. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Metaph.) The doctrine that the will is not free, but is inevitably and invincibly determined by motives, preceding events, and natural laws. [ 1913 Webster ]

Its superior suitability to produce courage, as contrasted with scientific physical determinism, is obvious. F. P. Cobbe. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Metaph.) One who believes in determinism. Also adj.; as, determinist theories. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. of or pertaining to determinism; as, deterministic theories. [ PJC ]

2. causally determined and not subject to random chance. [ PJC ]

a. [ L. disterminatus, p. p. of disterminare to limit. See Terminate. ] Separated by bounds. [ Obs. ] Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. disterminatio. ] Separation by bounds. [ Obs. ] Hammond. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ From L. egerminare to sprout. ] To germinate. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. Ermin, L. Armenius. ] An Armenian. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. ermine, F. hermine, prob. of German origin; cf. OHG. harmo, G. hermelin, akin to Lith. szarm&unr_;, szarmonys, weasel, cf. AS. hearma; but cf. also LL. armelinus, armellina, hermellina, and pellis Armenia, the fur of the Armenian rat, mus Armenius, the animal being found also in Armenia. ] 1. (Zoöl.) A valuable fur-bearing animal of the genus Mustela (M. erminea), allied to the weasel; the stoat. It is found in the northern parts of Asia, Europe, and America. In summer it is brown, but in winter it becomes white, except the tip of the tail, which is always black. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The fur of the ermine, as prepared for ornamenting garments of royalty, etc., by having the tips of the tails, which are black, arranged at regular intervals throughout the white. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. By metonymy, the office or functions of a judge, whose state robe, lined with ermine, is emblematical of purity and honor without stain. Chatham. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Her.) One of the furs. See Fur (Her.) [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Ermine is represented by an argent field, tufted with black. Ermines is the reverse of ermine, being black, spotted or timbered with argent. Erminois is the same as ermine, except that or is substituted for argent. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ermine moth (Zoöl.), a white moth with black spots (esp. Yponomeuta padella of Europe); -- so called on account of the resemblance of its covering to the fur of the ermine; also applied to certain white bombycid moths of America. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To clothe with, or as with, ermine. [ 1913 Webster ]

The snows that have ermined it in the winter. Lowell. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Clothed or adorned with the fur of the ermine. Pope.

n., n. (Her.) See Note under Ermine, n., 4. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. e- + terminable. ] Interminable. [ Obs. ] Skelton.

adj. capable of being totally destroyed or wiped out.
Syn. -- extirpable. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Exterminated p. pr. & vb. n. Exterminating ] [ L. exterminatus, p. p. of exterminare to abolish, destroy, drive out or away; ex out + terminus boundary, limit. See Term. ] 1. To drive out or away; to expel. [ 1913 Webster ]

They deposed, exterminated, and deprived him of communion. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To destroy utterly; to cut off; to extirpate; to annihilate; to root out; as, to exterminate a colony, a tribe, or a nation; to exterminate error or vice. [ 1913 Webster ]

To explode and exterminate rank atheism. Bentley. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Math.) To eliminate, as unknown quantities. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. destroyed completely.
Syn. -- annihilated, wiped out(predicate). [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Cf. F. extermination. ] 1. The act of exterminating; total destruction; eradication; excision; as, the extermination of inhabitants or tribes, of error or vice, or of weeds from a field. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Math.) Elimination. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ] One who, or that which, exterminates. Buckle. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to extermination; tending to exterminate. “Exterminatory war.” Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ F. exterminer. ] To exterminate; to destroy. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To determine or decree beforehand. Bp. Hopkins. [ 1913 Webster ]