verb (used with object), de·scribed, de·scrib·ing.
- to tell or depict in written or spoken words; give an account of: He described the accident very carefully.
- to pronounce, as by a designating term, phrase, or the like; label: There are few people who may be described as geniuses.
- to indicate; be a sign of; denote: Conceit, in many cases, describes a state of serious emotional insecurity.
- to represent or delineate by a picture or figure.
- Geometry. to draw or trace the outline of: to describe an arc.
verb (tr)
- to give an account or representation of in words
- to pronounce or labelhe has been described as a genius
- to draw a line or figure, such as a circle
early 13c., descriven, from Old French descrivre, descrire (13c.), from Latin describere “to write down, copy; sketch, represent” (see description). Reconstructed with Latin spelling 16c. Related: Describable; described, describes, describing.