identifying

Verb

identify (third-person singular simple present identifies, present participle identifying, simple past and past participle identified)

1. (transitive) To establish the identity of someone or something.
   • It was hard to identify the shoplifter because the CCTV records didn't have a clear image.
2. (transitive) To disclose the identity of someone.
   • The Associated Press will not identify the suspect of the crime because he is a juvenile.
3. (transitive) To establish the taxonomic classification of an organism.
   • A recent biological inventory uncovered 41 species and 2 subspecies of insects new to science and many species not before identified in the State of Washington.2000, Bill Clinton, Proclamation 7319
4. (transitive) To equate or make the same; to unite or combine into one.
   • Every precaution is taken to identify the interests of the people, and their rulers.1809, David Ramsay, History of South Carolina, volume II, page 80
5. (reflexive) To have a strong affinity with; to feel oneself to be modelled on or connected to.
   • Der Traum erhält eine neue Deutung, wenn sie im Traum nicht sich, sondern die Freundin meint, wenn sie sich an die Stelle der Freundin gesetzt oder, wie wir sagen können, sich mit ihr identifiziert hat.1999 [1899], Sigmund Freud, translated by Joyce Crick, Die Traumdeutung [The Interpretation of Dreams], Oxford, published 2008, page 117
6. (intransitive) To associate oneself with some group; to feel, or believe one feels, the same way.
   • Now, the vast majority of us identify with the second group, the one that believes in trusting the wisdom of the people rather than taking power away from them and concentrating it in the other hands.1983, S:Presidential Radio Address - 26 February 1983

See all 7 meanings of identify