Describe
/dɪˈskraɪb/noun
To give an account of something in words; to explain or represent.
Did you know?The root of 'describe' comes from Latin meaning 'to write down,' linking it to ancient practices of recording the unseen and revealing hidden truths.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*skrēib-
“to cut or scratch, referring to writing or inscribing.”
Latin
Latin
describere
“to write down or outline, derived from 'de-' (down) and 'scribere' (to write).”
Old French
Old French
descrire
“to describe or depict, used in literature and art to convey vivid imagery.”
Middle English
Middle English
describen
“to depict or portray in words, reflecting the growing importance of language in storytelling.”
Modern English
Modern English
describe
“to give an account of something or someone, emphasizing the act of bringing the unseen into the realm of understanding.”
Explore more surprising origins