de|ter|gent /d I tɜː r dʒ ə nt/ (detergents ) N‑VAR Detergent is a chemical substance, usually in the form of a powder or liquid, which is used for washing things such as clothes or dishes.
de|terio|rate /d I t I ə riəre I t/ (deteriorates , deteriorating , deteriorated ) VERB If something deteriorates , it becomes worse in some way. □ [V ] There are fears that the situation might deteriorate into full-scale war. ● de|terio|ra|tion /d I t I ə riəre I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ in ] …concern about the rapid deterioration in relations between the two countries.
de|ter|mi|nant /d I tɜː r m I nənt/ (determinants ) N‑COUNT A determinant of something causes it to be of a particular kind or to happen in a particular way. [FORMAL ]
de|ter|mi|nate /d I tɜː r m I nət/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Determinate means fixed and definite. [FORMAL ] □ …a contract for the exclusive possession of land for some determinate period.
de|ter|mi|na|tion /d I tɜː r m I ne I ʃ ə n/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft N to-inf] Determination is the quality that you show when you have decided to do something and you will not let anything stop you. □ Everyone concerned acted with great courage and determination.
2 → see also determine
de|ter|mine ◆◆◇ /d I tɜː r m I n/ (determines , determining , determined )
1 VERB If a particular factor determines the nature of a thing or event, it causes it to be of a particular kind. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] The size of the chicken pieces will determine the cooking time. □ [V wh] What determines whether you are a career success or a failure? ● de|ter|mi|na|tion N‑UNCOUNT □ …the gene which is responsible for male sex determination.
2 VERB To determine a fact means to discover it as a result of investigation. [FORMAL ] □ [V wh] The investigation will determine what really happened. □ [V n] Testing needs to be done to determine the long-term effects on humans. □ [V that] Science has determined that the risk is very small.
3 VERB If you determine something, you decide it or settle it. □ [V n] The Baltic people have a right to determine their own future. □ [V wh] My aim was first of all to determine what I should do next. [Also V that, V wh-to-inf] ● de|ter|mi|na|tion (determinations ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] □ [+ of ] We must take into our own hands the determination of our future.
4 VERB If you determine to do something, you make a firm decision to do it. [FORMAL ] □ [V to-inf] He determined to rescue his two countrymen. □ [V that] I determined that I would ask him outright.
de|ter|mined ◆◇◇ /d I tɜː r m I nd/ ADJ [oft ADJ to-inf] If you are determined to do something, you have made a firm decision to do it and will not let anything stop you. □ His enemies are determined to ruin him. □ He made determined efforts to overcome the scandal. ● de|ter|mined|ly ADV □ She shook her head, determinedly.
de|ter|min|er /d I tɜː r m I nə r / (determiners ) N‑COUNT In grammar, a determiner is a word which is used at the beginning of a noun group to indicate, for example, which thing you are referring to or whether you are referring to one thing or several. Common English determiners are 'a', 'the', 'some', 'this', and 'each'.
de|ter|min|ism /d I tɜː r m I n I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft adj N ] Determinism is the belief that all actions and events result from other actions, events, or situations, so people cannot in fact choose what to do. [FORMAL ] □ I don't believe in historical determinism.
de|ter|min|ist /d I tɜː r m I n I st/ (determinists )
1 N‑COUNT A determinist is someone who believes in determinism. [FORMAL ]
2 ADJ Determinist ideas are based on determinism. [FORMAL ] □ The determinist doctrines in question maintained that certain people were born to be slaves.
de|ter|min|is|tic /d I tɜː r m I n I st I k/
1 ADJ Deterministic ideas or explanations are based on determinism. [FORMAL ] □ …a deterministic view of human progress.
2 ADJ Deterministic forces and factors cause things to happen in a way that cannot be changed. [FORMAL ] □ Genetics is probabilistic, not deterministic.
de|ter|rence /d I te rəns, [AM ] -tɜː r-/ N‑UNCOUNT Deterrence is the prevention of something, especially war or crime, by having something such as weapons or punishment to use as a threat. □ …policies of nuclear deterrence.
de|ter|rent /d I te rənt, [AM ] -tɜː r-/ (deterrents )
1 N‑COUNT A deterrent is something that prevents people from doing something by making them afraid of what will happen to them if they do it. □ They seriously believe that capital punishment is a deterrent.
2 N‑COUNT A deterrent is a weapon or set of weapons designed to prevent enemies from attacking by making them afraid to do so. □ …a nuclear deterrent.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] If something has a deterrent effect, it has the effect of preventing people from doing certain things. □ …his belief in the deterrent value of capital punishment.
de|test /d I te st/ (detests , detesting , detested ) VERB If you detest someone or something, you dislike them very much. □ [V n] My mother detested him. □ [V v-ing] Jean detested being photographed.