description

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   sort or variety

   Every description of book was in the library.

2. 2
   noun

   a statement that represents something in words

   The description of the painting didn't do it justice.

3. 3
   noun

   the act of describing something

   The user's description of the book lasted for ten minutes.

4. 4
   noun

   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.

   give a verbal description of the events

5. 5
   noun

   A set of characteristics by which someone or something can be recognized.

   The zoo had no lions, tigers, or cats of any description.

6. 6
   noun

   A scientific documentation of a taxon for the purpose of introducing it to science.

   The type description of the fungus was written by a botanist.

7. 7
   noun

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

8. 8
   noun

   The act or practice of recording and describing actual language usage in a given speech community, as opposed to prescription, i.e. laying down norms of language usage.

Etymology

From Middle English descripcioun, from Old French description and its etymon, Latin dēscrīptiō, noun of action of dēscrībō (“to describe”). Equivalent to describe + -tion.