determinare

Determinare is an Italian transitive verb meaning to determine, decide, or establish something, often by reasoning, calculation, or investigation. It can refer to identifying a fact or value, fixing limits or conditions, or causing a result. For example, one can determinare la causa di un fenomeno, determinare un valore numerico, or determinare i criteri di selezione. The sense can also extend to determining the outcome of a process or event.

Etymology and grammar: determinare derives from Latin determinare, from determin- “bound, limit” + -are, the standard verb ending. It follows the regular conjugation of -are verbs. Principal parts include determino, determini, determina (present); determinato (participial form); and determinò, determinai (passato remoto, where used). The past participle is determinato and forms compound tenses with avere (ho determinato).

Usage notes: determinare is frequently used in scientific, legal, administrative, and everyday language. In scientific contexts it often complements calculation or measurement (determinare una costante, determinare una variabile). In law or policy it can mean to set or decide rules and conditions (determinare i criteri, determinare le modalità). The noun related to the concept is determinazione, while determinante or fattore determinante denotes a decisive factor or element.

See also: determinismo, determinazione, determinante, stabilire, calcolare.