Description

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /dɪˈskɹɪpʃən/

Definitions

1. A detailed account that explains characteristics | An explanation of the qualities or features of something | A representation that conveys the essential attributes of an object or concept
2. A narrative that conveys the attributes or qualities of an object or idea | An account that outlines the distinctive features or characteristics of something | A portrayal that captures and communicates the essential aspects and nature of a subject
3. A comprehensive explanation that outlines the features of an object or idea

Etymology: The story of "description" begins in medieval England, where it first appears in the 14th century. The word was adopted to express the act of portraying or delineating something in words, a need that grew alongside the rise of written record-keeping and literary endeavors. Early English writers used it to refer both to the process of outlining an object, scene, or person and to the resulting account itself. This term was borrowed from the Old French "description," which in turn came from the Latin "descriptio." In Latin, "descriptio" meant "a sketch, a delineation, or an enumeration" and was formed from "describere" (to write down, to copy, to describe), itself a combination of "de-" (down, away) and "scribere" (to write). The sense of "writing down" something in detail naturally evolved into the idea of depicting or representing with words. Over time, the meaning of the word broadened beyond just a literal record or sketch to cover any detailed verbal or written account. Today, it encompasses everything from literary depictions to technical specifications, but its roots lie in the idea of carefully "writing down" or portraying the features of something for others to understand.

Synonyms: account, narrative, depiction, explanation, representation

Antonyms: concealment, omission