Definition: describe

Source: WordNet (r) 1.7

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

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

   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.

Describe \De*scribe"\, v. i.
   To use the faculty of describing; to give a description; as,
   Milton describes with uncommon force and beauty.