i|den|ti|fy

i|den|ti|fy «y DEHN tuh fy», verb, -fied, -fy|ing.

–v.t.

1. a) to recognize as being a particular person or thing; prove to be the same: »

He identified the wallet as his by telling what it contained. The Roman god Jupiter may be identified with the Greek god Zeus.

b) Biology. to refer (an organism) to its proper species.

2. to make the same; treat as the same: »

The good king identified the well-being of his people with his own.

3. to connect closely; link; associate: »

He identified himself with the movement for peace. I tried to identify my mind with the old fellow's, and take his view of the world (Hawthorne). Hundreds of people identified themselves with the conductor, standing…with rulers and pencils in their hands and giving the beat and tempo (Time).

–v.i.

1. to feel a close connection with; have a sense of oneness; sympathize: »

He is probably the only big businessman in the country with whom the average voter can identify (Harper's). Despite the exotic locale..., a great many people will presumably identify with the author, sympathize and laugh with her (Newsweek).

2. Psychology. to make, show, or engage in identification.