describe

describe
transitive verb (described; describing) Etymology: Middle English, from Latin describere, from de- + scribere to write — more at scribe Date: 15th century 1. to represent or give an account of in words <
describe a picture
>
2. to represent by a figure, model, or picture ; delineate 3. obsolete distribute 4. to trace or traverse the outline of <
describe a circle
>
5. archaic observe, perceivedescribable adjectivedescriber noun

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Describe — De*scribe , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Described}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Describing}.] [L. describere, descriptum; de + scribere to write: cf. OE. descriven, OF. descrivre, F. d[ e]crire. See {Scribe}, and cf. {Descry}.] 1. To represent by drawing; to draw… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • describe — I verb annotate, be specific, characterize, clarify, define, delineate, depict, depingere, describere, detail, elucidate, explain, explicare, expound, give an account, identify, illuminate, illustrate, itemize, make clear, make plain, make vivid …   Law dictionary

  • Describe — De*scribe , v. i. To use the faculty of describing; to give a description; as, Milton describes with uncommon force and beauty. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • describe — early 13c., descriven, from O.Fr. descrivre, descrire (13c.), from L. describere to write down, copy; sketch, represent (see DESCRIPTION (Cf. description)). Reconstructed with Latin spelling 16c. Related: Describable; described, describes,… …   Etymology dictionary

  • describe — *relate, narrate, state, report, rehearse, recite, recount Analogous words: delineate, *sketch, outline …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • describe — [v] explain in speech, writing call, characterize, chronicle, communicate, construe, convey image, define, delineate, depict, detail, distinguish, draw, elucidate, epitomize, exemplify, explicate, expound, express, illuminate, illustrate, image,… …   New thesaurus

  • describe — ► VERB 1) give a detailed account in words of. 2) mark out or draw (a geometrical figure). DERIVATIVES describable adjective describer noun. ORIGIN Latin describere write down …   English terms dictionary

  • describe — [di skrīb′] vt. described, describing [ME descriven < OFr descrivre < L describere, to copy down, transcribe < de , from + scribere, to write: see SCRIBE] 1. to tell or write about; give a detailed account of 2. to picture in words 3. to …   English World dictionary

  • describe */*/*/ — UK [dɪˈskraɪb] / US verb [transitive] Word forms describe : present tense I/you/we/they describe he/she/it describes present participle describing past tense described past participle described 1) a) to give details about what someone or… …   English dictionary

  • describe — de|scribe W1S1 [dıˈskraıb] v [T] [Date: 1400 1500; : Latin; Origin: describere, from scribere to write ] 1.) to say what something or someone is like by giving details about them ▪ The police asked her to describe the two men. ▪ An alternative… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • describe — de|scribe [ dı skraıb ] verb transitive *** 1. ) to give details about what someone or something is like: The e mail system is fully described in section 10. I don t think that s quite the word to describe my feelings. describe someone/something… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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