Definition: identify

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

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: as in 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"

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.