description

[dih-skrip-shuh n] /dɪˈskrɪp ʃən/
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; Middle English descripcioun < Latin dēscrīptiōn- (stem of dēscrīptiō), equivalent to dēscrīpt(us) (past participle of dēscrībere to describe) + -iōn- -ion
Related forms
predescription, noun
redescription, noun
self-description, noun
Synonyms
3. species; nature, character, condition; ilk.
Examples from the web for description
  • She sees our approach to food as a kind of behavior, in itself a description of the nuances of character.
  • His description of his own actions on the night of the speech must be seen in that light.
  • Go through the job description line by line.
  • One problem for the early committees was deciding what Nobel had meant by his rather sketchy description of the prizes.
  • They displayed a minor talent for colorful description but none, alas, for punch lines.
  • Send us your best travel pics and a trip description of 250 words or less.
  • The cover letter should include a description of your previous research experience and long-term career goals.
  • That description is precise and concise.
  • In the box that opens, enter a name and a description.
  • Let me really try to give an accurate description.
British Dictionary definitions for description

description

/dɪˈskrɪpʃən/
noun
1.
a statement or account that describes; representation in words
2.
the act, process, or technique of describing
3.
sort, kind, or variety: reptiles of every description
4.
(geometry) the act of drawing a line or figure, such as an arc
5.
(philosophy) a noun phrase containing a predicate that may replace a name as the subject of a sentence
Word Origin and History for description
n.

late 14c., from Old French description (12c.) and directly from Latin descriptionem (nominative descriptio) "representation, description, copy," noun of action from past participle stem of describere "write down, transcribe, copy, sketch," from de- "down" (see de-) + scribere "write" (see script (n.)).

Idioms and Phrases with description

description

see: beggar description