Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Describe
De-scribe′
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Described
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Describing
.] 1.
To represent by drawing; to draw a plan of; to delineate; to trace or mark out;
as, to
describe
a circle by the compasses; a torch waved about the head in such a way as to describe
a circle.2.
To represent by words written or spoken; to give an account of; to make known to others by words or signs;
as, the geographer
. describes
countries and cities3.
To distribute into parts, groups, or classes; to mark off; to class.
[Obs.]
Syn. – To set forth; represent; delineate; relate; recount; narrate; express; explain; depict; portray; chracterize.
De-scribe′
,Verb.
I.
To use the faculty of describing; to give a description;
as, Milton
. describes
with uncommon force and beautyWebster 1828 Edition
Describe
DESCRIBE
,Verb.
T.
1.
To delineate or mark the form or figure; as, to describe a circle by the compasses.2.
To make or exhibit a figure by motion; as, a star describes a circle or an ellipsis in the heavens.3.
To show or represent to others in words; to communicate the resemblance of a thing, by naming its nature, form or properties. The poet describes the Trojan horse. The historian describes the battle of Pharsalia. The moralist describes the effects of corrupt manners. The geographer describes countries and cities.4.
To represent by signs. A deaf and dumb man may describe a distant object. Our passions may be described by external motions.5.
To draw a plan; to represent by lines and other marks on paper, or other material; as, to describe the surface of the earth by a map or chart.6.
To define laxly.Definition 2024
describe
describe
English
Verb
describe (third-person singular simple present describes, present participle describing, simple past and past participle described)
- (transitive) To represent in words.
- The feeling is difficult to describe, but not unpleasant.
- The geographer describes countries and cities.
- November 2 2014, Daniel Taylor, "Sergio Agüero strike wins derby for Manchester City against 10-man United," guardian.co.uk
- Yet the truth is that City would probably have been coasting by that point if the referee, Michael Oliver, had not turned down three separate penalties, at least two of which could be accurately described as certainties.
- 1959, Georgette Heyer, chapter 1, in The Unknown Ajax:
- […] his lordship was out of humour. That was the way Chollacombe described as knaggy an old gager as ever Charles had had the ill-fortune to serve. Stiff-rumped, that's what he was, always rubbing the rust, or riding grub, like he had been for months past.
- (transitive) To represent by drawing; to draw a plan of; to delineate; to trace or mark out.
- to describe a circle by the compasses; a torch waved about the head in such a way as to describe a circle
- 1826, James Fenimore Cooper, The Last of the Mohicans
- Uncas described an arc in the water with his own blade, and as the canoe passed swiftly on, Chingachgook recovered his paddle, and flourishing it on high, he gave the war-whoop of the Mohicans.
- (transitive, mathematics) To give rise to a geometrical structure.
- The function describes a very complex surface.
- (transitive, taxonomy) To introduce a new taxon to science by explaining its characteristics and particularly how it differs from other taxa.
- The fungus was first described by a botanist.
- (obsolete) To distribute into parts, groups, or classes; to mark off; to class.
- Bible, Joshua xviii. 9
- Passed through the land, and described it by cities into seven parts in a book.
- Bible, Joshua xviii. 9
Synonyms
Related terms
Translations
to represent in words
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to give rise to a geometrical structure
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External links
- describe in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- describe in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911