The verb "determine" has several related meanings centered around deciding, discovering, or influencing something:

• To officially decide or settle something conclusively, often based on evidence or authority. For example, a committee might determine a policy, or a court might determine a legal case

• To find out or ascertain something exactly through investigation, calculation, or observation. For instance, scientists determine the cause of an accident or researchers determine a fact after study

• To influence or control the nature, outcome, or characteristics of something. For example, genes determine heredity, or experience determines ability

• To fix or set boundaries, limits, or the form of something, such as in geometry where two points determine a line

• To make a firm decision or resolution to do something, like determining to start early or to learn a language

In summary, "determine" means to decide, find out, influence, or set limits on something, often with a sense of finality or authority