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description - 6 dictionary results

de⋅scrip⋅tion

  [di-skrip-shuhn]
Use description in a Sentence
–noun
1. a statement, picture in words, or account that describes; descriptive representation.
2. the act or method of describing.
3. sort; kind; variety: dogs of every description.
4. Geometry. the act or process of describing a figure.
Origin:
1300–50; ME descripcioun < L dēscrīptiōn- (s. of dēscrīptiō), equiv. to dēscrīpt(us) (ptp. of dēscrībere to describe ) + -iōn- -ion

Synonyms:
3. species; nature, character, condition; ilk.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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de·scrip·tion   (dĭ-skrĭp'shən)   
n.  
  1. The act, process, or technique of describing.
  2. A statement or an account describing something: published a description of the journey; gave a vivid description of the game.
  3. A pictorial representation: Monet's ethereal descriptions of haystacks and water lilies.
  4. A kind or sort: cars of every size and description.

[Middle English descripcioun, from Anglo-Norman, from Latin dēscrīptiō, dēscrīptiōn-, from dēscrīptus, past participle of dēscrībere, to write down; see describe.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Description

De*scrip"tion\, n. [F. description, L. descriptio. See Describe.]

1. The act of describing; a delineation by marks or signs.

2. A sketch or account of anything in words; a portraiture or representation in language; an enumeration of the essential qualities of a thing or species.

Milton has descriptions of morning. --D. Webster.

3. A class to which a certain representation is applicable; kind; sort.

A difference . . . between them and another description of public creditors. --A. Hamilton.

The plates were all of the meanest description. --Macaulay.

Syn: Account; definition; recital; relation; detail; narrative; narration; explanation; delineation; representation; kind; sort. See Definition.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : description
Spanish: descripción,
German: die Beschreibung,
Japanese: 描写
More Translations »

description 
1340, from L. descriptionem, from stem of describere "write down, transcribe, copy, sketch," from de- "down" + scribere "write" (see script). Describe (1513) is a reconstruction from L., replacing earlier descrive (c.1225). Descriptive is first recorded 1751.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: de·scrip·tion
Function: noun
: a representation in words of the nature and characteristics of a thing: as a : a specification of the boundaries of a piece of land (as for a deed) b : an explanation of an invention in a patent application or printed publication
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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description

see beggar description.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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