Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Identify \I*den"ti*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Identified}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Identifying}.] [Cf. F. identifier. See {Identity},
and {-fy}.]
1. To make to be the same; to unite or combine in such a
manner as to make one; to treat as being one or having the
same purpose or effect; to consider as the same in any
relation.
Every precaution is taken to identify the interests
of the people and of the rulers. --D. Ramsay.
Let us identify, let us incorporate ourselves with
the people. --Burke.
2. To establish the identity of; to prove to be the same with
something described, claimed, or asserted; as, to identify
stolen property.
Identify \I*den"ti*fy\, v. i.
To become the same; to coalesce in interest, purpose, use,
effect, etc. [Obs. or R.]
An enlightened self-interest, which, when well
understood, they tell us will identify with an interest
more enlarged and public. --Burke.
Source : WordNet®
identify
v 1: recognize as being; establish the identity of someone or
something; "She identified the man on the 'wanted'
poster" [syn: {place}]
2: give the name or identifying characteristics of; refer to by
name or some other identifying characteristic property;
"Many senators were named in connection with the scandal";
"The almanac identifies the auspicious months" [syn: {name}]
3: consider (oneself) as similar to somebody else; "He
identified with the refugees"
4: conceive of as united or associated; "Sex activity is
closely identified with the hypothalamus"
5: identify as in botany or biology, for example [syn: {discover},
{key}, {key out}, {distinguish}, {describe}, {name}]
6: consider to be equal or the same; "He identified his brother
as one of the fugitives"
[also: {identified}]