Quotes

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. A set of words or phrases extracted from spoken or written source | A citation of someone else's statement or idea typically displayed with punctuation | An excerpt that is referred to as evidence or illustration in writing or speech
2. A series of words or phrases taken from speeches or texts | A reference to another individual's expression or thought typically marked by punctuation | A selection used to support a point or demonstrate an idea in communication
3. A collection of expressions selected from various texts or speeches is found in a citation format often recognized by punctuation, serving as support in discussion or analysis

Etymology: The use of quotation marks to denote speech or cited text has a history that stretches back several centuries, but the concept of "quotes" as a noun and verb evolved more recently alongside the development of printing and literary culture. The noun form refers to the actual words taken from a source, while the verb form means to repeat or copy those words exactly. The practice of quoting—reproducing someone else's words verbatim—has roots in the scholarly and religious traditions of the Middle Ages, when manuscripts were carefully copied and revered texts were cited extensively. The notion of marking these borrowed words visually began to take shape with the invention of the printing press in the 15th century. Printers started using various marks to indicate speech or citations, eventually settling on pairs of curved or angular marks that framed the quoted material. Etymologically, "quote" derives from the Latin verb "quotare," which means "to mark a number of," from "quot," meaning "how many." Originally, this was a way to indicate the numbered sections of a text or to reference a passage. Over time, the sense shifted from marking sections to specifically marking borrowed words, which gave rise to the noun form denoting the excerpt itself. The verb form entered English in the late 16th century, initially used in scholarly contexts where writers would "quote" classical authors to support their arguments. By the 17th century, the term broadened in use, becoming common in everyday language to mean repeating someone's exact words, whether in speech, writing, or print. In modern usage, the word encompasses both the act of citing and the cited material itself, reflecting its dual role as noun and verb. This duality mirrors the importance of exactness and attribution in communication, especially in literature, journalism, and academia, where precision in reproducing another's words is paramount.

Synonyms: citations, references