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Describe

//dɪˈskɹaɪb// verb

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To represent in words. transitive

    "The feeling is difficult to describe, but not unpleasant."

  2. 2
    identify as in botany or biology, for example wordnet
  3. 3
    To represent by drawing; to draw a plan of; to delineate; to trace or mark out. transitive

    "to describe a circle by the compasses; a torch waved about the head in such a way as to describe a circle"

  4. 4
    to give an account or representation of in words wordnet
  5. 5
    To give rise to a geometrical structure. transitive

    "The function describes a very complex surface."

Show 4 more definitions
  1. 6
    give a description of wordnet
  2. 7
    To introduce a new taxon to science by explaining its characteristics and particularly how it differs from other taxa. transitive

    "The fungus was first described by a botanist."

  3. 8
    make a mark or lines on a surface wordnet
  4. 9
    To distribute into parts, groups, or classes; to mark off; to class. obsolete, transitive

    "Passed through the land, and described it by cities into seven parts in a book."

Etymology

From Middle English descriven, from Old French descrivre, from Latin dēscrībō (“I copy off, transcribe, sketch off, describe in painting or writing”), from dē (“off”) + scrībō (“write”); see scribe and shrive. Displaced native Old English āmearcian.

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