describe Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb give a description of
    draw; depict.
    • He drew an elaborate plan of attack
  2. verb to give an account or representation of in words
    report; account.
    • Discreet Italian police described it in a manner typically continental
  3. verb make a mark or lines on a surface
    delineate; draw; line; trace.
    • draw a line
    • trace the outline of a figure in the sand
  4. verb identify as in botany or biology, for example
    name; discover; identify; key; distinguish; key out.

WordNet

De*scribe" transitive verb
Etymology
L. describere, descriptum; de- + scribere to write: cf. OE. descriven, OF. descrivre, F. décrire. See Scribe, and cf. Descry.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Described ; present participle & verbal noun Describing
Definitions
  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.
  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.
  3. To distribute into parts, groups, or classes; to mark off; to class. Obs.
    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.
De*scribe" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To use the faculty of describing; to give a description; as, Milton describes with uncommon force and beauty.

Webster 1913