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Definition of precise - 4 dictionary results

pre⋅cise

[pri-sahys]
–adjective
1. definitely or strictly stated, defined, or fixed: precise directions.
2. being exactly that and neither more nor less: a precise temperature; a precise amount.
3. being just that and no other: the precise dress she had wanted.
4. definite or exact in statement, as a person.
5. carefully distinct: precise articulation.
6. exact in measuring, recording, etc.: a precise instrument.
7. excessively or rigidly particular: precise observance of regulations; precise grooming.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L praecīsus curtailed, brief, orig. ptp. of praecīdere to cut off, cut short, equiv. to prae- pre- + -cīsus, comb. form of caesus, ptp. of caedere to cut


pre⋅cise⋅ly, adverb
pre⋅cise⋅ness, noun


1. explicit. See correct.


1. indefinite, vague.
pre·cise   (prĭ-sīs')   
adj.  
  1. Clearly expressed or delineated; definite: The victim gave a precise description of the suspect.
  2. Exact, as in performance, execution, or amount; accurate or correct: a precise measurement; a precise instrument.
  3. Strictly distinguished from others; very: at that precise moment.
  4. Distinct and correct in sound or meaning: precise pronunciation; precise prose.
  5. Conforming strictly to rule or proper form: "The setting up of this Maypole was a lamentable spectacle to the precise separatists that lived at New Plymouth" (Thomas Morton).

[Middle English, exact, from Old French precis, condensed, precisely fixed, from Latin praecīsus, past participle of praecīdere, to shorten : prae-, pre- + caedere, to cut; see kaə-id- in Indo-European roots.]
pre·cise'ness n.

Precise

Pre*cise"\, a. [L. praecisus cut off, brief, concise, p. p. of praecidere to cut off in front, to cut off; prae before + caedere to cut: cf. F. pr['e]cis. Cf. Concise.]

1. Having determinate limitations; exactly or sharply defined or stated; definite; exact; nice; not vague or equivocal; as, precise rules of morality.

The law in this point is not precise. --Bacon.

For the hour precise Exacts our parting hence. --Milton.

2. Strictly adhering or conforming to rule; very nice or exact; punctilious in conduct or ceremony; formal; ceremonious. --Addison.

He was ever precise in promise-keeping. --Shak.

Syn: Accurate; exact; definite; correct; scrupulous; punctilious; particular; nice; formal. See Accurate. -- Pre*cise"ly, adv. -- Pre*cise"ness, n.
Language Translation for : precise
Spanish: preciso, exacto,
German: genau,
Japanese: 正確な

precise 
c.1450 (implied in precisely), from M.Fr. précis "condensed, cut short" (14c.), from M.L. precisus, from L. præcisus "abridged, cut off," pp. of præcidere "to cut off, shorten," from præ- "in front" + cædere "to cut" (see cement). Precision is first attested 1640, from M.Fr. precision, from L. præcisionem (nom. præcisio) "a cutting off," from præcisus.
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