An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
English-French-Persian

To make a choice or come to a conclusion about something. → decision, → rule of decision.

M.E. deciden, from O.Fr. decider, from L. decidere "to decide, determine," literally "to cut off," from → de-"off" + caedere "to cut, chop, beat, hew."

Vâsunidan, from vâ- "off, away," → de-, + sun "to cut;" cf. Kurd. Soriani su, sun "to sharpen, whet;" Kurd. Kurmanji (prefixed ha-, contraction of *ham-) hasun "to sharpen, whet;" Mod.Pers. sân "whetstone," variants fasân, afsân, awsân; Av. si-, sā- "to cut;" cf. Skt. śā- "to sharpen, whet;" + -idan infinitive suffix.

Someone who decides, or something that allows to determine.

→ decide; → -er.