v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Decided; p. pr. & vb. n. Deciding. ] [ L. decīdere; de- + caedere to cut, cut off; prob. akin to E. shed, v.: cf. F. décider. Cf. Decision. ] 1. To cut off; to separate. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Our seat denies us traffic here;
The sea, too near, decides us from the rest. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it. 1 Kings xx. 40. [ 1913 Webster ]

The quarrel toucheth none but us alone;
Betwixt ourselves let us decide it then. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To determine; to form a definite opinion; to come to a conclusion; to give decision; as, the court decided in favor of the defendant. [ 1913 Webster ]

Who shall decide, when doctors disagree? Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Free from ambiguity; unequivocal; unmistakable; unquestionable; clear; evident; as, a decided advantage. “A more decided taste for science.” Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Free from doubt or wavering; determined; of fixed purpose; fully settled; positive; resolute; as, a decided opinion or purpose.

Syn. -- Decided, Decisive. We call a thing decisive when it has the power or quality of deciding; as, a decisive battle; we speak of it as decided when it is so fully settled as to leave no room for doubt; as, a decided preference, a decided aversion. Hence, a decided victory is one about which there is no question; a decisive victory is one which ends the contest. Decisive is applied only to things; as, a decisive sentence, a decisive decree, a decisive judgment. Decided is applied equally to persons and things. Thus we speak of a man as decided in his whole of conduct; and as having a decided disgust, or a decided reluctance, to certain measures. “A politic caution, a guarded circumspection, were among the ruling principles of our forefathers in their most decided conduct.” Burke. “The sentences of superior judges are final, decisive, and irrevocable.” Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a decided manner; indisputably; clearly; thoroughly. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Means of forming a decision. [ Obs. ] Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. decidens falling off. ] A falling off. [ R. ] Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who decides. [ 1913 Webster ]