describe

Verb
Synonyms: depictdrawreportaccounttracelinedelineateidentifydiscoverkeykey outdistinguish

WordNet 3.0

Verb (4)

  1. give a description of“He drew an elaborate plan of attack”Synonyms: depictdraw
  2. to give an account or representation of in words“Discreet Italian police described it in a manner typically continental”Synonyms: reportaccount
  3. make a mark or lines on a surface“draw a line”“trace the outline of a figure in the sand”Synonyms: tracedrawlinedelineate
  4. identify as in botany or biology, for exampleSynonyms: identifydiscoverkeykey outdistinguishname
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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 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. [1913 Webster]

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 cities. [1913 Webster]

3.To distribute into parts, groups, or classes; to mark off; to class. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Passed through the land, and described it by cities into seven parts in a book.— Josh. xviii. 9.

Syn: To set forth; represent; delineate; relate; recount; narrate; express; explain; depict; portray; chracterize. [1913 Webster]

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]
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